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Breeding pattern and nest guarding in Sicyopterus lagocephalus, a widespread amphidromous Gobiidae

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Abstract

Amphidromous gobies are usually nest spawners. Females lay a large number of small eggs under stones or onto plant stems, leaves or roots while males take care of the clutch until hatching. This study investigates the breeding pattern and paternal investment of Sicyopterus lagocephalus in a stream on Reunion Island. In February 2007 and January 2010, a total of 170 nests were found and the presence of a goby was recorded at 61 of them. The number of eggs in the nests ranged from 5,424 to 112,000 with an average number of 28,629. We showed that males accepted a single female spawning in the nest and cared for the eggs until hatching. The probability for a nest to be guarded increased with the number of eggs within it, suggesting that paternal investment depends on a trade-off between the reproductive value of the current reproduction and future nesting events. We showed that large nest stones were occupied by large males (TL >80 mm), whereas smaller males (TL <50 mm) were found under smaller cobbles, probably because of male–male competition for available nests. Our results suggest that the male’s choice relies upon a similarity to the female size, while the female’s choice was based on both body and nest stone sizes.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the ARDA staff for their help and commitment: Pierre Bosc (director) and Henri Grondin (Technician). We are grateful to reviewers for critical comments and helpful suggestions. The present study was conducted with the financial support of Electricité De France (22-30 avenue de Wagram, 75382 Paris Cedex 8), Office de l’Eau Réunion (49 rue Mazagran, 97 400 Saint Denis), Région Réunion (Avenue René Cassin, BP 7190, 97719 Saint Denis cedex 9), Parc National de La Réunion (112 rue Sainte Marie, 97400 St Denis) and the European Union (European Social Fund).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Association Réunionnaise de Développement de l’Aquaculture (ARDA), Les Sables, BP 16, 97427, Etang Salé, Reunion

    N. Teichert & M. Metzger

  2. UMR 1224 Ecobiop, UFR Sciences et Techniques Côte Basque, Université Pau & Pays Adour, Anglet, France

    N. Teichert & P. Gaudin

  3. UMR 1224 Ecobiop, Aquapôle, INRA, St Pée sur Nivelle, France

    N. Teichert & P. Gaudin

  4. Département Milieux et Peuplements Aquatiques, Biologie des Organismes Marins et Ecosystèmes (BOREA UMR CNRS-MNHN 7208), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CP-026, 43 rue Cuvier, 75231, Paris, France

    P. Keith

  5. Centre Régional d’Application Aquacole, O.C.E.A. Consult’-Organisme Consultant en Environnement Aquatique, BP 22, 97 427, Etang Salé, La Reunion

    P. Valade

  6. Fédération Départementale de Pêche et de Protection du Milieu Aquatique de la Réunion, 208, route de la Passerelle, 97480, Saint Joseph, Reunion

    M. Richarson

  7. UFR Sciences Fondamentales et Appliquées, Université de Lorraine, Campus Bridoux, 57070, Metz, France

    M. Metzger

  8. AQUAGO, ZA des Chemins Croisés, 16 rue René Cassin, 62223, Saint Laurent Blangy, France

    M. Metzger

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  1. N. Teichert
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  2. P. Keith
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  3. P. Valade
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Correspondence to N. Teichert.

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Teichert, N., Keith, P., Valade, P. et al. Breeding pattern and nest guarding in Sicyopterus lagocephalus, a widespread amphidromous Gobiidae. J Ethol 31, 239–247 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-013-0372-2

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