Feeding ecology and reproductive biology of the orange-spotted toadfish Torquigener hypselogeneion (Bleeker 1852) (Tetraodontidae) in the Taşucu Bay, Mediterranean Coast of Türkiye

Erhan Irmak; Uğur Özden; Semih Engin; Dilruba Seyhan Öztürk; Adnan Çağlar Oruç; Sencer Akalın

doi:10.12714/egejfas.42.3.05

TR EN

Türkiye Akdeniz kıyısındaki Taşucu Körfezi'nde turuncu benekli balon balığı Torquigener hypselogeneion'un (Bleeker 1852) (Tetraodontidae) beslenme ekolojisi ve üreme biyolojisi

Öz

Bu çalışmada, Levant kıyılarında yayılım gösteren istilacı balon balığı Torquigener hypselogeneion'un beslenme ekolojisi ve üreme biyolojisi incelenmiştir. 2018–2019 yılları arasında toplam 400 örnek alınmış olup, boy-ağırlık ilişkisi W = 0.0198L3.0144 (r = 0.983) olarak hesaplanmıştır. Mide içeriği analizinde 24 farklı av grubu belirlenmiş, bunlar arasında kabuklular, gastropodlar ve bivalvler en önemli besin grupları olmuştur. T. hypselogeneion tamamen fırsatçı beslenme davranışı sergilemektedir. Üreme dönemi Temmuz ile Ekim ayları arasında belirlenmiş olup, GSI değerleri Eylül ayında en yüksek seviyeye ulaşmıştır. Ortalama göreceli fekondite 29046 ± 1525 yumurta olarak hesaplanmıştır. Saha gözlemleri sırasında, T. hypselogeneion'un çalışma alanında en bol bulunan istilacı balık türlerinden biri olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bu bulgular, Doğu Akdeniz’de T. hypselogeneion’un biyo-ekolojik özelliklerine dair önemli veriler sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Feeding ecology and reproductive biology of the orange-spotted toadfish Torquigener hypselogeneion (Bleeker 1852) (Tetraodontidae) in the Taşucu Bay, Mediterranean Coast of Türkiye

Abstract

This study examines the feeding ecology and reproductive biology of the invasive pufferfish Torquigener hypselogeneion along the Levantine coast of Türkiye. A total of 400 specimens were sampled (2018–2019), with a length-weight relationship of W = 0.0198L3.0144 (r = 0.983). Stomach content analysis identified 24 prey groups, with crustaceans, gastropods, and bivalves being the most significant. T. hypselogeneion exhibits fully opportunistic feeding behavior. The reproductive period spans July to October, peaking in September (GSI values). Relative fecundity averaged 29046 ± 1525 eggs. During the field surveys, it was determined that T. hypselogeneion was one of the most abundant invasive fish species in the coastal ecosystem in the study area. These findings provide key bio-ecological insights into T. hypselogeneion in the eastern Mediterranean.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Izmir Kâtip Çelebi University / Scientific Research Project Coordination Unit

Ethical Statement

No specific ethical approval was necessary for the study.

Thanks

We would like to thank the Izmir Kâtip Çelebi University for funding the presently reported study in the frames of the grant No. 2018-GAP-SUÜF-0006 of the Scientific Research Project Coordination Unit of the University.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Fish Biology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Erhan Irmak
0000-0002-8354-338X
Türkiye

Uğur Özden ^*
0000-0003-3833-3532
Türkiye

Semih Engin
0000-0002-2918-2552
Türkiye

Dilruba Seyhan Öztürk
0000-0001-6060-6483
Türkiye

Adnan Çağlar Oruç
0000-0003-4675-1654
Türkiye

Sencer Akalın
0000-0001-9839-6485
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

September 1, 2025

Publication Date

September 10, 2025

Submission Date

May 6, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 25, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 42 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.42.3.05

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA86ZS53WH

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Irmak, E., Özden, U., Engin, S., Seyhan Öztürk, D., Oruç, A. Ç., & Akalın, S. (2025). Feeding ecology and reproductive biology of the orange-spotted toadfish Torquigener hypselogeneion (Bleeker 1852) (Tetraodontidae) in the Taşucu Bay, Mediterranean Coast of Türkiye. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 42(3), 232-240. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.42.3.05