The Taxonomy and Biology of Fishes of the Genus Parapercis (Teleostei: Mugiloididae) in Great Barrier Reef Waters
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ResearchOnline@JCU This file is part of the following reference: Stroud, Gregory John (1982) The taxonomy and biology of fishes of the genus Parapercis (Teleostei: Mugiloididae) in Great Barrier Reef waters. PhD thesis, James Cook University. Access to this file is available from: http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/33041/ If you believe that this work constitutes a copyright infringement, please contact [email protected] and quote http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/33041/ The taxonomy and biology of fishes of the genus (Teleostei: Mugiloididae) in Great Barrier Reef waters Thesis submitted by Gregory John Stroud BSc (Hons) (Mona2h) in June 1982 for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Marine Biology at the James Cook University of North Queensland RESUBMISS ION This thesis was lodged for resubmission on September 6, 1984 after certain modifications suggested by the examiners had been carried out G.J. Stroud ABSTRACT This study was initiated as an investigation into the taxonomy and biology of fishes of the inugiloidid genus Pa/Lctpe/LCL6 from the Great Barrier Reef Province. Nine species of JLctpeXcL6 were found to inhabit Great Barrier Reef waters: PW.cLpe'Lci4 yfLnctLeLt, P. heXOphAamct, P. aephcopanetw&, P. cahjuvta, P. xanthozona., P. nebweo4a., P. diptospitus, P. 4nydeL, plus one undescribed species. Detailed descriptions and a key to these species are presented. The habitats in which PaAa'peAcZ5 are most commonly encountered and the pattern of species occupancy within each of these habitats are described along with seasonal patterns of abundance. The interrelationships between the morphology of the alimentary tract, the food taken, and feeding behaviour were investigated. A division was made into three groups, namely (1) small crustacean, algal, and polychaete feeders; (2) polychaete, large crustacean, and small crustacean feeders; and (3) large crustacean and fish feeders. All species are diurnal and utilize specialized feeding strategies in which vision plays a key role. The social behaviour and organization of PcJtcpe&aLo cqnd'uicia was investigated in detail. The basic social unit in this species is a harem consisting of a single male, two or three adult females, and a variable number of subadult females. Within each harem, individuals are arranged into a very stable, size-dependent, linear dominance hierarchy with the male always highest in status. Each female of the harem holds a relatively permanent territory which is defended against equivalent-sized or smaller females. The male maintains a permanent territory which encompasses all the territories of his females, and which he defends against other males. He also visits and aggressively interacts with each female of his harem at frequent, essentially regular intervals throughout the day. Motor patterns associated with male-male and male'-female agonistic encounters are described. When the male dies, the dominant (largest) female of the harem changes sex and assumes control of the harem, provided she is large and aggressive enough to resist invasions of the harem by neighbouring males. PatapjeZs cytindtica has a polygynous mating system and a male mates almost exclusively with the females of his harem. Motor + patterns associated with courtship and spawning are described. Reproductive activity takes place every day and is restricted to the evening crepuscular period. It is suggested that the combination of strong site attachment, lack of mobility and clumped distributions of females, in creating a potential for mate monopolization by large males, has led to the development of the haremic social/mating system in this species. Spawning activity in P. e.yILnd'L-Lciz is essentially restricted to between August and March each year although some harems spawn the year round. Settlement of juveniles of P. cyndnJ+cct and most other PGAapeACiZ species peaks in November each year. Evidence for the year round presence of juveniles was obtained for all species but P. kexopIvcthnct. P&ape1'ta cytLnct&a, P. hxophc1mct, P. cativtact, P. xanhozonct, P. nebweooct and P. sp. 1 are monandric protogynous hermaphrodites. Each with the exception of P. ne.bu2o4a, is sexually dichroniatic. Sex reversal in P. cytindAica is under social control and is completed approximately 20 days after the time of its initiation. The adaptiveness of protogynous sex reversal and its relationship to the social system in P. Cytindkica is discussed. DECLARATION I declare that this thesis is my own work and has not been submitted in any form for another degree or diploma of any university or other institute of tertiary education. Information derived from the published or unpublished work of others has been acknowledged in the text and