Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-l7hp2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T06:25:12.690Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius, Teleostea: Xiphiidae) surface behaviour during reproductive period in the central Mediterranean Sea (southern Tyrrhenian Sea)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 March 2009

Teresa Romeo ,
Pierpaolo Consoli ,
Silvestro Greco ,
Simone Canese  and
Franco Andaloro
Teresa Romeo*
Affiliation:
ICRAM, Central Institute for Marine Research, Via dei Mille 44, 98057 Milazzo (ME), Italy
Pierpaolo Consoli
Affiliation:
ICRAM, Via E. Amari 124, 90139 Palermo, Italy
Silvestro Greco
Affiliation:
ICRAM, Via di Casalotti 300, 00166 Roma, Italy
Simone Canese
Affiliation:
ICRAM, Via di Casalotti 300, 00166 Roma, Italy
Franco Andaloro
Affiliation:
ICRAM, Via E. Amari 124, 90139 Palermo, Italy
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Teresa Romeo, ICRAM, Central Institute for Marine Research, Via dei Mille 44, 98057 Milazzo (ME), Italy email: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Swordfish in the Mediterranean Sea have been caught with harpoon since 1000 BC, when, from May to August, these animals come to the surface often in male–female pairs. At this time, swordfish exhibit a variety of swimming behaviours largely only known by fishermen targeting swordfish. Over four years from 2002 to 2005, we observed the behaviour of swordfish in surface waters from the sighting platform of a harpoon fishing boat. The behaviour of 207 swordfish pairs, 73 single females and 124 single males, were recorded. On the basis of behaviours identified by the fishing fleet, we classified a priori, the behaviour of single males, single females and pairs of swordfish across seven categories. After capture, the maturity stage of each fish was determined macrocospically and assigned to a gonadosomatic index (GSI). Both male and female of a higher GSI were more frequently observed in surface waters during June and July (analysis of variance (ANOVA) F(3,276) = 70.107; P = 0.001) and individual GSI was observed to be associated with differing behavioural grouping. The most frequent behaviours observed were: a female that swam rectilinear closely followed by the male, or two fish that swam near the surface and turn out going full circle. Both behaviours were associated with the maturity Stage IV. Our data suggest that reproductive behaviour of swordfish involve a long lasting surface courtship display with different phases influenced by gonad development.

Keywords

Swordfishswimming behaviourTyrrhenian Seaspawning
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 2 , January 2009 , e45
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Arena, P. (1981) Osservazioni sulle concentrazioni e la pesca del tonno e dell'alalunga nelle zone di mare meridionali. Quaderni del Laboratorio di Tecnologia e Pesca 3, 77–79.Google Scholar
Arocha, F. and Lee, D.W. (1995) The spawning of swordfish from the Northwest Atlantic. Collective Volume Scientific Papers ICCAT 45, 350–357.Google Scholar
Arocha, F. and Lee, D.W. (1996) Maturity at size, reproductive seasonality, spawning frequency, fecundity and sex ratio in swordfish from the Northwest Atlantic. Collective Volume Scientific Papers ICCAT 55, 350–357.Google Scholar
Bello, G. (1991) Role of cephalopods in the diet of swordfish, Xiphias gladius, from the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Bulletin of Marine Science 49, 312–324.Google Scholar
Benzecri, J.P. and Benzecri, F. (1976) Pratique de l'analyse des données. I. Analyse des correspondance, exposé élémentaire. Paris: Dunod.Google Scholar
Canese, S., Garibaldi, F., Giusti, M., Romeo, T. and Greco, S. (2004) First successful attempt of swordfish tagging with popup in the Mediterranean Sea. Biologia Marina Mediterranea 11, 153.Google Scholar
Caravajal Galbis, J.M., Madueño Mafé, J.J., Gomez Baschwitz, B. and Paniagua Rodriguez, J.M. (2002) Swordfish attack. An unusual case of penetrating thoracic wound. European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery 21, 926.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carey, F.G. (1990) Further acoustic telemetry observation of swordfish. In Stroud, R.H. (ed.) Planning the future of billfishes, research and management in the 90s and beyond. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii: Proceedings of the Second International Billfish Symposium. Part 2: Contributed Papers, pp. 103–122.Google Scholar
