Growth and Reproduction of the Mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, in Relation to Temperature and Ration Level: Consequences for Life History
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Environmental Biology of Fishes
Volume
21
Issue
1
Publisher
Springer Verlag
Publication Date
1988
Keywords
growth, reproduction, mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, temperature, ration level, consequences, life history
First Page
45
Last Page
57
Abstract
The allocation of energy to growth and reproduction, in relation to temperature and food availability, was investigated in laboratory experiments with the mosquitofish,Gambusia affinis. At constant temperature of 20, 25 and 30°C and ad libitum feeding, specific growth rates increased with increasing temperature at 1.7, 3.1 and 3.4% dry mass day−1, respectively. Growth rates in a cycling temperature regime (20–30°C, $$\bar x = 25^ \circ C$$ ) were faster than in a 25°C constant temperature. As temperature increased from 20 to 30°C, mean age at first reproduction decreased from 191 to 56 days and brood size and mass of offspring increased significantly. Interbrood interval was also temperature dependent; estimates at 25 and 30°C for females >1000 mg were 22.6 and 18.6 days, respectively. Interbrood interval could not be calculated at 20°C. Although fitness was highest at 30°C, females at 25°C invested a greater proportion of surplus energy (growth and reproduction) to reproduction (38%) than at 20 (17%) or 30°C (36%) during the 32-week study. Fish at cooler temperatures began reproduction at a smaller size. Where rations were controlled at low, medium, and ad libitum levels, somatic and gonadal growth increased with increasing temperatures and food availability. The proportion of energy invested in reproduction was highest at 25°C for each comparable ration level. Calculated energy budgets indicated that over the 10-week study, 17–22% of the food energy was invested in growth, 0–7% in reproduction, and 75–83% in respiration and excretory losses, depending on feeding and temperature conditions.
Recommended Citation
Vondracek, B., W. Wurtsbaugh, and J. Cech. 1988. Growth and reproduction of the mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, in relation to temperature and ration level: Consequences for life history. Environ. Biol. of Fishes 21:45-57.
Comments
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