Postzygotic Maternal Influences and the Maternal-Embryonic Relationship of Viviparous Fishes

• Published in: Integrative and comparative biology Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 106 - 115
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press 01.04.1996
• ISSN: 1540-7063; 1557-7023
• DOI: 10.1093/icb/36.2.106

SYNOPSIS. Viviparous reproduction in fishes provides opportunities for maternal phenotypic modifications to influence offspring phenotype following fertilization. Various physiological adaptations associated with the maintenance and control of prenatal embryonic development may provide the means by which postnatal phenotype is impacted by maternal phenotype. It is widely recognized that postzygotic maternal influences may be mediated through the maternal-embryonic trophic relationship in matrotrophic species. I propose that 1) postzygotic maternal influences in viviparous fishes may also be mediated through immunological, respiratory, osmoregulatory, excretory, endocrinological, and thermoregulatory aspects of the maternal-embryonic relationship, and 2) any modification of embryonic and/or postnatal physiology through influence of the maternal physiological state should be regarded as a maternal effect that has potential ecological and evolutionary significance. This approach should help to identify trends and provide a framework, for comparing the evolution of adaptations for viviparity and their ecological impact across the vertebrate classes as well as to facilitate identification of selective factors contributing to evolution of various forms of viviparous reproduction.