The function of sound production by Atlantic cod as inferred from patterns of variation in drumming muscle mass

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (9) ◽  
pp. 1391-1398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherrylynn Rowe ◽  
Jeffrey A Hutchings

We quantified variation in the mass of drumming muscles (the sound-producing musculature) among individual Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L., 1758) for comparison with other evidence on the role of sexual selection in the evolution of sound production by this species. Based on 913 cod sampled from the Western Scotian Shelf in 2001–2002, we found that males had drumming muscles that were larger than those of females and that increased in mass prior to spawning and declined thereafter. Drumming muscle mass was highly variable, particularly among males, and generally more variable than other morphological traits (somatic mass and body length). This pattern of drumming muscle variation is consistent with the hypothesis that drumming muscles are influenced by sexual selection and suggests that sound production by males during the spawning season has fitness benefits, perhaps through a role in mate competition. Drumming muscle mass of spawning males was also positively associated with body size, condition, and fertilization potential, suggesting that sound production may be an indicator of the size of the signaler and may reveal information about individual quality. In conjunction with previous studies of sound production by Atlantic cod, our study underscores the potential importance of sound production to cod spawning behaviour.

1991 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 1087-1109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Kinkead ◽  
Regina Fritsche ◽  
Steve F. Perry ◽  
Stefan Nilsson
Keyword(s):  

2020 ◽  
pp. 447-471
Author(s):  
Matthias Galipaud ◽  
Loïc Bollache ◽  
Clément Lagrue

Recent advances in molecular and genetic techniques have revealed tremendous hidden genetic diversity in plants and animals. Crustaceans are no exception and, in fact, present one of the highest levels of cryptic diversity among the metazoans. Beyond the importance of such discovery and its multiple implications for taxonomy and ecology, it is now timely to investigate the potential causes of cryptic diversity. This chapter reviews the theoretical and experimental literature, seeking evidences for a relationship between sexual selection and cryptic diversity in crustaceans. It proposes three scenarios for the role of sexual selection on the origin and maintenance of pre-mating isolation and genetic divergence among crustacean populations, and suggests ways to discriminate among them experimentally or using existing data. Assuming that taxonomic identification is largely based on differences in sexually selected morphological traits, it also reviews evidence for a cryptic action of sexual selection on crustacean phenotypes. Specifically, if sexual selection acts primarily on chemical, visual, or behavioral traits, it is likely that allopatric crustacean populations remain morphologically similar even when they are reproductively isolated. This review shows that the strength of sexual selection likely differs among allopatric populations but does not seem to consistently induce pre-mating isolation (e.g. as in copepods and amphipods). Research is now needed to try to identify general patterns and determine the role of sexual selection on pre-mating isolation after secondary contact between populations, through reinforcement and reproductive character displacement.


2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. M. Borisov ◽  
A. A. Elizarov ◽  
V. D. Nesterov

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 865-870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Egil Skjæraasen ◽  
Sherrylynn Rowe ◽  
Jeffrey A. Hutchings

Behavioural differences between females and males may result in sexual dimorphism among morphological traits associated with these behaviours. In the broadcast-spawning Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua L., 1758), release of gametes occurs during a “ventral mount” in which the male positions himself directly beneath the female while grasping her with his pelvic fins. Males also display the pelvic fins during agonistic encounters with other males. Based on data obtained from four Atlantic cod populations off Canada and Norway, we find clear evidence of sexual dimorphism in pelvic fin size, the fins being significantly larger in males than in females. Pelvic fin size was, however, not more variable than other morphological traits and was not correlated with body condition or drumming muscles mass (hypothesized to be a secondary sexual characteristic in this species). To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate sexual dimorphism in any external morphological trait in a gadoid fish. Although the observed differences in pelvic fin size may be a product of sexual selection, we identify future work to test this hypothesis and to explore more fully the causes and fitness consequences of this sexual bias in Atlantic cod.


2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
pp. 1991-2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
G A Chouinard ◽  
D P Swain ◽  
M O Hammill ◽  
G A Poirier

More than 10 years after the collapse of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) fisheries in Canada, the role of increased seal populations in the decline and lack of recovery of the stocks continues to be discussed. Using removals and abundance indices from synthetic populations, we found that sequential population analysis can uncover trends in natural mortality. We used this approach to examine variation in natural mortality (M) of southern Gulf of St. Lawrence cod. M increased from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s but declined slightly recently. Results were consistent with previous work indicating that M increased in the 1980s. Changes in estimated M for this cod stock matched fluctuations in grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) abundance. The increase in grey seal abundance from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s corresponded with the increase in estimated M of cod over this time period. The correspondence between seal abundance and M of cod supports the hypothesis that seal predation may be a cause of increased M. However, the diet information available suggests that seals consume mainly juvenile cod, whereas our evidence for an increase in M is for larger cod (ages 3 years and older).


2015 ◽  
Vol 282 (1817) ◽  
pp. 20151943 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie L. Nedelec ◽  
Stephen D. Simpson ◽  
Erica L. Morley ◽  
Brendan Nedelec ◽  
Andrew N. Radford

Anthropogenic noise impacts behaviour and physiology in many species, but responses could change with repeat exposures. As repeat exposures can vary in regularity, identifying regimes with less impact is important for regulation. We use a 16-day split-brood experiment to compare effects of regular and random acoustic noise (playbacks of recordings of ships), relative to ambient-noise controls, on behaviour, growth and development of larval Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua ). Short-term noise caused startle responses in newly hatched fish, irrespective of rearing noise. Two days of both regular and random noise regimes reduced growth, while regular noise led to faster yolk sac use. After 16 days, growth in all three sound treatments converged, although fish exposed to regular noise had lower body width–length ratios. Larvae with lower body width–length ratios were easier to catch in a predator-avoidance experiment. Our results demonstrate that the timing of acoustic disturbances can impact survival-related measures during development. Much current work focuses on sound levels, but future studies should consider the role of noise regularity and its importance for noise management and mitigation measures.


2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Davie ◽  
Mark JR Porter ◽  
Niall R Bromage ◽  
Herve Migaud

While the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) displays clear seasonality in its reproductive cycle, the exact photic signal that entrains this rhythm is yet undefined. This present work developed a model to describe the photic regulation of reproduction in the species in comparison with other commercially important temperate teleosts. This was achieved through the strategic masking of the natural photoperiod cycle during the first 2 years of life with the application of continuous illumination. The results demonstrated that it is the falling autumnal photoperiod signal after the summer solstice, more specifically after October, that is responsible for recruiting individuals to enter the sexual maturation cycle. Furthermore, in all treatments where this signal was masked through the application of continuous illumination, there was no significant reproductive activity and growth was improved by up to 60% at 27 months posthatch. This information is of particular value to the developing cod aquaculture industry in which the management of reproduction using artificial photoperiod manipulation will be of vital economic importance.


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