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HABITAT PREFERENCES AND ASSOCIATIONS OF A UNISEXUAL-BISEXUAL COMPLEX OF POECILIA (PISCES: POECILIIDAE) FROM NORTHEASTERN MEXICO

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Date Issued:
1979
Summary:
Two gynogenetically reproducing unisexuals, the diploid Poecilia formosa and its associated triploid are sympatric to P. mexicana, a bisexual species, in northeastern Mexico. All compete for sperm from P. mexicana males. Field and laboratory experiments studied habitat. preferences and associations as mechanisms of reducing competition. A new tagging method was developed. Laboratory results (Phase One) indicated habitat preferences of each female type. Further studies (Phase Two) showed the fishes remained together but each female type associated with its own kind. Shade and a gravel substrate were important habitat parameters. Specific habitat preferences may not be adaptive due to seasonal water fluctuations but there are different ecological preferences by each female type. Associations could account for Phase One laboratory results and ecological differences. Combined data indicate associations are the likely mechanism, but habitat preferences are possible. Seasonal factors and artificial conditions may have caused diverse results.
Title: HABITAT PREFERENCES AND ASSOCIATIONS OF A UNISEXUAL-BISEXUAL COMPLEX OF POECILIA (PISCES: POECILIIDAE) FROM NORTHEASTERN MEXICO.
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Name(s): KUCHARSKI, KRISTINE MARIE.
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Courtenay, Walter R. Jr., Thesis advisor
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Department of Biological Sciences
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 1979
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 88 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: Two gynogenetically reproducing unisexuals, the diploid Poecilia formosa and its associated triploid are sympatric to P. mexicana, a bisexual species, in northeastern Mexico. All compete for sperm from P. mexicana males. Field and laboratory experiments studied habitat. preferences and associations as mechanisms of reducing competition. A new tagging method was developed. Laboratory results (Phase One) indicated habitat preferences of each female type. Further studies (Phase Two) showed the fishes remained together but each female type associated with its own kind. Shade and a gravel substrate were important habitat parameters. Specific habitat preferences may not be adaptive due to seasonal water fluctuations but there are different ecological preferences by each female type. Associations could account for Phase One laboratory results and ecological differences. Combined data indicate associations are the likely mechanism, but habitat preferences are possible. Seasonal factors and artificial conditions may have caused diverse results.
Identifier: 13960 (digitool), FADT13960 (IID), fau:10783 (fedora)
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1979.
Subject(s): Ichthyology--Research
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13960
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.