SREL Reprint #1957

Single- and multiple-locus genotypes and life history responses of Gambusia holbrooki reared at two temperatures

Margaret Mulvey, Gwen P. Keller, and Gary K. Meffe

University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, South Carolina 29802

Abstract: Eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) were reared from birth to 10 wk of age at 25ºC and 32ºC. Relationships of growth, time to maturity, and developmental stability to isozyme genotype were used to examine the hypothesis that more heterozygous individuals should exhibit superior performances, especially under thermally stressful (32ºC) conditions. More heterozygous fish grew faster than homozygous individuals, especially at 32ºC. Significant differences in time to maturity were detected among allozyme genotypes but not with heterozygosity. Multiple-locus heterozygosity was negatively related to fluctuating asymmetry. Thus, life-history traits were affected by both multiple-locus heterozygosity and single-locus genotype.

Keywords: allozymes, Gambusia holbrooki, heterozygosity, life history, Poeciliidae, stress, temperature

SREL Reprint #1957

Mulvey, M., G.P. Keller, and G.K. Meffe. 1994. Single- and multiple-locus genotypes and life history responses of Gambusia holbrooki reared at two temperatures. Evolution 48:1810-1819.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).