Semi-lunar spawning cycle and mating tactics in the marine goby Asterropteryx semipunctata.

Abstract  The reproductive behaviors of the marine goby Asterropteryx semipunctata were studied at Sakurajima, Kagoshima, Japan. Spawning occurred from late June to early October with a peak at 3–4 days after the full and new moon. This semi-lunar cycle might be advantageous to reducing nest-egg mortality but may not to larvae dispersion. Large males maintained spawning nests, and females spawned a whole clutch at a nest but with multiple males during a season. Females were less likely to be choosy due probably to a predation risk and/or nesting male shortage. Smaller males adopted sneaking tactics, and some of them became nesting males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]