Present address: Centre for Applied Conservation Research, Department of Forest Sciences, University of British Columbia, Forest Sciences Center, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4. E-mail: scooke@interchange.ubc.ca
1365-2435/asset/olbannerleft.gif?v=1&s=c8b848a8f001fdfa90240fe2ab26b1f04b6fe8e4)
1365-2435/asset/olbannerright.gif?v=1&s=2cf6e00d281371851f86902da3937ac5884bcfe0)
You have full text access to this OnlineOpen article
Sex-specific differences in cardiovascular performance of a centrarchid fish are only evident during the reproductive period
Article first published online: 14 MAY 2004
DOI: 10.1111/j.0269-8463.2004.00878.x
Additional Information
How to Cite
COOKE, S. J. (2004), Sex-specific differences in cardiovascular performance of a centrarchid fish are only evident during the reproductive period. Functional Ecology, 18: 398–403. doi: 10.1111/j.0269-8463.2004.00878.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 14 MAY 2004
- Article first published online: 14 MAY 2004
- Received 29 October 2003; revised 29 January 2004; accepted 5 February 2004
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Cardiac output;
- heart rate;
- Largemouth Bass;
- parental care
Summary
- 1Although in birds and mammals sex-specific differences in organismal performance and physiology are well documented, comparatively little is known about the influence of sex or reproductive status on fish performance or metabolism.
- 2In this study, the resting cardiovascular performance of male and female Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides was contrasted across three seasons and different reproductive states including the spring when nesting males provide sole parental care. Doppler flow probes were used to monitor resting cardiac output (Q) and its two components (heart rate, fH and stroke volume, SVH).
- 3During the spring when Largemouth Bass were engaged in reproduction (at 21 °C), parental male nesting fish had heightened resting cardiovascular rates (both Q and fH) relative to non-nesting males and females. In the summer at higher water temperatures (24 °C), and in the autumn at water temperatures similar to the reproductive period (21 °C), resting cardiovascular variables were similar between sexes.
- 4This study found that there are sex-based differences in fish physiological performance. However, the sex-specific differences were evident only during the reproductive period, and in particular for male fish actively engaged in the nesting phase of parental care, indicating a likely role of the endocrine system.