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Choi N, Mathevon N, Hebets EA, Beauchaud M. Influence of ambient water coloration on habitat and conspecific choice in the female Lake Malawi cichlid, Metriaclima zebra. Curr Zool 2024; 70:214-224. [PMID: 38726246 PMCID: PMC11078059 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoad015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Female cichlid fish living in African great lakes are known to have sensory systems that are adapted to ambient light environments. These sensory system adaptations are hypothesized to have influenced the evolution of the diverse male nuptial coloration. In rock-dwelling Lake Malawi mbuna cichlids, however, the extent to which ambient light environments influence female sensory systems and potentially associated male nuptial coloration remains unknown. Yet, the ubiquitous blue flank coloration and UV reflection of male mbuna cichlids suggest the potential impacts of the blue-shifted ambient light environment on these cichlid's visual perception and male nuptial coloration in the shallow water depth in Lake Malawi. In the present study, we explored whether and how the sensory bias of females influences intersexual communication in the mbuna cichlid, Metriaclima zebra. A series of choice experiments in various light environments showed that M. zebra females 1) have a preference for the blue-shifted light environment, 2) prefer to interact with males in blue-shifted light environments, 3) do not show a preference between dominant and subordinate males in full-spectrum, long-wavelength filtered, and short-wavelength filtered light environments, and 4) show a "reversed" preference for subordinate males in the UV-filtered light environment. These results suggest that the visual perception of M. zebra females may be biased to the ambient light spectra in their natural habitat by local adaptation and that this sensory bias may influence the evolution of blue and UV reflective patterns in male nuptial coloration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noori Choi
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
- ENES Bioacoustics Research Laboratory, CRNL, CNRS, Inserm, Université de Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Nicolas Mathevon
- ENES Bioacoustics Research Laboratory, CRNL, CNRS, Inserm, Université de Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Eileen A Hebets
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Marilyn Beauchaud
- ENES Bioacoustics Research Laboratory, CRNL, CNRS, Inserm, Université de Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
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2
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Mosharo KK, Lobel PS. A comparison of underwater speakers for fish playback studiesa). THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 154:2365-2382. [PMID: 37850833 DOI: 10.1121/10.0021307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic playback is a key method used to determine the behavioral significance of animal sounds, including fishes. This study presents the first comparison of the acoustic quality of underwater speakers for the playback of fish sounds. Seven underwater acoustic playback systems were tested for their ability to accurately reproduce the low frequency, pulsed, courtship sounds of a small fish, Tramitichromis intermedius (Cichlidae). Results indicated that in an aquarium with low ambient noise and at low amplitude playback levels (<120 dB re 1 μPa), the Clark Synthesis speakers were the best choice for playback at moderate distances (>20 cm), and that the Electro-Voice UW30 was the best speaker for short distance (<20 cm) playback of low frequency fish sounds. However, in aquaria with higher levels of ambient noise and at higher amplitude playback levels, the Clark Synthesis speakers performed best. However, none of these speaker systems reproduced a high-fidelity quality fish sound. It is important when using underwater speakers for behavioral studies that there is a careful assessment of the played back sound and comparison to the original sound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn K Mosharo
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Phillip S Lobel
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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3
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Winberg S, Sneddon L. Impact of intraspecific variation in teleost fishes: aggression, dominance status and stress physiology. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:278485. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.169250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Dominance-based social hierarchies are common among teleost fishes. The rank of an animal greatly affects its behaviour, physiology and development. The outcome of fights for social dominance is affected by heritable factors and previous social experience. Divergent stress-coping styles have been demonstrated in a large number of teleosts, and fish displaying a proactive coping style have an advantage in fights for social dominance. Coping style has heritable components, but it appears to be largely determined by environmental factors, especially social experience. Agonistic behaviour is controlled by the brain's social decision-making network, and its monoaminergic systems play important roles in modifying the activity of this neuronal network. In this Review, we discuss the development of dominance hierarchies, how social rank is signalled through visual and chemical cues, and the neurobiological mechanisms controlling or correlating with agonistic behaviour. We also consider the effects of social interactions on the welfare of fish reared in captivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svante Winberg
- Uppsala University 1 Behavioural Neuroendocrinology, Department of Medical Cell Biology , , 751 23 Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Lynne Sneddon
- University of Gothenburg 2 Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences , , PO Box: 463, 405 31 Gothenburg , Sweden
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4
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Dussenne M, Delcourt J, Poncin P, Cornil CA, Parmentier E. Impact of temperature-induced sex reversal on behavior and sound production in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Horm Behav 2022; 142:105173. [PMID: 35550986 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
In some fish species, sex is determined by the combination of genetic and environmental factors. In most species concerned, extreme temperatures during the sensitive period of sex differentiation drives masculinization, independently of the female sex chromosomes. In Nile tilapia (XY male heterogamety), XX juveniles exposed to high temperatures (>32 °C) can masculinize and become phenotypical males (neomales). Whether these neomales exhibit a different behavior than XY males remains however unclear. Sex reversal being naturally relevant, we investigated the agonistic behavior of neomales during dyadic fights and the preference of gravid females for one of the two male types. We quantified the behavior, size of the nest, hormone circulating levels (testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone and cortisol) and sound production of the two male types in both contexts. Independently of the individual they face, neomales seem to display more aggressive behaviors than XY males but often fail to become dominant. Agonistic interactions were mainly silent, suggesting that sounds are unnecessary for the establishment of social hierarchy. Although males and neomales produce different kinds of sounds when facing a gravid female, the female does not exhibit a preference. Overall, no differences were observed for hormone circulating concentrations between the two male types. We suggest that the sex chromosomes and/or the sex reversal procedure may have differently shaped the brain of neomales, resulting in differences in the expression of behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Dussenne
- Neuroendocrinology Laboratory, GIGA Neurosciences, avenue Hippocrate, 15 (B36), University of Liege, Liege, Belgium; Aquaculture Research and Education Center (CEFRA), University of Liege, Tihange, Belgium; Laboratory of Functional and Evolutionary Morphology, UR FOCUS, Allée du Six Août 11, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium; Behavioural Biology group, Laboratory of Fish and Amphibian Ethology, Quai Van Beneden 22, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium.
| | - J Delcourt
- Behavioural Biology group, Laboratory of Fish and Amphibian Ethology, Quai Van Beneden 22, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - P Poncin
- Behavioural Biology group, Laboratory of Fish and Amphibian Ethology, Quai Van Beneden 22, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - C A Cornil
- Neuroendocrinology Laboratory, GIGA Neurosciences, avenue Hippocrate, 15 (B36), University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - E Parmentier
- Laboratory of Functional and Evolutionary Morphology, UR FOCUS, Allée du Six Août 11, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
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5
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Akian DD, Yao K, Parmentier E, Joassard L, Clota F, Baroiller JF, Lozano P, Chatain B, Bégout ML. Acoustic signals produced by Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and black-chinned tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron during intra- and interspecific pairings. ZOOLOGY 2020; 143:125831. [PMID: 32949976 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2020.125831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We characterised, for the first-time, the sound production of black-chinned tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron and show differences with that of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus in a hybridization pairing context. Although both species were able to produce drum sounds, they showed different acoustic features. Drum sounds were produced in aggressive (chasing or lateral attack) and non-aggressive (courtship) contexts by O. niloticus but only in aggressive situations (fleeing or avoidance) by S. melanotheron. The second type of sounds produced by O. niloticus were grunts, produced in both aggressive (chasing and after biting) and non-aggressive contexts (nest building). The second type of sound produced by S. melanotheron was a rolling sound, produced only during courtship. Each species was able to produce common sounds (drum) and species-specific sounds (grunts and rolling). This implies that species can communicate without being able to understand each other because the sounds emitted may probably have different significance. Drumming corresponded only to aggressivity in S. melanotheron, whereas this was not true for O. niloticus. 11-ketotestosterone (11-kt) levels were significantly higher in male O. niloticus than male S. melanotheron, but there was no significant correlation between 11-kt or estradiol concentrations and the number of sounds produced in aggressive or non-aggressive behavioural contexts in either species. During interspecies interactions, O. niloticus drum sounds are likely considered to be aggressive by S. melanotheron and could potentially constitute a reproductive barrier between the two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieudonné Djétouan Akian
- Département Eaux, Forêts et Environnement, Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët Boigny, BP 1313, Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire; Laboratoire de Biologie et Cytologie Animales, Unité de Formation et de Recherche Science de la Nature, Université Nangui-Abrogoua, 02 BP 801, Abidjan 02, Cote d'Ivoire; Laboratoire Ressources Halieutiques, Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer, L'Houmeau, 17137, France
| | - Kouakou Yao
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Cytologie Animales, Unité de Formation et de Recherche Science de la Nature, Université Nangui-Abrogoua, 02 BP 801, Abidjan 02, Cote d'Ivoire
| | - Eric Parmentier
- Laboratoire de Morphologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, AFFISH, Institut de chimie- B6C, Université de Liège, Sart Tilman, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Lucette Joassard
- Laboratoire Ressources Halieutiques, Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer, L'Houmeau, 17137, France
| | - Frédéric Clota
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Jean-François Baroiller
- Unité Mixte de Recherche 116, Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier, Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Montpellier, France
| | - Paul Lozano
- Unité Mixte de Recherche 116, Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier, Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Montpellier, France
| | - Béatrice Chatain
- MARBEC, Université Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Chemin de Maguelone, 34250, Palavas-les-Flots, France
| | - Marie-Laure Bégout
- Laboratoire Ressources Halieutiques, Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer, L'Houmeau, 17137, France; MARBEC, Université Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Chemin de Maguelone, 34250, Palavas-les-Flots, France.
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6
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Wiens JJ, Tuschhoff E. Songs versus colours versus horns: what explains the diversity of sexually selected traits? Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:847-864. [PMID: 32092241 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Papers on sexual selection often highlight the incredible diversity of sexually selected traits across animals. Yet, few studies have tried to explain why this diversity evolved. Animals use many different types of traits to attract mates and outcompete rivals, including colours, songs, and horns, but it remains unclear why, for example, some taxa have songs, others have colours, and others horns. Here, we first conduct a systematic survey of the basic diversity and distribution of different types of sexually selected signals and weapons across the animal Tree of Life. Based on this survey, we describe seven major patterns in trait diversity and distributions. We then discuss 10 unanswered questions raised by these patterns, and how they might be addressed. One major pattern is that most types of sexually selected signals and weapons are apparently absent from most animal phyla (88%), in contrast to the conventional wisdom that a diversity of sexually selected traits is present across animals. Furthermore, most trait diversity is clustered in Arthropoda and Chordata, but only within certain clades. Within these clades, many different types of traits have evolved, and many types appear to have evolved repeatedly. By contrast, other major arthropod and chordate clades appear to lack all or most trait types, and similar patterns are repeated at smaller phylogenetic scales (e.g. within insects). Although most research on sexual selection focuses on female choice, we find similar numbers of traits (among sampled species) are involved in male contests (44%) and female choice (55%). Overall, these patterns are largely unexplained and unexplored, as are many other fundamental questions about the evolution of these traits. We suggest that understanding the diversity of sexually selected traits may require a shift towards macroevolutionary studies at relatively deep timescales (e.g. tens to hundreds of millions of years ago).
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Wiens
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0088, U.S.A
| | - E Tuschhoff
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0088, U.S.A
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7
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Amorim MCP, Fonseca PJ, Mathevon N, Beauchaud M. Assessment of fighting ability in the vocal cichlid Metriaclima zebra in face of incongruent audiovisual information. Biol Open 2019; 8:8/12/bio043356. [PMID: 31852657 PMCID: PMC6955207 DOI: 10.1242/bio.043356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Information transfer between individuals typically depends on multiple sensory channels. Yet, how multi-sensory inputs shape adaptive behavioural decisions remains largely unexplored. We tested the relative importance of audio and visual sensory modalities in opponent size assessment in the vocal cichlid fish, Metriaclima zebra, by playing back mismatched agonistic sounds mimicking larger or smaller opponents during fights of size-matched males. Trials consisted in three 5-min periods: PRE (visual), PBK (acoustic+visual) and POST (visual). During PBK agonistic sounds of smaller (high frequency or low amplitude) or larger (low frequency or high amplitude) males were played back interactively. As a control, we used white noise and silence. We show that sound frequency but not amplitude affects aggression, indicating that spectral cues reliably signal fighting ability. In addition, males reacted to the contrasting audio-visual information by giving prevalence to the sensory channel signalling a larger opponent. Our results suggest that fish can compare the relevance of information provided by different sensory inputs to make behavioural decisions during fights, which ultimately contributes to their individual fitness. These findings have implications for our understanding of the role of multi-sensory inputs in shaping behavioural output during conflicts in vertebrates. Summary: Cichlid fish rely on the sensory channel indicating higher risk when facing incongruent visual and acoustic information during opponent assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Clara P Amorim
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA-Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paulo J Fonseca
- Departamento de Biologia Animal and cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nicolas Mathevon
- Equipe de Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle ENES/CRNL, University of Lyon/Saint-Etienne, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM UMR_S 1028, 42023 Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Marilyn Beauchaud
- Equipe de Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle ENES/CRNL, University of Lyon/Saint-Etienne, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM UMR_S 1028, 42023 Saint-Etienne, France
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8
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Novak A, Cisar P, Bruneau M, Lotton P, Simon L. Localization of sound-producing fish in a water-filled tank. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 146:4842. [PMID: 31893704 DOI: 10.1121/1.5138607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, the authors introduce an algorithm for locating sound-producing fish in a small rectangular tank that can be used, e.g., in behavioral bioacoustical studies to determine which fish in a group is sound-producing. The technique consists of locating a single sound source in the tank using signals gathered by four hydrophones placed in the tank together with a group of fish under study. The localization algorithm used in this paper is based on a ratio of two spectra ratios: the spectra ratio between the sound pressure measured by hydrophones at two locations and the spectra ratio between the theoretical Green's functions at the same locations. The results are compared to a localization based on image processing technique and with video recordings acquired synchronously with the acoustic recordings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonin Novak
- Laboratoire d'Acoustique de l'Université du Mans (LAUM, UMR CNRS 6613), 72000 Le Mans, France
| | - Petr Cisar
- Laboratory of Signal and Image Processing, Institute of Complex Systems, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in České Budĕjovice, Zámek 136, Nové Hrady 37333, Czech Republic
| | - Michel Bruneau
- Laboratoire d'Acoustique de l'Université du Mans (LAUM, UMR CNRS 6613), 72000 Le Mans, France
| | - Pierrick Lotton
- Laboratoire d'Acoustique de l'Université du Mans (LAUM, UMR CNRS 6613), 72000 Le Mans, France
| | - Laurent Simon
- Laboratoire d'Acoustique de l'Université du Mans (LAUM, UMR CNRS 6613), 72000 Le Mans, France
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9
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Evolution of acoustic communication in blind cavefish. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4231. [PMID: 31530801 PMCID: PMC6748933 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12078-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Acoustic communication allows the exchange of information within specific contexts and during specific behaviors. The blind, cave-adapted and the sighted, river-dwelling morphs of the species Astyanax mexicanus have evolved in markedly different environments. During their evolution in darkness, cavefish underwent a series of morphological, physiological and behavioral changes, allowing the study of adaptation to drastic environmental change. Here we discover that Astyanax is a sonic species, in the laboratory and in the wild, with sound production depending on the social contexts and the type of morph. We characterize one sound, the "Sharp Click", as a visually-triggered sound produced by dominant surface fish during agonistic behaviors and as a chemosensory-, food odor-triggered sound produced by cavefish during foraging. Sharp Clicks also elicit different reactions in the two morphs in play-back experiments. Our results demonstrate that acoustic communication does exist and has evolved in cavefish, accompanying the evolution of its behaviors.
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10
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Cox K, Brennan LP, Gerwing TG, Dudas SE, Juanes F. Sound the alarm: A meta-analysis on the effect of aquatic noise on fish behavior and physiology. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2018; 24:3105-3116. [PMID: 29476641 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The aquatic environment is increasingly bombarded by a wide variety of noise pollutants whose range and intensity are increasing with each passing decade. Yet, little is known about how aquatic noise affects marine communities. To determine the implications that changes to the soundscape may have on fishes, a meta-analysis was conducted focusing on the ramifications of noise on fish behavior and physiology. Our meta-analysis identified 42 studies that produced 2,354 data points, which in turn indicated that anthropogenic noise negatively affects fish behavior and physiology. The most predominate responses occurred within foraging ability, predation risk, and reproductive success. Additionally, anthropogenic noise was shown to increase the hearing thresholds and cortisol levels of numerous species while tones, biological, and environmental noise were most likely to affect complex movements and swimming abilities. These findings suggest that the majority of fish species are sensitive to changes in the aquatic soundscape, and depending on the noise source, species responses may have extreme and negative fitness consequences. As such, this global synthesis should serve as a warning of the potentially dire consequences facing marine ecosystems if alterations to aquatic soundscapes continue on their current trajectory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran Cox
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Hakai Institute, Calvert Island, BC, Canada
- Department of Biology, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC, Canada
| | | | - Travis G Gerwing
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Hakai Institute, Calvert Island, BC, Canada
- Ecosystem Science and Management Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC, Canada
| | - Sarah E Dudas
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Hakai Institute, Calvert Island, BC, Canada
- Department of Biology, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC, Canada
| | - Francis Juanes
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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11
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Kéver L, Parmentier E, Derycke S, Verheyen E, Snoeks J, Van Steenberge M, Poncin P. Limited possibilities for prezygotic barriers in the reproductive behaviour of sympatric Ophthalmotilapia species (Teleostei, Cichlidae). ZOOLOGY 2018; 126:71-81. [PMID: 29307727 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Since prezygotic rather than postzygotic barriers are believed to maintain the diversity of closely related sympatric cichlids, differences in phenotypic traits and reproductive behaviours are likely involved in maintaining species boundaries. Here, we focused on the reproductive behaviour of three Ophthalmotilapia species with distributions that only overlap on a small stretch of the shore line of Lake Tanganyika. Repeated introgression of mitochondrial DNA between these species was previously reported, which suggested they can hybridise. Our aim is to test the hypothesis that reproductive behaviour acts as a prezygotic barrier that prevents frequent hybridisation in sympatric Ophthalmotilapia species. We performed a quantitative analysis of twelve reproductions (four for O. ventralis, six for O. nasuta, one for O. boops, and one between a female O. ventralis and a male O. nasuta). Although similar ethograms were obtained for these reproductions, the O. ventralis and O. boops males displayed a behaviour that was never performed by O. nasuta males. This behaviour was displayed during courtship and we called it 'invite'. In O. ventralis, we could show that it was associated with the emission of a single pulse sound. The comparison of O. nasuta and O. ventralis reproductive behaviours also revealed some quantitative differences: O. ventralis males showed the location of the bower more often to the female, whereas O. ventralis females followed the male more often. The similarity between the reproductive behaviours in O. ventralis and O. nasuta could explain the occurrence of the heterospecific spawning event recorded between an O. nasuta male and an O. ventralis female. Importantly, few eggs were laid and the maternal mouthbrooding that resulted from this heterospecific reproduction only lasted for two days, which suggested the abortion of egg development. Hence, in the absence of conspecifics, courtship and mating behaviours alone do not constitute perfect prezygotic barriers between these two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loïc Kéver
- Laboratory of Fish and Amphibian Ethology, Behavioural Biology Unit, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium; Laboratory of Functional and Evolutionary Morphology, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
| | - Eric Parmentier
- Laboratory of Functional and Evolutionary Morphology, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Sofie Derycke
- Operational Directorate Taxonomy and phylogeny, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Erik Verheyen
- Operational Directorate Taxonomy and phylogeny, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jos Snoeks
- Section Vertebrates, Ichthyology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, 3080 Tervuren, Belgium; Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maarten Van Steenberge
- Operational Directorate Taxonomy and phylogeny, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; Section Vertebrates, Ichthyology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, 3080 Tervuren, Belgium; Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pascal Poncin
- Laboratory of Fish and Amphibian Ethology, Behavioural Biology Unit, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
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12
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Chabrolles L, Ben Ammar I, Fernandez MS, Boyer N, Attia J, Fonseca PJ, Amorim MCP, Beauchaud M. Appraisal of unimodal cues during agonistic interactions in Maylandia zebra. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3643. [PMID: 28785523 PMCID: PMC5543927 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Communication is essential during social interactions including animal conflicts and it is often a complex process involving multiple sensory channels or modalities. To better understand how different modalities interact during communication, it is fundamental to study the behavioural responses to both the composite multimodal signal and each unimodal component with adequate experimental protocols. Here we test how an African cichlid, which communicates with multiple senses, responds to different sensory stimuli in a social relevant scenario. We tested Maylandia zebra males with isolated chemical (urine or holding water coming both from dominant males), visual (real opponent or video playback) and acoustic (agonistic sounds) cues during agonistic interactions. We showed that (1) these fish relied mostly on the visual modality, showing increased aggressiveness in response to the sight of a real contestant but no responses to urine or agonistic sounds presented separately, (2) video playback in our study did not appear appropriate to test the visual modality and needs more technical prospecting, (3) holding water provoked territorial behaviours and seems to be promising for the investigation into the role of the chemical channel in this species. Our findings suggest that unimodal signals are non-redundant but how different sensory modalities interplay during communication remains largely unknown in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Chabrolles
- Equipe Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, ENES/Neuro-PSI CNRS UMR 9197, Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Imen Ben Ammar
- Equipe Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, ENES/Neuro-PSI CNRS UMR 9197, Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Marie S.A. Fernandez
- Equipe Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, ENES/Neuro-PSI CNRS UMR 9197, Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
- INRIA, Beagle, Université de Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Nicolas Boyer
- Equipe Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, ENES/Neuro-PSI CNRS UMR 9197, Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Joël Attia
- Equipe Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, ENES/Neuro-PSI CNRS UMR 9197, Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Paulo J. Fonseca
- Departamento de Biologia Animal and cE3c—Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - M. Clara P. Amorim
- MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA, Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marilyn Beauchaud
- Equipe Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, ENES/Neuro-PSI CNRS UMR 9197, Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
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13
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Wackermannova MA, Horky P, Amorim MCP, Fonseca PJ. Computer-manipulated stimuli as a research tool in Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus. Acta Ethol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10211-017-0252-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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14
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Schuett W, Nava TF, Rahmlow N, Scherer U. Artificial Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) tags of different colour and symmetry do not influence mate choice in a cichlid. BEHAVIOUR 2017. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-00003427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Experimental individuals are frequently marked with coloured tags for individual identification. Except for birds, the consequences of such artificial tagging on mate choice have been rarely investigated even though individuals often prefer naturally brightly coloured or symmetrically ornamented mates. We tested whether differently coloured Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) tags influence female mate choice in rainbow kribs,Pelvicachromis pulcher. Females were allowed to simultaneously choose between a control and a VIE-marked male. The VIE-marked male carried two tags of the same colour (red, blue, green or white) set symmetrically or asymmetrically. Females did not show a preference for or avoidance of males carrying any of the colours compared to control males, no matter if the tags had been set symmetrically or asymmetrically. Although we found no discrimination for or against colour-tags, we highlight the importance of considering potential influences of colour-marks on mate choice in behavioural and evolutionary studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Schuett
- Zoological Institute, Biocenter Grindel, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther King Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Teresa Fee Nava
- Zoological Institute, Biocenter Grindel, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther King Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Neele Rahmlow
- Zoological Institute, Biocenter Grindel, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther King Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Scherer
- Zoological Institute, Biocenter Grindel, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther King Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
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15
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Reichard DG, Anderson RC. Why signal softly? The structure, function and evolutionary significance of low-amplitude signals. Anim Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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16
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Kéver L, Colleye O, Lugli M, Lecchini D, Lerouvreur F, Herrel A, Parmentier E. Sound production in Onuxodon fowleri (Carapidae) and its amplification by the host shell. J Exp Biol 2014; 217:4283-94. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.109363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Onuxodon species are well known for living inside pearl oysters. As in other carapids, their anatomy highlights their ability to make sounds but sound production has never been documented in Onuxodon. This paper describes sound production in Onuxodon fowleri as well as the anatomy of the sound production apparatus. Single-pulsed sounds and multiple-pulsed sounds that sometimes last more than 3 s were recorded in the field and in captivity (Makemo Island, French Polynesia). These pulses are characterized by a broadband frequency spectrum from 100 to 1000 Hz. Onuxodon fowleri is mainly characterized by its ability to modulate the pulse period, meaning that this species can produce pulsed sounds and tonal-like sounds using the same mechanism. In addition, the sound can be remarkably amplified by the shell cavity (peak gain can exceed 10 dB for some frequencies). The sonic apparatus of O. fowleri is characterized by a rocker bone in front of the swimbladder, modified vertebrae and epineurals, and two pairs of sonic muscles, one of which (primary sonic muscle) inserts on the rocker bone. The latter structure, which is absent in other carapid genera, appears to be sexually dimorphic suggesting differences in sound production in males and females. Sound production in O. fowleri could be an example of adaptation where an animal exploits features of its environment to enhance communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loïc Kéver
- Laboratoire de Morphologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive Liège, Institut de Chimie, B6c, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Orphal Colleye
- Laboratoire de Morphologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive Liège, Institut de Chimie, B6c, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Marco Lugli
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Universitá di Parma, 43100 Parma, Italy
| | - David Lecchini
- USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, CRIOBE, BP1013 Papetoai, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
- Laboratoire d'Excellence ‘CORAIL’, BP1013 Papetoai, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Franck Lerouvreur
- USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, CRIOBE, BP1013 Papetoai, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Anthony Herrel
- UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHN, Département d'Ecologie et de Gestion de la Biodiversité, 57 rue Cuvier, Case Postale 55, 75231, Paris Cedex 5, France
- Ghent University, Evolutionary Morphology of Vertebrates, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eric Parmentier
- Laboratoire de Morphologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive Liège, Institut de Chimie, B6c, 4000 Liège, Belgium
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17
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Bertucci F, Ruppé L, Van Wassenbergh S, Compère P, Parmentier E. New insights into the role of the pharyngeal jaw apparatus in the sound-producing mechanism of Haemulon flavolineatum (Haemulidae). J Exp Biol 2014; 217:3862-9. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.109025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Grunts are fish that are well known to vocalize, but how they produce their grunting sounds has not been clearly identified. In addition to characterizing acoustic signals and hearing in the French grunt Haemulon flavolineatum, the present study investigates the sound-production mechanism of this species by means of high-speed X-ray videos and scanning electron microscopy of the pharyngeal jaw apparatus. Vocalizations consist of a series of stridulatory sounds: grunts lasting ~47 ms with a mean period of 155 ms and a dominant frequency of ~700 Hz. Auditory capacity was determined to range from 100 to 600 Hz, with greatest sensitivity at 300 Hz (105.0±11.8 dB re. 1 μPa). This suggests that hearing is not tuned exclusively to detect the sounds of conspecifics. High-speed X-ray videos revealed how pharyngeal jaws move during sound production. Traces of erosion on teeth in the fourth ceratobranchial arch suggest that they are also involved in sound production. The similarity of motor patterns of the upper and lower pharyngeal jaws between food processing and sound production indicates that calling is an exaptation of the food-processing mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Bertucci
- Laboratory of Functional and Evolutionary Morphology, AFFISH-RC, University of Liège, 4000 Liège 1, Belgium
| | | | - Sam Van Wassenbergh
- Laboratory for Functional Morphology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
- Evolutionary Morphology of Vertebrates, University of Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Philippe Compère
- Laboratory of Functional and Evolutionary Morphology, AFFISH-RC, University of Liège, 4000 Liège 1, Belgium
| | - Eric Parmentier
- Laboratory of Functional and Evolutionary Morphology, AFFISH-RC, University of Liège, 4000 Liège 1, Belgium
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18
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Kéver L, Boyle KS, Bolen G, Dragičević B, Dulčić J, Parmentier E. Modifications in call characteristics and sonic apparatus morphology during puberty in Ophidion rochei (Actinopterygii: Ophidiidae). J Morphol 2014; 275:650-60. [PMID: 24425669 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2013] [Revised: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 12/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Juveniles, females, and males of Ophidion rochei share similar external morphology, probably because they are mainly active in the dark, which reduces the role of visual cues. Their internal sonic apparatuses, however, are complex: three pairs of sonic muscles, and highly modified vertebrae and ribs are involved in sound production. The sonic apparatus of males differs from juveniles and females in having larger swimbladder plates (modified ribs associate with the swimbladder wall) and sonic muscles, a modified swimbladder shape and a mineralized structure called the "rocker bone" in front of the swimbladder. All of these male traits appear at the onset of sexual maturation. This article investigates the relationship between morphology and sounds in male O. rochei of different sizes. Despite their small size range total length (133-170 mm TL), the five specimens showed pronounced differences in sound-production apparatus morphology, especially in terms of swimbladder shape and rocker bone development. This observation was reinforced by the positive allometry measured for the rocker bone and the internal tube of the swimbladder. The differences in morphology were related to marked differences in sound characteristics (especially frequency and pulse duration). These results suggest that male calls carry information about the degree of maturity. Deprived of most visual cues, ophidiids probably have invested in other mechanisms to recognize and distinguish among individual conspecifics and between ophidiid species. As a result, their phenotypes are externally similar but internally very different. In these taxa, the great variability of the sound production apparatus means this complex system is a main target of environmental constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loïc Kéver
- Laboratoire de Morphologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, AFFISH, Institut de chimie, Bât. B6c, Université de Liège, B-4000, Liège, Belgium
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19
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Pereira R, Rismondo S, Caiano M, Pedroso SS, Fonseca PJ, Amorim MCP. The Role of Agonistic Sounds in Male Nest Defence in the Painted GobyPomatoschistus pictus. Ethology 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Pereira
- Departamento de Biologia Animal e Centro de Biologia Ambiental; Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa; Lisboa Portugal
| | - Stefania Rismondo
- Departamento de Biologia Animal e Centro de Biologia Ambiental; Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa; Lisboa Portugal
| | - Manuel Caiano
- Departamento de Biologia Animal e Centro de Biologia Ambiental; Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa; Lisboa Portugal
| | - Silvia S. Pedroso
- Unidade de Investigação em Eco-Etologia; Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada - Instituto Universitário; Lisboa Portugal
| | - Paulo J. Fonseca
- Departamento de Biologia Animal e Centro de Biologia Ambiental; Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa; Lisboa Portugal
| | - Maria Clara P. Amorim
- Unidade de Investigação em Eco-Etologia; Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada - Instituto Universitário; Lisboa Portugal
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20
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Amorim MCP, da Ponte AN, Caiano M, Pedroso SS, Pereira R, Fonseca PJ. Mate preference in the painted goby: the influence of visual and acoustic courtship signals. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 216:3996-4004. [PMID: 23948469 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.088682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that females of a small vocal marine fish with exclusive paternal care, the painted goby, prefer high parental-quality mates such as large or high-condition males. We tested the effect of male body size and male visual and acoustic courtship behaviour (playback experiments) on female mating preferences by measuring time spent near one of a two-choice stimuli. Females did not show preference for male size but preferred males that showed higher levels of courtship, a trait known to advertise condition (fat reserves). Also, time spent near the preferred male depended on male courtship effort. Playback experiments showed that when sound was combined with visual stimuli (a male confined in a small aquarium placed near each speaker), females spent more time near the male associated with courtship sound than with the control male (associated with white noise or silence). Although male visual courtship effort also affected female preference in the pre-playback period, this effect decreased during playback and disappeared in the post-playback period. Courtship sound stimuli alone did not elicit female preference in relation to a control. Taken together, the results suggest that visual and mainly acoustic courtship displays are subject to mate preference and may advertise parental quality in this species. Our results indicate that visual and acoustic signals interplay in a complex fashion and highlight the need to examine how different sensory modalities affect mating preferences in fish and other vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Clara P Amorim
- Unidade de Investigação em Eco-Etologia, Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada - Instituto Universitário, Rua Jardim do Tabaco 34, 1149-041 Lisboa, Portugal
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21
