Intersexual selection in Squalius alburnoides hybridogenetic complex:what consequences for its dynamics?

Tese de mestrado, Biologia (Biologia da Conservação), 2009, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de CiênciasThe hybridogenetic complex Squalius alburnoides is constituted by several forms with different ploidies and combinations of parental genomes. Very little was known about the reproductive behavior of this cyprinid fish, which might play a key role in its dynamics'comprehension. Thus, the main goal of the present work was the study of reproductive behavior within the complex and also from an interspecific perspective. For the purpose, initially, a non-intrusive individual recognition system based on scale patterns was developed. Later, the intersexual selection of the most common S. alburnoides form (triploid females) was studied in northern populations. A reproduction tendency with individuals of the sympatric species S. carolitertii was observed. This preference pattern may give some important clues for clarifying S. alburnoides population and genetic dynamics. Hereupon, the present study evidenced the high importance of reproductive behavior to the comprehension of the dynamics of non-sexual complexes.Resumo alargado em português disponível no document