Matrotrophic Transfer of Fluorescent Microspheres in Poeciliid Fishes

Abstract

Fluorescent microspheres and confocal microscopy were used to assess matrotrophic transfer in livebearing poeciliid fishes. High levels of transfer occurred in an obligate matrotroph, Heterandria formosa, whereas low levels occurred in a proposed lecithotroph, Poecilia reticulata. Gambusia affinis and Gambusia geiseri, proposed facultative matrotrophs, exhibited variable transfer within each brood.