Synopsis
We examined the importance of sex differences in predation risk in generating sexual segregation in the guppy, Poecilia reticulata. We hypothesised that sex differences in predation risk will result in habitat segregation and ultimately social segregation of the sexes, with the more vulnerable sex (males in this case) using safer habitats. In accordance with the predation risk hypothesis we observed sexual segregation in a population associated with high but not low predation risk. Under high predation risk we observed a larger proportion of males in shallow marginal habitats resulting in habitat segregation and ultimately social segregation of the sexes. Furthermore, habitat segregation by sex was associated with habitat segregation by body length with shoals in deeper water having a larger mean body length. Shoaling fish species have been key models in investigating group living, and further research directed towards understanding sexual segregation in other fish species would be valuable.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
MV Abrahams LM Dill (1989) ArticleTitleA determination of the energetic equivalence of the risk of predation Ecology 70 999–1007
R.M. Coleman V. Kutty (2001) ArticleTitleThe predator of guppies on Trinidad is the pike cichlid Crenicichla frenata–, not –Crenicichla alta–: a caution about working with cichlids J.Aquaricult Aquat. Sci. 9 89–92
L. Conradt (1998) ArticleTitleMeasuring the degree of sexual segregation in group-living animals J. Anim. Ecol. 67 217–226
D.P. Croft B.J. Arrowsmith J. Bielby K. Skinner E. White I.D. Couzin A.E. Magurran I. Ramnarine J Krause (2003) ArticleTitleMechanisms underlying shoal composition in the Trinidadian guppy (–Poecilia reticulata–) Oikos 100 429–438
J.F. Gilliam D.F. Fraser (1987) ArticleTitleHabitat selection under predation hazard-test of a model with foraging minnows Ecology 68 1856–1862
G.F. Grether D.F. Millie M.J. Bryant D.N. Reznick W. Mayea (2001) ArticleTitleRain forest canopy cover, resource availability, and life history evolution in guppies Ecology 82 1546–1559
S.W. Griffiths (1996) ArticleTitleSex differences in the trade-off between feeding and mating in the guppy J. Fish Biol. 48 891–898
C.P. Haskins E.F. Haskins J.J.A. McLaughlin R.E. Hewitt (1961) Polymorphism and population structure in –Lebistes reticulatus–, an ecological study W.F. Blair (Eds) Vertebrate Speciation University of Texas Press Austin 320–395
R.D. Jakimchuk L.G. FergusonS.H. Sopuck (1987) ArticleTitleDifferential habitat use and sexual segregation in the Central Arctic caribou herd Can. J. Zool. – Rev. Can. Zool. 65 534–541 Occurrence Handle10.1139/z87-083
C.N. Johnson P.G. Bayliss (1981) ArticleTitleHabitat selection by sex, age and reproductive class in the red kangaroo, –Macropus rufus–, in Western-New-South-Wales Aust. Wildlife Res. 8 465–474
N.R. Liley (1966) ArticleTitleEthological isolating mechanisms in four sympatric species of Poeciliid fishes Behav. Suppl. 13 1–197
N.R. Liley B.H. Seghers (1975) Factors affecting the morphology and behaviour of the guppy (–Poecilia reticulata–) in Trinidad G. Baerands A. Manning (Eds) Function and Behaviour in Evolution, Oxford University Press Oxford
P.H. Luyten N.R. Liley (1991) ArticleTitleSexual selection and competitive mating success of males guppies (–Poecilia reticulata–) from 4 Trinidad populations Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 28 329–336
V.J. Maglio D.E. Rosen (1969) ArticleTitleChanging preferences for substrate colour by reproductively active mosquitofish, –Gambusia affinis –(Baird and Girard) (Poeciliidae, Atheriniformes) Am. Mus. Novitates 2379 1–37
