Fecundity and egg size trade-offs in Triplophysa strauchii: Reproductive adaptations in Sayram Lake

IF 2.3 2区农林科学 Q2 FISHERIES

Fisheries Research Pub Date : 2025-10-13 DOI:10.1016/j.fishres.2025.107558

Zhengwei Wang , Yinsheng Chen , Yichao Hao , Jinqiu Wang , Shouyi Zuo , Jie Wei , Zhulan Nie

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Reproductive strategies of fish in alpine lake ecosystems are critical for adapting to extreme environments such as low temperatures and oligotrophy. This study investigated the reproductive characteristics of T. strauchii, a cold-water fish endemic to Sayram Lake in Xinjiang, by analyzing fecundity, egg diameter, and their relationships with morphological indices. A total of 131 individuals were collected in April 2025, with 57 mature female specimens at gonadal development stage IV selected for detailed analysis. Results showed that absolute fecundity (F) ranged from 6000 to 22,823 eggs (mean=11,202 ± 3510.24 eggs), which was significantly positively correlated with body mass, ovarian mass, and age (p < 0.01). The 2-year-old age group dominated the reproductive population (77.19 % of individuals) and contributed 72.35 % to total fecundity, reflecting an adaptive strategy to high-altitude environments characterized by low growth rates and high mortality. Egg diameter averaged (0.67 ± 0.07) mm and exhibited a positive linear relationship with absolute fecundity (y = 37356x − 14057, R² = 0.5330, p < 0.001), indicating that larger eggs provide enhanced nutrient reserves for larval survival in cold water. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) averaged 25.06 ± 3.74, significantly higher than that of low-altitude fish species, highlighting intense energy investment during the strictly seasonal breeding period in April. Comparative analysis with other Triplophysa species revealed distinct reproductive strategies; for example, T. yarkandensis exhibits higher absolute fecundity in turbid environments. This study provides preliminary baseline data on the reproductive traits of T. strauchii (e.g., fecundity, egg diameter, and gonadal development) during its April spawning period in Sayram Lake. The observed traits—including juvenile-dominated reproduction (2-year-olds as the core cohort), medium egg size, and high reproductive energy investment—offer initial insights into potential adaptive strategies for alpine cold-oligotrophic environments, though conclusions about its full annual reproductive cycle remain preliminary due to the single sampling period.

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施劳氏三体的繁殖力和卵大小的权衡：塞拉姆湖的生殖适应

高寒湖泊生态系统鱼类的繁殖策略是适应低温、寡养等极端环境的关键。研究了新疆塞拉姆湖特有冷水鱼strauchi的繁殖特征，分析了其繁殖力、卵径及其与形态指标的关系。2025年4月共采集131只，选取生殖腺发育第四阶段的成熟雌虫57只进行详细分析。结果表明，绝对繁殖力(F)为6000 ~ 22,823个卵（平均=11,202个 ± 3510.24个卵），与体重、卵巢质量、年龄呈极显著正相关（p <； 0.01）。2岁年龄组在繁殖种群中占主导地位（77.19 %），对总繁殖力的贡献率为72.35 %，反映了对低生长速率和高死亡率的高海拔环境的适应策略。卵径平均为（0.67 ± 0.07）mm，与绝对繁殖力呈正线性关系（y = 37356x − 14057,R²= 0.5330,p <； 0.001），表明较大的卵能为幼虫在冷水中存活提供更多的营养储备。性腺指数（GSI）平均为25.06 ± 3.74，显著高于低海拔鱼类，说明4月是严格季节性繁殖期，能量投入较大。与其他三物理种的比较分析显示出不同的生殖策略；例如，yarkandensis在浑浊环境中表现出更高的绝对繁殖力。本研究提供了沙勒姆湖4月产卵期施劳氏盲蝽生殖性状（繁殖力、卵径和性腺发育）的初步基线数据。观察到的特征——包括幼鱼为主的繁殖（2岁的幼鱼为核心群体）、中等大小的卵和高的生殖能量投资——提供了对高山寒冷寡营养环境的潜在适应策略的初步见解，尽管由于采样周期单一，关于其完整的年度生殖周期的结论仍处于初步阶段。

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来源期刊

Fisheries Research 农林科学-渔业

CiteScore

4.50

自引率

16.70%

发文量

294

审稿时长

15 weeks

期刊介绍： This journal provides an international forum for the publication of papers in the areas of fisheries science, fishing technology, fisheries management and relevant socio-economics. The scope covers fisheries in salt, brackish and freshwater systems, and all aspects of associated ecology, environmental aspects of fisheries, and economics. Both theoretical and practical papers are acceptable, including laboratory and field experimental studies relevant to fisheries. Papers on the conservation of exploitable living resources are welcome. Review and Viewpoint articles are also published. As the specified areas inevitably impinge on and interrelate with each other, the approach of the journal is multidisciplinary, and authors are encouraged to emphasise the relevance of their own work to that of other disciplines. The journal is intended for fisheries scientists, biological oceanographers, gear technologists, economists, managers, administrators, policy makers and legislators.