The effect of nest aggregation on the reproductive behaviour of the peacock blenny Salaria pavo. | - CCMAR -

Journal Article

TitleThe effect of nest aggregation on the reproductive behaviour of the peacock blenny Salaria pavo.
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsSaraiva, JL, Barata, EN, Canario, AVM, Oliveira, RF
Year of Publication2009
JournalJ Fish Biol
Volume74
Issue4
Date Published2009 Mar
Pagination754-62
ISSN1095-8649
KeywordsAgonistic Behavior, Animals, Female, Male, Nesting Behavior, Perciformes, Sexual Behavior, Animal
Abstract

The effect of nest aggregation in courtship behaviour was tested experimentally in an ecologically constrained, sex-role reversed population of the peacock blenny Salaria pavo. Mixed sex groups of eight males and eight females were tested in experimental tanks, containing eight potential nests either aggregated or dispersed. In the aggregated treatment, males spent more time inside their nests and monopolized other potential nests, causing a female-biased operational sex ratio (OSR). In the aggregated treatment, females also expressed more courtship behaviour. The results in general support the prediction that the aggregation of nests promotes male monopolization of potential nests, resulting in fewer nest-holding males and therefore a female-biased OSR that leads to the reversal of sex roles.

DOI10.1111/j.1095-8649.2008.02153.x
Sapientia

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20735597?dopt=Abstract

Alternate JournalJ. Fish Biol.
PubMed ID20735597
CCMAR Authors