- University of Utah
Summary
Male sunfishes build nests and provide care for eggs spawned therein. It is shown here that small non-nesting male pumpkinseed and bluegill will intrude during conspecific spawnings, to fertilize eggs. Such behaviour cuckolds the males which care for the brood.
Methodology
The study sites are described in the report by Gross and Nowell (1979). Pumpkinseed and bluegill reproductive behaviours were observed both from observation platforms placed on the shore near breeding males, and with mask and snorkel from within the water. Collections of free-swimming fish and selective samples from nests under observation were made with funnel traps and dip net. The weights reported here were measured with a Torsion balance accurate to 10-3g. Data are examined for statistical significance with an analysis of variance test (ANOVA; Sokal and Rohlf 196