An insight into the reproductive biology of the bearded goby Sufflogobius bibarbatus
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Date
2013Author
Utne-Palm, A.C.
Locatello, L.
Mayer, I.
Gibbons, Mark J.
Rasotto, M B.
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Show full item recordAbstract
Preliminary results obtained from histological analyses of the male reproductive organs, supplemented
with field and behavioural data, indicate that Sufflogobius bibarbatus, a small, slow growing
gobiid exhibiting low fecundity, which plays an important role in the food web off Namibia, where
large areas of the shelf are hypoxic, spawns demersally. Large males defend benthic nests, possibly
at the edge of the hypoxic shelf. Male reproductive strategy appears to be flexible, and tentative
evidence to suggest that polygyny and sneaking may also occur is presented.