Abstract
Although the presence of socially controlled sex change in pomacanthid fishes of the genusCentropyge has been known since 1978, it has always been assumed that such sex change occurred only after the death or disappearance of the dominant male in single male social groups. Between 1978 and 1983, we observed several incidences of sex change by ranking female angelfishes within their harems and in the presence of the dominant male in each such harem. This phenomenon was observed inCetropyge interruptus andCentropyge tibicen, and occurred frequently enough to suggest the possibility of early sex change as a normal reproductive strategy in these species. Possible advantages of early sex change are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bell, L. J. 1983 Aspects of the reproductive biology of the wrasseCirrhilabrus temminckii at Miyake-jima, Japan.Japan. J. Ichthyol. 30:158–167.
Ghiselin, M. T. 1969 The evolution of hermaphroditism among animals.Q. Rev. Biol. 44:189–208.
Maynard Smith, J. & G. R. Price 1973 The logic of animal conflict.Nature, Lond. 246: 15–18.
Moyer, J. T. 1981 Interspecific spawning of the pygmy angelfishesCentropyge shepardi andCentropyge bispinosus at Guam.Micronesica 17:119–124.
Moyer, J. T. & A. Nakazono 1978 Population structure, repreductive behavior and protogynous hermaphroditism in the angelfishCentropyge interruptus at Miyake-jima, Japan.Japan. J. Ichthyol. 25:25–39.
Moyer, J. T. & Y. Yogo 1982 The lek-like mating system ofHalichoeres melanochir (Pisces: Labridae) at Miyake-jima, Japan.Z. Tierpsychol. 60:209–226.
Moyer, J. T., R. E. Thresher & P. Colin 1983 courtship, spawning and inferred social organization of American angelfishes (GeneraPomacanthus, Holacanthus andCentropyge: Pomacanthidae).Env. Biol. Fish. 9:25–39.
Neudecker, S. & P. S. Lobel 1982 Mating systems of chaetodontid and pomacanthid fishes at St. Croix.Z. Tierpsychol. 59:229–318.
Robertson, D. R. 1972 Social control of sex reversal in a coral reef fish.Science 177: 1007–1009.
Thresher, R. E. 1982 Courtship and spawning in the emperor angelfishPomacanthus imperator, with comments on reproduction in other pomacanthid fishes.Mar. Biol. 70:149–156.
Thresher, R. E. 1984 Reproduction in reef fishes. I. F. H. Publ. Neptune, N. J., 399pp.
Tribble, G. W. 1982 Social organization, patterns of sexuality, and behavior of the wrasseCoris dorsomaculata at Miyake-jima, Japan.Env. Biol. Fish. 7:29–38.
Warner, R. R. 1975 The adaptive significance of sequential hermaphroditism in animals.Amer. Nat. 109:61–82.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Moyer, J.T., Zaiser, M.J. Early sex change: A possible mating strategy ofCentropyge angelfishes (Pisces: Pomacanthidae). J. Ethol. 2, 63–67 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02348208
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02348208