a list of references is given. C. J. Stroud June 1982 ACKNOWLEDGENTS I wish to extend my sincere thanks to my supervisor Dr N.E. Milward for his continued assistance, encouragement and patience throughout the a study, and for his critical review of the manuscript. I am most grateful to Professor C. Burdon-Jones, Head of the School of Biological Sciences, James Cook University, for the use of the School's facilities. The Trustees of the Australian Museum are also thanks for providing the facilities at the Lizard Island Research Station. The staff of the Lizard Island Research Station, particularly Mr S. Domm (formerly Director, Lizard Island Research Station) and Mr and Mrs T. Barnes, are thanked for their help throughout various phases of the study. I am especially indebted to Dr B. Goldman (Director, Lizard Island Research Station) and Mrs L. Goldman for their help, advice, encouragement, and hospitality during my lengthy visits to Lizard Island. Fellow postgraduate students, Ms J. Aldenhoven, Mr B. Lassig and Mr H.P.A. Sweatman are thanked for providing many stimulating discussions, helping in preparation of figures and plates, and for keeping the author relatively sane whilst in the field. Thanks are also due to Mr G. Bull and Ms J. Homer for providing valuable field assistance. Various people assisted with the identifications of organisms: Corals: Prof. M. Pichon and Dr C. Wallace, Department of Marine Biology, James Cook University; Dr J.E.N. Veron, Australian Institute of Marine Science. Polychaetes: Dr P. Arnold, Department of Marine Biology, James Cook University. Algae: Dr I. Price, Department of Botany, James Cook vi University. The time and effort these people contributed is greatly appreciated. I must also extend my thanks to Mr L. Winsor, Histology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, for his advice and assistance with the histological portion of the study. The following museum personnel are thanked for their assistance and for making specimens available on loan from their Institutions: Dr J.R. Paxton - Australian Museum, Sydney; Dr J.E. Randall - Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu; Dr D.J. Stewart - Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago; Dr W.L. Fink - Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University; Dr M.L. Bauchot - Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris; Dr V.G. Springer - National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC; Mr R.J. McKay - Queensland Museum, Brisbane; Dr G.R. Allen and Mr B. Hutchins - Western Australian Museum, Perth. I wish to thank the Australian Institute of Marine Science (A.I.M.S.) for permission to participate in the joint A.I.M.S./Australian Museum Fish Expedition to the Torres Straits during which many valuable Parapercis specimens were collected. Thanks are also due to the captains and crews of the R.V. James Kirby (James Cook University) and the R.V. Lady Basten for providing the trawled specimens used in the study. Many people have given the author encouragement and participated in stimulating discussions over the years of this study. Among these people are Prof. F.H. Talbot; Drs A.M. Ayling, T. Done, J.M. Leis, B.C. Russell and R. Thresher; Mr G.R.V. Anderson, and Mr J. Moyer. My sincere thanks to all these people. I must also express my gratitude to my typist, Ms Wendy Rongonui, for the accuracy and neatness of the final draft. vii Finally, I thank my wife Janelle for her patience, encouragement, nd assistance in numerous ways. Financial support for this study was provided by a Commonwealth postgraduate Research Award. COPYRIGHT I, the undersigned, the author of this thesis, understand that the James Cook University of North Queensland will make it available for use within the University Library and, by microfilm or other photographic means, allow access to users in other approved libraries. All users consulting this thesis will have to sign the following statement: In consulting this thesis I agree not to copy or closely paraphrase it in whole or in part without the written consent of the author; and to make proper written acknowledgement for any assistance which I have obtained from it." Beyond this, I do not wish to place any restriction on access to this thesis. ......... ............... ix TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT i DECLARATION iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS COPYRIGHT viii LIST OF TABLES xii LIST OF FIGURES xvi LIST OF PLATES yj PART I. TAXONOMY 1 INTRODUCTION 1 HISTORICAL RESUME S 5 METHODS AND MATERIALS 7 SYSTEMATIC ACCOUNTS 10 Genus Parapercis Bleeker 10 Key to the species of Parapercis from the Great Barrier Reef Province 13 Parapercis cylindrica (Bloch) 14 Parapercis sp. 1 23 Parapercis .snyderi Jordan and Starks 30 Parapercis hexophtaima (Ehrenberg) 35 Parapercis cephalopunctata (Seale) 47 Parapercis clathrata Ogilby 58 Parapercis xanthozona (Bleeker} 67 Parapercis