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Sexual dimorphism and allometry of external morphology in Oreochromis mossambicus
Author(s) -
Oliveira R. F.,
Almada V. C.
Publication year - 1995
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.1095-8649.1995.tb01409.x
Subject(s) - sexual dimorphism , biology , allometry , oreochromis mossambicus , snout , agonistic behaviour , sexual selection , zoology , dorsal fin , morphometrics , anatomy , dorsum , ecology , tilapia , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , psychology , psychiatry , aggression
Sexual dimorphism in growth of conventional morphometric characters was investigated in juveniles and young adults (size range: 31 to 91 mm) of Oreochromis mossambicus . A closely associated set of traits was identified that shows sexually dimorphic growth, which was positively allometric in the males. These traits correspond to two different morphological complexes: jaw structure and anal/dorsal fins. The best sex discriminators among this set of traits were premaxilla width, anal fin height and snout length. These findings may be explained in terms of intra– and inter–sexual selection acting together and favouring males with strong and large mouths and high dorsal and anal fins, traits that are important in agonistic displays (jaw and fins), fighting and nest digging (jaw).