Size-assortative pairing in the lotic amphipod <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gammarus zaddachi</Emphasis>, an examination of hypotheses and the influence of current speed |
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Authors: | D Dudley Williams |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Life Sciences, University of Toronto at Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada, M1C 1A4 |
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Abstract: | Three main hypotheses have been put forward to explain size-assortative pairing in gammarid amphipods: microhabitat separation,
sexual selection and loading constraint. In order to determine which hypothesis best explains this phenomenon in the estuarine
species Gammarus zaddachi, I first measured the body lengths and dry weights of precopula pairs collected from two field sites with substantially different
current speeds. Second, I performed three laboratory experiments in order to estimate the importance of the following processes:
(1) male choice; (2) male–male competition and (3) male–female acceptability. The loading constraint hypothesis seemed best
supported by the data in that field-collected male G. zaddachi size correlated well with female size in precopula pairing in both fast and slow flowing water. In the laboratory, males
preferred females of their same size group (large versus small), and ‘won’ them in the male–male competition experiments.
Size-assortative pairing is thus likely a consequence of the loading constraints imposed upon these males by virtue of them
having to carry and manoeuvre their partners through flowing water, while attempting to maintain station in an optimal microhabitat.
Males may therefore forego the largest, most fecund females, in favour of a practicable payload (small male–large female pairings
were rare). However, there seems to be a lower limit to this selection, indicated by the high degree of cannibalism on small
females by large males. |
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Keywords: | Amphipods Current speed Mate-selection Loading constraint hypothesis Gammarus |
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