Variation in male reproductive traits among three bitterling fishes (Acheilognathinae: Cyprinidae) in relation to the mating system

0361504 - ÚBO 2012 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Pateman-Jones, C. - Rasotto, M. B. - Reichard, Martin - Liao, C. - Liu, H. - Zieba, G. - Smith, C.
Variation in male reproductive traits among three bitterling fishes (Acheilognathinae: Cyprinidae) in relation to the mating system.
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. Roč. 103, č. 3 (2011), s. 622-632. ISSN 0024-4066. E-ISSN 1095-8312
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60930519
Keywords : reproduction * sperm competition * sperm depletion * sperm economy
Subject RIV: EG - Zoology
Impact factor: 2.193, year: 2011

Male traits that correlate with fertilization success include testis size and structure, ejaculate size, ejaculation frequency, and sperm motility. Two hypotheses potentially explain interspecific differences in these traits: sperm competition and sperm limitation. We examined variation in six traits associated with fertilization success in three closely-related species of bitterling fish. Interspecific differences indicated that the three study species have evolved different sperm allocation strategies. All three species possessed an unusually well developed sperm duct with evidence of mucin production, which greatly extends the longevity of sperm and, consequently, the period over which fertilization can occur. We discuss these findings in the context of differences in the mating systems of the species examined, and relate the results obtained to differences in the temporal and spatial clustering of fertilizations.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0198805