A.E. Magurran M.A. Nowak (1991) ArticleTitleAnother battle of the sexes – the consequences of sexual asymmetry in mating costs and predation risk in the guppy, –Poecilia reticulata– Proc. R. Soc. London, Ser. B – Biol. Sci. 246 31–38 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK387gtVOmug%3D%3D
A.E. Magurran B.H. Seghers (1994) ArticleTitleA cost of sexual harassment in the guppy,– Poecilia reticulata– Proc. R. Soc. London, Ser. B – Biol. Sci. 258 89–92
A.E. Magurran B.H. Seghers (1994) ArticleTitleSexual conflict as a consequence of ecology – evidence from guppy, –Poecilia reticulata–, populations in Trinidad Proc. R. Soc. London, Ser. B – Biol. Sci. 255 31–36
A.E. Magurran B.H. Seghers G.R. Carvalho P.W. Shaw (1992) ArticleTitleBehavioural consequences of an artificial introduction of guppies (–Poecilia reticulata–) in N Trinidad: evidence for the evolution of antipredator behaviour in the wild. Proc. R. Soc. London, Ser. B – Biol. Sci. 248 117–122
M.B. Main B.E. Coblentz (1990) ArticleTitleSexual segregation amongungulates – a critique Wildlife Soc. Bull. 18 204–210
Main M.B. & B.E. Coblentz. 1990. Sexual segregation in rocky mountain mule deer
M.B. Main F.W. Weckerly F.C. Bleich (1996) ArticleTitleSexual segregation in ungulates: new directions for research J. Mammal. 77 449–461
H.T. Mattingly M.J. Butler (1994) ArticleTitleLaboratory predation on the Trinidadian guppy – implications for the size-selective predation hypothesis and guppy life-history evolution Oikos 69 54–64
A. Mysterud (2000) ArticleTitleThe relationship between ecological segregation and sexual body size dimorphism in large herbivores Oecologia 124 40–54
E. Ranta N Peuhkuri A. Laurila (1994) ArticleTitleA theoretical exploration of antipredatory and foraging factors promoting phenotype-assorted fish schools Ecoscience 1 99–106
D. Reznick M.J. Butler H. Rodd (2001) ArticleTitleLife-history evolution in guppies. VII The comparative ecology of high- and low-predation environments. Am. Nat. 157 12–26
F.H. Rodd D.N. Reznick (1997) ArticleTitleVariation in the demography of guppy populations: the importance of predation and life histories Ecology 78 405–418
K.E. Ruckstuhl (1998) ArticleTitleForaging behaviour and sexual segregation in bighorn sheep Anim. Behav. 56 99–106
K.E. Ruckstuhl P. Neuhaus (2000) ArticleTitleSexual segregation in ungulates: a new approach Behaviour 137 361–377
K.E. Ruckstuhl P. Neuhaus (2002) ArticleTitleSexual segregation in ungulates: a comparative test of three hypotheses Biol. Rev. 77 77–96 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD387nvVWktQ%3D%3D
Seghers B.H. 1973. An analysis of geographic variation in the antipredator adaptations of the guppy, –Poecilia reticulata–. Ph.D. Thesis, The University of British Columbia.
P.W. Shaw G.R. Carvalho B.H. MagurranA.E. Seghers (1991) ArticleTitlePopulation differentiation in Trinidadian guppies (–Poecilia reticulata–) – patterns and problems J. Fish Biol. 39 203–209
D.W. Sims J.P. Nash D. Morritt (2001) ArticleTitleMovements and activity of male and female dogfish in a tidal sea lough: alternative behavioural strategies and apparent sexual segregation Mar. Biol. 139 1165–1175
M.A. Smultea (1994) ArticleTitleSegregation by humpback whale (–Megaptera novaeangliae–) cows with a calf in coastal habitat near the Island of Hawaii Can. J. Zool. 72 805–811 Occurrence Handle10.1139/z94-109
R. Weeden (1964) ArticleTitleSpatial segregation of sexes in rock and willow ptarmigan in winter Auk 81 534–541
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Croft, D.P., Krause, M.S.B.J. Is sexual segregation in the guppy, Poecilia reticulata, consistentwith the predation risk hypothesis?. Environ Biol Fish 71, 127–133 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-003-0092-5
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-003-0092-5