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Marine fish eggs and larvae from the east coast of South Africa

Allan Connell, Durban, South Africa.

Abstract. Nineteen years of records are summarised, in 215 separate species data sheets, on eggs and early larvae of fishes spawning pelagic eggs on the inshore shelf, within 5km of the coast, along a short section of the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, about 50km south of Durban. Annual spawning period, and egg abundance trends over the 19 years, are provided, as well as egg and larval descriptions, showing the ephemeral pigment patterns of many species' early larvae, in digital image colour. By collecting both offshore (5km) and inshore (0.5km) samples, comparing percentage representation of each species within these two sample sets, and using two indicator species, the kob Argyrosomus japonicus and the geelbek Atractoscion aequidens, both with well-defined spawning grounds, a reasonable assessment of location of spawning was obtained for all the common eggs in the study area. About 65 species were reared on a simple food-chain for identification purposes, but in the latter stages of the study, larval identification was by DNA barcoding using the cytochrome C1 gene. The study is ongoing, both to increase the annual trend graphics for each species, and to gather barcodes of currently unidentified eggs and larvae, so that they will be identified when adult material has been sequenced. Introductory Notes describe the geography and oceanography of the study area, with particular emphasis on how these affect spawning migrations of species into the study area, and movement of early juveniles to their preferred nursery areas.

 

Contents

Introductory Notes

1. Introduction

2. Methods

2.1 Sampling offshore

2.2 Sampling in Durban Harbour mouth

2.3 Recruitment sampling at the Lovu and Mkomazi estuaries

2.4 Live egg sample handling in the laboratory

2.5 Larval rearing

2.6 Photography of eggs and larvae

2.7 DNA collection and analysis

3 The physical and oceanographic conditions in the study area

3.1 Climate and weather

3.2 Winds

3.3 Rainfall

3.4 Coastal Oceanography

3.4.1 The Agulhas current

3.4.2 Inshore waters and currents

3.4.3 The central shelf

3.4.4 Coastal productivity, nutrients, zooplankton and fish

4. Coastal oceanography in relation to sardine movement into KZN waters in winter

5. Larval fish movement in relation to the Agulhas current

6. Rainfall and spawning intensity

7. Results

7.1 Dive log current data for the study area

7.2 Net volume and eggs per sample

7.3 Paired sample analysis

7.4 The most common eggs from Durban Bay and offshore of Park Rynie

8. Voucher specimens

9. Acknowledgements

10. Literature

 

The species data sheets

Notes on fish eggs, relating to the species data sheets.

The age of eggs in the samples

Factors affecting egg density

Tips on examining live eggs

Size versus age in fish larvae

Abbreviations and definitions

Explanation of the coding system used to catalogue the eggs

The species list (alphabetical by code)

The species list (by Order or Family) ..........................For Code explanation, click here

