:: Current research project

Neuroendocrinology of alternative reproductive tactics in blennies

In the peacock blenny Salaria pavo two male reproductive morphotypes occur: (1) large "bourgeois" males with well-developed secondary sexual characters that defend nests and provide parental care of the eggs and; (2) small "sneaker" males that mimic the females' behaviour and appearance in order to approach the nests of the larger males and attempt to fertilize part of eggs. These two tactics are sequential as sneakers switch to bourgeois males from one breeding season to the next. The dissociation between the sneakers behaviour and appearance (female-like) and their gonads (male-like) offers a unique opportunity to describe the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying the expression of reproductive behaviours in each of the male tactics.

Funded by: FCT - SFRH/BPD/7188/2001

:: Selected publications

- Gonçalves, D.M., Saraiva, J., Teles, M., 2010. Teodósio, R., Canário, A.V.M. & Oliveira, R.F. Brain aromatase mRNA expression in two populations of the peacock blenny Salaria pavo with divergent mating systems. Hormones and Behavior. 57: 155-161

- Saraiva, J.L., Gonçalves, D. & Oliveira, R.F. 2010. Environmental modulation of androgen levels and secondary sex characters in two populations of the peacock blenny Salaria pavo. Hormones and Behavior. 57: 192-197

- Gonçalves, D.M., Teles, M., Alpedrinha, J. and Oliveira, R.F. 2008. Brain and gonadal aromatase activity and steroid hormone levels in female and polymorphic males of peacock blenny Salaria Pavo. Hormones and  Behaviour 54: 717-725.

- Gonçalves, D., Alpedrinha, J., Teles, M. and Oliveira, R.F. 2007. Endocrine control of sexual behavior in sneaker males of the peacock blenny Salaria pavo: effects of castration, aromatase inhibition, testosterone, and estradiol. Hormones and Behavior 51: 534-541.

- Fagundes, T., Gonçalves, D.M. and Oliveira, R.F. 2007. Female mate choice and mate search tactics in a sex role reversed population of the peacock blenny, Salaria pavo (Risso, 1810). Journal of Fish Biology 71: 77-89.

- Gonçalves, D., Matos, R., Fagundes, T. and Oliveira, R. 2005. Bourgeois males of the peacock blenny, Salaria pavo, discriminate female mimics from females. Ethology 111: 559-572.

- White, E., Gonçalves, D., Oliveira, R.F. and Partridge, J.C. 2004. Vision and visual variation in the peacock blenny (Salaria pavo). Journal of Fish Biology 65: 227-250.

- Gonçalves, D., Oliveira, R.F., Körner, K. and Schlupp, I. 2003. Intersexual copying by sneaker males of the peacock blenny. Animal Behaviour 65: 355-361.