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Reproductive biology of Eretmodus cyanostictus, a cichlid fish from Lake Tanganyika

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Abstract

One of the most widely accepted explanations for monogamy is the need for biparental care. However, the occurrence of monogamy combined with biparental care is extremely rare in oral incubating (mouthbrooding) cichlid fishes. Few studies have been performed on cichlid species that exhibit this behaviour, and therefore the ecological factors that favour monogamy in these cases remain obscure. Here we present new information on the natural history and reproductive biology of Eretmodus cyanostictus (Boulenger 1898), a monogamous biparental mouthbrooder from Lake Tanganyika. The populations studied consisted of territorial pairs and a male-biased non-territorial population of smaller 'floater' individuals. We present the first detailed description of spawning in this species, show that breeding does not appear to be synchronised within the population, and provide evidence that parental care is costly. We discuss the implications of this information for our understanding of monogamy.

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  1. Josephine Isabelle Morley

    Present address: , 116 Lynn Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB6 1DE, U.K

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ

    Josephine Isabelle Morley

  2. KLIVV, Savoyenstrasse 1A, A-1160, Wien, Austria

    Josephine Isabelle Morley

  3. Department of Psychology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada

    Sigal Balshine

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  1. Josephine Isabelle Morley
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Morley, J.I., Balshine, S. Reproductive biology of Eretmodus cyanostictus, a cichlid fish from Lake Tanganyika. Environmental Biology of Fishes 66, 169–179 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023610905675

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