Abstract
Social structure of the protogynous angelfish, Centropyge ferrugatus, was examined on the coral reefs of Sesoko Island, Okinawa, Japan. Each individual male monopolized a harem of 1-6 females. Harems could be categorized as linear-type or branching-type based upon spatial and dominance relationships among the females. A linear harem consisted of different-sized females whose home ranges overlapped each other with a linear dominance order based on body size. Branching harems were composed of two linear sub-groups dividing a male's territory. Females of similar size did not have overlapping home ranges, which resulted in branching harems. These two systems appear to be a result of competition for opportunities of sex change, as only the largest fish of a harem (or a sub-group) can become a male. Comparison of the harem structures of some reef fishes suggests that the two harem structures may occur broadly in protogynous haremic fishes.
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Sakai, Y., Kohda, M. Harem structure of the protogynous angelfish, Centropyge ferrugatus (Pomacanthidae). Environmental Biology of Fishes 49, 333–339 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007313501829
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007313501829