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Responses to Light in Epigean and Hypogean Populations of Gambusia Affinis (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae)

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Abstract

The responses to light among the fish Gambusia affinis, permanent residents of hypogean brackish water basins of the ‘Spunnulate’ dolinas system of Torre Castiglione, in southeastern Italy, were studied at light intensities of 180 and 430 lux. These fish showed, on the average, a negative phototactic behaviour (scotophilia) with a low coefficient of variability. On the other hand, epigean, spring-dwelling individuals of G. affinis from the same region showed a positive phototactic behaviour with a greater variability in the responses when compared with cave-dwelling conspecifics. Possible causes for the detachment of hypogean from epigean forms are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto Sperimentale di Biologia del Sottosuolo "P. Parenzan", 91, V. Santa Margherita-I-, 72022, Latiano (Brindisi), Italy

    Michele Maria Camassa

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  1. Michele Maria Camassa
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Maria Camassa, M. Responses to Light in Epigean and Hypogean Populations of Gambusia Affinis (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae). Environmental Biology of Fishes 62, 115–118 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011872509199

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011872509199

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