Behavior of "Intermediate" Males of the Dimorphic Squid Doryteuthis pleii Supports an Ontogenetic Expression of Alternative Phenotypes.

ABSTRACT: The expression of alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) by different-sized males of loliginid squids has been extensively investigated. In loliginids, alternative phenotypes are characterized by discontinuous differences in behavior, body size, sperm deposition site, and morphology and functioning of ejaculates. Large consort males guard females, display agonistic behaviors toward rival consort males, and mate with females in the male-parallel (MP) position. Small sneaker males avoid fighting contests and instead adopt furtive behaviors to access females guarded by consort males, mating with females in the head-to-head (HH) posture. Recently, the reappraisal of preserved material from the loliginid squid Doryteuthis pleii showed that intermediate-sized males (so-called "intermediate" mal

SUBMITTER: Apostolico LH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6753871 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature