Size-assortative shoaling in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata): The role of active choice

Abstract

Many fish species exhibit size-assortative shoaling, which is often thought to be driven by predation risk. Recent fieldwork has revealed that guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are more size assorted in high-predation populations than in low-predation ones. However, size assortment does nonetheless occur in some low-predation populations, suggesting that predation is unlikely the sole driving force behind size-assortment. Here, we investigated in the laboratory the potential role of active choice in size-assortative shoaling in wild-caught female guppies originating from two populations of the same river system in Trinidad. Small or large focal females from each population were offered a binary choice of shoaling with either four small female conspecifics or four large ones. Observed shoaling preferences depended on the body size of the focal fish, suggesting phenotype-mediated conflict over group composition. Large focal fish preferred to shoal with the size-matched stimulus shoal of large fish. In contrast, small focal fish did not shoal assortatively but also preferred to shoal with larger females. Our results suggest that size-assortative shoaling in female guppies is likely to be due to factors other than active choice, such as habitat segregation and sexual harassment. © 2010 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.