INTRASPECIFIC BROOD MIXING AND REDUCED POLYANDRY IN A MATERNAL MOUTH-BROODING CICHLID

Microsatellite loci were used to evaluate the level of polyandry and i ntraspecific brood mixing in Protomelas c.f. spilopterus, a paedophago us, maternal mouth-brooding cichlid from Lake Malawi, Africa. We found that broods were fertilized by one to three males, which was a reduce d level of multiple paternity compared to other mouth-brooding cichlid s. Low density of breeding males and the risk of intraspecific predati on are likely explanations for reduced polyandry. Intraspecific brood- mixing was found in four out of the six broods examined, with the prop ortions of foreign fry ranging from 6% to 65%. The potential origins o f brood mixing are discussed, although no firm conclusions can be draw n given the limited behavioral observations for this species.