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Hemingson CR, Cowman PF, Bellwood DR. Analysing biological colour patterns from digital images: An introduction to the current toolbox. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11045. [PMID: 38500859 PMCID: PMC10945235 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the numerous roles that colouration serves in the natural world has remained a central focus in many evolutionary and ecological studies. However, to accurately characterise and then compare colours or patterns among individuals or species has been historically challenging. In recent years, there have been a myriad of new resources developed that allow researchers to characterise biological colours and patterns, specifically from digital imagery. However, each resource has its own strengths and weaknesses, answers a specific question and requires a detailed understanding of how it functions to be used properly. These nuances can make navigating this emerging field rather difficult. Herein, we evaluate several new techniques for analysing biological colouration, with a specific focus on digital images. First, we introduce fundamental background knowledge about light and perception to be considered when designing and implementing a study of colouration. We then show how numerous modifications can be made to images to ensure consistent formatting prior to analysis. After, we describe many of the new image analysis approaches and their respective functions, highlighting the type of research questions that they can address. We demonstrate how these various techniques can be brought together to examine novel research questions and test specific hypotheses. Finally, we outline potential future directions in colour pattern studies. Our goal is to provide a starting point and pathway for researchers wanting to study biological colour patterns from digital imagery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R. Hemingson
- The Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem FunctionsJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Peter F. Cowman
- Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, Queensland Museum TropicsTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - David R. Bellwood
- The Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem FunctionsJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
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2
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Souto-Neto JA, David DD, Zanetti G, Sua-Cespedes C, Freret-Meurer NV, Moraes MN, de Assis LVM, Castrucci AMDL. Light-specific wavelengths differentially affect the exploration rate, opercular beat, skin color change, opsin transcripts, and the oxi-redox system of the longsnout seahorse Hippocampus reidi. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2024; 288:111551. [PMID: 37972916 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.111551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Light is a strong stimulus for the sensory and endocrine systems. The opsins constitute a large family of proteins that can respond to specific light wavelengths. Hippocampus reidi is a near-threatened seahorse that has a diverse color pattern and sexual dimorphism. Over the years, H. reidi's unique characteristics, coupled with its high demand and over-exploitation for the aquarium trade, have raised concerns about its conservation, primarily due to their significant impact on wild populations. Here, we characterized chromatophore types in juvenile and adult H. reidi in captivity, and the effects of specific light wavelengths with the same irradiance (1.20 mW/cm2) on color change, growth, and survival rate. The xanthophores and melanophores were the major components of H. reidi pigmentation with differences in density and distribution between life stages and sexes. In the eye and skin of juveniles, the yellow (585 nm) wavelength induced a substantial increase in melanin levels compared to the individuals kept under white light (WL), blue (442 nm), or red (650 nm) wavelengths. In addition, blue and yellow wavelengths led to a higher juvenile mortality rate in comparison to the other treatments. Adult seahorses showed a rhythmic color change over 24 h, the highest reflectance values were obtained in the light phase, representing a daytime skin lightening for individuals under WL, blue and yellow wavelength, with changes in the acrophase. The yellow wavelength was more effective on juvenile seahorse pigmentation, while the blue wavelength exerted a stronger effect on the regulation of adult physiological color change. Dramatic changes in the opsin mRNA levels were life stage-dependent, which may infer ontogenetic opsin functions throughout seahorses' development. Exposure to specific wavelengths differentially affected the opsins mRNA levels in the skin and eyes of juveniles. In the juveniles, skin transcripts of visual (rh1, rh2, and lws) and non-visual opsins (opn3 and opn4x) were higher in individuals under yellow light. While in the juvenile's eyes, only rh1 and rh2 had increased transcripts influenced by yellow light; the lws and opn3 mRNA levels were higher in juveniles' eyes under WL. Prolonged exposure to yellow wavelength stimulates a robust increase in the antioxidant enzymes sod1 and sod2 mRNA levels. Our findings indicate that changes in the visible light spectrum alter physiological processes at different stages of life in H. reidi and may serve as the basis for a broader discussion about the implications of artificial light for aquatic species in captivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Araújo Souto-Neto
- Laboratory of Comparative Physiology of Pigmentation, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Micropollutants, Biophysics Institute Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Daniela Dantas David
- Laboratory of Comparative Physiology of Pigmentation, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giovanna Zanetti
- Laboratory of Comparative Physiology of Pigmentation, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristhian Sua-Cespedes
- Laboratory of Comparative Physiology of Pigmentation, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Nathália Moraes
- Laboratory of Molecular Chronobiology, Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Maria de Lauro Castrucci
- Laboratory of Comparative Physiology of Pigmentation, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States.
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3
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Frédérich B. Diving into the diversity of colour patterns in reef fishes. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17281. [PMID: 38247292 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Colours and associated patterns are probably some of the most obvious phenotypic traits in animals and reef teleost fishes are often cited as a textbook example for illustrating this type of diversity. Even if it is well established that colour patterns play a central role in the ecology and evolution of reef fishes, we still lack the necessary toolkits to fully grasp the mechanisms driving the diversification of this obvious phenotypic trait. On the one hand, genotyping power seems now limitless thanks to current DNA sequencing technologies. Today, entire genomes of fishes can be easily produced for large sets of species. On the other hand, the description of colour patterns and the quantification of their variation across reef fishes might be highly challenging. In a cover manuscript in this issue of Molecular Ecology, Coulmance et al. (2023) introduced an innovative approach for extracting and quantifying the major colour pattern elements present in the hamlets (Hypoplectrus spp., Serranidae), a recent reef fish radiation from the Caribbean. Then, they intelligently used the quantified colour pattern variation as a phenotypic trait for a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Interestingly, using a method that required no a priori knowledge, they were able to recover well-established marks (e.g., vertical bars) and to highlight less expected colour pattern elements (e.g., dark to light gradient on ventral part as well as caudal and anal fins), which show strong association peaks on linkage group (LG) 12 and 04. Beyond the demonstration of the potential of their new quantitative analysis of colour pattern variation in reef fishes combined with GWAS, their findings offer new perspectives on our understanding of the intrinsic and extrinsic factors generating this outstanding diversity of the fish world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Frédérich
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology, FOCUS, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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4
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Hayashi K, Locke NJM, Laudet V. Counting Nemo: anemonefish Amphiprion ocellaris identify species by number of white bars. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246357. [PMID: 38301046 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
The brilliant colors of coral reef fish have received much research attention. This is well exemplified by anemonefish, which have distinct white bar patterns and inhabit host anemones and defend them as a territory. The 28 described species have between 0 and 3 white bars present, which has been suggested to be important for species recognition. In the present study, we found that Amphiprion ocellaris (a species that displays three white bars) hatched and reared in aquaria, when faced with an intruder fish, attacked their own species more frequently than other species of intruding anemonefish. Additionally, we explicitly tested whether this species could distinguish models with different numbers of bars. For this, 120 individuals of A. ocellaris were presented with four different models (no bars, and 1, 2 and 3 bars) and we compared whether the frequency of aggressive behavior towards the model differed according to the number of bars. The frequency of aggressive behavior toward the 3-bar model was the same as against living A. ocellaris, and was higher than towards any of the other models. We conclude that A. ocellaris use the number of white bars as a cue to identify and attack only competitors that might use the same host. We considered this as an important behavior for efficient host defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kina Hayashi
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Noah J M Locke
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Vincent Laudet
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
- Marine Research Station, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology (ICOB), Academia Sinica, 23-10, Dah-Uen Rd, Jiau Shi, I-Lan 262, Taiwan
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Mitchell LJ, Cortesi F, Marshall NJ, Cheney KL. Higher ultraviolet skin reflectance signals submissiveness in the anemonefish, Amphiprion akindynos. Behav Ecol 2022; 34:19-32. [PMID: 36789393 PMCID: PMC9918861 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arac089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultraviolet (UV) vision is widespread among teleost fishes, of which many exhibit UV skin colors for communication. However, aside from its role in mate selection, few studies have examined the information UV signaling conveys in other socio-behavioral contexts. Anemonefishes (subfamily, Amphiprioninae) live in a fascinating dominance hierarchy, in which a large female and male dominate over non-breeding subordinates, and body size is the primary cue for dominance. The iconic orange and white bars of anemonefishes are highly UV-reflective, and their color vision is well tuned to perceive the chromatic contrast of skin, which we show here decreases in the amount of UV reflectance with increasing social rank. To test the function of their UV-skin signals, we compared the outcomes of staged contests over dominance between size-matched Barrier Reef anemonefish (Amphiprion akindynos) in aquarium chambers viewed under different UV-absorbing filters. Fish under UV-blocking filters were more likely to win contests, where fish under no-filter or neutral-density filter were more likely to submit. For contests between fish in no-filter and neutral density filter treatments, light treatment had no effect on contest outcome (win/lose). We also show that sub-adults were more aggressive toward smaller juveniles placed under a UV filter than a neutral density filter. Taken together, our results show that UV reflectance or UV contrast in anemonefish can modulate aggression and encode dominant and submissive cues, when changes in overall intensity are controlled for.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabio Cortesi
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - N Justin Marshall
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Karen L Cheney
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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6
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Hayashi K, Tachihara K, Reimer JD, Laudet V. Colour patterns influence symbiosis and competition in the anemonefish-host anemone symbiosis system. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20221576. [PMID: 36196541 PMCID: PMC9532990 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colour patterns in fish are often used as an important medium for communication. Anemonefish, characterized by specific patterns of white bars, inhabit host anemones and defend the area around an anemone as their territory. The host anemone is used not only by the anemonefish, but also by other fish species that use anemones as temporary shelters. Anemonefish may be able to identify potential competitors by their colour patterns. We first examined the colour patterns of fish using host anemones inhabited by Amphiprion ocellaris as shelter and compared them with the patterns of fish using surrounding scleractinian corals. There were no fish with bars sheltering in host anemones, although many fish with bars were found in surrounding corals. Next, two fish models, one with white bars and the other with white stripes on a black background, were presented to an A. ocellaris colony. The duration of aggressive behaviour towards the bar model was significantly longer than that towards the stripe model. We conclude that differences in aggressive behaviour by the anemonefish possibly select the colour patterns of cohabiting fish. This study indicates that colour patterns may influence not only intraspecific interactions but also interspecific interactions in coral reef ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kina Hayashi
- Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Katsunori Tachihara
- Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - James Davis Reimer
- Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - Vincent Laudet
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
- Marine Research Station, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology (ICOB), Academia Sinica, 23-10, Dah-Uen Rd, Jiau Shi I-Lan 262, Taiwan
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7
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Tosetto L, Williamson JE, White TE, Hart NS. Can the Dynamic Colouration and Patterning of Bluelined Goatfish (Mullidae; Upeneichthys lineatus) Be Perceived by Conspecifics? BRAIN, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION 2021; 96:103-123. [PMID: 34856558 DOI: 10.1159/000519894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Bluelined goatfish (Upeneichthys lineatus) exhibit dynamic body colour changes and transform rapidly from a pale, buff/white, horizontally banded pattern to a conspicuous, vertically striped, red pattern when foraging. This red pattern is potentially an important foraging signal for communication with conspecifics, provided that U. lineatus can detect and discriminate the pattern. Using both physiological and behavioural experiments, we first examined whether U. lineatus possess visual pigments with sensitivity to long ("red") wavelengths of light, and whether they can discriminate the colour red. Microspectrophotometric measurements of retinal photoreceptors showed that while U. lineatuslack visual pigments dedicated to the red part of the spectrum, their pigments likely confer some sensitivity in this spectral band. Behavioural colour discrimination experiments suggested that U. lineatuscan distinguish a red reward stimulus from a grey distractor stimulus of variable brightness. Furthermore, when presented with red stimuli of varying brightness they could mostly discriminate the darker and lighter reds from the grey distractor. We also obtained anatomical estimates of visual acuity, which suggest that U. lineatus can resolve the contrasting bands of conspecifics approximately 7 m away in clear waters. Finally, we measured the spectral reflectance of the red and white colouration on the goatfish body. Visual models suggest that U. lineatus can discriminate both chromatic and achromatic differences in body colouration where longer wavelength light is available. This study demonstrates that U. lineatus have the capacity for colour vision and can likely discriminate colours in the long-wavelength region of the spectrum where the red body pattern reflects light strongly. The ability to see red may therefore provide an advantage in recognising visual signals from conspecifics. This research furthers our understanding of how visual signals have co-evolved with visual abilities, and the role of visual communication in the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Tosetto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jane E Williamson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Thomas E White
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nathan S Hart
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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8
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Caves EM, de Busserolles F, Kelley LA. Sex differences in behavioural and anatomical estimates of visual acuity in the green swordtail Xiphophorus helleri. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:273770. [PMID: 34787303 PMCID: PMC8729911 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Among fishes in the family Poeciliidae, signals such as colour patterns, ornaments and courtship displays play important roles in mate choice and male–male competition. Despite this, visual capabilities in poeciliids are understudied, in particular, visual acuity, the ability to resolve detail. We used three methods to quantify visual acuity in male and female green swordtails (Xiphophorus helleri), a species in which body size and the length of the male's extended caudal fin (‘sword’) serve as assessment signals during mate choice and agonistic encounters. Topographic distribution of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) was similar in all individuals and was characterized by areas of high cell densities located centro-temporally and nasally, as well as a weak horizontal streak. Based on the peak density of RGCs in the centro-temporal area, anatomical acuity was estimated to be approximately 3 cycles per degree (cpd) in both sexes. However, a behavioural optomotor assay found significantly lower mean acuity in males (0.8 cpd) than females (3.0 cpd), which was not explained by differences in eye size between males and females. An additional behavioural assay, in which we trained individuals to discriminate striped gratings from grey stimuli of the same mean luminance, also showed lower acuity in males (1–2 cpd) than females (2–3 cpd). Thus, although retinal anatomy predicts identical acuity in males and females, two behavioural assays found higher acuity in females than males, a sexual dimorphism that is rare outside of invertebrates. Overall, our results have implications for understanding how poeciliids perceive visual signals during mate choice and agonistic encounters. Summary: Anatomical and behavioural quantification of visual acuity (spatial resolving power) in green swordtails indicates that acuity was anatomically identical in both sexes, but behaviourally higher in females, with implications for signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor M Caves
- University of Exeter, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Penryn, UK.,University of California Santa Barbara, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | | | - Laura A Kelley
- University of Exeter, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Penryn, UK
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9
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Sato H, Sakai Y, Kuwamura T. Effects of group behavior in the predatory raid on damselfish nests by the false cleanerfish
Aspidontus taeniatus. Ethology 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hajime Sato
- School of Applied Biological Science Hiroshima University Higashi‐Hiroshima Japan
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life Hiroshima University Higashi‐Hiroshima Japan
| | - Yoichi Sakai
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life Hiroshima University Higashi‐Hiroshima Japan
| | - Tetsuo Kuwamura
- Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences Chukyo University Nagoya Japan
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10
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Information content of ultraviolet-reflecting colour patches and visual perception of body coloration in the Tyrrhenian wall lizard Podarcis tiliguerta. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03023-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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John L, Rick IP, Vitt S, Thünken T. Body coloration as a dynamic signal during intrasexual communication in a cichlid fish. BMC ZOOL 2021; 6:9. [PMID: 37170176 PMCID: PMC10127425 DOI: 10.1186/s40850-021-00075-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Intrasexual competition over access to resources can lead to aggression between individuals. Because overt aggression, i.e. fights, can be costly for contestants, the communication of aggressive motivation prior to engagement in a physical fight is often mediated by conventional signals. Animals of various taxa, including fishes, display visual signals such as body coloration that can dynamically be adjusted depending on the individual’s motivation. Male individuals of the West African cichlid Pelvicachromis taeniatus express a yellow body coloration displayed during courtship but also in an intrasexual competition context.
Results
Within-individual variation in male yellow body coloration, as quantified with standardized digital photography and representation in a CIELab color space, was examined in a mating context by exposing males to a female and in a competitive intrasexual context, i.e. in a dyadic contest. Additionally, spectrometric reflectance measurements were taken to obtain color representations in a physiological color space based on spectral sensitivities of our model species. Exposure to females did not significantly affect male color expression. However, analysis of body coloration revealed a change in within-individual color intensity and colored area after interaction with a male competitor. In dominant males, extension of coloration was positively correlated with restrained aggression, i.e. displays, which in turn explained dominance established between the two contestants.
Conclusion
Body coloration in male P. taeniatus is a dynamic signal that is used in concert with display behavior in communication during intrasexual competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim G. Frommen
- Division of Behavioural Ecology Institute of Ecology and Evolution University of Bern Hinterkappelen Switzerland
- Department of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester UK
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13
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Marshall NJ, Cortesi F, de Busserolles F, Siebeck UE, Cheney KL. Colours and colour vision in reef fishes: Past, present and future research directions. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2019; 95:5-38. [PMID: 30357835 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Many fishes, both freshwater or marine, have colour vision that may outperform humans. As a result, to understand the behavioural tasks that vision enables; including mate choice, feeding, agonistic behaviour and camouflage, we need to see the world through a fish's eye. This includes quantifying the variable light environment underwater and its various influences on vision. As well as rapid loss of light with depth, light attenuation underwater limits visual interaction to metres at most and in many instances, less than a metre. We also need to characterize visual sensitivities, fish colours and behaviours relative to both these factors. An increasingly large set of techniques over the past few years, including improved photography, submersible spectrophotometers and genetic sequencing, have taken us from intelligent guesswork to something closer to sensible hypotheses. This contribution to the special edition on the Ecology of Fish Senses under a shifting environment first reviews our knowledge of fish colour vision and visual ecology, past, present and very recent, and then goes on to examine how climate change may impinge on fish visual capability. The review is limited to mostly colour vision and to mostly reef fishes. This ignores a large body of work, both from other marine environments and freshwater systems, but the reef contains examples of many of the challenges to vision from the aquatic environment. It is also a concentrate of life, perhaps the most specious and complex on earth, suffering now catastrophically from the consequences of our lack of action on climate change. A clear course of action to prevent destruction of this habitat is the need to spend more time in it, in the study of it and sharing it with those not fortunate enough to see coral reefs first-hand. Sir David Attenborough on The Great Barrier Reef: "Do we really care so little about the Earth upon which we live that we don't wish to protect one of its greatest wonders from the consequences of our behaviours?"
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Affiliation(s)
- N Justin Marshall
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Fabio Cortesi
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Fanny de Busserolles
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Uli E Siebeck
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Karen L Cheney
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Biology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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14
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The relative importance of body size and UV coloration in influencing male-male competition in a lacertid lizard. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-019-2710-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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15
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Goodlett C, Stephenson BP. Body Color and Morphological Correlates of Fitness in Eastern Fence Lizards (Sceloporus undulatus): A Spectrophotometric Approach. HERPETOLOGICA 2019. [DOI: 10.1655/d-17-00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cambre Goodlett
- Department of Biology, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, GA 31207, USA
| | - Barry P. Stephenson
- Department of Biology, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, GA 31207, USA
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Hemingson CR, Cowman PF, Hodge JR, Bellwood DR. Colour pattern divergence in reef fish species is rapid and driven by both range overlap and symmetry. Ecol Lett 2018; 22:190-199. [DOI: 10.1111/ele.13180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R. Hemingson
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville4811 Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville4811 Australia
| | - Peter F. Cowman
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville4811 Australia
| | - Jennifer R. Hodge
- Department of Evolution and Ecology University of California Davis Davis CA95616 USA
| | - David R. Bellwood
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville4811 Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville4811 Australia
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17
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18
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McDonald LT, Finlayson ED, Wilts BD, Vukusic P. Circularly polarized reflection from the scarab beetle Chalcothea smaragdina: light scattering by a dual photonic structure. Interface Focus 2017. [PMID: 28630672 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2016.0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Helicoidal architectures comprising various polysaccharides, such as chitin and cellulose, have been reported in biological systems. In some cases, these architectures exhibit stunning optical properties analogous to ordered cholesteric liquid crystal phases. In this work, we characterize the circularly polarized reflectance and optical scattering from the cuticle of the beetle Chalcothea smaragdina (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) using optical experiments, simulations and structural analysis. The selective reflection of left-handed circularly polarized light is attributed to a Bouligand-type helicoidal morphology within the beetle's exocuticle. Using electron microscopy to inform electromagnetic simulations of this anisotropic stratified medium, the inextricable connection between the colour appearance of C. smaragdina and the periodicity of its helicoidal rotation is shown. A close agreement between the model and the measured reflectance spectra is obtained. In addition, the elytral surface of C. smaragdina possesses a blazed diffraction grating-like surface structure, which affects the diffuse appearance of the beetle's reflected colour, and therefore potentially enhances crypsis among the dense foliage of its rainforest habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke T McDonald
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, UK.,School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, North Mall Campus, Cork, Republic of Ireland
| | - Ewan D Finlayson
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, UK
| | - Bodo D Wilts
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Pete Vukusic
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, UK
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19
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Hotta T, Satoh S, Kosaka N, Kohda M. Face recognition in the Tanganyikan cichlid Julidochromis transcriptus. Anim Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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20
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Parker AN, Fritsches KA, Newport C, Wallis G, Siebeck UE. Comparison of functional and anatomical estimations of visual acuity in two species of coral reef fish. J Exp Biol 2017; 220:2387-2396. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.149575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The high contrast, complex patterns typical of many reef fish serve several purposes, including providing disruptive camouflage and a basis for vision-based communication. In trying to understand the role of a specific pattern it is important to first assess the extent to which an observer can resolve the pattern, itself determined, at least in part, by the observer’s visual acuity. In this study, we study the visual acuity of two species of reef fish using both anatomical and behavioural estimates. The two species in question share a common habitat but are members of different trophic levels (predator vs. herbivore/omnivore) and perform different visual tasks. On the basis of the anatomical study we estimated visual acuity to lie between 4.1 – 4.6 cycles per degree (cpd) for Pomacentrus amboinensis and 3.2 – 3.6 cpd for Pseudochromis fuscus. Behavioural acuity estimates were considerably lower, ranging between 1.29 and 1.36 cpd for Pomacentrus amboinensis and 1.61 and 1.71 cpd for Pseudochromis fuscus. Our results show that two species from the same habitat have only moderately divergent visual capabilities, despite differences in their general life histories. The difference between anatomical and behavioural estimates is an important finding as the majority of our current knowledge on the resolution capabilities of reef fish comes from anatomical measurements. Our findings suggest that anatomical estimates may represent the highest potential acuity of fish but are not indicative of actual performance, and that there is unlikely to be a simple scaling factor to link the two measures across all fish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira N. Parker
- Laboratory for Visual Neuroethology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kerstin A. Fritsches
- Laboratory for Visual Neuroethology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Cait Newport
- Laboratory for Visual Neuroethology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, England
| | - Guy Wallis
- Centre for Sensorimotor Performance, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Ulrike E. Siebeck
- Laboratory for Visual Neuroethology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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21
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Parmentier E, Frédérich B. Broadening of acoustic repertoire in Pomacentridae: tonal sounds in the Ambon damselfish
Pomacentrus amboinensis. J Zool (1987) 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. Parmentier
- Laboratoire de Morphologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, AFFISH‐RC, Institut de Chimie – B6C Université de Liège, Sart Tilman Liège Belgium
| | - B. Frédérich
- Laboratoire de Morphologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, AFFISH‐RC, Institut de Chimie – B6C Université de Liège, Sart Tilman Liège Belgium
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22
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Satoh S, Tanaka H, Kohda M. Facial Recognition in a Discus Fish (Cichlidae): Experimental Approach Using Digital Models. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154543. [PMID: 27191162 PMCID: PMC4871422 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of mammals and birds are known to be capable of visually discriminating between familiar and unfamiliar individuals, depending on facial patterns in some species. Many fish also visually recognize other conspecifics individually, and previous studies report that facial color patterns can be an initial signal for individual recognition. For example, a cichlid fish and a damselfish will use individual-specific color patterns that develop only in the facial area. However, it remains to be determined whether the facial area is an especially favorable site for visual signals in fish, and if so why? The monogamous discus fish, Symphysopdon aequifasciatus (Cichlidae), is capable of visually distinguishing its pair-partner from other conspecifics. Discus fish have individual-specific coloration patterns on entire body including the facial area, frontal head, trunk and vertical fins. If the facial area is an inherently important site for the visual cues, this species will use facial patterns for individual recognition, but otherwise they will use patterns on other body parts as well. We used modified digital models to examine whether discus fish use only facial coloration for individual recognition. Digital models of four different combinations of familiar and unfamiliar fish faces and bodies were displayed in frontal and lateral views. Focal fish frequently performed partner-specific displays towards partner-face models, and did aggressive displays towards models of non-partner’s faces. We conclude that to identify individuals this fish does not depend on frontal color patterns but does on lateral facial color patterns, although they have unique color patterns on the other parts of body. We discuss the significance of facial coloration for individual recognition in fish compared with birds and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Satoh
- Laboratory of animal Sociology, Department of Biology and Geosciences, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi, Osaka city, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Tanaka
- Laboratory of animal Sociology, Department of Biology and Geosciences, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi, Osaka city, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masanori Kohda
- Laboratory of animal Sociology, Department of Biology and Geosciences, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi, Osaka city, Osaka, Japan
- * E-mail:
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23
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Braun C, Reef R, Siebeck UE. Ultraviolet absorbing compounds provide a rapid response mechanism for UV protection in some reef fish. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY 2016; 160:400-7. [PMID: 27162066 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2016.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2015] [Revised: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The external mucus surface of reef fish contains ultraviolet absorbing compounds (UVAC), most prominently Mycosporine-like Amino Acids (MAAs). MAAs in the external mucus of reef fish are thought to act as sunscreens by preventing the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR), however, direct evidence for their protective role has been missing. We tested the protective function of UVAC's by exposing fish with naturally low, Pomacentrus amboinensis, and high, Thalassoma lunare, mucus absorption properties to a high dose of UVR (UVB: 13.4W∗m(-2), UVA: 6.1W∗m(-2)) and measuring the resulting DNA damage in the form of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). For both species, the amount of UV induced DNA damage sustained following the exposure to a 1h pulse of high UVR was negatively correlated with mucus absorbance, a proxy for MAA concentration. Furthermore, a rapid and significant increase in UVAC concentration was observed in P. amboinensis following UV exposure, directly after capture and after ten days in captivity. No such increase was observed in T. lunare, which maintained relatively high levels of UV absorbance at all times. P. amboinensis, in contrast to T. lunare, uses UV communication and thus must maintain UV transparent mucus to be able to display its UV patterns. The ability to rapidly alter the transparency of mucus could be an important adaptation in the trade off between protection from harmful UVR and UV communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Braun
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - R Reef
- Cambridge Coastal Research Unit, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| | - U E Siebeck
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
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Bellwood DR, Goatley CHR, Bellwood O. The evolution of fishes and corals on reefs: form, function and interdependence. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2016; 92:878-901. [PMID: 26970292 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Revised: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Coral reefs are renowned for their spectacular biodiversity and the close links between fishes and corals. Despite extensive fossil records and common biogeographic histories, the evolution of these two key groups has rarely been considered together. We therefore examine recent advances in molecular phylogenetics and palaeoecology, and place the evolution of fishes and corals in a functional context. In critically reviewing the available fossil and phylogenetic evidence, we reveal a marked congruence in the evolution of the two groups. Despite one group consisting of swimming vertebrates and the other colonial symbiotic invertebrates, fishes and corals have remarkably similar evolutionary histories. In the Paleocene and Eocene [66-34 million years ago (Ma)] most modern fish and coral families were present, and both were represented by a wide range of functional morphotypes. However, there is little evidence of diversification at this time. By contrast, in the Oligocene and Miocene (34-5.3 Ma), both groups exhibited rapid lineage diversification. There is also evidence of increasing reef area, occupation of new habitats, increasing coral cover, and potentially, increasing fish abundance. Functionally, the Oligocene-Miocene is marked by the appearance of new fish and coral taxa associated with high-turnover fast-growth ecosystems and the colonization of reef flats. It is in this period that the functional characteristics of modern coral reefs were established. Most species, however, only arose in the last 5.3 million years (Myr; Plio-Pleistocene), with the average age of fish species being 5.3 Myr, and corals just 1.9 Myr. While these species are genetically distinct, phenotypic differences are often limited to variation in colour or minor morphological features. This suggests that the rapid increase in biodiversity during the last 5.3 Myr was not matched by changes in ecosystem function. For reef fishes, colour appears to be central to recent diversification. However, the presence of pigment patterns in the Eocene suggests that colour may not have driven recent diversification. Furthermore, the lack of functional changes in fishes or corals over the last 5 Myr raises questions over the role and importance of biodiversity in shaping the future of coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Bellwood
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Christopher H R Goatley
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Orpha Bellwood
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
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25
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Kohda M, Jordan LA, Hotta T, Kosaka N, Karino K, Tanaka H, Taniyama M, Takeyama T. Facial Recognition in a Group-Living Cichlid Fish. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142552. [PMID: 26605789 PMCID: PMC4659603 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The theoretical underpinnings of the mechanisms of sociality, e.g. territoriality, hierarchy, and reciprocity, are based on assumptions of individual recognition. While behavioural evidence suggests individual recognition is widespread, the cues that animals use to recognise individuals are established in only a handful of systems. Here, we use digital models to demonstrate that facial features are the visual cue used for individual recognition in the social fish Neolamprologus pulcher. Focal fish were exposed to digital images showing four different combinations of familiar and unfamiliar face and body colorations. Focal fish attended to digital models with unfamiliar faces longer and from a further distance to the model than to models with familiar faces. These results strongly suggest that fish can distinguish individuals accurately using facial colour patterns. Our observations also suggest that fish are able to rapidly (≤ 0.5 sec) discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar individuals, a speed of recognition comparable to primates including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Kohda
- Laboratory of Animal Sociology, Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Sciences, Osaka City University, Sumiyoshi, Osaka 558–8585, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Lyndon Alexander Jordan
- Laboratory of Animal Sociology, Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Sciences, Osaka City University, Sumiyoshi, Osaka 558–8585, Japan
| | - Takashi Hotta
- Laboratory of Animal Sociology, Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Sciences, Osaka City University, Sumiyoshi, Osaka 558–8585, Japan
| | - Naoya Kosaka
- Laboratory of Animal Sociology, Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Sciences, Osaka City University, Sumiyoshi, Osaka 558–8585, Japan
| | - Kenji Karino
- Department of Biology, Tokyo Gakugei University, Koganei, Tokyo 184–8501, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Tanaka
- Laboratory of Animal Sociology, Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Sciences, Osaka City University, Sumiyoshi, Osaka 558–8585, Japan
| | - Masami Taniyama
- Laboratory of Animal Sociology, Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Sciences, Osaka City University, Sumiyoshi, Osaka 558–8585, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Takeyama
- Laboratory of Animal Sociology, Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Sciences, Osaka City University, Sumiyoshi, Osaka 558–8585, Japan
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26
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Phillips GAC, Carleton KL, Marshall NJ. Multiple Genetic Mechanisms Contribute to Visual Sensitivity Variation in the Labridae. Mol Biol Evol 2015; 33:201-15. [PMID: 26464127 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msv213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral reefs are one of the most spectrally diverse environments, both in terms of habitat and animal color. Species identity, sex, and camouflage are drivers of the phenotypic diversity seen in coral reef fishes, but how the phenotypic diversity is reflected in the genotype remains to be answered. The labrids are a large, polyphyletic family of coral reef fishes that display a diverse range of colors, including developmental color morphs and extensive behavioral ecologies. Here, we assess the opsin sequence and expression diversity among labrids from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. We found that labrids express a diverse palette of visual opsins, with gene duplications in both RH2 and LWS genes. The majority of opsins expressed were within the mid-to-long wavelength sensitive classes (RH2 and LWS). Three of the labrid species expressed SWS1 (ultra-violet sensitive) opsins with the majority expressing the violet-sensitive SWS2B gene and none expressing SWS2A. We used knowledge about spectral tuning sites to calculate approximate spectral sensitivities (λmax) for individual species' visual pigments, which corresponded well with previously published λmax values for closely related species (SWS1: 356-370 nm; SWS2B: 421-451 nm; RH2B: 452-492 nm; RH2A: 516-528 nm; LWS1: 554-555 nm; LWS2: 561-562 nm). In contrast to the phenotypic diversity displayed via color patterns and feeding ecology, there was little amino acid diversity within the known opsin sequence tuning sites. However, gene duplications and differential expression provide alternative mechanisms for tuning visual pigments, resulting in variable visual sensitivities among labrid species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - N Justin Marshall
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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27
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Martin M, Meylan S, Haussy C, Decencière B, Perret S, Le Galliard JF. UV color determines the issue of conflicts but does not covary with individual quality in a lizard. Behav Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arv149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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28
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Hiermes M, Vitt S, Rick IP, Bakker TCM. Shoal choice and ultraviolet reflections in stickleback populations from different photic habitats. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Meike Hiermes
- Institute for Evolutionary Biology and Ecology; University of Bonn; An der Immenburg 1 53121 Bonn Germany
| | - Simon Vitt
- Institute for Evolutionary Biology and Ecology; University of Bonn; An der Immenburg 1 53121 Bonn Germany
| | - Ingolf P. Rick
- Institute for Evolutionary Biology and Ecology; University of Bonn; An der Immenburg 1 53121 Bonn Germany
| | - Theo C. M. Bakker
- Institute for Evolutionary Biology and Ecology; University of Bonn; An der Immenburg 1 53121 Bonn Germany
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29
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Marshall KLA, Philpot KE, Stevens M. Conspicuous male coloration impairs survival against avian predators in Aegean wall lizards, Podarcis erhardii. Ecol Evol 2015; 5:4115-31. [PMID: 26442582 PMCID: PMC4588654 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal coloration is strikingly diverse in nature. Within-species color variation can arise through local adaptation for camouflage, sexual dimorphism and conspicuous sexual signals, which often have conflicting effects on survival. Here, we tested whether color variation between two island populations of Aegean wall lizards (Podarcis erhardii) is due to sexual dimorphism and differential survival of individuals varying in appearance. On both islands, we measured attack rates by wild avian predators on clay models matching the coloration of real male and female P. erhardii from each island population, modeled to avian predator vision. Avian predator attack rates differed among model treatments, although only on one island. Male-colored models, which were more conspicuous against their experimental backgrounds to avian predators, were accordingly detected and attacked more frequently by birds than less conspicuous female-colored models. This suggests that female coloration has evolved primarily under selection for camouflage, whereas sexually competing males exhibit costly conspicuous coloration. Unexpectedly, there was no difference in avian attack frequency between local and non-local model types. This may have arisen if the models did not resemble lizard coloration with sufficient precision, or if real lizards behaviorally choose backgrounds that improve camouflage. Overall, these results show that sexually dimorphic coloration can affect the risk of predator attacks, indicating that color variation within a species can be caused by interactions between natural and sexual selection. However, more work is needed to determine how these findings depend on the island environment that each population inhabits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Martin Stevens
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation University of Exeter Penryn Campus Penryn Cornwall TR10 9FE UK
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30
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Facing the environment: onset and development of UV markings in young fish. Sci Rep 2015; 5:13193. [PMID: 26282341 PMCID: PMC4539538 DOI: 10.1038/srep13193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Most colour patterns in animals represent an elegant compromise between conspicuousness to ensure effective communication with preferred receivers and camouflage to avoid attracting the attention of unwanted predators. Many species, including several coral reef fishes, overcome this conflict by using ultraviolet (UV) colouration and signalling, as these colours are visible only over short distances and are often invisible to their predators. Despite a great interest in their behavioural significance and ecological influence on survival, little is known about when these colours first develop on the bodies of free-living animals. Here we show for the first time that the UV facial patterns of a coral reef fish do not develop in captivity but only when juveniles experience the socio-behavioural conditions of their natural environment. Using field and laboratory experiments, we determined that the onset and early development of these UV facial markings did not occur at metamorphosis. Instead, juveniles developed the UV markings during their first two weeks on the reef. Exposure to different reef environments revealed significant plasticity in the development of these markings. The direct or indirect (through intraspecific interactions) exposure to predators is a likely candidate trigger for the plastic development of these UV markings in the wild.
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31
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Martin M, Meylan S, Perret S, Le Galliard JF. UV coloration influences spatial dominance but not agonistic behaviors in male wall lizards. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-015-1960-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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32
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Marshall KLA, Gluckman TL. The evolution of pattern camouflage strategies in waterfowl and game birds. Ecol Evol 2015; 5:1981-91. [PMID: 26045950 PMCID: PMC4449753 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Visual patterns are common in animals. A broad survey of the literature has revealed that different patterns have distinct functions. Irregular patterns (e.g., stipples) typically function in static camouflage, whereas regular patterns (e.g., stripes) have a dual function in both motion camouflage and communication. Moreover, irregular and regular patterns located on different body regions ("bimodal" patterning) can provide an effective compromise between camouflage and communication and/or enhanced concealment via both static and motion camouflage. Here, we compared the frequency of these three pattern types and traced their evolutionary history using Bayesian comparative modeling in aquatic waterfowl (Anseriformes: 118 spp.), which typically escape predators by flight, and terrestrial game birds (Galliformes: 170 spp.), which mainly use a "sit and hide" strategy to avoid predation. Given these life histories, we predicted that selection would favor regular patterning in Anseriformes and irregular or bimodal patterning in Galliformes and that pattern function complexity should increase over the course of evolution. Regular patterns were predominant in Anseriformes whereas regular and bimodal patterns were most frequent in Galliformes, suggesting that patterns with multiple functions are broadly favored by selection over patterns with a single function in static camouflage. We found that the first patterns to evolve were either regular or bimodal in Anseriformes and either irregular or regular in Galliformes. In both orders, irregular patterns could evolve into regular patterns but not the reverse. Our hypothesis of increasing complexity in pattern camouflage function was supported in Galliformes but not in Anseriformes. These results reveal a trajectory of pattern evolution linked to increasing function complexity in Galliformes although not in Anseriformes, suggesting that both ecology and function complexity can have a profound influence on pattern evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate L A Marshall
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Thanh-Lan Gluckman
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK ; Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia ; Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield Western Bank, S10 2TN, UK
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33
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Xu M, Fincke OM. Ultraviolet wing signal affects territorial contest outcome in a sexually dimorphic damselfly. Anim Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Gerlach T, Sprenger D, Michiels NK. Fairy wrasses perceive and respond to their deep red fluorescent coloration. Proc Biol Sci 2015; 281:rspb.2014.0787. [PMID: 24870049 PMCID: PMC4071555 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.0787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescence enables the display of wavelengths that are absent in the natural environment, offering the potential to generate conspicuous colour contrasts. The marine fairy wrasse Cirrhilabrus solorensis displays prominent fluorescence in the deep red range (650–700 nm). This is remarkable because marine fishes are generally assumed to have poor sensitivity in this part of the visual spectrum. Here, we investigated whether C. solorensis males can perceive the fluorescence featured in this species by testing whether the presence or absence of red fluorescence affects male–male interactions under exclusive blue illumination. Given that males respond aggressively towards mirror-image stimuli, we quantified agonistic behaviour against mirrors covered with filters that did or did not absorb long (i.e. red) wavelengths. Males showed significantly fewer agonistic responses when their fluorescent signal was masked, independent of brightness differences. Our results unequivocally show that C. solorensis can see its deep red fluorescent coloration and that this pattern affects male–male interactions. This is the first study to demonstrate that deep red fluorescent body coloration can be perceived and has behavioural significance in a reef fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Gerlach
- Animal Evolutionary Ecology Group, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28 E, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dennis Sprenger
- Animal Evolutionary Ecology Group, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28 E, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nico K Michiels
- Animal Evolutionary Ecology Group, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28 E, Tübingen, Germany
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35
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Crothers LR, Cummings ME. A multifunctional warning signal behaves as an agonistic status signal in a poison frog. Behav Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Levy K, Lerner A, Shashar N. Mate choice and body pattern variations in the Crown Butterfly fish Chaetodon paucifasciatus (Chaetodontidae). Biol Open 2014; 3:1245-51. [PMID: 25432516 PMCID: PMC4265763 DOI: 10.1242/bio.20149175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mate choice is an important ecological behavior in fish, and is often based on visual cues of body patterns. The Crown Butterfly fish Chaetodon paucifasciatus (Chaetodontidae) is a monogamist, territorial species; it swims in close proximity to its partner throughout most of its life. This species is characterized by a pattern of 6–8 vertical black stripes on a white background, on both sides of its body. Our aim was to define spatial features (variations) in body patterns by evaluating the level of dissimilarity between both sides of each individual fish, and the level of dissimilarity between patterns of different individuals. In addition, we tested whether the fish are attracted to or reject specific features of the body patterns. Features were defined and counted using photographs of body patterns. Attraction to or rejection of specific features were tested behaviorally using a dual-choice experiment of video animations of individuals swimming over a coral-reef background. We found that the patterns of each fish and sides of the body were no less dissimilar, compared intraspecificly to other fish, and that each side pattern was unique and distinguishable. Variations in the patterns occurred mostly in the last three posterior stripes. Individuals were mainly attracted to conspecifics with multiple crossing patterns (two or more consecutive crossings), and rejected patterns with holes. Our results suggest that in this species the unique body pattern of each fish is used for conspecific identification of mates and intruders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keren Levy
- Department of Life Sciences, Eilat Campus, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Amit Lerner
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR) Ltd., Tel-Shikmona, P.O.B., 8030, Haifa 31080, Israel
| | - Nadav Shashar
- Department of Life Sciences, Eilat Campus, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
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Siebeck UE, Wallis GM, Litherland L, Ganeshina O, Vorobyev M. Spectral and spatial selectivity of luminance vision in reef fish. Front Neural Circuits 2014; 8:118. [PMID: 25324727 PMCID: PMC4179750 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2014.00118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Luminance vision has high spatial resolution and is used for form vision and texture discrimination. In humans, birds and bees luminance channel is spectrally selective-it depends on the signals of the long-wavelength sensitive photoreceptors (bees) or on the sum of long- and middle-wavelength sensitive cones (humans), but not on the signal of the short-wavelength sensitive (blue) photoreceptors. The reasons of such selectivity are not fully understood. The aim of this study is to reveal the inputs of cone signals to high resolution luminance vision in reef fish. Sixteen freshly caught damselfish, Pomacentrus amboinensis, were trained to discriminate stimuli differing either in their color or in their fine patterns (stripes vs. cheques). Three colors ("bright green", "dark green" and "blue") were used to create two sets of color and two sets of pattern stimuli. The "bright green" and "dark green" were similar in their chromatic properties for fish, but differed in their lightness; the "dark green" differed from "blue" in the signal for the blue cone, but yielded similar signals in the long-wavelength and middle-wavelength cones. Fish easily learned to discriminate "bright green" from "dark green" and "dark green" from "blue" stimuli. Fish also could discriminate the fine patterns created from "dark green" and "bright green". However, fish failed to discriminate fine patterns created from "blue" and "dark green" colors, i.e., the colors that provided contrast for the blue-sensitive photoreceptor, but not for the long-wavelength sensitive one. High resolution luminance vision in damselfish, Pomacentrus amboinensis, does not have input from the blue-sensitive cone, which may indicate that the spectral selectivity of luminance channel is a general feature of visual processing in both aquatic and terrestrial animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike E Siebeck
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Guy Michael Wallis
- Centre for Sensorimotor Neuroscience, School of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lenore Litherland
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Olga Ganeshina
- Department of Optometry and Visual Science, Auckland University Auckland, AU, New Zealand
| | - Misha Vorobyev
- Department of Optometry and Visual Science, Auckland University Auckland, AU, New Zealand
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Frédérich B, Olivier D, Litsios G, Alfaro ME, Parmentier E. Trait decoupling promotes evolutionary diversification of the trophic and acoustic system of damselfishes. Proc Biol Sci 2014; 281:20141047. [PMID: 24990683 PMCID: PMC4100519 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.1047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Trait decoupling, wherein evolutionary release of constraints permits specialization of formerly integrated structures, represents a major conceptual framework for interpreting patterns of organismal diversity. However, few empirical tests of this hypothesis exist. A central prediction, that the tempo of morphological evolution and ecological diversification should increase following decoupling events, remains inadequately tested. In damselfishes (Pomacentridae), a ceratomandibular ligament links the hyoid bar and lower jaws, coupling two main morphofunctional units directly involved in both feeding and sound production. Here, we test the decoupling hypothesis by examining the evolutionary consequences of the loss of the ceratomandibular ligament in multiple damselfish lineages. As predicted, we find that rates of morphological evolution of trophic structures increased following the loss of the ligament. However, this increase in evolutionary rate is not associated with an increase in trophic breadth, but rather with morphofunctional specialization for the capture of zooplanktonic prey. Lineages lacking the ceratomandibular ligament also shows different acoustic signals (i.e. higher variation of pulse periods) from others, resulting in an increase of the acoustic diversity across the family. Our results support the idea that trait decoupling can increase morphological and behavioural diversity through increased specialization rather than the generation of novel ecotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Frédérich
- Laboratoire de Morphologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Applied and Fundamental Fish Research Center, Université de Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Damien Olivier
- Laboratoire de Morphologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Applied and Fundamental Fish Research Center, Université de Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Glenn Litsios
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Génopode, Quartier Sorge, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michael E Alfaro
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Eric Parmentier
- Laboratoire de Morphologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Applied and Fundamental Fish Research Center, Université de Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
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Bohórquez-Alonso ML, Molina-Borja M. Reflectance of sexually dichromatic UV-blue patches varies during the breeding season and between two subspecies ofGallotia galloti(Squamata: Lacertidae). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martha L. Bohórquez-Alonso
- Grupo de investigación ‘Etología y Ecología del Comportamiento’; Departamento de Biología Animal; Facultad de Biología; Universidad de La Laguna; Tenerife Canary Islands Spain
| | - Miguel Molina-Borja
- Grupo de investigación ‘Etología y Ecología del Comportamiento’; Departamento de Biología Animal; Facultad de Biología; Universidad de La Laguna; Tenerife Canary Islands Spain
