Publication Date:
2021-05-19
Description:
The most important habitats of mudskippers are muddy areas in tidal zone of tropical mangrove forests. Mudskippers are related to Oxudercinae subfamily of Gobiid fishes. Three most distributed species of Hormozgan mudskippers were Periophthalmus waltoni, Boleophthalmus dussumieri and Scartelaos tenuis. These fishes can be considered as euryhaline and eurythermal aquatic species, because they can tolerate a wide range of salinity and temperature. A research was done since september 2008 to september 2009 in two important mangrove regions of Hormuzgan (Tyab and Khamir) to determine some ecological characteristics of inhabited mudskipper species. Results showed that nitrate levels are significantly different between tidal lines and seasons (P〈0.05). Maximum nitrite concentrations were recorded 53.2 and 92.5 µg/l in Khamir and Tyab respectively. The annual correlation matrix showed that a positive correlation between phosphate concentration and nitrite and silicate (P〈0.05). Silicate concentration was very high, because of too low density of diatoms and radiolarians. Some species of diatoms, dinoflagellates, cyanobacteria and larvae of crustacea and echinoderms were observed with different density and diversity. Sediment composition of the studied areas were categorized in three classes (clay, sand and clay - sand). Polychaetes formed dominant group of benthic fauna in Tyab and Khamir areas. High density of capitellid worms was possibly related to some environmntal stress caused by activity of fishing and cargo vessels. It was not observed significant difference between fishes length in two areas (P〈0.05); Mean lengths of P. waltoni, B. dussumieri and S. tenuis were calculated 9.85, 14.7 and 11.5 cm respectively. Spawning period of each three species in both areas were obtained from late winter to late spring based on gonadosomatic index values. Male to female sex ratio of P. waltoni, B. dussumieri and S. tenuis were calculated 1:0.45, 1:0.41and 1:0.74 respectively. Absolute fecundity of P. waltoni, B. dussumieri and S. tenuis were estimated 3558 ± 2202, 3952 ± 1030 and 6742 ± 1939 respectively. P. waltoni feeds mainly on fiddler crab, S. tenuis uses crustaceans and gastropods and B. dussumieri has a vegetarian diet.
Description:
Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute
Description:
Published
Keywords:
Mudskippers
;
Ecology
;
Periophthalmus waltoni
;
Boleophthalmus dussumieri
;
Scartelaos tenuis
;
Female
;
Male
;
Benthic fauna
Repository Name:
AquaDocs
Type:
Report
,
Refereed
Format:
97pp.
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