Egg size and its relationship with fecundity, newborn length and female size in Cuban poeciliid fishes (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes)

Abstract

Abstract – This study describes the relationship between egg size (ES) and brood size (BS), newborn length (NL) and female total length (FTL) in ten species of Cuban poeciliids. Variability and the level of association among variables are analysed and comparisons of ES among species established. Egg size has the lowest variability among the analysed variables and in most species is not correlated with BS, when the effect of FTL is controlled. Cuban poeciliids, thought to be primarily lecithotrophic, can be separated in two groups according to ES, NL and BS relative to FTL. One such group inhabits mountain streams and produces large eggs and small broods. The other group is distributed in lowland wetlands and produces small eggs and large broods. In Cuban poeciliids, ES and NL are highly correlated, which suggests adaptive value for ES.