ISSN:
1573-5133
Keywords:
Breeding season
;
Nuptial dichromatism
;
Courtship
;
Agonistic
;
Territorial
;
Sexual behavior
;
Mating
;
Gonadal development
;
Eggs
;
Larvae
;
Egg burying
;
Cyprinodontid
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Synopsis The territorial, courtship and spawning behavior ofFundulus waccamensis was investigated in the field and laboratory. Spawning occurs from April to August. Sexual dimorphism is manifested through dichromatism, genitalia, morphometric differences and contact structures. In nature, nuptial males vigorously defend circular territories and court entering females by circling them, sidling, ‘J’ shaping and spawning in the sand substrate. In the aquarium, males perform eight advertisement motor patterns during courtship, of which dipping and flashing are most frequent. The female is relatively inactive, performing only two basic acts. The maximum number of mature eggs per ovary is 120. Both mature egg numbers and total egg numbers are highly correlated with standard length. Recently fertilized eggs are colorless and adhesive. The newly hatched young is well developed and relatively large in size.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00001095
