title: Reproductive life history of the introduced peacock grouper Cephalopholis argus in Hawaii.
abstract: This research investigated the reproductive biology (sex ratio, hermaphroditic pattern, size and age at maturity) of Cephalopholis argus, known locally in Hawaii by its Tahitian name roi. The results suggest that C. argus exhibits monandric protogyny (female gonad differentiation with female to male sex change) with females reaching sexual maturity at 1.2 years (95% c.i.: 0.6, 1.6) and 20.0 cm total length (LT ; 95% c.i.: 19.6, 21.2). The female to male sex ratio was 3.9:1. The average age and LT at sex change was 11.5 years (95% c.i.: 11.1, 12.9) and 39.9 cm (95% c.i.: 39.5, 41.2), respectively. Current information on spawning seasonality of this species is incomplete, but based on the occurrence of spawning capable and actively spawning females, spawning probably takes place from May to October. Evidence of lunar spawning periodicity was found, with an increased proportion of spawning capable and actively spawning females, and an increased female gonado-somatic index during first quarter and full-moon phases. This information fills a valuable information gap in Hawaii and across the species' native range.
authors.affiliation: Fisheries Ecology Research Lab, University of Hawaii Manoa, Biology Department, 2538 McCarthy Mall, Edmondson Hall 216, Honolulu, HI, 96822, U.S.A.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Schemmel
authors.affiliation: Fisheries Ecology Research Lab, University of Hawaii Manoa, Biology Department, 2538 McCarthy Mall, Edmondson Hall 216, Honolulu, HI, 96822, U.S.A.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Donovan
authors.affiliation: The Nature Conservancy, Hawaii Program, 923 Nuuanu Ave., Honolulu, HI, 96743, U.S.A.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wiggins
authors.affiliation: Fisheries Ecology Research Lab, University of Hawaii Manoa, Biology Department, 2538 McCarthy Mall, Edmondson Hall 216, Honolulu, HI, 96822, U.S.A.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anzivino
authors.affiliation: Fisheries Ecology Research Lab, University of Hawaii Manoa, Biology Department, 2538 McCarthy Mall, Edmondson Hall 216, Honolulu, HI, 96822, U.S.A.|Pristine Seas, National Geographic Society, 1145 17th Street N.W., Washington, D.C., 20036-4688, U.S.A.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Friedlander
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001492:Bass / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006066:Gonads / Q000502:physiology; D006254:Hawaii; D008297:Male; D016081:Moon; D010053:Ovary; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D019849:Sex Determination Processes / Q000502:physiology; D012744:Sex Ratio; D012741:Sexual Maturation
keywords: invasive; lunar spawning; protogynous; reproduction; sex change