Role of female territoriality in social and mating systems of Canthigaster valentini (Pisces: Tetraodontidae): evidence from field experiments |
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Authors: | W Gladstone |
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Institution: | (1) Centre for Environmental and Urban Studies and School of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, 2109 North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia;(2) Present address: School of Biological Sciences F07, University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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Abstract: | Sharpnose puffers, Canthigaster valentini (Pisces: Tetraodontidae) at Lizard Island, Australia, live in made-dominated haremic social and mating systems. The hypothesis
was that mature females are restricted in their movements and can be monopolized by some males. Field experiments at Lizard
Island, Great Barrier Reef, between January and March 1983 showed that mature females were still territorial in the absence
of males and movements of females were not controlled by males. Males abandoned their territories when their females were
removed. The territorial behavior of those males with access to females (territorial males) restricted the access of other
males (bachelor males) to them. Bachelor males took over harems and became territorial males when established territorial
males were removed. The results of the experiments thus supported the hypothesis. |
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Keywords: | |
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