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Territory dynamics and cost of reproduction in a captive population of the colonial nesting mouthbrooder Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters)
Author(s) -
Turner G. F.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.1986.tb04974.x
Subject(s) - oreochromis mossambicus , biology , reproduction , courtship , cichlid , population , zoology , ecology , fishery , nesting (process) , demography , fish <actinopterygii> , tilapia , sociology , materials science , metallurgy
A constant population of the colonial‐nesting cichlid Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters) was maintained, over a long period, in a large aquarium tank. The larger and more dominant males more often held territories in the more sheltered areas, which were favoured by all males, and which seemed to lead to greater courtship success. The aggressive and reproductive behaviour of adult males was analysed and was, initially, found to be strongly influenced by the fishes' relative sizes. Towards the end of the study period, true size became less important in affecting such behaviour than the initial size, suggesting that there was a persistent effect of previous interactions. The initial and final sizes of males were found to be negatively correlated, suggesting that one cost of territorial reproductive behaviour is reduced growth.