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Mating System, Resource Defence and Sex Change in the Anemonefish Amphiprion akallopisos
Author(s) -
Fricke Hans W.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
zeitschrift für tierpsychologie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.739
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-0310
pISSN - 0044-3573
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1979.tb01034.x
Subject(s) - biology , mating system , ecology , dominance hierarchy , dominance (genetics) , mating , anemone , population , seasonal breeder , reproductive success , zoology , demography , aggression , psychology , biochemistry , psychiatry , sociology , gene
Ecology and mating system of A. akallopisos were investigated at Aldabra Atoll and data compared with A. bicinctus from the Red Sea. A. akallopisos inhabits Radianthus ritteri , a colonial species forming aggregations up to 198 anemones. A. bicinctus occupies Gyrostoma helianthus , a solitary‐living anemone. Both Amphiprion species are monogamous. A. akallopisos , on its larger host clusters, forms groups of up to 9 adults, consisting of a large breeding ♂, a functional breeding ♂ and a varying number of non‐breeding ♂♂. A size‐dependent aggressive hierarchy exists; as the breeding ♂ prevents all others from mating with the ♀, monogamy obtains even in larger groups. The ♀ — a breeding ♂♂ having changed sex — defends and monopolizes a territory and so attracts and controls potential mates. The ♀‐dominance system, resource defence and distribution, inter‐ and intrasexual competition are discussed in the light of Emlen and Oring's (1977) theories. The many A. akallopisos non‐breeding ♂♂ in the overall population and in groups are suggested to be helpers. In Amphiprion helping would not mean caring for the eggs to increase the breeders' reproductive success. One could speculate that nonbreeding adults improve their own reproductive chances by remaining on the breeders' territory and waiting for a vacant breeding position.