Are zebrafish Danio rerio males better swimmers than females?

J Fish Biol. 2013 Nov;83(5):1381-6. doi: 10.1111/jfb.12210. Epub 2013 Sep 3.

Abstract

Swimming performance of zebrafish Danio rerio males and females initially reared in four different temperatures was assessed by measuring their relative critical swimming speed after acclimation to a common temperature. Males reared at 31° C achieved higher swimming speeds than females reared at the same temperature. Morphometric measurements indicate differences in body shape between sexes that could account for the difference in swimming speed.

Keywords: Ucrit; body shape; developmental temperature; locomotion; morphometric character; plasticity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acclimatization
  • Animals
  • Body Size
  • Female
  • Male
  • Sex Factors*
  • Swimming*
  • Temperature
  • Zebrafish / anatomy & histology
  • Zebrafish / physiology*