Sex Change in a Coral-Reef Fish: Dependence of Stimulation and Inhibition on Relative Size

DOI Web Site 10 Citations
  • Robert M. Ross
    Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, P. O. Box 1346, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744
  • George S. Losey
    Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, P. O. Box 1346, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744
  • Milton Diamond
    Department of Anatomy and Reproductive Biology, University of Hawaii School of Medicine, Honolulu 96822

Abstract

<jats:p> The removal of a single dominant individual has been shown to trigger a sex change in some coral-reef fish. In the saddleback Wrasse ( <jats:italic>Thalassoma duperrey</jats:italic> ), however, female-to-male sex change requires visual stimulation from smaller conspecifics. This change is not dependent on the sex or color of the stimulus fish and can be inhibited by larger conspecifics. On the reef, a female probably changes sex when the relative numbers of larger and smaller conspecifics change within her home range. </jats:p>

Journal

  • Science

    Science 221 (4610), 574-575, 1983-08-05

    American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

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