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- Title
Fluctuating asymmetries and reproductive success in the peacock blenny
- Authors
Gonçalves, D. M.; Simões, P. C.; Chumbinho, A. C.; Correia, M. J.; Fagundes, T; Oliveira, R. F.
- Abstract
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. Copyright 2002 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Subjects
PEACOCK bass; EGG incubation; REPRODUCTION
- Publication
Journal of Fish Biology, 2002, Vol 60, Issue 4, p810
- ISSN
0022-1112
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1006/jfbi.2002.1877