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The energetic costs of alternative male reproductive strategies in Xiphophorus nigrensis

Journal of Comparative Physiology A volume 195, pages 935–946 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

The coexistence of alternative male mating strategies depends on the balance between costs and benefits. Here we examine the short-term metabolic costs associated with distinct reproductive strategies in the genetically determined alternative male phenotypes of a northern swordtail, Xiphophorus nigrensis. In this species, large males court females, non-adorned small males chase females, and intermediate males exhibit both courtship and chase behaviors. Using intermittent flow respirometry, we measure oxygen consumption rates and behaviors of each size class in isolation and in the presence of a female. Changes in oxygen consumption between solitary and female presence trials (ΔVO2) correlated significantly with standard length across all size classes (r = 0.42). Only the large male class exhibited a significant increase in oxygen consumption in female-present trials exhibiting a range of increase from 2 to 200% relative to solitary metabolic rates, but costs of specific courtship displays could not be demonstrated. Sword length explained 54–57% of the variation in oxygen consumption in large male solitary trials and 63–65% in the female-present trials independent of any behavioral correlation with sword length. Our results exhibit similarities to condition-dependent alternative mating systems where the female-favored phenotype has higher energetic costs.

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Abbreviations

RMR:

Routine metabolic rate

SL:

Standard length

VO2 :

Oxygen consumption rate

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Acknowledgments

Much gratitude is extended to Brad Seibel, who generously trained MEC in respirometry. Thank you to Mike Ryan, Martine Maan, Mary Ramsey, Chris Martell, Eben Gering, Ryan Wong, Michael Taborsky and an anonymous reviewer for providing critical feedback on earlier versions of this manuscript. We are indebted to the Mexican government for fish-collecting permits, Francisco Garcia de Leon for assistance in collection permits, and Brackenridge Field laboratories for fish-holding facilities. This research was supported by a Reeder Fellowship to MEC. This research complied with the “Principles of Animal Care”, publication No. 86-23, revised 1985 of the National Institute of Health and followed IACUC protocols.

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  1. Section of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, 787120, USA

    Molly Elizabeth Cummings & Rose Gelineau-Kattner

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  1. Molly Elizabeth Cummings
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  2. Rose Gelineau-Kattner
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Correspondence to Molly Elizabeth Cummings.

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Cummings, M.E., Gelineau-Kattner, R. The energetic costs of alternative male reproductive strategies in Xiphophorus nigrensis . J Comp Physiol A 195, 935–946 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-009-0469-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-009-0469-9

Keywords

  • Respirometry
  • Alternative mating strategies
  • Swordtails
  • Signaling behavior
  • Energetic costs