Reproductive biology of squaretail coralgrouper Plectropomus areolatus using age-based techniques

The squaretail coralgrouper Plectropomus areolatus was identified as a fast‐growing, early maturing and relatively short‐lived aggregation‐spawning epinephelid. Examinations of sectioned otoliths found females and males first maturing at 2 and 3 years, respectively, suggesting protogynous hermaphrod...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of fish biology 2013-04, Vol.82 (4), p.1333-1350
Main Authors: Rhodes, K. L., Taylor, B. M., Wichilmel, C. B., Joseph, E., Hamilton, R. J., Almany, G. R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Age Distribution
Agnatha. Pisces
Animals
Bass - growth & development
Bass - physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Body Size
Epinephelidae
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
growth
Male
management
Micronesia
Plectropomus
Pohnpei
Pohnpei, Micronesia
Reproduction
Sex Determination Processes
Sexual Behavior, Animal
Sexual Maturation
sexual pattern
Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution
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Summary:The squaretail coralgrouper Plectropomus areolatus was identified as a fast‐growing, early maturing and relatively short‐lived aggregation‐spawning epinephelid. Examinations of sectioned otoliths found females and males first maturing at 2 and 3 years, respectively, suggesting protogynous hermaphroditism; however, no transitionals were observed in samples. Age distribution for the two sexes was similar and both were represented in the oldest age class; however, significant sex‐specific differences in size‐at‐age were identified. Both sexes fully recruit into the fishery at age 4 years and reach 90% of asymptotic length by age 3 years. Underwater visual assessments, combined with the gonado‐somatic indices, revealed a 5 month reproductive season, with interannual variability observed in the month of highest density within the spawning aggregation. Catch restrictions on adults during spawning times and at reproductive sites, combined with gear‐based management and enhanced enforcement, are recommended to maintain spawning stocks. Based on the available evidence, the sexual pattern for this species is unresolved.
ISSN:0022-1112
1095-8649
DOI:10.1111/jfb.12076