The breeding ecology of the pipefish Nerophis lumbriciformis and its relation to latitude and water temperature

Monteiro, Natacha; Almada, Vítor Carvalho; Santos, António Múrias; Vieira, Maria Natividade

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.12/1503

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Authors

Monteiro, Natacha

Almada, Vítor Carvalho

Santos, António Múrias

Vieira, Maria Natividade

Abstract(s)

The breeding season of Nerophis lumbriciformis (Pisces: Syngnathidae), has not yet been determined for the southernmost part of its range. A total of 863 individuals was examined between March 1997 and November 1999. In Portugal, the breeding season of this species occurs throughout the year, with a marked reduction during summer and autumn, whilst in Britain it occurs from May to September. Despite these temporal differences, the water temperature at which breeding takes place is similar in the two areas (13–16°C). Together with preliminary laboratory observations with animals kept at different temperatures, these data support the hypothesis that the decrease in breeding activity during summer and autumn in Portugal is due to an inhibitory effect of high water temperature.