Meeting Abstract
P1.8 Saturday, Jan. 4 15:30 Aggression and reproductive behavior in two cichlid fish species that differ in their sensory biology HOLLAND, C*; SCHWALBE , M A.B; WEBB, J.F; University of Rhode Island; University of Rhode Island; University of Rhode Island cholla881@gmail.com
Tramitichromis sp. (TRA) and Aulonocara stuartgranti (AUL) are mouth brooding cichlids in Lake Malawi, but use different sensory strategies to find their benthic invertebrate prey. TRA uses visual inputs, while AUL depends on its modified lateral line system, especially in the dark. Thus, we asked if aggressive and reproductive behaviors in TRA depend more on visual input than those in AUL. Interactions between male and female TRA and AUL were recorded using HD video and hydrophone to correlate body movements and sound production. Reproductive behavior in TRA and AUL was defined by quivers, sound production (male TRA only; 161-581 Hz; correlated w/quivering), chasing, guarding, circling, and color pattern changes. Aggression was defined by fin erection/depression, mouth displays, quivers, bites, sound production (male TRA only; correlated w/quivering behavior), circling, and color pattern changes (TRA only). In both behaviors, male TRA exhibited a higher frequency of fin movements, dramatic color pattern changes, and faster escalation to mouth displays – all visual signals. Female TRA oriented visually to the egg spots on the male’s anal fin in contrast to female AUL, which maintained a parallel orientation to the male during mutual quivering. In both behaviors, male AUL started quivering sooner and at a higher frequency, but demonstrated little or no color change. Thus, TRA uses sound production and an array of visual signals, but AUL does not produce sound, and depends more on quivers that likely produce lateral line stimuli during aggression and reproductive behavior. Thus, differences in sensory structure and function may play a role in a wide range of critical behaviors in closely related species. NSF grant IOS-0843307 to JFW and NSF EPSCoR contract EPS-1004057.
