Reproduction of the invasive bluespotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii (Teleostei, Fistulariidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

We investigated the reproduction of the bluespotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii, one of the most successful invaders of the Mediterranean Sea and Europe. The results highlighted a multiple spawning pattern with asynchronous oocyte development and an unrestricted testicular organization with cystic spermatogenesis. Eight maturity stages in females and four in males were described. The reproductive season lasted at least six months, from May to October, with a peak in August, but gravid specimens were observed up to December. The gonadosomatic index and condition factors were significantly correlated with water temperature. Spawning started at an average water temperature of 22°C. The species is reproductively adapted to the conditions occurring in the Mediterranean Sea and it is suggested that warming conditions could facilitate its success along the Northern and Western sectors of the basin.

Keywords:

• Spawning season
• maturity
• non-indigenous species
• Lessepsian migration

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Acknowledgements

Thanks are expressed to the University Research Board (URB) of the American University of Beirut (Beirut, Lebanon) for funding this study (grant numbers: DDF 111030/688107 and 111030/A88102). Special thanks to Khouzama Knio for her valuable help in the histological analyses and to Cynthia M. Jones and Jason J. Schaffler for their input in improving the quality of this manuscript. We thank also various Lebanese fishermen for their help in collecting fish samples.

Notes

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark