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Population dynamics, sex ratio and size at sex change in a protandric simultaneous hermaphrodite, the spiny shrimp Exhippolysmata oplophoroides

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Abstract

One of the main goals of sex allocation theory is understanding sex ratio evolution. However, theoretical studies predicting sex ratios in species with unusual sexual systems, such as protandric simultaneous (PS) hermaphroditism, are rare. In PS hermaphrodites, juveniles first develop into functional males that mature into simultaneous hermaphrodites later in life. Here, we report on the sex ratio (males/males + hermaphrodites) in the PS hermaphroditic shrimp Exhippolysmata oplophoroides. A 2-year study demonstrated that hermaphrodites dominated the population in two different bays. This skewed sex ratio may be explained by limited encounter rates among conspecifics. In agreement with this idea, the density of shrimps was extremely low (≤1 shrimp km−2) at the two study sites. Size at sex phase change and sex ratios remained relatively stable through time at the two bays. The stability of these parameters might be explained by the rather steady population structure of this species during the study period. A review of sex ratios in PS hermaphroditic shrimps (Lysmata and Exhippolysmata) revealed considerable variation; some species have male- and others hermaphrodite-skewed sex ratios. The conditions explaining inter- and intra-specific sex ratio variation in protandric simultaneous hermaphroditic species remain to be addressed.

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Acknowledgments

AF and MLNF thank FAPESP for funding of infrastructure, field trips, and laboratory work (projects #94/4848-4 and #98/3234-6). We appreciate the invaluable help of the NEBECC crew during our field and laboratory activities. JAB is thankful for support from a STRI Marine Postdoctoral Fellowship and a SMSFP Postdoctoral Fellowship. Sampling was conducted according to the Sao Paulo state and Brazilian federal laws. We appreciate the helpful comments by three anonymous referees. This is contribution number 830 from the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, 701 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, FL, 34949, USA

    J. A. Baeza

  2. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado Postal, 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, Republic of Panama

    J. A. Baeza

  3. Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo, 1281, Coquimbo, Chile

    J. A. Baeza & E. Perez

  4. Dept. Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, UFES, Alegre, ES, 29500-000, Brazil

    A. A. Braga

  5. Dept. of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, FCEyN, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    L. S. López-Greco

  6. Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Aridas (CEAZA), Coquimbo, Chile

    E. Perez

  7. NEBECC (Crustacean Biology, Ecology and Culture Study Group), Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, 18.618-000, Brazil

    M. L. Negreiros-Fransozo & A. Fransozo

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  1. J. A. Baeza
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  5. M. L. Negreiros-Fransozo
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  6. A. Fransozo
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Correspondence to J. A. Baeza.

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Communicated by F. Bulleri.

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Baeza, J.A., Braga, A.A., López-Greco, L.S. et al. Population dynamics, sex ratio and size at sex change in a protandric simultaneous hermaphrodite, the spiny shrimp Exhippolysmata oplophoroides . Mar Biol 157, 2643–2653 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-010-1525-2

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