Premium
Size at maturity in male Gambusia heterochir
Author(s) -
Yan H. Y.
Publication year - 1987
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.1095-8649.1987.tb05802.x
Subject(s) - gambusia , biology , mating , sexual maturity , reproductive success , zoology , fish <actinopterygii> , offspring , maturity (psychological) , mosquitofish , competition (biology) , mechanism (biology) , poeciliidae , ecology , demography , genetics , fishery , developmental psychology , pregnancy , population , psychology , philosophy , epistemology , sociology
The size at maturity in many male poeciliid fish is believed to be controlled by ‘social control mechanism’, and post‐maturation growth is insignificant. In the Clear Creek gambusia, Gambusia heterochir . post‐maturation growth in male fish is limited. Male G. heterochir matures at a fixed size, and age of maturation is dependent on environmental factors (e.g. temperature). In the presence of an adult male, the maturation size of a young male is largely determined by genetic factors rather than ‘social control’ factors. A male can switch its status as a ‘dominant’ or ‘subordinate’ male, depending on the relative size of rival males in mating competition. Mating success of a large (dominant) male reduces as the number of competing small (subordinate) males increases. These unique reproductive tactics may explain in part why ‘social control mechanism’ does not play a key role in determining the maturation size of male G. heterochir .