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Reproduction and development in some species of the weakly electric genus Campylomormyrus (Mormyridae, Teleostei)

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Abstract

Reproduction in captivity of four species of the mormyrid genus Campylomormyrus was investigated. Cyclical reproduction was provoked by changing water conductivity (C) alone: decreasing C led to gonadal recrudescence, an increase induced gonad regression. Data on the reproduction and development of three species are presented. All three species are indeterminate fractional spawners. Spawning intervals ranged from 6 to 66 days in C. rhynchophorus, 10–75 days in C. tshokwe, and 18 days in C. compressirostris (calculated values). Fecundities (eggs per fractional spawning) ranged from 70 to 1570 eggs in C. rhynchophorus, 100–1192 in C. tshokwe, and 38–246 in C. compressirostris. Spawnings/ovipositions occurred during the second half of the night; no parental care was observed; no special spawning substrates were necessary. C. compressirostris successfully spawned in breeding groups, C. rhynchophorus as pair. Agonistic behavior in the C. tshokwe pair forced us to divide the breeding tank; therefore, only ovipositions occurred. However, injection of an artificial GnRH hormone allowed us to obtain ripe eggs and sperm and to perform successful artificial reproduction. All three species produce yolky, slightly sticky eggs. Egg diameter ranges from 2.3–3.0 mm. Hatching occurred on day 3, feeding started on day 11. Transition from larval to juvenile stage occurred at around 20 mm total length (TL). At this size C. rhynchophorus developed a higher body than the two other species and differences between the species in the melanin pigmentation of the unpaired fins occurred. Between 32 and 35 mm TL the upper and lower jaws started to elongate.

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Acknowledgments

Funding was provided by the University of Potsdam and the Leibniz-SAW project GENART. We are grateful for the valuable comments of two unknown referees.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Unit of Evolutionary Biology / Systematic Zoology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Haus 26, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany

    Linh Nguyen, Christiane Paul & Ralph Tiedemann

  2. Faculty of Life Sciences, Unit of Biology and Ecology of Fishes, Humboldt University, Philippstr.13, Haus16, D-10115, Berlin, Germany

    Linh Nguyen & Frank Kirschbaum

  3. Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Agronomie et de Foresterie, Université Marien Ngouabi, B.P. 69, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

    Victor Mamonekene

  4. Museum fuer Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz-Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstr. 43, D-10115, Berlin, Germany

    Peter Bartsch

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  1. Linh Nguyen
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  2. Christiane Paul
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Correspondence to Frank Kirschbaum.

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All applicable international, national, and institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. The Deputy of Animal Welfare of our institution and the responsible state administration is informed about the experiments, in accordance with the current German Protection of Animal Act.

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Nguyen, L., Paul, C., Mamonekene, V. et al. Reproduction and development in some species of the weakly electric genus Campylomormyrus (Mormyridae, Teleostei). Environ Biol Fish 100, 49–68 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-016-0554-1

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