Revealing Reef Fish Eggs at the Species Level: Insights from DNA Barcoding Aligned with Egg Morphology and Spawning Times

This study utilized DNA-barcoding to identify pelagic reef fish eggs on a species-specific level around Bonaire. Eggs were collected at three different sites (Bachelor Beach: 12.12577° N, 68.28827° W; Angel City: 12.10302° N, 68.28824° W; Pink Beach: 12.06414° N, 68.28336° W; WGS84). Furthermore, egg morphology was described using established criteria, revealing common features such as a spherical shape, transparent and smooth chorion, notable differences such as oil globule colour, and the presence of melanophores. This study provides valuable insights into the reproduction and the morphology of eggs of five distinct fish species and a single genus. In duplicates, we identified eggs belonging to 5 different taxa; Haemulon genus, Rypticus saponaceus , Paraconger caudilimbatus , Heteroconger longissimus , and scarus taeniopterus. A single identification was made for Katsuwonus pelamis. All eggs were collected during October and November in 2022 and 2023. The long-term goal of this study is to establish a fish egg database for the Caribbean including photographic and genetic information, and a fish spawning calendar. Further research is needed and ongoing to uncover other species and to study whether morphology within species and regions vary.