Effect of age-based and environment-based cues on reproductive investment in Gambusia affinis

Keywords

cost of reproduction, mosquitofish, phenotypic trajectory analysis, reproductive restraint, reproductive value, terminal investment

Abstract

We examined the multivariate life-history trajectories of age 0 and age 1 female Gambusia affinis to determine relative effects of age-based and environment-based cues on reproductive investment. Age 0 females decreased reproductive investment prior to the onset of fall and winter months, while age 1 females increased reproductive investment as the summer progressed. The reproductive restraint and terminal investment patterns exhibited by age 0 and age 1 females, respectively, were consistent with the predictions from the cost of reproduction hypothesis. Age 0 females responded to environment-based cues, decreasing reproductive investment to increase the probability of overwinter survival and subsequent reproductive opportunities in the following summer. Age 1 females responded to age-based cues, or the proximity of death, increasing investment to current reproduction as future reproductive opportunities decreased late in life. Thus, individuals use multiple cues to determine the level of reproductive investment, and the response to each cue is dependent on the age of an individual.

Original Publication Citation

Billman E, and MC Belk. 2014. Effect of age-based and environment-based cues on reproductive investment in Gambusia affinis. Ecology and Evolution 4:1611-1622.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2014-04-01

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/8161

Publisher

Ecology and Evolution

Language

English

College

Life Sciences

Department

Biology

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

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