Order/Family Lowest Identification Code Egg diameter Oil globule
Anguilliformes Gymnothorax sp. D I A1 2330-4020 ---
" Ophichthidae F I A1 1510-1780 240-290
" " " 2500-3410 240-290
" Unknown G I A1 1970-3490 multiple
Clupeiformes Unknown D III A1 625-720 ---
Clupeidae Etrumeus teres D II A1 1160-1320 ---
" Sardinops sagax F II A1 1320-1610 ---
" Hilsa kelee G II A1 1080-1175 multiple
" Gilchristella aestuaria G III A1 865-890 0-multiple
Engraulidae ?Stolephorus sp. BD III A1 1160-1310 x 530-605 ---
" ?Stolephorus holodon BF III A1 1295-1455 x 680-700 145-170
" Thryssa vitrirostris D II A2 985-1060 ---
Melanostomiidae Opostomias micripnus F I A2 2080-2880 265-290
Synodontidae Trachinocephalus myops CH II A1 1070-1140 ---
" Saurida undusquamis H II A4 1020-1130 ---
Myctophidae Unknown CL II A2 960-1125 190-205
Gadidae Unknown L III F1 780-840 145-170
Ophidiidae Brotula multibarbata K III A6 730-1080 155-200
Carapidae Unknown BK III A1 960-1000 x 790-820 170
Lophiiformes Unknown D III A4 700-840 ---
Beloniformes Unknown CD I A2 2280-2920 ---
Hemiramphidae Oxyporhamphus micropterus CH I A1 1870-2110 ---
Exocoetidae Unknown CH I A2 1990-2200 ---
" Unknown H I A1 2500-3050 ---
" Unknown M I A2 1900 multiple
Lampridiformes Unknown H I A2 2065-2185 ---
" Unknown M I A1 2210-2300 multiple
Trachipteridae ? Trachipterus sp. CD I A1 2280-2920 ---
Regalecidae Regalecus glasne CD I A1A 2950 ---
Berycidae Centroberyx spinosus E II A3 1200-1250 240-265
" Centroberyx sp. E III A8 960-1030 190-220
Zeidae Zeus faber L I A3 1800-2185 310-360
Aulostomidae Aulostomus chinensis L II A3 1270-1440 220-260
Fistulariidae Fistularia petimba H I A3 1530-2060 ---
Centriscidae Aeoliscus punctulatus L II A5 1150-1320 220-265
Scorpaenidae Parascorpaena mossambica ABH III A1 870-1000 x 650-870 ---
" Unknown ABH III A2 890-940 x 870-920 ---
" Unknown BH III A1 1055 x 910 ---
" Helicolenus ? dactylopterus BL III A1 915-1060 x 770-840 170-190
" Unknown BL III A2 720-740 x 625-690 120-145
" Unknown H II A2 1105-1345 ---
" Choridactylus natalensis H II A3 1105-1320 ---
" Cocotropus monacanthus H II A3A 1000-1320 ---
" Apistus carinatus L II B7 910-1100 190-220
" Unknown L II B8 985-1080 200-220
" Unknown M III A1 920-970 multiple
Platycephalidae Cociella heemstrai L III A5 910-985 190-240
" Platycephalus indicus L III A6 940-1030 215-265
" Thysanophrys celebica M III A2 890-970 multiple
Triglidae Cheilodonichthys kumu L II B5 920-1320 230-250
Ambassidae Ambassis dussumieri K III B9 620-680 170-190
" Ambassis ambassis K III B9C 600-670 190
" Ambassis sp. K III B9B 625 190
Caproidae Antigonia ?capros L III E4 815-890 180-190
Serranidae Acanthistius sp. n. F III A1 940-985 190-240
" Pseudanthias squamipinnis K III C1 630-690 130-150
" Pseudanthias connelli K III C1A 670 120
" Anthiinae K III C2 650 50
" Anthiinae L III E10 665-770 150-190
" Epinephelus malabaricus L III B4 840-950 170-200
" Epinephelus rivulatus & E. poecilonotus L III D2 815-910 180-190
" Unknown L III D4 815-865 170-190
" Liopropoma cf latifasciatum L III D10 840-865 170-180
  Serranus knysnaensis K III A4 860-960 145
Grammistidae Aulacocephalus temmincki L II B3 1090-1200 170-205
Priacanthidae Priacanthus hamrur KIIIB3 720-770 170-180
Pomatomidae Pomatomus saltatrix F III A4 840-960 220-265
Haemulidae Pomadasys commersonnii E III B2 800-840 190-220
" P. striatus E III B3 750-820 170-190
" P. olivaceus E IIIB4 750-790 170-205
" Unknown E III B3A 850 230
Dinopercidae Dinoperca petersi F III A2 890-960 190-220
