1990 Reproductive effort and the balance between egg number and egg size

2020 ◽  
pp. 133-135
Author(s):  
Laurence Mueller
Keyword(s):  
Egg Size ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Egg Number

Intraspecific variation in reproductive effort by female Parapediasia teterrella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and its relation to body size

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry D. Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Life History Evolution ◽  
Reproductive Parameters ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Egg Number ◽  
Lepidoptera Pyralidae

Daily egg production of the moth Parapediasia teterrella declined over the life-span of the female but egg size remained constant. The absence of water resulted in lower fecundity and early mortality. Egg size and lifetime fecundity showed considerable inter-individual variation and large females produced more and larger eggs than their smaller counterparts. Large females expended greater reproductive effort than small females. Hatching success was negatively related to egg size. In spite of this, large females laying large eggs had higher fitness than small females. I postulate that multiple reproductive strategies within a species, resulting from differences in reproductive effort expended, may explain why expected trade-offs in reproductive parameters (e.g., egg size versus egg number) were not found in this species. Furthermore, I argue that the prevalent interpretation of life-history evolution (that body size is the important determining parameter of life-history parameters) may reflect correlation of body size with reproductive effort, and reproductive effort may be more important in determining the nature of trade-offs between reproductive parameters.

The reproductive effort of Lepeophtheirus pectoralis (Copepoda: Caligidae): insights into the egg production strategy of parasitic copepods

Parasitology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 143 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. FRADE ◽  
M. J. SANTOS ◽  
F. I. CAVALEIRO
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Parasitic Copepods ◽  
Egg Number ◽  
Production Strategy ◽  
European Flounder ◽  
Fish Hosts ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Relationship

SUMMARYThe reproductive effort of Lepeophtheirus pectoralis (Müller O. F., 1776), a caligid copepod, which is commonly found infecting the European flounder, Platichthys flesus (Linnaeus, 1758), is studied in detail for the first time. Seasonal variation in body dimensions and reproductive effort are analysed. Data for 120 ovigerous females, 30 from each season of the year, were considered in the analyses. Females were larger and produced a larger number of smaller eggs in winter, than during the summer. The relationship between egg number and egg size is similar to that recorded for other copepods exploiting fish hosts. Much of the recorded variation was also similar to that reported for a copepod parasitic on an invertebrate host, which suggests the possibility of a general trend in copepod reproduction. Overall, our results provide further support for the hypothesis that there is an alternation of summer and winter generations.

The challenges of asymmetric mating – the influence of male and female size on the reproductive output of Acanthochondria cornuta (Chondracanthidae)

Parasitology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 143 (14) ◽  
pp. 1945-1953
Author(s):  
D. G. FRADE ◽  
S. NOGUEIRA ◽  
M. J. SANTOS ◽  
F. I. CAVALEIRO
Keyword(s):  
Egg Size ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Parasitic Copepod ◽  
Female Size ◽  
Male Size ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Egg Number ◽  
Potential Impact

SUMMARYThe reproductive strategy of Acanthochondria cornuta, a parasitic copepod with dwarf, hyperparasitic males, is described in detail. The potential impact of male parasitism on the reproductive output was evaluated by determining the size of each sex and the female's fecundity, egg size and total reproductive effort for each pair/trio throughout the four seasons of the year. Marked seasonal differences were observed in female size and reproductive output, suggesting two distinct generations, but no differences were observed for male size. No statistically significant correlations were observed between male size and any measure of reproductive effort, but females with larger males had lower fecundity. A trade-off between egg number and egg size was recorded. Overall, the reproductive effort in A. cornuta seems to be determined mostly by female size, and larger females do not hold smaller males.

Fecundity of Resident and Anadromous Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) in Southeastern Alaska

1973 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 543-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. F. Blackett
Keyword(s):  
Egg Size ◽  
Fish Length ◽  
Dolly Varden ◽  
Salvelinus Malma ◽  
Ovary Weight ◽  
Dolly Varden Salvelinus Malma ◽  
Egg Number ◽  
Unit Of Length ◽  
The Right ◽  
Linear Regressions

Fecundity of resident Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) in an isolated population of southeastern Alaska averaged 66 eggs per female in comparison with 1888 eggs for anadromous Dolly Varden from two nearby streams. A relatively large egg size, averaging 3.6 mm in diameter and overlapping the range for the anadromous char, has been retained by the females in the resident population. Curvilinear regressions between egg number and fish length and linear regressions between egg number and body and ovary weights show that resident females have fewer eggs per unit of length, approximately the same number of eggs per gram of body weight, and more eggs per gram of ovary weight than anadromous females. The resident char attain sexual maturity a year earlier in life and at a smaller size than the migratory char. Development of a larger left ovary containing more eggs than the right was a common occurrence for both resident and anadromous Dolly Varden.

