Size-dependent resource allocation to reproduction in Japanese anchovies (Engraulis japonicus)

Abstract Size-related changes in reproductive potential are essential for understanding population dynamics and life history strategies; however, the mechanisms driving variation between individuals and sexes remain unclear. Using a diet-switch experiment and carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratio...

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Main Authors: Michio Yoneda, Satoshi Katayama, Masayuki Yamamoto, Naoaki Kono, Tatsuo Tsuzaki, Hiroshige Tanaka
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99911-y
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author Michio Yoneda
Satoshi Katayama
Masayuki Yamamoto
Naoaki Kono
Tatsuo Tsuzaki
Hiroshige Tanaka
author_facet Michio Yoneda
Satoshi Katayama
Masayuki Yamamoto
Naoaki Kono
Tatsuo Tsuzaki
Hiroshige Tanaka
author_sort Michio Yoneda
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Size-related changes in reproductive potential are essential for understanding population dynamics and life history strategies; however, the mechanisms driving variation between individuals and sexes remain unclear. Using a diet-switch experiment and carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (SIRs) as quantitative indicators, we investigated how large (parents) and small (offspring) spawning male and female Japanese anchovies (Engraulis japonicus) allocate energy to reproduction. Large individuals of both sexes exhibited higher energy investment in gamete production than small individuals, reflecting a trade-off between growth and reproduction. The turnover rates of SIRs after a diet switch suggest that anchovies predominantly rely on income breeding. However, significant differences in turnover rates between large and small individuals indicate that large fish can also utilize facultative capital resources for gamete production. Notably, males exhibited slower isotopic turnover than females, partly due to the influence of sperm storage. These findings demonstrate that spawning individuals display temporal diversity in resource use for reproduction, with large individuals showing greater flexibility in energy allocation strategies. This study advances our understanding of size- and sex-dependent resource allocation in Japanese anchovy and contributes to a broader understanding of reproductive strategies in small pelagic fishes.
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spelling doaj-art-809e94939a634d8cbe2270bfa06bf9812025-08-20T02:11:09ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-99911-ySize-dependent resource allocation to reproduction in Japanese anchovies (Engraulis japonicus)Michio Yoneda0Satoshi Katayama1Masayuki Yamamoto2Naoaki Kono3Tatsuo Tsuzaki4Hiroshige Tanaka5Fisheries Technology Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Hakatajima Filed StationGraduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku UniversityKagawa Prefectural Fisheries Experimental StationFisheries Resources Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Hatsukaichi Field StationFisheries Technology Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Hakatajima Filed StationKushiro Laboratory, Hokkaido National Fisheries Research Institute, Fisheries Research AgencyAbstract Size-related changes in reproductive potential are essential for understanding population dynamics and life history strategies; however, the mechanisms driving variation between individuals and sexes remain unclear. Using a diet-switch experiment and carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (SIRs) as quantitative indicators, we investigated how large (parents) and small (offspring) spawning male and female Japanese anchovies (Engraulis japonicus) allocate energy to reproduction. Large individuals of both sexes exhibited higher energy investment in gamete production than small individuals, reflecting a trade-off between growth and reproduction. The turnover rates of SIRs after a diet switch suggest that anchovies predominantly rely on income breeding. However, significant differences in turnover rates between large and small individuals indicate that large fish can also utilize facultative capital resources for gamete production. Notably, males exhibited slower isotopic turnover than females, partly due to the influence of sperm storage. These findings demonstrate that spawning individuals display temporal diversity in resource use for reproduction, with large individuals showing greater flexibility in energy allocation strategies. This study advances our understanding of size- and sex-dependent resource allocation in Japanese anchovy and contributes to a broader understanding of reproductive strategies in small pelagic fishes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99911-y
spellingShingle Michio Yoneda
Satoshi Katayama
Masayuki Yamamoto
Naoaki Kono
Tatsuo Tsuzaki
Hiroshige Tanaka
Size-dependent resource allocation to reproduction in Japanese anchovies (Engraulis japonicus)
Scientific Reports
title Size-dependent resource allocation to reproduction in Japanese anchovies (Engraulis japonicus)
title_full Size-dependent resource allocation to reproduction in Japanese anchovies (Engraulis japonicus)
title_fullStr Size-dependent resource allocation to reproduction in Japanese anchovies (Engraulis japonicus)
title_full_unstemmed Size-dependent resource allocation to reproduction in Japanese anchovies (Engraulis japonicus)
title_short Size-dependent resource allocation to reproduction in Japanese anchovies (Engraulis japonicus)
title_sort size dependent resource allocation to reproduction in japanese anchovies engraulis japonicus
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99911-y
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