Carey, F.G. and Robinson, B.H. (1981) Daily patterns in the activities of swordfish, Xiphias gladius, observed by acoustic telemetry. Fishery Bulletin 79, 277–292.Google Scholar
Cavaliere, A. (1962) Studi sulla biologia e pesca di Xiphias gladius L. Nota II. Bollettino Pesca Piscicoltura e Idrobiologia 17, 123–143.Google Scholar
Cavallaro, G., Cefali, A. and Potoschi, A. (1990) Aspetti biologici di Xiphias gladius L.1758 dei mari meridionali italiani. FAO Fisheries Report 394, 91–102.Google Scholar
Cavallaro, G. and Lo Duca, G. (1996) Aree di pesca del pescespada da parte delle marinerie della costa ionica siciliana. Biologia Marina Mediterranea 3, 341–345.Google Scholar
Clarke, M.R. (1986) A handbook for the identification of cephalopod beaks. Oxford: Oxford Science Publications.Google Scholar
De Metrio, G., Giacchetta, F. and Santamaria, N. (1995) Sex ratio ed indice gonadosomatico del pesce spada (Xiphias gladius L.) dello Ionio settentrionale e dell'Adriatico meridionale. Biologia Marina Mediterranea 2, 479–481.Google Scholar
De Metrio, G. and Megalofonou, P. (1987) Catch, size distribution, growth and sex ratio of swordfish (Xiphias gladius L.) in the Gulf of Taranto. FAO Fisheries Report 394, 91–102.Google Scholar
De la Serna, J.M. and Alot, E. (1990) Consideraciones relativas a los desplazamientos efectuados por el pez espada (Xiphias gladius) en el area del estrecho de Gibraltar y otras observaciones relacionadas con la biologia de la reproduccion. Collective Volume Scientific Papers ICCAT 33, 353–359.Google Scholar
De la Serna, J.M., Ortiz de Urbina, J.M. and Macias, D. (1996) Observations on sex-ratio, maturity and fecundity by length-class for swordfish (Xiphias gladius) captured with surface longline in the western Mediterranean. Collective Volume Scientific Papers ICCAT 45, 115–140.Google Scholar
Di Natale, A., Celona, A. and Mangano, A. (2005) A series of catch records by the harpoon fishery in the Strait of Messina from 1976 to 2003. Collective Volume Scientific Papers ICCAT 58, 1348–1359.Google Scholar
Di Natale, A., Mangano, A., Navarra, E., Schimmenti, G., Valastro, M., Bascone, M. and Asaro, A. (1996) La pesca del pescespada (Xiphias gladius L. 1758) in alcuni importanti porti tirrenici e dello Stretto di Sicilia tra il 1985 ed il 1994. Biologia Marina Mediterranea 3, 346–351.Google Scholar
Fritsches, K.A., Brill, R.W. and Warrant, E.J. (2005) Warm eyes provide superior vision in swordfishes. Current Biology 15, 55–58.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Greenacre, M. (1984) Theory and applications of correspondence analysis. London: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Gudger, E.W. (1938) Tales of attacks by the ocean gladiator—how the swordfish, Xiphias gladius, wreaks occasional vengeance by spearing the dories of the fisherman who persecute him. Natural History 41, 128–137.Google Scholar
Hinton, M.G., Taylor, R.G. and Murphy, M.D. (1997) Use of gonad indices to estimate the status of reproductive activity of female swordfish, Xiphias gladius: a validated classification method. Fishery Bulletin 95, 80–84.Google Scholar
Holden, M.J. and Raitt, D.F.S. (1974) Manual of fisheries science. Part 2. Methods of resource investigation and their application. FAO Fisheries Report 115, 1–214.Google Scholar
Jonsgard, A. (1962) Three finds of swords from swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in Antarctic fin whales (Balenoptera physalus) (L)). Norsk Hvalfangstitid 51, 287–291.Google Scholar
Kume, S. and Joseph, J. (1969) Size composition and sexual maturity of billfish caught by the Japanese long-line fishery in the Pacific Ocean east of 130°W. Bulletin. Sea Fisheries Research Laboratory 2, 115–162.Google Scholar
Magnusson, J.J. and Prescott, J.H. (1966) Courtship, locomotion, feeding and miscellaneous behaviour of Pacific bonito (Sarda chilensis). Animal Behaviour 14, 54–67.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
de Martini, E.E., Uchiyama, J.H. and Williams, H.A. (2000) Sexual maturity, sex ratio, and size composition of swordfish, Xiphias gladius, caught by the Hawaii-based pelagic longline fishery. Fishery Bulletin 98, 489–506.Google Scholar