Lutjanidae Gymnocranius griseus KIIIA10 type2 820 165
" Paracaesio xanthura K III A8 820-910 145-170
" Paracaesio xanthura K III A9 840-910 145-190
" Paracaesio sordida K III B1 860-910 110-170
Sparidae Acanthopagrus vagus L III E3A 720-770 190-220
" Cheimerius nufar L III D7 780-950 170-190
" Chrysoblephus puniceus L III D5 815-865 180
" Crenidens crenidens L III E11 720-770 180
" Diplodus hottentotus L II B4 960-1060 190-220
" D. capensis L III C1 890-940 190-200
" Lithognathus mormyrus L III D1 910-940 170-190
" Pachymetopon aeneum L III C1B 890-910 190
" P. grande L III B10 910-985 190-200
" Pagellus natalensis L III C5 790-865 170-190
" Polysteganus undulosus L III B1 960 190
" Rhabdosargus holubi L III D6 850 180
" R. sarba L III D9 790-820 170-190
" Sarpa salpa L III B9 875-985 190-215
" Sparodon durbanensis LIIIC1C 890-910 190
Dichistiidae Dichistius multifasciatus F III A2A 865-910 220-250
Scorpididae Neoscorpis lithophilus F II B1 940-1060 220-290
Ephippidae Tripterodon orbis L II A6A 1225-1345 240-310
Monodactylidae Monodactylus falciformis F II A9 1010-1065 240-270
Gerreidae Gerres acinaces E III B8 670-770 170-220
Mullidae Parupeneus heptacanthus K III A10 745-890 155-190
" Parupeneus rubescens E III B1 720-790 170-180
Sillaginidae Sillago sp. F III A4B 790-865 190-220
" Sillago sp. F III A7 790-865 190-215
Sciaenidae Atractoscion aequidens L II A6 1125-1250 280-320
" Argyrosomus japonicus L III A8 865-985 240-265
" ? A. thorpei L III E3 745-790 170-220
" Johnius dussumieri L III E4A 815-890 190-230
" Umbrina canariensis L III A4 910-1010 220-240
" U. robinsoni L II B6 1000-1060 220-250
Leiognathidae (?) Unknown K III B3A 625-720 145-190
" Secutor ruconius L III F5 650-720 170-190
Pomacanthidae Centropyge acanthops L III G2 615 155
" Pomacanthus rhomboides F III A6 790-890 190-225
Chaetodontidae Chaetodon dolosus & C. blackburni L III F2 700-745 170-180
" C. marleyi F III A5 790-865 190-215
" Heniochus ? acuminatus L III E8 690-745 170
Oplegnathidae Oplegnathus conwayi F II A7 1010-1150 240-265
" O. robinsoni E III A2 910-940 190
Bramidae Brama brama L I A4 1560-1700 340-410
" Taratichthys longipinnis L II A1A 1345-1440 350-360
" Unknown M II A4 1285 240
Caristiidae Unknown L I A1 1800-1970 530-650
Carangidae Caranx heberi (=sem) E III B6 760 210
" Decapterus macrosoma and D. russelli E III A6 745-890 205-230
" Lichia amia E I A1 1800-2110 530-650
" Scomberoides sp. E II A1 1370-1420 310-340
" Seriola lalandi E II A2 1200-1450 240-360
" S. rivoliana (?) E II A4 1000-1075 260-270
" Trachinotus sp. (?) E III A4 940-960 215
" Unknown E III A3 865-890 200-220
" Trachurus trachurus E III A5 850-900 210-220
Coryphaenidae Coryphaena hippurus F II A4 1320-1560 265-340
Cirrhitidae Cyprincirrhites polyactis K III B2 720-840 145-170
Cheilodactylidae Chirodactylus jessicalenorum K III A1 910-1030 220-260
Pempheridae Pempheris schwenkii L II A2 1285-1460 270
" Parapriacanthus ransonneti M II A5 1100-1200 multiple
Labridae Anchichoerops natalensis K III A2 840-950 190-220
" Halichoeres lapillus K III B8 550-670 120
" Unknown K III B7 650-700 110-120
" Thalassoma trilobatum K III C3 550-625 120-145
Scaridae Scarus rubroviolaceus BK III A2 1455 x 500 120
Mugilidae Liza tricuspidens L II B9 985-1060 340-360
" Liza dumerilii + L III A7 865-980 290-350
" Myxus capensis + L III B7 800-920 325-370
Sphyraenidae Sphyraena sp. E III A2A 940-1010 240-265
Chiasodontidae Chiasmodon niger L II A8 1150-1345 310-340
