Evidence for Strategic Sex Allocation in the Guppy (Poecilia reticulata): Brood Sex Ratio and Size Predict Subsequent Adult Male Mating Success

In this study, we examined the relationship between brood sex ratio and reproductive success of sons and daughters, to determine whether female guppies benefit from producing broods with biased sex ratios. We found that sons in male‐biased broods had greater mating success at maturity than sons in female‐biased broods when brood sizes were larger. On the other hand, the reproductive output of daughters was not significantly affected by brood sizes and sex ratios. Our results suggest that female guppies benefit from producing large, male‐biased brood when the reproductive success of sons is expected to be high.

Source: Ethology - February 13, 2017 Category: Zoology Authors: Aya Sato, Kenji Karino Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research