Experimentally testing the function of anal fins in the bluefin killifish, Lucania goodei
Data files
Dec 05, 2025 version files 12.70 KB
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Exp1.csv
1.89 KB
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Exp2.csv
665 B
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README.md
3.40 KB
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Smelko_Fuller.R
6.75 KB
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the effects of functional anal fins on male fitness components in bluefin killifish, Lucania goodei. To manipulate anal fin integrity, we placed a small cut in the anal fin perpendicular to the base and half the length between the edge and fin base in males. This altered the male anal fin from a continuous sheet of tissue to a partially torn tissue with two flopping pieces. We performed a sham manipulation on males of similar size and compared the two (cut and uncut males) in two experiments. In the first experiment, males were paired every other day for a month with a female. We measured female preference as the number of eggs laid with cut vs. uncut males. We also measured the proportion of eggs that survived to 4 days post-spawning and used this as our measure of fertilization success. We found that cut males had lower fertilization success than males with uncut females. Females also tended to lay more eggs with uncut males in comparison to cut males. In the second experiment, the fish were combined in a large aquarium, and behavioral observations were recorded. We recorded the number of times each male courted the female, followed the female, attacked the female, attacked the rival male, chased the rival male, and flared his fins. Uncut males were more likely to court and follow the female. They also tended to have higher numbers of attacks and chases of the competing males and more fin flares.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.tmpg4f5br
Description of the data and file structure
This package contains 3 files, an R script, and two data files.
'Smelko_Fuller.R' - R code to reproduce the analyses and graphs.
'Exp1.csv' - Data from experiment 1; In this experiment, we compared the number of eggs laid and the fertilization success of eggs between cut and uncut males. Fish were arranged in triads (e.g., blocks), which included two size-matched males (one cut and one uncut) and a female.
'Exp2.csv' - Data from experiment 2; In this experiment, we let the three fish from experiment 1 freely interact in a large tank. We recorded the number of courtship bouts, female following bouts, and attacks on females, attacks on males, chases of males, and fin flares.
Files and variables
File: Exp2.csv
Description: In this experiment, we let the three fish from experiment 1 freely interact in a large tank. We recorded the number of courtship bouts, female following bouts, and attacks on females, attacks on males, chases of males, and fin flares.
Variables
- Block: Each block represents the ID for the fish triad. A triad contains a female and two size-matched males (one with a cut anal fin and another with an uncut anal fin)
- trt: Denotes whether the male had a cut or an uncut anal fin.
- ChaseMale_Total: Total number of chases recorded at the competition for males.
- FollowFemale_Total: Total number of times the male followed and defended the female.
- FinFlares_Total: Total number of times the male flared his fins.
- AttackingMale_Total: Total number of attacks on the competing male.
- AttackingFemale_Total: Total number of attacks on the female.
- CourtshipBout_Total: Total number of courtship bouts
- CircleFight_Total: Total number of circle fights (not analyzed in the paper).
File: Exp1.csv
Description: In this experiment, we compared the number of eggs laid and the fertilization success of eggs between cut and uncut males. Fish were arranged in triads (e.g., blocks), which included two size-matched males (one cut and one uncut) and a female.
Variables
- Date: Date when eggs were obtained.
- Block: Each block represents the ID for the fish triad. A triad contains a female and two size-matched males (one with a cut anal fin and another with an uncut anal fin)
- trt: Denotes whether the male had a cut or an uncut anal fin.
- Tot_Eggs: Total number of eggs laid by the male
- Eggs_Alive: Total number of eggs that were alive 4 days post-spawning.
- Eggs_Dead: Total number of eggs that were dead 4 days post-spawning.
File: Smelko_Fuller.R
Description: R-file that replicates the statistical analyses and graphs presented in the paper. The script loads experimental data from two studies, summarizes egg production, and fits mixed-effects models (GLMMs and LMMs) to test treatment effects on fertilization success, female preferences, and male behaviors. It then generates diagnostic checks and uses ggplot2 to create graphs for each response variable.
Code/software
RStudio - Version 2025.05.0+496 (2025.05.0+496)
R version 4.5.0 (2025-04-11)
Access information
Other publicly accessible locations of the data:
- NA
Data was derived from the following sources:
- NA