Sex-specific life-history trait expression in hybrids of a cave- and surface-dwelling fish (Poecilia mexicana, Poeciliidae).

ABSTRACT: Evaluating the fitness of hybrids can provide important insights into genetic differences between species or diverging populations. We focused on surface- and cave-ecotypes of the widespread Atlantic molly Poecilia mexicana and raised F1 hybrids of reciprocal crosses to sexual maturity in a common-garden experiment. Hybrids were reared in a fully factorial 2 × 2 design consisting of lighting (light vs. darkness) and resource availability (high vs. low food). We quantified survival, ability to realize their full reproductive potential (i.e., completed maturation for males and 3 consecutive births for females) and essential life-history traits. Compared to the performance of pure cave and surface fish from a previous experiment, F1s had the highest death rate and the lowest proportion

SUBMITTER: Riesch R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11336658 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature