Skip to main content
Log in

Freerunning circasemilunar spawning rhythm of Fundulus grandis and its temperature compensation

  • Published:
Fish Physiology and Biochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis, exhibit rhythmic reproductive activities that are synchronized with semilunar tidal fluctuations in their Gulf coast habitat. These cyclic activities, monitored through daily egg collections, persist in the laboratory for as long as four months with periods near the tidal period of 13.7 days. In nature, a specific semilunar spawning phase is maintained with respect to tidal cycles. However, in the laboratory, the phase may gradually advance or delay. These phase changes occur as a result of small differences between the periods of the spawning cycle and concurrent tidal cycle. Changes in the phase of the spawning cycle can be produced after several cycles by exposing fish to different temperatures (21 and 27°C). However, the period of the spawning cycle changes only slightly with temperature. Q10 calculations produce a value not significantly different from 1.0, indicating nearly complete temperature compensation. These results provide evidence for an endogenous circasemilunar cycle that is temperature-compensated and freeruns in the laboratory.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References cited

  • Aschoff, J. 1979. Circadian rhythms: influences of internal and external factors on the period measured in constant conditions. Z. Tierpsychol. 49: 225–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eckert, R., Randall, D. and Augustine, G. 1988. Animal Physiology: Mechanisms and Adaptations, 3rd edn. Freeman W.H. and Company, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emata, A.C., Meier, A.H. and Hsiao, S.-M. 1991. Daily variations in plasma hormone concentrations during the semilunar spawning cycle of the Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis. J. Exp. Zool. 259: 343–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Enright, J.T. 1972. A virtuoso isopod: circa-lunar rhythms and their tidal fine structure. J. Comp. Physiol. 77: 141–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franke, H.D. 1985. On a clocklike mechanism timing lunar-rhythmic reproduction in Typosyllis prolifera (Polychaeta). J. Comp. Physiol. 156A: 553–561.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greeley, M.S. Jr. and MacGregor, R. III. 1983. Annual and semilunar reproductive cycles of the Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis, on the Alabama Gulf coast. Copeia 1983: 711–718.

  • Greeley, M.S. Jr., MacGregor, R. III and Marion, K.R. 1988. Changes in the ovary of the Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis (Baird and Girard), during seasonal and semilunar spawning cycles. J. Fish Biol. 33: 97–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsiao, S.-M. and Meier, A.H. 1986. Spawning cycles of the Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis, in closed circulation systems. J. Exp. Zool. 240: 105–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsiao, S.-M. and Meier, A.H. 1988. Semilunar ovarian activity of the Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis, under controlled laboratory conditions. Copeia 1988: 188–195.

  • Hsiao, S.M. and Meier, A.H. 1989. Comparison of semilunar cycles of spawning activity in Fundulus grandis and F. heteroclitus held under constant laboratory conditions. J. Exp. Zool. 252: 213–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liley, N.R. and Stacey, N.E. 1983. Hormones, pheromones, and reproductive behavior in fish. In Fish Physiology. Vol. IXB, pp. 1–63. Edited by W.S. Hoar, D.J. Randall and E.M. Donaldson. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neumann, D. 1966. Die launare und tagliche Schupfperiodk der Mucko Clunio-Steueruns und Abstimmung auf die Gezeitenperiodk. Z. Vergl. Physiol. 53: 1–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neumann, D. 1976. Entrainment of a semi-lunar rhythm by simulated tidal cycles of mechanical disturbance. J. Exp. Marine Biol. Ecol. 35: 73–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neumann, D. 1988. Temperature compensation of circasemilunar timing in the intertidal insect Clunio. J. Comp. Physiol. 163A: 671–676.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pittendrigh, C.S. 1981. Circadian systems: general perspective. In Biological Rhythms: Handbook of Behavioral Neurobiology. Vol. 4, pp. 57–80. Edited by J. Aschoff. Plenum Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sweeney, B.M. and Hastings, J.W. 1960. Effects of temperature upon diurnal rhythms. Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 25: 87–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, M.H. 1984. Lunar synchronization of fish reproduction. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 113: 484–493.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, M.H. 1986. Environmental and endocrine influences on reproduction of Fundulus heteroclitus. Am. Zool. 26: 159–171.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hsiao, SM., Meier, A.H. Freerunning circasemilunar spawning rhythm of Fundulus grandis and its temperature compensation. Fish Physiol Biochem 10, 259–265 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004519

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004519

Keywords

Navigation