A carregar...
Publicação
Fluctuating asymmetries and reproductive success in the the peacock blenny
Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
In an investigation of the relationship between reproductive success and fluctuating asymmetry
(FA) in the peacock blenny Salaria pavo, FA was measured in four bilaterally paired characters
in successful and unsuccessful males during the breeding season. Reproductive success among
successful males was assessed by calculating the number of eggs the males were defending.
Absolute FA values relative to trait size were high for all characters and it is suggested that this
could be a consequence of sub-optimal environmental conditions. Two of the traits presented
higher absolute FA values suggesting a lower canalization during ontogeny. No difference in
FA between successful and unsuccessful males was found and no relationship between FA and
number of eggs among the successful males occurred for any of the measured traits. A
composite index of FA, that should better reflect overall developmental competence, was also
unrelated to reproductive success. These results indicate that FA is not associated with
reproductive success among males of S. pavo. Successful males were larger than unsuccessful
males and a strong positive correlation was detected between the body length of the parental
males and the number of eggs they had in the nest, even when controlling for the internal nest
area. Body size may give males a reproductive advantage by being preferred by females and by
having an advantage in male-male competition for nests of higher quality.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Fluctuating asymmetry Developmental stability Salaria pavo Peacock blenny Reproductive success
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Journal of Fish Biology, 60, 810-820