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<p>Mating systems provide a framework for understanding the reproductive strategies of reef fishes, shaped by the spatial distribution of males and females and the stability of their mating relationships. However, knowledge of the mating systems of species inhabiting sandy habitats remains limited, and no such information exists for <i>Choerodon</i> labrids. We conducted field observations to investigate the mating system of the labrid <i>Choerodon jordani</i> in a sandy rubble habitat in northwestern Okinawajima Island, Japan. Spawning occurred in winter. Males were larger than females in total length and maintained intrasexually exclusive home ranges that encompassed the home ranges of multiple females. Female home ranges overlapped extensively each other regardless of body size differences, and females formed group aggregations. Males mated with multiple females within their home ranges, and females spawned with the male whose home range overlapped the most. These findings suggest that <i>C. jordani</i> exhibits an aggregating female-type harem mating system. Furthermore, hermaphroditic gonads were histologically observed in specimens of intermediate size between females and males, suggesting protogyny associated with body size, as widely reported in labrids. These results expand our understanding of the reproductive strategies of reef fishes inhabiting sandy rubble habitats, including <i>Choerodon</i> wrasses.</p>

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Harem polygyny with female aggregation in the protogynous wrasse Choerodon jordani inhabiting a sandy rubble habitat

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月7日

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  • Kozue Minagawa,
  • Hajime Sato,
  • Kanta Fujishima,
  • Yoichi Sakai

摘要

Mating systems provide a framework for understanding the reproductive strategies of reef fishes, shaped by the spatial distribution of males and females and the stability of their mating relationships. However, knowledge of the mating systems of species inhabiting sandy habitats remains limited, and no such information exists for Choerodon labrids. We conducted field observations to investigate the mating system of the labrid Choerodon jordani in a sandy rubble habitat in northwestern Okinawajima Island, Japan. Spawning occurred in winter. Males were larger than females in total length and maintained intrasexually exclusive home ranges that encompassed the home ranges of multiple females. Female home ranges overlapped extensively each other regardless of body size differences, and females formed group aggregations. Males mated with multiple females within their home ranges, and females spawned with the male whose home range overlapped the most. These findings suggest that C. jordani exhibits an aggregating female-type harem mating system. Furthermore, hermaphroditic gonads were histologically observed in specimens of intermediate size between females and males, suggesting protogyny associated with body size, as widely reported in labrids. These results expand our understanding of the reproductive strategies of reef fishes inhabiting sandy rubble habitats, including Choerodon wrasses.