Filial cannibalism influences the link between gonadal development and antioxidant function in a mouthbrooding cichlid fish.

Abstract

In females of the mouthbrooding cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni , we recently found a positive relationship between liver antioxidant function and filial cannibalism. Here, we manipulated the level of fry consumption in A. burtoni females to assess how the level of fry consumption affects liver antioxidant function. Feeding treatment did not affect liver antioxidant function, but feeding treatment significantly influenced the relationship between gonadal development and antioxidant function. Future studies should isolate the effects of gonadal development and fry consumption on antioxidant function.