Evidence for spawning aggregations of the endangered Atlantic goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara in southern Brazil

In this study, seasonal numerical abundance of the critically endangered Atlantic goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara was estimated by conducting scuba dive surveys and calculating sightings‐per‐unit‐effort (SPUE) at three sites in southern Brazil. Seasonal differences in size and reproductive condi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of fish biology 2016-07, Vol.89 (1), p.876-889
Main Authors: Bueno, L. S., Bertoncini, A. A., Koenig, C. C., Coleman, F. C., Freitas, M. O., Leite, J. R., De Souza, T. F., Hostim-Silva, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
artificial reefs
Bass - anatomy & histology
Bass - physiology
Brazil
endangered species
Epinephelidae
Female
Male
Moon
Ovary - anatomy & histology
reef fish
Reproduction
Seasons
Social Behavior
South Atlantic
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Summary:In this study, seasonal numerical abundance of the critically endangered Atlantic goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara was estimated by conducting scuba dive surveys and calculating sightings‐per‐unit‐effort (SPUE) at three sites in southern Brazil. Seasonal differences in size and reproductive condition of captured or confiscated specimens were compared. The SPUE differed significantly with season, increasing in late spring and peaking during the austral summer months. A significant effect was observed in the number of fish relative to the lunar cycle. All females sampled during the summer were spawning capable, while all those sampled during other seasons were either regressing or regenerating. What these data strongly infer is that the E. itajara spawning aggregation sites have been located in the southern state of Paraná and the northern state of Santa Catarina and summer is the most likely spawning season. Size frequency distributions, abundance and reproductive state were estimated and correlated with environmental variables.
ISSN:0022-1112
1095-8649
DOI:10.1111/jfb.13028