Bruce here is a thought for you. How much do the traits of maturity and or maleness (especially those related to spawning)reduce or become less obvious if there are no females (adult females) present? That is how much and which ones are dependant on courtship and mating dominance triggers ? The concept is greater growth in males as a result of lack of male investment in reproduction and spawning activity (in addition to good food and water). The corollary result may well be reduced color and dominance expression (from that normally associated with breeding males) during the spring/summer. Of the pictures in the PB articles (and in your mind for comparison purposes) how many were from male only ponds. Important to compare apples to apples.