Socially induced inhibition of genetically determined maturation in the platyfish, Xiphophorus maculatus.
Maturation in Xiphophorus maculatus (Pisces; Poeciliidae) is under control of the sex-linked P gene. However, when two individuals are reared together the socially dominant individual delays the maturation of the subordinate. Nevertheless, it is not a requirement that a fish be socially dominant to become mature. The data suggest that inhibition of maturity takes place when an individual is not dominant at a time near the genetically determined age of maturation. Two hypotheses are offered to explain these results.
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D005399:Fishes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D012930:Social Dominance