Comparative Male
Reproductive Investment
Across Three Species of
Pipefishes With Differing
Mating Systems
Sana Rashid, Janaee Wallace, and Dr. Raelynn Deaton Haynes
St. Edward’s University
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5216/5384
http://www.sibuya.co.za/files/uploads/images/Longsnout%
http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpzpn2r7F01
524083_61f5ece12a_z.jpg
20pipefish%202.JPG
qm9k25o1_500.jpg
My Experiment
 In this experiment I will be collecting sperm from three
species of pipefish
 Gulf pipefish (Syngnathus scovelli)
 Dusky pipefish (Syngnathus floridae)
 Chain pipefish (Syngnathus louisianae)
http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/images/Syn
gna_louisi_close.jpg
http://www.nicholls.edu/biolds/biol348/fishsets/pics/dusky%20pipefis
Mating Systems
 Dusky pipefish practice polygynandry
 Gulf pipefish practice polyandry
 It is expected that Chain pipefish practice polygynandry as
well.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8294/7866475994_e5a210ef03_z.jpg
http://www.bio.tamu.edu/USERS/ajones/Pipefish/images/S_scovelli.jpg
http://o.quizlet.com/c2BMw3plKPrH4EolzLG-.w_m.jpg
Sexual Selection Theory
 The sexual selection theory assumes that organisms
can attract more mates if they are appealing to the
opposite sex.
 In this case we are observing if sperm competition
due to mating systems is a factor in the sexual
selection.
http://web.evolbio.mpg.de/~mobley/Dusky_Pipefishcrop.jpg
http://www.fishchannel.com/images/exclusives/aquarium-fishinternational/pipefish.jpg
Predictions
 There should be a relation between gonads/sperm
count and mating systems.
 Duskies and Chains are expected to have higher
sperm count
http://www.bio.tamu.edu/USERS/ajones/Pipefish/images/Syngnathus_florida
http://www.bio.tamu.edu/USERS/ajones/Pipefish/images/Dusky_pip
e.jpg
efish.jpg
Overall Aim
To test assumptions of sexual selection theory by
comparing reproductive output of males in related
species that differ in mating systems.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Seagrass_Grahams_Harbour.jpg
Objective
 Figure out methods for sperm extraction
 Test if certain morphological features can determine
reproductive output
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/habitats/seagrass/images/Seagrass_Turtlegrass1.jpg
Methodology
 We collected Gulf pipefish and immature Chain
pipefish by seining in the Gulf
Methodology
 Immerse in clove oil
 Measure the pipefish
 Dissect to gather testes and
stage eggs
 Isolate testes and gather
sperm with saline solution
 Count sperm
Measurements
Data: Length vs. Mean
Sperm Number
Mean Sperm Number
1e+5
8e+4
6e+4
4e+4
2e+4
0
60
70
80
90
Total Length (mm)
100
110
Data: Sperm Count Across
Males
1e+5
Sperm Count
8e+4
6e+4
4e+4
2e+4
0
0
2
4
6
8
10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
Individual Males
Sperm Success
 Collecting sperm samples was very difficult due to
variables such as maturity and how clear testes
were
 First time collecting sperm with sygnathids
 Finding sperm was a huge success
http://www.microbehunter.com/wp/wpcontent/uploads/2010/06/counting_chamber2.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Hemocytomet
er_with_gloved_hand.JPG
http://bioquest.org/icbl/projectfiles/spermh.jpg
Obstacles
We have only been able to gather Gulf pipefish
because Dusky and Chain pipefish appear in July.
http://theseasproject.weebly.com/uploads/5/3/8/4/5384258/6567916.jpg?277
Future Goals
 To take seasonal samples in order to test that sperm
varies
 Weigh gonads at University of Texas
 Increase sample size
 Include S. floridae and S. louisianae into sample size
to test if sexual selection assumptions hold in sex
role reversal species
Acknowledgments
St. Edward's University
Dr. Raelynn Deaton Haynes
Janaee Wallace
Dr. Richard Kopec
TG Public Benefit Grant Program
TG Cohort
Thank You!
Questions?