%0 Journal Article
%T The reproductive biology of intertidal klipfish (Perciformes: Clinidae) in South Africa
%A K. Prochazka
%J African Zoology
%D 2012
%I 
%X ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The reproductive biology of six species of viviparous in tertidal clinid fish was investigated. Fish were collected monthly from intertidal rock pools between May 1992 and May 1993. Sex ratios varied between 3 6% female in Clinusa cuminalusto 53% female in C. superciliosus, although this was only significantly different from a 50:50 ratio in C. acuminatus ( X2; p<0,05). Size at maturity was greater in females than males of all species and was related to maximium attainable size. Gonad mass varied between 2 ,6% and 11,6% body mass in males, in males, and reached a maximum of 27,9% in females of C. agilis. In five of the species studied, increases in relative gonad mass of males from March to August were followed by increases in gonad mass of females between September and February, suggesting a gestation period of 4-6 months. Only C. superciliosus indicated no seasonal trends in gonad development. Juveniles recruited to intertidal rock pools in summer at a total length of between 20 and 25 mm. Up to nine broods of eggs and embryos of different ages were found in the gonads at one time, although there was no relationship between the number of broods and fish size. The total number of reproductive elements (eggs and embryos), however, increased with fish mass in all species. Reproductive potential, calculated as the mean number of broods per mature female multiplied by the mean number of reproductive elements per female, varied from a high of 2843 in C. acuminatus to 237 in Muraenoclinus dorsalis. *********** AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die voortplantingsbiologie van ses vivipare clinide tussengetyvisspesies is ondersoek. Visse i  maandeliks versamel van tussengetyrotspoele van Mei 1992 tot Mei 1993. Geslagsverhoudings het gewissel tussen 36% vroulik in Clinus acuminatus tot 53% vroulik in C. superciliosus, alhoewel dit slegs in die geval van C. acuminatus betekenisvol verskil het van 'n 50:50 verhouding ( ;p <0,05). Volwasse wyfies was groter as mannetjies in al die spesies, en hul groottes was verwant aan die maksimum bereikbare grootte. Gonademassa het gewissel tussen 2,6 en 11, 6% van liggaamsmassa in mannetjies, en het 'n maksimum van 27,9% bereik in wyfies van C.agilis. ln vyf van die bestudeerde spesies is toenames in die relatiewe gonademassa van mannetjies van Maart tot April gevolg deur toenames in gonademassa van wyfies tussen September en Februarie, wat op 'n dratyd van 4-6 maande dui. Slegs C.superciliosus het geen seisoenale neigings in gonadeontwikkeling getoon nie. Onvolwasse visse het die tussengetyrotspoele in die somer bevolk
%K reproductive biology
%K viviparous
%K intertidal clinid fish
%K C. acuminatus
%K C. superciliosus
%K C. agilis
%K Muraenoclinus dorsalis
%K intertidal rock pools
%U http://africanzoology.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/571