Life-history evolution of Poecilia vivipara (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae) along a predation gradient

• Grant number: 13/01390-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Márcio Silva Araújo
• Grantee: Bianca Fazio Rius
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 10/15567-8 - Causes and consequences of individual specialization in Poecilia vivipara (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae), AP.JP

Abstract

In the present study, we will test predictions from the theory regarding the effect of predation on life-history evolution, using the poecilid fish Poecilia vivipara as a model system. We will investigate populations of P. vivipara inhabiting the Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba, which is part of the lagoon system of northern Rio de Janeiro state. In this system, P. vivipara is subject to predation by piscivores (e.g. Hoplias malabaricus) in part of the lagoons but is free from this source of predation in other lagoons. We will investigate three populations subject to piscivore predation and three populations free from predation. Fishes will be sampled using trawl nets and hook-and-line. In the laboratory, females will have their gonads removed and embryos will be counted, measured, and weighed (dry mass). Four components of the life history will be analyzed: (1) reproductive investment (gonad mass/total female mass); (2) fecundity (number of embrios); (3) average embrio size; and (4) average embrio mass (gonad mass/fecundity). The effect of predation on variables will be tested with a nested ANCOVA, with predation regime (high and low predation) and population (nested within predation regime) as independent variables, and somatic mass and gonad development stage as covariates. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

RIUS, BIANCA F.; PETRY, ANA CRISTINA; LANGERHANS, R. BRIAN; FIGUEIREDO-BARROS, MARCOS P.; BOZELLI, REINALDO L.; HONDA, LAURA K.; NOVA, CLARICE C.; ARAUJO, MARCIO S.. Correlates of life-history variation in the livebearing fish Poecilia vivipara (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae) inhabiting an environmental gradient. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, v. 126, n. 3, p. 436-446, MAR 2019. (10/15567-8, 13/01390-7)