Male-biased predation of a cave fish by a giant water bug |
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Authors: | Michael Tobler Courtney M Franssen Martin Plath |
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Institution: | 1. Zoologisches Institut, Universit?t Zürich, Winterthurerstr. 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland 2. Department of Zoology, University of Oklahoma, 730 Van Vleet Oval, Norman, OK, 73019, USA 3. Abteilung für Evolutionsbiologie und Systematische Zoologie, Institut für Biochemie und Biologie, Universit?t Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24–25, Haus 26, 14476, Potsdam, Germany 4. Abteilung für Tier?kologie, Institut für Biochemie und Biologie, Universit?t Potsdam, Maulbeerallee 1, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
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Abstract: | Male-biased predation has been described from several epigean species, and in many cases, intrinsic differences between the sexes (such as male ornaments) have been suggested as an explanation. Here we report on male-biased predation of a cave fish (Poecilia mexicana) by an aquatic insect (Belostoma sp.) in a Mexican sulfur cave. P. mexicana use aquatic surface respiration (ASR) to survive in their sulfidic, hypoxic habitat. We found that males typically exhibit more ASR activity than females, which leads to increased exposure to the sit-and-wait predator that catches fish near the water surface. Our finding is novel, because male vulnerability to predation is not directly related to male traits involved in courtship, but rather due to other sexual differences in behavior and ultimately, oxygen demands. |
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Keywords: | Belostoma Male-biased mortality Oxygen demands Poecilia mexicana (Poeciliidae) Predator– prey interaction |
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