Ej. Goncalves et al., FEMALE MIMICRY AS A MATING TACTIC IN MALES OF THE BLENNIID FISH SALARIA-PAVO, Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 76(2), 1996, pp. 529-538
In this paper we present evidence for female mimicry in a population o
f Salaria pavo (Pisces: Blenniidae). Parental males differ markedly fr
om females by the presence of a large crest on the head and anal gland
s on the two spiny rays of the anal fin. We found a proportion of smal
ler and younger males that are almost identical to females both in mor
phology and behaviour. These 'female-like' males lack secondary sexual
characters and actively court parental males, displaying the female's
colour pattern and courting behaviour. These males are sexually matur
e and their gonadosomatic indices are higher than those of parental ma
les. Female mimicry is considered to be a functional way to achieve sn
eak fertilizations.