Size and fecundity variation in populations of Poecilia vivipara Block & Schneider (Teleostei; Poeciliidae) inhabiting an environmental gradient |
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Authors: | J L Gomes-Jr † L R Monteiro † |
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Institution: | Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais. Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro. Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000. Campos dos Goytacazes, Cep 28013-600, Brazil |
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Abstract: | The reproductive variables female size (geometric centroid size), fecundity and offspring size (longest diameter of the embryo)] of the livebearer Poecilia vivipara in the quaternary lagoons of northern Rio de Janeiro State varied significantly among sites and were partially associated within and among sites. Mean female size was directly related to salinity. Fecundity (number of offspring) was directly related to female size both within and among sites. The female size × fecundity relationship, however, was not constant among sites. Offspring size was partially and directly associated with female size and salinity. The relationship between fecundity and female size was positively related with fecundity, suggesting a non-linear relationship of these variables when the total sample was considered. The results suggest that life-history differences among sites were more related to different predation regimes than to simple effects of plasticity caused by increased growth in saltwater environments. |
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Keywords: | life history livebearers predation reproduction salinity |
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