Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Reproductive characteristics of the ocean leatherjacket, Nelusetta ayraudi

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The ocean leatherjacket (Nelusetta ayraudi) is one of the largest members of the family Monacanthidae. Distributed throughout inshore waters around the southern half of Australia, this schooling species supports substantial commercial and recreational fisheries. N. ayraudi do not conform to either of the general reproductive modes reported within the family, but exhibit characteristics of both strong social reproductive behaviour and of being promiscuous and polygynous. Sexual dimorphism, with males and females exhibiting differing colouration and body shapes, and ripe ovaries being an order of magnitude larger than ripe testes, are characteristic of social reproductive behaviour and pair spawning. In contrast, high batch fecundity (mean of 320 oocytes per gram of body weight), similar sizes and ages at sexual maturity (350 mm and 2.5 years respectively) and the formation of large spawning aggregations in offshore waters are characteristic of being promiscuous and polygynous. Similar to many other coastal marine species off the east and west coasts of Australia, N. ayraudi are partial spawners during the austral winter months with spawning restricted to the part of their distribution that is towards the upper area of the prevailing currents. It is hypothesized that N. ayraudi off eastern Australia have evolved a life-history strategy whereby fish move northwards through time, spawning occurs in these more northern waters and the southerly flowing Eastern Australian Current facilitates dispersal of eggs and larvae southwards. The reproductive characteristics described provide various options to fishery managers who wish to enhance the sustainability of the fishery through increased egg production. These include spatial and temporal fishing closures to protect breeding fish during the spawning period, the protection of juveniles through either inshore area closures, improving the selectivity of fishing gears and/or regulated minimum legal lengths.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akagawa I, Okiyama M (1995) Reproductive behaviour of the filefish Rudarius ercodes: male spawning parades and female choice. Environ Biol Fish 43(1):51–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akagawa I, Tsukamoto Y, Okiyama M (1995) Sexual dimorphism and pair spawning into a sponge by the filefish, Brachaluteres ulvarum, with a description of the eggs and larvae. Jpn J of Ichthyol 41(4):397–407

    Google Scholar 

  • Barlow GW (1987) Spawning, eggs and larvae of the long-nose filefish Oxymonacanthus longirostris, a monogamous coralivore. Environ Biol Fish 20(3):183–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ben-David J, Kritzer JP (2005) Early life history and settlement of the slender filefish, Monacanthus tuckeri (Monacanthidae), at Calabash Caye, Turneffe Atoll, Belize. Environ Biol Fish 73(3):275–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bye VJ (1990) Temperate marine teleosts. In: Munro AD, Scott AP, Lam TJ (eds) Reproductive seasonality in teleosts: environmental influences. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 125–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman RM (1992) Reproduction biology and female parental care in the cockscomb prickleback, Anoplarchus purpurescens (Pisces: Stichaeidae). Environ Biol Fish 35(2):177–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coulson PG, Hesp SA, Potter IC, Hall NG (2010) Life cycle characteristics of the Blue Morwong Nemadactylus valenciennesi, compared with those of other species of Cheilodactylidae. Mar Freshwat Res 61(1):104–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denny CM, Schiel DR (2002) Reproductive biology and population structure of the banded wrasse Notolabrus fucicola (Labridae) around Kaikoura, New Zealand. New Zeal J Mar Fresh 36(3):555–563

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fairclough DV, Dimmlich WF, Potter IC (2000) Length and age compositions and growth rates of the Australian herring Arripis georgiana in different regions. Aust J Mar Fresh Res 51(6):631–640

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farley JH, Davis TLO (1998) Reproductive dynamics of southern bluefin tuna, Thunnus maccoyii. Fish Bull 96(2):223–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Fricke HW (1980) Mating systems, maternal and bi-parental care in triggerfish (Balistidae). Z Tierpsychol 53:105–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gillanders BM (1995) Reproductive biology of the protogynous hermaphrodite Achoerodus viridis (Labridae) from south-eastern Australia. Mar Freshw Res 46(7):999–1008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gladstone W (1994) Lek-like spawning, parental care and mating periodicity of the triggerfish Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus (Balistidae). Environ Biol Fish. 39(3):249–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graham KJ, Broadhurst MK, Millar RB (2009) Effects of codend circumference and twine diameter on selection in south-eastern Australian fish trawls. Fish Res 95(2–3):341–349

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grove-Jones RP, Burnell AF (1991) Fisheries biology of the ocean leatherjacket (Monacanthidae: Nelusetta ayraudi) in the eastern waters of the Great Australian Bight, South Australia. Fishing Industry Research and Development Council, Grant No: DFS01Z, pp 1–107

  • Haddy JA, Pankhurst NW (1998) Annual change in reproductive condition and plasma concentrations of sex steroids in black bream, Acanthopagrus butcheri (Munro) (Sparidae). Mar Freshw Res 49(5):389–397

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hassler CS, Djajadikarta JR, Doblin MA, Everett JD, Thompson PA (2011) Characteristics of water masses and phytoplankton nutrient limitation in the East Australian Current separation zone during spring 2008. Deep Sea Res PT II 58:664–677

