Non-intentional filial egg cannibalism by the guarding male ofHexagrammos otakii (Pisces: Hexagramidae)

1995 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Munehara ◽  
Teisuke Miura
Keyword(s):  
Egg Cannibalism

scholarly journals A test of male infanticide as a reproductive tactic in a cichlid fish

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 160891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shagun Jindal ◽  
Aneesh P. H. Bose ◽  
Constance M. O'Connor ◽  
Sigal Balshine
Keyword(s):  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Laboratory Setting ◽  
Dominant Position ◽  
Egg Cannibalism ◽  
Cooperatively Breeding ◽  
Dominant Individual ◽  
Living Species ◽  
Reproductive Tactic ◽  
Relative Body Size

Infanticide and offspring cannibalism are taxonomically widespread phenomena. In some group-living species, a new dominant individual taking over a group can benefit from infanticide if doing so induces potential mates to become reproductively available sooner. Despite widespread observations of infanticide (i.e. egg cannibalism) among fishes, no study has investigated whether egg cannibalism occurs in fishes as a result of group takeovers, or how this type of cannibalism might be adaptive. Using the cooperatively breeding cichlid, Neolamprologus pulcher , we tested whether new unrelated males entering the dominant position in a social group were more likely to cannibalize eggs, and whether such cannibalism would shorten the interval until the female's next spawning. Females spawned again sooner if their broods were removed than if they were cared for. Egg cannibalism occurred frequently after a group takeover event, and was rarer if the original male remained with the group. While dominant breeder females were initially highly aggressive towards newcomer males that took over the group, the degree of resistance depended on relative body size differences between the new pair and, ultimately, female aggression did not prevent egg cannibalism. Egg cannibalism, however, did not shorten the duration until subsequent spawning, or increase fecundity during subsequent breeding in our laboratory setting. Our results show that infanticide as mediated through group takeovers is a taxonomically widespread behaviour.

Egg cannibalism in river blennies: the role of natural prey availability

1999 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 1223-1232 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Vinyoles ◽  
I. M. Cote+ ◽  
A. Sostoa
Keyword(s):  
Prey Availability ◽  
Egg Cannibalism ◽  
Natural Prey

Effects of early feeding experience and age on the cannibalistic propensity of the land snail Arianta arbustorum

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (12) ◽  
pp. 3068-3070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Baur
Keyword(s):  
Land Snail ◽  
Early Feeding ◽  
Vegetable Food ◽  
Egg Cannibalism ◽  
Feeding Experience ◽  
Arianta Arbustorum ◽  
Genetically Determined

The influence of early feeding experience on egg cannibalism was examined in hatchlings of the land snail Arianta arbustorum. The propensity for cannibalism was not affected by cannibalistic or by vegetarian early feeding experience. It was, however, negatively correlated with the age of the snails. Freshly hatched snails with no prior feeding experience chose eggs exclusively, while 16-day-old snails preferred vegetable food. Furthermore, the cannibalistic propensity varied between offspring from different clutches. Restriction of the cannibalistic propensity to the hatchling stage, its nonmodifiability, and differences in its extent between clutches suggest that egg cannibalism in A. arbustorum is a genetically determined trait.

Feeding ecology and life-history strategy of nesting males in a fish with long parental care, Lusitanian toadfish (Halobatrachus didactylus, Batrachoididae)

2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.M. Félix ◽  
M.C.P. Amorim ◽  
T.J. Pereira ◽  
P.J. Fonseca ◽  
C. Sousa-Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Parental Care ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Life History Strategy ◽  
Otter Trawl ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Limited Mobility ◽  
Egg Cannibalism ◽  
Male Condition

The Lusitanian toadfish,Halobatrachus didactylus, like other batrachoidids, is a benthic fish species with nesting behaviour during the breeding season. During this prolonged period it engages in mating activities and remains in the nest providing parental care. It is not known whether males feed while providing parental care but it is likely that their limited mobility may restrict their diet and influence their fitness. As a consequence, egg cannibalism could occur as a life-history strategy. The aim of the present study is to ascertain the feeding behaviour of nesting males, in comparison to mature non-nesting males, and to identify potential life-history traits related to egg cannibalism. Nest-holders were sampled from artificial nests placed in an intertidal area of the Tagus estuary, only exposed during spring low tides. The diet of nest-holders was compared with that of non-nesting mature males from the same area, captured by otter trawl. The present study demonstrates that despite their constrained mobility nest-holders feed during the breeding season, although in a more opportunistic fashion than non-nesting males. Nest-holders showed a generalist feeding behaviour, with a more heterogeneous diet. Egg cannibalism was not related to male condition, paternity or brood size but showed a higher incidence early in the season when water temperatures were lower. The results suggest a possible seasonal trade-off strategy between care and energy recovery, triggered by environmental factors, where under unfavourable conditions to sustain viable eggs the male may recover energy by eating eggs, thus benefiting future reproductive success, later in the season.

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