Fish study reveals battle of the sexes

[John]

Researchers have discovered an ongoing gender battle in the cleaner fish species which can lead to males punishing females for eating too much.

All cleaner wrasse are born female but the largest in their group will turn into a male.

The University of Queensland's Dr Lexa Grutter says he will then pair up with the biggest female.

"Then there are other females around in his territory, in his harem," she said.

She says the danger for the male is when he begins cleaning duties with his partner because if she eats too much she could become a rival male.

Dr Grutter says when males spot that behaviour they carry out punishment.

"He will aggressively follow her and give her [a] real rapid chase and this I guess straightens her out," she said.

"Those females that were bigger were punished much more severely than the smaller ones, so it kind of adds a little interesting twist to this male-female relationship when female size actually affects how severely you can get punished for cheating behaviour."

The study shows after the female has been disciplined she is less likely to eat as much.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/17/3246365.htm?site=northqld&section=news

[Yoodles82]

"Those females that were bigger were punished much more severely

Amazingly similar to humans :-)

[ellicat]

Funny article