Evolutionary Compromise between a Few Large and Many Small Eggs: Comparative Evidence in Teleost Fish

Abstract

Covariation in reproductive variables across 26 families of teleost fish is examined to investigate an evolutionary trade-off between the size and number of offspring. Clutch size is positively correlated with fish length, but there is no significant correlation between egg volume and fish length. There is a significant, negative correlation between clutch size and egg volume after removing the effects of body size, suggesting an evolutionary trade-off. This pattern is found within both fresh-water and marine fish. The product of clutch size and egg volume is not correlated with either clutch size or egg volume after removing the effects of body size.