The Ecology and Evolution of Partial-Clutch Cannibalism by Paternal Cortez Damselfish

Custodial male Stegastes rectifraenum frequently take bites from the clutches they guard. Although the function of this type of behavior (i.e., filial cannibalism) is unclear, an increasing number of studies have documented this behavior in fishes. Two distinct forms of filial cannibalism are recogn...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Oikos 1992-10, Vol.65 (1), p.113-120
Main Author: Hoelzer, Guy A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agnatha and pisces
Algae
Animal cannibalism
Animal ethology
Animal nesting
Biological and medical sciences
Eggs
Embryos
Female animals
Fish
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Male animals
Marine
Mating behavior
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Reproductive success
Stegastes rectifraenum
Vertebrata
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Summary:Custodial male Stegastes rectifraenum frequently take bites from the clutches they guard. Although the function of this type of behavior (i.e., filial cannibalism) is unclear, an increasing number of studies have documented this behavior in fishes. Two distinct forms of filial cannibalism are recognized: whole-clutch cannibalism and partial-clutch cannibalism. The goals of this study were to establish (1) whether foraging is a function of partial-clutch filial cannibalism in S. rectifraenum, (2) whether it provides males with appreciable energetic benefits, and (3) whether feeding on embryos affects male behavior and subsequent reproductive success. An experimental approach was used to examine the reponse of custodial males to enrichment of their food supply. The subjects were fed eggs from other S. rectifraenum nests and the rate at which they fed on their own brood was examined. The group fed eggs had significantly fewer cannibalized eggs in their stomachs than the controls, supporting the hypothesis that males use the eggs as a food source. The stomach contents of control animals indicated that the average male parent consumes about 5.0% of an average-sized clutch, representing about 13% of a male's total caloric intake. A second egg-feeding experiment suggested that S. rectifraenum does not gain a short-term mating advantage through partial-clutch filial cannibalism. It is likely that the energy gained through this behavior is channeled into growth and survival. The implications of these results for the evolution of male parental care in fishes is discussed.
ISSN:0030-1299
1600-0706
DOI:10.2307/3544893