2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference

March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH

<< BACK TO AGENDA

5/22/2018  |   9:45 AM - 10:00 AM   |  SYMBIONT DENSITY DETERMINES INTERACTION OUTCOMES IN A FISH REPRODUCTIVE MUTUALISM   |  420 A

SYMBIONT DENSITY DETERMINES INTERACTION OUTCOMES IN A FISH REPRODUCTIVE MUTUALISM

We examined context dependency in interaction outcomes in a reproductive symbiosis between lotic minnows. In this interaction, ‘associate’ fishes deposit eggs in nests built by host species. The interaction is always advantageous for associates, while host benefits depend on a dilution effect: adding associate eggs increases host reproductive success by reducing the probability of egg predation. This relationship is usually mutualistic, but low associate density may reduce brood dilution to the point that hosts no longer benefit, resulting in a commensalistic or even parasitic interaction. We conducted a randomized complete block experiment in which we manipulated density of Yellowfin Shiner, a common associate, at constant densities of the host Bluehead Chub and two egg predator fishes. We measured reproductive success as the number of eggs on nests after three days. Chub reproduction was highest at high associate densities (p = 0.03). Surprisingly, chub reproductive success in the absence of associates was higher than at low associate densities (p = 0.048). These results suggest costs (e.g. predation) of interspecific reproduction outweigh benefits at low symbiont densities. Changes in biotic context can shift nest association from a mutualistic to a parasitic interaction.

  • Biological Gradients & Thresholds
  • Genetics
  • Fish

Presentation:
This presentation has not yet been uploaded.

Handouts:
Handout is not Available

Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference


Presenters/Authors

Sam Silknetter (), Clemson University, samsilknetter@gmail.com;


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial -

Yoichiro Kanno (), Colorado State University; Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Yoichiro.Kanno@colostate.edu;


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial -

Brandon K. Peoples (), Clemson University, peoples@clemson.edu;


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial -