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- Title
Reproductive biology of blue marlin Makaira nigricans around Yonaguni Island, southwestern Japan.
- Authors
Shimose, Tamaki; Fujita, Maki; Yokawa, Kotaro; Saito, Hirokazu; Tachihara, Katsunori
- Abstract
We studied the spawning seasonality and gonadal development of blue marlin Makaira nigricans using specimens captured around Yonaguni Island in southwestern Japan between February 2003 and February 2006. The mean (±SD) lower jaw–fork length of females (234 ± 24 cm) was greater than that of males (191 ± 12 cm). The smallest mature female and male were 183 and 160 cm, respectively. Most of the 717 females had immature ovaries. However, in March and from May to September, the ovaries of 26 females contained oocytes with yolk globules, hydrated oocytes, or postovulatory follicles. Most males had testes with a large amount of spermatozoa throughout the year. The occurrence of mature blue marlin at Yonaguni Island suggests that spawning occurs here. The mean condition factors (fatness of the fish) of both sexes decreased from March to June or July, presumably as they expended energy to reproduce. We discuss our results in the context of migration theory for blue marlin in the western North Pacific Ocean.
- Subjects
YONAGUNI Island (Japan); JAPAN; BLUE marlin; FISH reproduction; FISH fertility; SPAWNING; MARINE biology; FISH research; AQUACULTURE
- Publication
Fisheries Science, 2009, Vol 75, Issue 1, p109
- ISSN
0919-9268
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s12562-008-0006-8