Seasonal variation in cuckoldry rates in the socially monogamous cichlid fish <i>Variabilichromis moorii</i>.

ABSTRACT: Mating patterns in animal populations can respond to environmental conditions and consequently vary across time. To examine this variation in nature, studies must include temporal replicates from the same population. Here, we report temporal variation in genetic parentage in the socially monogamous cichlid Variabilichromis moorii from Lake Tanganyika, using samples of broods and their brood-tending parents that were collected across five field trips from the same study population. The sampled broods were either spawned during the dry season (three field trips) or during the rainy season (two trips). In all seasons, we detected substantial rates of extra-pair paternity, which were ascribed to cuckoldry by bachelor males. Paternity shares of brood-tending males were consistently highe

SUBMITTER: Zimmermann H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10261196 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature