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Life-history phenotypes in a live-bearing fish Brachyrhaphis episcopi living under different predator regimes: seasonal effects?

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Abstract

Several key life-history attributes in a tropical live-bearing fish, Brachyrhaphis episcopi, have previously been shown to differ between populations that co-occur with large predatory fish (Characin sites) and those that do not (Rivulus sites). Here we show that differences between Characin and Rivulus localities are also repeatable over time; patterns observed in the wet season also persisted during the dry. Both sexes reached maturity at a smaller size at Characin sites. Although there was no difference in fecundity between larger females living in different predator communities, smaller females at Characin sites produced more offspring. Females also produced smaller offspring at Characin localities. These differences are remarkably similar to those reported in two other species of live-bearing fish, B. rhabdophora and Poecilia reticulata suggesting possible convergent adaptation in life-history strategies due to predator-mediated effects or correlates thereof. We also found seasonal changes in life-history traits that were independent of predator community. In the wet season, mature males were larger, females allocated more to reproduction, and offspring mass was also greater. The results of our study generate testable predictions using B. episcopi to further our understanding of life-history evolution.

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Acknowledgements

We thank J. Christy for laboratory facilities, P. Backwell and S. Telford for field assistance, and G. Rosenthal for comments on the manuscript. Financial and logistical support was provided by the␣Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the Australian Research Council.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia

    Michael D. Jennions & Bob B. M. Wong

  2. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, 00014, Helsinki, Finland

    Bob B. M. Wong

  3. Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia

    Bob B. M. Wong

  4. Statistical Consulting Unit of the Graduate School, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia

    Ann Cowling & Christine Donnelly

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  1. Michael D. Jennions
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  2. Bob B. M. Wong
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  4. Christine Donnelly
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Correspondence to Bob B. M. Wong.

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Jennions, M.D., Wong, B.B.M., Cowling, A. et al. Life-history phenotypes in a live-bearing fish Brachyrhaphis episcopi living under different predator regimes: seasonal effects?. Environ Biol Fish 76, 211–219 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-006-9022-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-006-9022-7

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