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Marshall KLA, Stevens M. Wall lizards display conspicuous signals to conspecifics and reduce detection by avian predators. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 25:1325-1337. [PMID: 25419083 PMCID: PMC4235580 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2014] [Revised: 06/14/2014] [Accepted: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Visual signals are often under conflicting selection to be hidden from predators while being conspicuous to mates and rivals. Here, we investigated whether 3 different island populations of Aegean wall lizards (Podarcis erhardii) with variable coloration among diverse island habitats exhibit simultaneous camouflage and sexual signals. We examined whether signals appear better tuned to conspecific vision as opposed to that of avian predators, and whether background-matching camouflage and sexual signals are partitioned to specific body regions. This could facilitate both covert sexual signaling and camouflage according to the viewing perspectives of predators and conspecifics. We found that lizards typically appeared twice as conspicuous to conspecifics than to avian predators against the same visual background, largely due to lizards’ enhanced sensitivity to ultraviolet, suggesting that P. erhardii signals are tuned to conspecific vision to reduce detection by predators. Males were more conspicuous than females to both predators and conspecifics. In 2 populations, male backs were relatively more camouflaged to predators compared to signaling flanks, whereas in females, exposed and concealed surfaces were camouflaged to predators and generally did not differ in background matching. These findings indicate that lizard coloration evolves under the competing demands of natural and sexual selection to promote signals that are visible to conspecifics while being less perceptible to avian predators. They also elucidate how interactions between natural and sexual selection influence signal detectability and partitioning to different body regions, highlighting the importance of considering receiver vision, viewing perspectives, and signaling environments in studies of signal evolution. Lizards and their predators see the world differently, allowing lizards (Podarcis erhardii) to display bright sexual signals that are less visible to hunting birds. Males are more conspicuous than females, but reduce their visibility to predators by having camouflaged backs and restricting brighter signals to their sides, which makes them less visible to birds hunting from above while still being highly visible to mates and rivals on the ground.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin Stevens
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter , Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE , UK
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Affiliation(s)
- Csilla Ari
- Foundation for the Oceans of the Future; Budapest 1108 Hungary
- Hyperbaric Biomedical Research Laboratory; Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology; University of South Florida; Tampa FL 33612 USA
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Boyle KS, Tricas TC. Discrimination of mates and intruders: visual and olfactory cues for a monogamous territorial coral reef butterflyfish. Anim Behav 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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43
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Schluessel V, Beil O, Weber T, Bleckmann H. Symmetry perception in bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium griseum) and Malawi cichlids (Pseudotropheus sp.). Anim Cogn 2014; 17:1187-205. [DOI: 10.1007/s10071-014-0751-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Revised: 04/07/2014] [Accepted: 04/20/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Pérez i de Lanuza G, Carazo P, Font E. Colours of quality: structural (but not pigment) coloration informs about male quality in a polychromatic lizard. Anim Behav 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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45
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Bedore CN, Loew ER, Frank TM, Hueter RE, McComb DM, Kajiura SM. A physiological analysis of color vision in batoid elasmobranchs. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2013; 199:1129-41. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-013-0855-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2013] [Revised: 08/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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47
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Spawning coordination of mates in a shell brooding cichlid. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY 2012; 2012:517849. [PMID: 22928149 PMCID: PMC3425056 DOI: 10.1155/2012/517849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2012] [Revised: 04/27/2012] [Accepted: 05/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Aim. External fertilisation requires synchronisation of gamete release between the two sexes. Adequate synchronisation is essential in aquatic media because sperm is very short-lived in water. In the cichlid Lamprologus callipterus, fertilisation of the eggs takes place inside an empty snail shell, where females stay inside the shell and males have to ejaculate into the shell opening. This spawning pattern makes the coordination of gamete release difficult. Methods. This study examined the synchronisation of males and females during egg laying. Results. The results showed that the male initiates each spawning sequence and that sperm release and egg laying are very well synchronised. 68% of all sperm releases occurred at exactly the same time when the female laid an egg, and 99% of ejaculations occurred within ±5 seconds from egg deposition. On average 95 eggs are laid one by one with intervals of several minutes between subsequent eggs, leading to a total spawning duration in excess of six hours. Conclusions. We discuss this exceptional spawning pattern and how it might reflect a conflict between the sexes, with males attempting to induce egg laying and females extending the egg laying period to raise the chance for parasitic males to participate in spawning.
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Secondi J, Lepetz V, Théry M. Male attractiveness is influenced by UV wavelengths in a newt species but not in its close relative. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30391. [PMID: 22272342 PMCID: PMC3260282 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2011] [Accepted: 12/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional communication in the UV range has been reported in Invertebrates and all major groups of Vertebrates but Amphibians. Although perception in this wavelength range has been shown in a few species, UV signalling has not been demonstrated in this group. One reason may be that in lentic freshwater habitats, litter decomposition generates dissolved organic carbon that absorbs UV radiation and thus hinders its use for visual signalling. We tested the effect of male UV characteristics on female sexual preference in two newt species that experience contrasting levels of UV water transmission when breeding. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We analysed water spectral characteristics of a sample of breeding ponds in both species. We quantified male ventral coloration and measured male attractiveness under two lighting conditions (UV present, UV absent) using a no-choice female preference design. UV transmission was higher in Lissotriton vulgaris breeding sites. Male UV patterns also differed between experimental males of the two species. We observed a first common peak around 333 nm, higher in L. vulgaris, and a second peak around 397 nm, more frequent and higher in L. helveticus. Male attractiveness was significantly reduced in L. vulgaris when UV was not available but not in L. helveticus. Male attractiveness depended on the hue of the first UV peak in L. vulgaris. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE Our study is the first report of functional UV-based communication in Amphibians. Interestingly, male spectral characteristics and female preferences were consistent with the differences in habitat observed between the two species as L. helveticus often breeds in ponds containing more UV blocking compounds. We discuss the three hypotheses proposed so far for UV signalling in animals (enhanced signal detectability, private communication channel, indicator of individual quality).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Secondi
- GECCO, Group Ecology and Conservation of Vertebrates, University of Angers, Angers, France.
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49
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Midamegbe A, Grégoire A, Perret P, Doutrelant C. Female–female aggressiveness is influenced by female coloration in blue tits. Anim Behav 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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50
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Bajer K, Molnár O, Török J, Herczeg G. Ultraviolet nuptial colour determines fight success in male European green lizards (Lacerta viridis). Biol Lett 2011; 7:866-8. [PMID: 21715397 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2011.0520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal communication through colour signals is a central theme in sexual selection. Structural colours can be just as costly and honest signals as pigment-based colours. Ultraviolet (UV) is a structural colour that can be important both in intrasexual competition and mate choice. However, it is still unknown if a UV signal alone can determine the outcome of male-male fights. European green lizard (Lacerta viridis) males develop a nuptial throat coloration with a strong UV component. Among males differing only in their manipulated UV colour, females prefer males with higher UV. Here, we experimentally decreased the UV coloration of randomly chosen males from otherwise similar male pairs to test the hypothesis that a difference in UV colour alone can affect fight success during male-male competition. Our results fully supported the hypotheses: in almost 90 per cent of the contests the male with reduced UV lost the fight. Our results show that UV can be an important signal, affecting both female mate choice and determining male fight success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Bajer
- Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
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