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Lunar periodicity in the spawning of Tilapia mariae in the Ethiop River, Nigeria
Author(s) -
Schwanck E.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.1987.tb05780.x
Subject(s) - spawn (biology) , biology , moonlight , full moon , fishery , tilapia , zoology , fish <actinopterygii> , ecology
In a clear‐water Nigerian stream, Tilapia mariae showed lunar periodicity in breeding activity over a 9‐week study period. Most clutches were laid during the last quarter of the moon cycle. It is suggested that spawning before full moon enhances the effectiveness of the parental care by allowing a maximal amount of moonlight during the most critical phases in the development of the young and by providing a cue for the pairs to spawn at the same time.