イソギンチャク密度の高い場所でのクマノミAmphiprion clarkiiの性転換 : ペア雌除去後の社会的変化

概要

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Social system of the anemonefish Amphiprion clarkii was studied for a 1-year period at a site where host anemones were abundant. This species is monogamous and protandrous, and pairs maintained a territory including several separated host anemones. Following removal of females from seven pairs, six of the widowed males remained in their territories, and paired with immigrant females within seven days. No sex change was observed. However, the seventh widowed male was expelled from his territory by two immigrant males, and while solitary and without a territory, changed sex. This individual subsequently obtained a new territory and paired with a solitary male, Within the study area sex change was observed in only four relatively small individuals ; three changed sex while solitary and one in a male-male pair. It was hypothesized that following the loss of a female from a pair, sex change of the widowed male was suppressed by neighbouring females which approached and controlled the male. Generally individual males which were free from the influence of neighbouring females became females.
1991-04-30