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The reproductive ecology of the European bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 January 2004

Carl Smith
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, Queen Mary College, University of London, London E1 4NS, U.K.
Martin Reichard
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, Queen Mary College, University of London, London E1 4NS, U.K. Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic
Pavel Jurajda
Affiliation:
Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic
Mirosław Przybylski
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology and Vertebrate Zoology, University of Łodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Łodz, Poland
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Abstract

The European bitterling Rhodeus sericeus Pallas is a freshwater fish belonging to the Acheilognathinae, a subfamily that has an unusual spawning symbiosis with freshwater mussels. Female bitterling possess long ovipositors that they use to place their eggs onto the gills of a mussel through the mussels' exhalant siphon. Males fertilize the eggs by releasing sperm into the inhalant siphon of the mussel. The embryos develop inside the mussel for approximately a month, eventually leaving the mussel as actively swimming larvae. Because they use a discrete spawning site that can be readily manipulated they have recently been used in studies to understand oviposition choice with respect to mate and spawning site quality, host–parasite coevolution, alternative male mating tactics, and linking behavioural decisions with population dynamics. The current state of knowledge of bitterling reproductive ecology is reviewed and synthesized, and future directions for research on this species are proposed.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
2004 The Zoological Society of London

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