Champsodontidae Champsodon capensis L II B1 985-1060 170-200
Uranoscopidae Uranoscopus archionema CM I A3 1650-1900 multiple
Creediidae Apodocreedia vanderhorsti (?) M III A4 960-1010 2 x 120-170
" Limnichthys nitidus (?) M III A7 700-790 multiple
Pinguipdidae Parapercis robinsoni L III E1 750-865 170-190
" Parapercis sp. (?) L III C4 890-985 170-190
" Parapercis sp. L III E1A 750-865 170-190
Callionymidae Callionymus marleyi D III A3 680-740 ---
" Unknown CD III A1 620-760 ---
Acanthuridae Acanthurus triostegus L III G4 625-675 140-160
" Unknown L III D8 790-815 190
" Acanthurus dussumieri L III E7 670-720 160-180
Trichiuridae Trichiurus lepturus L I A2 1620-1825 385-455
Scombridae Katsuwonus pelamis & Auxis rochei L III A11 865-960 220-265
" Sarda orientalis M II A2 1200-1370 multiple
" Scomber japonicus L II A7 960-1225 240-300
" Unknown L II A4 1295-1320 230-325
" Unknown L II A4A 1250-1320 385-410
Stromataeidae Hyperoglyphe antarctica F II A3 1250-1345 360-410
" Centrolophus niger F II A5 1200-1345 340-410
Nomeidae Cubiceps pauciradiatus L III F3 720-820 190-210
Tetragonuridae Tetragonurus atlanticus F II A8A 1150 240-265
Pleuronectiformes Unknown M I A4 1610 multiple
" Type A Dagetichthys marginatus M II A1 1335-1440 multiple
" Unknown Type B M II A1 1405-1415 multiple
Bothidae Crossorhombus valderostratus L III G7 550-610 120
" Unknown CL II A1 1030-1300 140-150
" Unknown L III F9 600-695 120-145
Paralichthyidae Pseudorhombus arsius L III C9 840-940 120-170
" P. natalensis L III E9 730-810 50-90
Cynoglossidae Cynoglossus lida M III A6 770-960 multiple
" Unknown M III A8 680-750 multiple
Soleidae Parachirus xenicus M II A2A 1150-1320 multiple
" Solea turbynei (=bleekeri) M III A5 750-800 multiple
" Zebrias regani CM I A2 1510-1680 multiple
Ostraciidae Tetrosomus concatenatus CM I A1 1800-1900 multiple
Tetraodontidae Unknown H II A1 1200-1345 ---
Diodontidae Diodon holocanthus M I A3 1610-1870 multiple
" Diodon sp. M I A1A 1945-2115 multiple
Molidae Ranzania laevis M II A1A 1370-1560 multiple
Unknown Unknown BH II A1 840-1100 x 790-960 ---
Unknown Unknown BL I A1 2180 x 2060 120
Unknown Unknown E III A1 910-980 240-310
Unknown Unknown EIIIA1A 910-985 220-250
Unknown Unknown E III A3A 840-890 215-240
Unknown Unknown E III A7A 815 170
Unknown Unknown E III A9 745-820 170-190
Unknown Unknown E III B4A 800 220
Unknown Unknown E III B5 760 175
Unknown Unknown E IIIB6A 700 190
Unknown Unknown F II A6 1225 310
Unknown Unknown F II A8 1030-1225 240-275
Unknown Unknown F III A3 960-1010 180-220
Unknown Unknown F III A9 745-790 190-215
Unknown Unknown G I A2 2090-2280 multiple
Unknown Unknown K III B2A 700-790 95-110
Unknown Unknown K III B5 720-770 145-185
Unknown Unknown K III B6 700 120
Unknown Unknown K III B9A 600-670 145-215
Unknown Unknown L I A3A 1620-1990 145-170
Unknown Unknown L I A5 1610-1870 145-190
Unknown Unknown L I A6 1585 340
Unknown Unknown L II A1 1200-1415 205-220
Unknown Unknown L II A4B 1300 265
Unknown Unknown L II A9 1130-1200 240
Unknown Unknown L II B10 1010 240
Unknown Unknown L III A9 920 220
Unknown Unknown L III B2 950 190
Unknown Unknown L III B3 960 170
Unknown Unknown L III B8 865-925 220-250
Unknown Unknown L III C2 940-985 170-220
Unknown Unknown L III C3 840-865 120-145
Unknown Unknown L III E5 865-985 200-220
Unknown Unknown L III F7 670-725 145
Unknown Unknown M II A6 1080-1150 multiple
Unknown Unknown M III A9 600 multiple

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