The Effects of Food Limitation on Life History Tradeoffs in Pregnant Male Gulf Pipefish

摘要: Syngnathid fishes (pipefishes, seahorses and seadragons) are characterized by a unique mode of paternal care in which embryos develop on or the male’s body, often within structure known as brood pouch. Evidence suggests that this pouch plays role mediating postcopulatory sexual selection males have some control over events occurring during pregnancy. These observations lead to prediction should invest differently broods depending availability food. Here, we use Gulf pipefish test monitoring growth rate offspring survivorship pregnancies under low- high-food conditions. Our results show pregnant grow less rapidly average than non-pregnant males, low-food conditions Offspring survivorship, other hand, does not differ between food treatments, suggesting male sacrifice investment somatic growth, thus indirectly future reproduction, favor current reproduction. However, positive relationship number failed eggs our treatments undeveloped reduce pregnancy’s overall cost compared containing only viable offspring.