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hilborn R, Walters CJ (2001) Quantitative fisheries stock assessment: choice, dynamics and uncertainty. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht

  • Hobson ES, Chess JR (1996) Examination of a great abundance of filefish, Pervagor spilosoma, in Hawaii. Environ Biol Fish 47(3):269–278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes JM, Stewart J, Kendall BW, Gray CA (2008) Growth and reproductive biology of tarwhine Rhabdosargus sarba (Sparidae) in eastern Australia. Mar Freshwater Res 59(12):1111–1123

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchins BJ (1992) Sexual dimorphism in the osteology and myology of monacanthid fishes. Rec West Aust Mus 15(4):739–747

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchins B (2000) Leatherjackets. In: Andrew N (ed) Under Southern Seas: the ecology of Australia’s rocky reefs. Krieger, Malabar, pp 194–201

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchins B, Swainston R (1986) Sea fishes of southern Australia. Complete field guide for anglers and divers. Swainston, Perth

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishida Y, Tanaka S (1983) Growth and maturation of the Small Filefish Rudarius ercodes in Odawa Bay. Bull Jpn Soc Sci Fish 49:547–553

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kasai A, Kimura S, Nakata H, Okazaki Y (2002) Entrainment of coastal water into a frontal eddy of the Kuroshio and its biological significance. J Mar Syst 37:185–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kawabe R (1983) Spawning behaviour of the bridled triggerfish, Sufflamen fraenatus, in the aquarium. Jpn J Ichthyol 31(2):193–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawase H (2003) Spawning behaviour and bi-parental egg care of the crosshatch triggerfish, Xanthichthys mentos (Balistidae). Environ Biol Fish 66(3):211–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kawase H (2005) Spawning behaviour of the pygmy leatherjacket Brachaluteres jacksonianus (Monacanthidae) in south-eastern Australia. Ichthyol Res 52(2):194–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kawase H (2008) Reproduction ecology of the black reef leatherjacket, Eubalichthys bucephalus (Monacanthidae) in temperate Australia. Ichthyol Res 55(3):294–298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kawase H, Nakazono A (1992) Reproductive behaviour of the flagtail triggerfish, Sufflamen chrysopterus. In: Proceedings of the seventh international coral reef symposium, Guam 2:905–907

  • Kawase H, Nakazono A (1994a) Embryonic and pre-larval development and otolith increments in two filefishes, Rudarius ercodes and Paramonacanthus japonicus (Monacanthidae). Jpn J Ichthyol 41(1):57–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawase H, Nakazono A (1994b) Reproduction behaviour of the honeycomb leatherjacket, Cantherhines pardalis (Monacanthidae), at Kashiwajima, Japan. Jpn J Ichthyol 41(1):80–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawase H, Nakazono A (1995) Predominant maternal egg care and promiscuous mating system in the Japanese filefish, Rudarius ercodes (Monacanthidae). Environ Biol Fish 43(3):241–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kawase H, Nakazono A (1996) Two alternative female tactics in the polygynous mating system of the threadsail filefish, Stephanolepis cirrhifer (Monacanthidae). Ichthyol Res 43(3):315–323

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kokita T, Mizota T (2002) Male secondary traits are hydrodynamic devices for enhancing swimming performance in a monogamous filefish Paramonacanthus japonicus. J Ethol 20:35–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kokita T, Nakazono A (1998) Plasticity in the mating system of the long-nose filefish, Oxymonacanthus longirostris, in relation to mate availability. J Ethol 16:81–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kokita T, Nakazono A (1999a) Pair territoriality in the long-nose filefish, Oxymonacanthus longirostris. Ichthyol Res 46(3):297–302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kokita T, Nakazono A (1999b) Spawning substrate selection by female long-nose filefish Oxymonacanthus longirostris. Ichthyol Res 46(4):429–432

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kokita T, Nakazono A (2000) Seasonal variation in the diel spawning time of the coral reef fish Oxymonacanthus longirostris (Monacanthidae): parental control of progeny development. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 199:263–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuwamura T (1997) Evolution of female egg care in haremic triggerfish, Rhinecanthus aculeatus. J Ethol 103:1015–1023

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee TY, Hanyu I (1984) Reproductive cycle of small filefish, Rudarius ercodes. Bull Korean Fish Soc 17(5):423–435

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee TY, Hanyu I, Furukawa K (1984) Effects of photoperiod and temperature on the gonadal activity in small filefish, Rudarius ercodes. Bull Korean Fish Soc 17(6):523–528

    Google Scholar 

  • Lobel PS, Johannes RE (1980) Nesting, eggs and larvae of triggerfishes (Balistidae). Environ Biol Fish 5(3):251–252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lowry MB, Cappo M (1999) Morwongs. In: Andrew N (ed) Under southern seas: the ecology of Australia’s rocky reefs. University of New South Wales Press Ltd, Sydney, pp 172–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller ME (2007) Key biological parameters and commercial fishery for ocean leatherjackets, Nelusetta ayraudi, (Monacanthidae) off the coast of New South Wales, Australia. Master of Environmental Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia

  • Miller ME, Stewart J (2009) The commercial fishery for ocean leatherjackets (Nelusetta ayraudi, Monacanthidae) in New South Wales, Australia. Asian Fish Sci 22:257–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller ME, Stewart V, West RJ (2010) Using otoliths to estimate age and growth of a large Australian endemic monacanthid, Nelusetta ayraudi (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824). Environ Biol Fish 88(3):263–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morton JK (2007) The ecology of three species of Wrasse (Pisces: Labridae) on temperate rocky reefs of New South Wales, Australia. PhD thesis, University of Newcastle, Australia, p 233

  • Murakami Y, Onbe T (1967) Spawning of a filefish, Navodon modestus (Gunther). J Fac Fish and Animal Hus 7:63–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakazono A, Kawase H (1993) Spawning and biparental egg-care in a temperate filefish, Paramonacanthus japonicus (Monacanthidae). Environ Biol Fish 37(3):245–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oke PR, Griffin DA (2011) The cold-core eddy and strong up welling off the coast of New South Wales. Deep Sea Res PT II 58:574–591

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park BH (1985) Studies on the fishery biology of the Filefish Navodon modestus (Gunther) in Korean Waters. Bull Fish Res Dev, Agency 34

    Google Scholar 

  • Ridgway KR, Godfrey JS (1997) Seasonal cycle of the East Australian Current. J Geophys Res 102 (10):22, 921–922, 936

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers PJ, Ward TM, Mcleay LJ, Lowry M, Saunders RJ, Williams D (2009) Reproductive biology of blue mackerel, Scomber australasicus, off southern and eastern Australia: suitability of the daily egg production method for stock assessment. Mar Freshwat Res 60(2):187–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowland WJ (1982) The Effects of male nuptial colouration on stickleback aggression: a re-examination. Behaviour 80:118–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowling KA, Hegarty A, Ives M (eds) (2010) Status of fisheries resources in NSW 2008/09. Industry & Investment NSW, Cronulla 392 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadovy YJ (1996) Reproduction of reef fish species. In: Polunin NVC, Roberts CM (eds) Reef fisheries. Chapman and Hall, London, pp 15–59

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Safran P, Omori M (1990) Some ecological observations on fishes associated with drifting seaweeds off Tohoku coast. Jpn Mar Biol 105:395–402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steffe A S, Murphy JJ (2011) Recreational fishing surveys in the greater Sydney region. New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Cronulla Fisheries Research Centre of Excellence. Final Report Series No. 131 ISSN 1837-2112

  • Stewart J, Ferrell DJ (2003) Mesh selectivity in the NSW demersal trap fishery. Fish Res 59(3):379–392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart J, Hughes JM (2005) Longevity, growth, reproduction and a description of the fishery for silver sweep Scorpis lineolatus off the New South Wales, Australia. N Z J Mar Freshwat Res 39(4):827–838

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart J, Hughes JM, McAllister J, Lyle J, MacDonald M (2011) Australian salmon (Arripis trutta): population structure, reproduction, diet and composition of commercial and recreational catches. Industry & Investment NSW—Fisheries Final Report Series No. 129. 257 pp

  • Stimson J (2005) Archipelago-wide episodic recruitment of the filefish Pervagor spilosoma in the Hawaiian Islands as revealed in long-term records. Environ Biol Fish 72(1):19–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Syahailatua A, Roughan M, Suthers IM (2011) Characteristic ichthyoplankton taxa in the separation zone of the east Australian Current: larvae assemblages as tracers of coastal mixing. Deep Sea Res PT II 58:678–690

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thresher RE (1984) Reproduction in reef fishes. T. F. H. Publications, Neptune City, pp 287–293

    Google Scholar 

  • van der Velde TD, Griffiths SP, Fry GC (2010) Reproductive biology of the commercially and recreationally important cobia Rachycentron canadum in northeastern Australia. Fish Sci 76(1):33–43

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ward TM, Staunton-Smith J, Halliday IA (2003) Spawning patterns of four species of predominantly temperate pelagic fishes in the sub-tropical waters of southern Queensland. Estuar Coast Shelf S 56(5–6):1125–1140

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study could not have been possible without the support and enthusiasm of the commercial fishermen from the New South Wales Ocean Trap and Line Fishery. Thanks to Noel Gogerly (San Simeon) and Ray Blake (Xanadu) for their expertise in catching ocean leatherjackets.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cronulla Fisheries Research Centre of Excellence, PO Box 21, Cronulla, NSW, 2230, Australia

    M. E. Miller & J. Stewart

Authors
  1. M. E. Miller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Stewart
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. E. Miller.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Miller, M.E., Stewart, J. Reproductive characteristics of the ocean leatherjacket, Nelusetta ayraudi . Rev Fish Biol Fisheries 23, 87–101 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-012-9277-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-012-9277-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation