Observations on the Reproductive Cycle of Cyprinodon diabolis
Minckley CO and Deacon JE. 1973. Observations on the Reproductive Cycle of Cyprinodon diabolis. Copeia. 1973(3):610-613
The authors examined the ovaries of Devils Hole pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis) obtained from Devils Hole in Death Valley National Monument during an earlier study, and compared egg number, size and maturity to the date of collection. Although they found considerable variability within the population, they observed a general trend of increased reproductive capability during the spring. This agrees with observations in the field that higher numbers of newly hatched young are seen from March through June. Water temperature at Devils Hole is nearly constant, but algal growth is seasonal, stimulated by the increase in light intensity and duration. The authors suggested that increasing day length and food availability may trigger increased reproductive capability. Includes two figures and one table relating egg size, number and maturity to time of year.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Minckley, Charles; Deacon, James
- Units
- DEVA
- Keywords
- Absence (Biodiversity), Abundance (Biodiversity), Animal Studies, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Nevada, Death Valley National Park CA NV, Devils Hole Pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis), Distribution (Biodiversity), Eggs, Endemic Species, Presence (Biodiversity), Reproduction, restricted habitat, Taxa Links To Datasets, Taxa Links To References, Threatened and Endangered Species