Synopsis
Bergmann-type ecogeographic patterns are common among small resident rocky-shore fishes in the Gulf of California where triplefin blennies (Tripterygiidae) represent a significant component of the community. Using estimates of adult body size from samples throughout the Gulf, four triplefin species, three more than previously reported, showed significant correlations of body size with latitude. The intensity and form of the relationships are given. Measuring the length of the largest individual in samples rather than using average body weight per individuals in samples offers a better estimate of adult body size.
References cited
Brown, J. H. & A.C. Gibson. 1983. Biogeography. C.V. Mosby, Toronto. 643 pp.
Casanova, J.P. 1981. Amendments of the ecological rules known as Bergmann's and Jordan's rules. J. Plankton Res. 3: 509–529.
Case, T.J. & M.L. Cody (ed.). 1983. Biogeography of islands in the Sea of Cortez. University of California Press, Berkeley. 550 pp.
Gilligan, M. R. 1976. A small marine animal collector for use by divers. Progressive Fish-Culturist 38: 40–41.
Gilligan, M.R. 1980a. Island and mainland biogeography of resident rocky-shore fishes in the Gulf of California. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Arizona, Tucson. 135 pp.
Gilligan, M.R. 1980b. Beta diversity of a Gulf of California rocky-shore fish community. Env. Biol. Fish. 3: 109–116.
Grey, M. 1956. The distribution of fishes found below a depth of 2000 meters. Fieldiana, Zoology 36: 75–337.
Klopfer, P. 1962. Behavioral aspects of ecology. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs. 173 pp.
Kotrschal, K. & D.A. Thomson. 1986. Feeding patterns in eastern tropical Pacific blennioid fishes (Teleostei: Tripterygiidae, Labrisomidae, Chaenopsidae, Blenniidae). Oecologia 70: 367–378.
Levington, J. S. 1983. The latitudinal compensation hypothesis: growth data and a model of latitudinal growth differentiation based upon energy budgets. 1. Interspecific comparison of Ophryotrocha (Polychaeta: Dorvilleidae). Biol. Bull. 165: 686–698.
Lindsey, C.C. 1966. Body sizes of poikilotherm vertebrates at different latitudes. Evolution 20: 456–465.
Maluf, Y. 1983. Physical oceanography. pp. 26–45. In: T.J. Case & M.L. Cody (ed.) Biogeography of Islands in the Sea of Cortez, University of California Press, Berkeley.
McNab, B.K. 1971. On the ecological significance of Bergmann's Rule. Ecology 52: 845–854.
Minkoff, E.C. 1983. Evolutionary biology. Addison-Wesley, Reading. 627 pp.
Newell, N.D. 1949. Phyletic size increase, an important trend illustrated by fossil invertebrates. Evolution 3: 103–124.
Ray, C. 1960. The application of Bergmann's and Allen's rules to the poikilotherms. J. Morph. 106: 85–108.
Roden, G.I. 1964. Oceanographic aspects to the Gulf of California. pp. 30–58. In: T.H. van Andel & G.G.Shor, Jr. (ed.) Marine Geology of the Gulf of California, Amer. Ass. Petrol. Geol. Mem. 3.
Rosenzweig, M.L. 1968. The strategy of body size in mammalian carnivores. Amer. Midl. Nat. 40: 229–313.
Scholander, P.F. 1955. Evolution of climatic adaptation in homeotherms. Evolution 10: 339–340.
Shepherd, G.R. & C.B. Grimes. 1984. Reproduction of weakfish, Cynoscion regalis, in the New York Bight and evidence for geographically specific life history characteristics. U.S. Fish. Bull. 82: 501–511.
Thomson, D.A. & M.R. Gilligan. 1983. The fishes. pp. 98–129. In: T.J. Case & M.L. Cody (ed.) Biogeography of Islands in the Sea of Cortez, University of California Press, Berkeley.
Thomson, D.A., L.T. Findley & A.N. Kerstitch. 1979. Reef fishes of the Sea of Cortez. Wiley-Interscience, New York. 302 pp.
Weymouth, F.W., H.C. McMillin & W.C. Rich. 1931. Latitude and the relative growth of the razor clam, Siliqua patula. J. Exp. Biol. 8: 228–249.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gilligan, M.R. Bergmann ecogeographic trends among triplefin blennies (Teleostei: Tripterygiidae) in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Environ Biol Fish 31, 301–305 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00000695
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00000695