How would this unusual reproductive behavior benefit these small fish?

Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap Course List)
15th Edition
ISBN:9781337408332
Author:Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Chapter44: Population Ecology
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 2DAA: Iguana Decline In 1987, Martin Wikelski began a long-term study of marine iguanas in the Galpagos...
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How would this unusual reproductive behavior benefit these small fish?

Figure 11.20 During spring and summer months, these small fish
(genus Leuresthes) swim ashore at night in large numbers just after
the highest spring tides, deposit and fertilize their eggs below the
sand surface, and return to the sea. Nearly 2 weeks later, when spring
tides return, the eggs hatch. No one is certain how grunion time their
reproductive behavior so precisely to the tidal cycle. The grunion are
found only along the Pacific coast of North America and in the Gulf of
California. Unlike the Pacific coast species, Gulf of California grunion
spawn during daylight.
Transcribed Image Text:Figure 11.20 During spring and summer months, these small fish (genus Leuresthes) swim ashore at night in large numbers just after the highest spring tides, deposit and fertilize their eggs below the sand surface, and return to the sea. Nearly 2 weeks later, when spring tides return, the eggs hatch. No one is certain how grunion time their reproductive behavior so precisely to the tidal cycle. The grunion are found only along the Pacific coast of North America and in the Gulf of California. Unlike the Pacific coast species, Gulf of California grunion spawn during daylight.
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