INIBIOMA   20415
INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES EN BIODIVERSIDAD Y MEDIOAMBIENTE
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Sexual size dimorphism in calanoid copepods (Centropagidae) from Patagonia (Argentina)
Autor/es:
ROBERTO DANIEL GARCÍA; PATRICIA ELIZABETH GARCÍA; MARIANA REISSIG
Revista:
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
Editorial:
RSNZ PUBLISHING
Referencias:
Lugar: Auckland; Año: 2013 vol. 47 p. 504 - 514
ISSN:
0028-8330
Resumen:
Calanoid copepods of the genus Boeckella and Parabroteas (P. sarsi) are dominant in zooplankton communities of Patagonian lakes and ponds. This study addresses the occurrence of sexual size dimorphism in calanoid copepods of the genus Boeckella and in the monospecific genus Parabroteas occurring in 12 lakes and ponds of Patagonia (Argentina). The morphometric analysis performed showed that in all the species studied the female is larger than the male, although the difference in size among sexes was found to be variable between species. Interestingly, all species showed significant intraspecific stability in their sexual size dimorphism despite potential differences in their environments regarding predation pressure, environmental stability (permanent or temporary waters) and altitude distribution of populations. Finally, we discuss the potential implications of sexual dimorphism in terms of resource use and vulnerability to predation among other environmental forces which may play a role in promoting larger female to male size.