Biotic and abiotic parameters affecting the coexistence of asexual P. formosa and their host P. latipinna: populations, community, predators, extreme temperature and landuse

Claus Fischer

One of the more puzzling questions in ecology is the existence of species or lineages through time. Especially, how sexual species can coexist with asexual species, although the latter should have a clear advantage in reproductive output?

My diploma thesis focused on P. formosa, a clonal but sperm-dependent gynogenetic vertebrate species, which coexists with closely related sexual species like P. latipinna. Ecological differences could reduce competition between both species directly or indirectly through different mortality rates.

I studied both species in the field and tested experimentally for differences in thermal tolerance, differences in the susceptibility to predators and differences in food preferences as well as food consumption.

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