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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: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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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Abstract
Abstract
Aggression is costly, and animals have evolved tactics to mitigate these costs. Submission signals are an underappreciated example of such adaptations. Here we review submissive behaviour, with an emphasis on non-primates. We highlight the design of submission signals and how such signals can reduce costs. Animal societies necessitate frequent social interactions, which can increase the probability of conflict. Where maintaining group proximity is essential, animals cannot avoid aggression by fleeing. Mutual interest between group members may also select for efficient conflict avoidance and resolution mechanisms. As a result, submission signals may be especially well developed among group living species, helping social animals to overcome potential costs of recurring conflict that could otherwise counter the benefits of group living. Therefore, submission signalling can be a crucial aspect of social living and is deserving of specific attention within the broader context of social evolution and communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam R. Reddon
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tommaso Ruberto
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Simon M. Reader
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Woo KL, Rieucau G, Burke D. Computer-animated stimuli to measure motion sensitivity: constraints on signal design in the Jacky dragon. Curr Zool 2018; 63:75-84. [PMID: 29491965 PMCID: PMC5804146 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zow074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying perceptual thresholds is critical for understanding the mechanisms that underlie signal evolution. Using computer-animated stimuli, we examined visual speed sensitivity in the Jacky dragon Amphibolurus muricatus, a species that makes extensive use of rapid motor patterns in social communication. First, focal lizards were tested in discrimination trials using random-dot kinematograms displaying combinations of speed, coherence, and direction. Second, we measured subject lizards’ ability to predict the appearance of a secondary reinforcer (1 of 3 different computer-generated animations of invertebrates: cricket, spider, and mite) based on the direction of movement of a field of drifting dots by following a set of behavioural responses (e.g., orienting response, latency to respond) to our virtual stimuli. We found an effect of both speed and coherence, as well as an interaction between these 2 factors on the perception of moving stimuli. Overall, our results showed that Jacky dragons have acute sensitivity to high speeds. We then employed an optic flow analysis to match the performance to ecologically relevant motion. Our results suggest that the Jacky dragon visual system may have been shaped to detect fast motion. This pre-existing sensitivity may have constrained the evolution of conspecific displays. In contrast, Jacky dragons may have difficulty in detecting the movement of ambush predators, such as snakes and of some invertebrate prey. Our study also demonstrates the potential of the computer-animated stimuli technique for conducting nonintrusive tests to explore motion range and sensitivity in a visually mediated species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin L Woo
- SUNY Empire State College, Metropolitan Center, 325 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10013-1005, USADepartment of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 Northeast 151 St, North Miami, FL 33181, USA,School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, 10 Chittaway Road, Ourimbah, New South Wales, 2258, Australia
| | - Guillaume Rieucau
- SUNY Empire State College, Metropolitan Center, 325 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10013-1005, USADepartment of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 Northeast 151 St, North Miami, FL 33181, USA,School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, 10 Chittaway Road, Ourimbah, New South Wales, 2258, Australia
| | - Darren Burke
- SUNY Empire State College, Metropolitan Center, 325 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10013-1005, USADepartment of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 Northeast 151 St, North Miami, FL 33181, USA,School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, 10 Chittaway Road, Ourimbah, New South Wales, 2258, Australia
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Pepper M, Barquero MD, Whiting MJ, Keogh JS. A multi-locus molecular phylogeny for Australia’s iconic Jacky Dragon (Agamidae: Amphibolurus muricatus): Phylogeographic structure along the Great Dividing Range of south-eastern Australia. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2014; 71:149-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2013.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2013] [Revised: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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