Different degrees of lunar synchronization of ovary development between two morphs of a Tanganyikan cichlid fish
Takahashi T
HYDROBIOLOGIA
644 (1): 139-143 MAY 2010
Abstract:
The degree of lunar synchronization of spawning is thought to be related to a strategy that decreases predation on the brood in Tanganyikan substrate-brooding cichlids. Here, I examined the periodic change of ovary development in two morphs of Telmatochromis temporalis: the normal morph uses burrows under stones as spawning nests, whereas the dwarf morph uses holes within empty snail shells. The normal morph showed a significant lunar synchronization of ovary development, but the dwarf morph did not. In the normal morph, spawning prior to the full moon probably decreases the incidence of approaching brood predators and increases the guarding efficiency of parents. In the dwarf morph, however, lunar cyclic spawning may be dispensable, because the spawning nests within shells are probably highly effective for predator avoidance. These two morphs are closely related, and then will be a good model to clarify the widely observed phenomenon of lunar cyclic spawning.
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