REPRODUCTIVE CYCLES AND SUPERFETATION IN PŒCILIÏD FISHES

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Abstract
All poeciliid fishes are ovoviviparous and are tropical or sub-tropical in range. Reproduction occurs in short, often-repeated cycles, each cycle being equivalent to the annual seasonal cycle of the oviparous fishes of the temperate zones. In most of the poeciliids broods of young are born several days before the fertilization of the eggs which form the following brood. In at least 4 species superfetation occurs, two broods of different levels of development occurring in the ovary at the same time. An extreme case of superfetation exists in Heterandria formosa in which at least 6 superimposed broods occur in the ovary at the same time at the height of the breeding season. It is assumed that light is an important factor in controlling the rapidity of brood productions, probably acting through the pituitary. Retained embryos and older ovocytes act to retard the development of the younger ovocytes.

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