The annual reproductive cycle of the black prickleback, Xiphister atropurpureus, a Pacific Coast blennioid fish

1974 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 795-802 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Wourms ◽  
David Evans
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Gonad Index ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Annual Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Intertidal Habitat ◽  
Spawning Period ◽  
Egg Number ◽  
Xiphister Atropurpureus

Semimonthly determinations of the gonad index made during the course of a year show that Xiphister atropurpureus has an annual reproductive cycle. The gonad index (ovary) increases during midwinter, attains a maximum value of 20 in late April–May, and declines to a base-line value of 0.5 from June to December. Spawning occurs during a 6-week period in late April–May. Spawning takes place in zone 4 of the intertidal habitat. Eggs deposited singly are fertilized and then shaped into a spherical mass by the parents. As egg envelopes harden, they adhere to one another to form a coherent mass. The egg mass is guarded by one or both parents. The annual reproductive cycle is considered to be a necessary consequence of the energetic demands of oogenesis combined with selection for a spawning period which is environmentally optimal. Alternative cycles based on modification of the present egg size (large)/egg number (few) relationship do not appear feasible, since the required modification of the egg size/egg number ratio would be selectively disadvantageous. The intertidal habitat of Xiphisier is subject to several potential environmental hazards: wave shock, reduced salinity due to rain and runoff, and excessively high or low temperatures. These are seasonal hazards which occur during winter or summer. Spawning is timed (April–May), so the probability that developing eggs will be exposed to environmental risks is minimized while the probability of exposure to environmental benefits is maximized. It is suggested that the reproductive cycle is under photoperiodic control.

scholarly journals Determinants of life-history traits in a fish ectoparasite: a hierarchical analysis

Parasitology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 138 (7) ◽  
pp. 848-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. LOOT ◽  
N. POULET ◽  
S. BROSSE ◽  
L. TUDESQUE ◽  
F. THOMAS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Individual Fitness ◽  
Parasite Number ◽  
Egg Number

SUMMARYObjective. Unravelling the determinants of parasite life-history traits in natural settings is complex. Here, we deciphered the relationships between biotic, abiotic factors and the variation in 4 life-history traits (body size, egg presence, egg number and egg size) in the fish ectoparasite Tracheliastes polycolpus. We then determined the factors affecting the strength of the trade-off between egg number and egg size. Methods. To do so, we used 4-level (parasite, microhabitat, host and environment) hierarchical models coupled to a field database. Results. Variation in life-history traits was mostly due to individual characteristics measured at the parasite level. At the microhabitat level (fins of fish hosts), parasite number was positively related to body size, egg presence and egg number. Higher parasite number on fins was positively associated with individual parasite fitness. At the host level, host body size was positively related to the individual fitness of the parasite; parasites were bigger and more fecund on bigger hosts. In contrast, factors measured at the environmental level had a weak influence on life-history traits. Finally, a site-dependent trade-off between egg number and egg size existed in this population. Conclusion. Our study illustrates the importance of considering parasite life-history traits in a hierarchical framework to decipher complex links between biotic, abiotic factors and parasite life-history traits.

Comparison of fecundity-length-latitude relationships between nonanadromous (kokanee) and anadromous sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (10) ◽  
pp. 1791-1805 ◽  
Author(s):  
M D McGurk
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Sockeye Salmon ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Oncorhynchus Nerka ◽  
Latitudinal Gradients ◽  
Egg Number ◽  
Latitudinal Clines ◽  
Regression Slopes ◽  
Highly Correlated

This study compared fecundity-length-latitude relationships between 25 kokanee populations (15 natural and 10 introduced) and 48 sockeye salmon populations. Significant differences confirmed the hypothesis that the two Oncorhynchus nerka variants follow different reproductive strategies: (i) fecundity is more highly correlated with length for kokanee than for sockeye salmon; (ii) kokanee have higher fecundity-length regression slopes and lower intercepts than sockeye salmon; (iii) kokanee populations share a common fecundity-length regression slope, but sockeye salmon populations do not; and (iv) average lengths and fecundities of kokanee decrease with increasing latitude, but those of sockeye salmon do not. The first three findings confirm that kokanee maintain a constant egg size while increasing egg number with increasing body size but that sockeye salmon increase both egg number and egg size with increasing body size. Kokanee egg sizes may be less variable than those of sockeye salmon because kokanee have lower and less variable energetic costs of spawning migration and tend to use spawning gravel with smaller and less variable particle sizes. Latitudinal clines in kokanee length and fecundity may reflect latitudinal gradients in temperature and duration of the growing season. Such environmental gradients may explain why kokanee populations are rarely found as far north as Alaska.

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