Mejuto, J. and Garcia, B. (1997) A preliminary analysis of gonadal indices of the swordfish (Xiphias gladius L.) in the Atlantic Ocean. Collective Volume Scientific Papers ICCAT 46, 336–344.Google Scholar
Orsi-Relini, L., Calandri, G., Garibaldi, F. and Cima, C. (1996) Accrescimento e maturazione del pescespada. Nuove osservazioni in Mar Ligure. Biologia Marina Mediterranea 3, 352–359.Google Scholar
Orsi-Relini, L., Palandri, G. and Garibaldi, F. (2003) Reproductive parameters of the Mediterranean Swordfish. Biologia Marina Mediterranea 10, 210–222.Google Scholar
Palko, B.J., Beardsley, G.L. and Richards, W.J. (1981) Synopsis of the biology of the swordfish, Xiphias gladius Linnaeus. NOAA Technical Report NMFS, Circular no. 441, 2–15.Google Scholar
Peristeraki, P., Tserpes, G. and Lefkaditou, E. (2005) What cephalopod remains from Xiphias gladius stomachs can imply about predator–prey interactions in the Mediterranean Sea? Journal of Fish Biology 67, 549–554.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Poisson, P., Taquet, M., Ogor, A. and Troadec, H. (2001) Etude de le croissance de l'espadon (Xiphias gladius). In Report of the second session of the IOTC working party on billfish, St Gilles, La Réunion, 5–8 November 2001. Seychelles: IOTC.Google Scholar
Pujolar, J.M., Roldan, M.I. and Pla, C. (2002) A genetic assessment of the population structure of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in the Mediterranean Sea. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 276, 19–29.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rey, J.C. (1988) Comentarios sobre las areas de reproduccion del pez espada en el Atlantico y Mediterraneo. Collective Volume Scientific Papers ICCAT 27, 180–193.Google Scholar
Romeo, T., Ancora, S., Manganaro, A., Andaloro, F. and Fossi, M.C. (2001) The swordfish fishing by harpoon in the Strait of Messina. Rapport Commission Intérnational Mer Méditerranée 36, 318.Google Scholar
Romeo, T., Ancora, S., Consoli, P., Ausili, A., Fossi, M.C. and Andaloro, F. (2003a) Approccio sperimentale al calcolo dello sforzo di pesca e delle catture per unità di sforzo (CPUE) della pesca al pescespada con l'arpone. Biologia Marina Mediterranea 10, 891–894.Google Scholar
Romeo, T., Consoli, P., Florio, G., Fossi, M.C., Fortuna, C.M., Lauriano, G., Andaloro, F. and Notarbartolo di Sciara, G. (2003b) The Feluca boats of Messina Straits. European Research on Cetaceans 17, 25–26.Google Scholar
Sanzo, L. (1922) Uova e larve di Xiphias gladius L. Memorie Rivista Comitato Talassografico Italiano 79, 1–16.Google Scholar
Sanzo, L. (1930) Giovanissimo stadio larvale di Xiphias gladius L. di mm 6.4. Memorie Rivista Comitato Talassografico Italiano 2, 1–16.Google Scholar
Sisci, R. (1984) La pesca al pesce spada nello Stretto di Messina. Messina: EDAS.Google Scholar
Smith, J.L.B. (1956) Pugnacity of marlins and swordfish. Nature 178, 1065.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Spezie, G., Sansone, E., Budillon, G., Bianco, G., Alteris, A. de, Stefano, M. de, Gallarato, A. and La Mura, V. (1996) Rilievi idrodinamici nel sistema Eolie e nei bacini limitrofi di Cefalù e Gioia. Campagne Oceanografiche 1995. In Faranda, F.M. and Povero, P. (eds) Caratterizzazione ambientale marina del sistema Eolie e dei bacini limitrofi di Cefalù e Gioia (EOCUMM95), pp. 1–97.Google Scholar
StatSoft Italia srl (2001) STATISTICA, 6.0. www.statsoft.itGoogle Scholar
Takahashi, M., Okamura, H., Yokawa, K. and Okazaki, M. (2003) Swimming behaviour and migration of a swordfish recorded by an archival tag. Marine Freshwater Research 54, 527–534.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Taylor, R.G. and Murphy, M.D. (1992) Reproductive biology of the swordfish Xiphias gladius in the Straits of Florida and adjacent waters. Fishery Bulletin 90, 809–816.Google Scholar
Tserpes, G.P., Peristeraki, M. and Somarakis, S. (2001) The reproduction of swordfish (Xiphias gladius L.) in the Eastern Mediterranean. Collective Volume Scientific Papers ICCAT 52, 740–744.Google Scholar
Underwood, A.J. (1997) Techniques of analysis of variance in experimental marine biology and ecology. Oceanography and Marine Biology: an Annual Review 19, 513–605.Google Scholar