Social control of terminal phase transition in primary males of the diandric wrasse, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halichoeres poecilopterus</Emphasis> (Pisces: Labridae) |
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Authors: | Yoichi Sakai Hisato Kuniyoshi Masayuki Yoshida Yukio Fukui Hiroaki Hashimoto Kenji Gushima |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Bioresource Science, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, 1-4-4 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan |
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Abstract: | In many diandric fishes, large territorial males with bright body coloration (terminal phase (TP) males) are derived either
from initial phase (IP) females that change sex to male or from IP primary males that change color and behavior, but do not
change sex. The mechanism controlling the transition of IP primary males into TP males is not well understood. We conducted
cohabitation experiments to examine social conditions favoring TP transition by primary males in the diandric wrasse, Halichoeres poecilopterus. IP primary males always started TP-specific sexual behavior in the presence of a smaller subordinate, and subsequently acquired
TP body coloration. In contrast, primary males under subordinate conditions often performed female-like sexual behavior. In
pairs with similar body sizes, both individuals initiated TP male behavior. The results suggest that TP transition in primary
males may be closely related to a dominance relationship (or size order) within social groups, as it is in the case of sex
change by females. |
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Keywords: | Wrasse TP transition Diandry Primary male Social control Halichoeres poecilopterus |
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