Bionomics of a lesser known goby, Stenogobius gymnopomus (Bleeker, 1853) (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from southern Kerala, India

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S. Lekshmi
G. Prasad
S.D.R. Kumari

Abstract

The biology of a lesser known goby, Stenogobius gymnopomus was studied from the freshwater systems of southern Kerala. Dietary analysis showed that S. gymnopomus is a euryphagous feeder and an omnivore. Cladocerans, together with fish eggs and scales, constituted the major food items. The minimum size at first maturity for male S. gymnopomus is 78mm and for females 72mm. This species was found to be a batch spawner with a prolonged spawning season extending from August to December. Fecundity ranged from 46,323 to 61,291 eggs. Sex ratios revealed that local populations of S. gymnopomus are male dominated.

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Communications
Author Biographies

S. Lekshmi

S. Lekshmi is a research scholar since 2009. She successfully completed her MSc in Zoology from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala in 2003 and MPhil in Aquatic Biology and Fisheries under the guidance of Dr. S.D. Rita Kumari in 2007; from 2008 onwards she is enroled for PhD.

G. Prasad

Dr. G. Prasad is assistant professor with experience on fish biology and aquaculture in addition to life history traits of threatened fishes of Western Ghats parts of Kerala. He also studies the Human Wildlife Conflicts and interested in biology, habitat ecology and conservation of threatened fauna of Western Ghats.

S.D.R. Kumari

Dr. S.D. Rita Kumari is well experienced fish biologist and freshwater fish taxonomist with several papers in fish biology and ecology, and has recently retired as professor from the department after 30 years of service.