The paper presents the results of research on the reproductive biology of Syngnathus abaster – a species distributed in Çandarli Bay. For this purpose, seine nets were collected from a depth of 0.5–2 m in 15 minute periods between April 2013 and March 2014, and a total of 185 individuals were sampled. It has been determined that 94 individuals (50.81%) were females, 79 were males (42.70%) and 12 were immature (6.49%). The sex ratio was 1:0.84. The average length values in female, male and immature individuals were 111.5 ± 7.35, 109.9 ± 11.08 and 79.8 ± 5.30 mm, respectively. The maximum mean surface water temperature is in spring and summer seasons. When Gonadosomatic Index (GSI%) values were examined, the spawning period of the species was indicated as spring and summer. Three groups of species were identified as maturing (diameter: 0.61–1.20 mm), mature (diameter: 1.21–1.70 mm) and hydrated oocytes (diameter: 1.71–2.10 mm) in ovaries of female individuals. The number of eggs in the brood pouch of pregnant male fishes was on average 48 (mean ± SD = 48 ± 14.09 eggs, range: 23–78 eggs). The hydrated oocyte/total length relationship was: y = 0.8651x – 84.332 (n = 14, r2 = 0.64) and the number of eggs/total length relationship in the brood pouch of pregnant males was: y = 1.0168x – 67.715 (n = 33, r2=0.58).
Black-striped pipefish Syngnathus abaster Risso, 1827 (Actinopterygii: Syngnathidae) has successfully spread in freshwater ecosystems of Ponto-Caspian basin. Monitoring studies show a steady increase in the number and biomass of pipefish in waters of Dnipro region. It is highly adaptable and breeds in a fresh water. This fact indicates the physiological plasticity of the reproductive system and ability to adapt to new environmental conditions. In the Zaporizke Reservoir pipefish spawns at a temperature of 18.0–22.0°C in the coastal area of the reservoir. Pipefish with a body length of 8.9 to 12.5 cm had gonads with weight of about 0.13 g, and the number of eggs ranged from 26 to 68. The maximum fertility had female 155 mm long and it reached 69 eggs. Size of eggs reached about 1.2±0.05 mm. The histological analysis of the gonads of pipefish and research of histometric measurements of eggs of fish at various stages of development was first conducted. In the period before pipefish spawning, there were eggs in different stages of maturity in the ovaries: oocyte in the phase of primary follicle «С», oocyte in the phase of vacuolation «D₃», oocyte in the phase of trophoplasmatic growth «Е», beginning phase of mature follicle «F». Research of pipefish reproduction has important theoretical and practical significance for resolving issues with the spread of this species and its adaptation to new conditions.
The present study is the first record of acanthocephalan parasites in fish of the genus Hippocampus and of the order Syngnathiformes. It also provides the first reference to Corynosoma australe in fish from San Matías Gulf, Argentina. Parasites analyzed in the present study were morphologically similar to previous records in other marine fishes from Argentine Sea, however, they were comparatively more irregular in their dimensions with respect to previous records. Taking account information about seasonal presence, prevalence and mean intensity observed for C. australe in this study, it could be claimed that Patagonian seahorse plays an accidental role as paratenic host to this helminth. Potential paths of infection and dispersion of this parasite in the ecosystem of San Antonio Bay are discussed regarding the trophic relationships among crustaceans, fishes and marine mammals.