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Population structure and life-history variables of the widely distributed alligator pipefish Syngnathoides biaculeatus were characterized in Bootless Bay, Papua New Guinea over the course of 11 months. There was little evidence of seasonality with four focal populations showing no significant change in abundance. Similarly, the sex ratio remained 1:1 for all but 1 month. Reproductive males carrying eggs (148–278 mm in total length, L_T) were found in all months. Brood size was significantly, positively related to male L_T for newly laid broods only. Maximum observed brood size was 351 and mean ± S.D. brood size was 238 ± 57 for newly laid broods. Juveniles and males showed no change in mean L_T over the year while slightly smaller females were captured in November 2006 and September 2007. Males were significantly longer than females so von Bertalanffy growth coefficients were estimated separately for each sex: males L_∞ = 285 mm, K = 0.82 year^-1 and females L_∞ = 261 mm, K = 1.10 year^-1. These estimates suggest that this species grows rapidly and has a short-life span. In the context of growing concern about overexploitation of syngnathids, a rapid growth rate combined with year round reproductive activity suggests that the tropical S. biaculeatus may be relatively resilient with regard to fishing pressure.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	growth, life-history strategy, reproduction, seagrass, syngnathid
Research Division:	Biological Sciences
Research Group:	Ecology
Research Field:	Population ecology
Objective Division:	Environmental Management
Objective Group:	Terrestrial systems and management
Objective Field:	Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems
UTAS Author:	Martin-Smith, KM (Dr Keith Martin-Smith)
ID Code:	62143
Year Published:	2009
Web of Science® Times Cited:	8
Deposited By:	Zoology
Deposited On:	2010-03-10
Last Modified:	2013-01-17
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