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Longrie N, Poncin P, Denoël M, Gennotte V, Delcourt J, Parmentier E. Behaviours associated with acoustic communication in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). PLoS One 2013; 8:e61467. [PMID: 23620756 PMCID: PMC3631236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2012] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sound production is widespread among fishes and accompanies many social interactions. The literature reports twenty-nine cichlid species known to produce sounds during aggressive and courtship displays, but the precise range in behavioural contexts is unclear. This study aims to describe the various Oreochromis niloticus behaviours that are associated with sound production in order to delimit the role of sound during different activities, including agonistic behaviours, pit activities, and reproduction and parental care by males and females of the species. Methodology/Principal Findings Sounds mostly occur during the day. The sounds recorded during this study accompany previously known behaviours, and no particular behaviour is systematically associated with sound production. Males and females make sounds during territorial defence but not during courtship and mating. Sounds support visual behaviours but are not used alone. During agonistic interactions, a calling Oreochromis niloticus does not bite after producing sounds, and more sounds are produced in defence of territory than for dominating individuals. Females produce sounds to defend eggs but not larvae. Conclusion/Significance Sounds are produced to reinforce visual behaviours. Moreover, comparisons with O. mossambicus indicate two sister species can differ in their use of sound, their acoustic characteristics, and the function of sound production. These findings support the role of sounds in differentiating species and promoting speciation. They also make clear that the association of sounds with specific life-cycle roles cannot be generalized to the entire taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Longrie
- Laboratory of Functional and Evolutionary Morphology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Pascal Poncin
- Laboratory of Fish and Amphibian Ethology, Behavioural Biology Unit, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Denoël
- Laboratory of Fish and Amphibian Ethology, Behavioural Biology Unit, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Vincent Gennotte
- Aquaculture Research and Education Center (CEFRA), University of Liège, Tihange, Belgium
| | - Johann Delcourt
- Laboratory of Fish and Amphibian Ethology, Behavioural Biology Unit, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Eric Parmentier
- Laboratory of Functional and Evolutionary Morphology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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22
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The relevance of temporal cues in a fish sound: a first experimental investigation using modified signals in cichlids. Anim Cogn 2012; 16:45-54. [PMID: 22911612 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-012-0549-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2011] [Revised: 07/18/2012] [Accepted: 08/06/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Playback experiments have been a useful tool for studying the function of sounds and the relevance of different sound characteristics in signal recognition in many different species of vertebrates. However, successful playback experiments in sound-producing fish remain rare, and few studies have investigated the role of particular sound features in the encoding of information. In this study, we set-up an apparatus in order to test the relevance of acoustic signals in males of the cichlid Metriaclima zebra. We found that territorial males responded more to playbacks by increasing their territorial activity and approaching the loudspeaker during and after playbacks. If sounds are used to indicate the presence of a competitor, we modified two sound characteristics, that is, the pulse period and the number of pulses, in order to investigate whether the observed behavioural response was modulated by the temporal structure of sounds recorded during aggressive interactions. Modified sounds yielded little or no effect on the behavioural response they elicited in territorial males, suggesting a high tolerance for variations in pulse period and number of pulses. The biological function of sounds in M. zebra and the lack of responsiveness to our temporal modifications are discussed.
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Bertucci F, Scaion D, Beauchaud M, Attia J, Mathevon N. Ontogenesis of agonistic vocalizations in the cichlid fish Metriaclima zebra. C R Biol 2012; 335:529-34. [PMID: 22938919 DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2012.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2012] [Revised: 06/18/2012] [Accepted: 06/18/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
While acoustic communication has been described in adults of various fish species, our knowledge about the ontogeny of fish sound production is limited. In adults, sound signals are known to be involved during aggressive interactions. However, aggressive behaviour may appear early in the life of fishes due to the possible competition for food and space. If acoustic signals are used to send information to competitors, sounds are likely to play a role during interactions between juvenile fish as well. The apparition and evolution of sound production were monitored in a group of juveniles of the cichlid fish Metriaclima zebra from hatching to 4 months of age. In addition, the link between vocalizations and agonistic behaviour was studied during dyadic interactions at three different ages. Sounds production appeared to be present early in the development of this fish and increased along with the number of aggressive behaviours. Recorded sounds consisted, in juveniles, in isolated pulses showing a decrease in frequency and duration as the fish grew. In adults, sounds became bursts of pulses but the transition from isolated to repetitive pulses was not observed. These results are compared to the existing literature on sound production ontogeny in fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Bertucci
- Université de Lyon/Saint-Étienne, Équipe Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, ENES/CNPS, CNRS UMR 8195, 23, rue Paul-Michelon, 42023 Saint-Étienne cedex 2, France.
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Bertucci F, Attia J, Beauchaud M, Mathevon N. Sounds produced by the cichlid fish Metriaclima zebra allow reliable estimation of size and provide information on individual identity. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2012; 80:752-66. [PMID: 22471797 DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2012.03222.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Sounds produced by male cichlids Metriaclima zebra during aggressive interactions were recorded to conduct a detailed analysis and to search for potential individual acoustic signatures. Fish from two different size groups (small and large individuals) were analysed. The two groups were significantly different for all acoustic variables considered; six of seven features demonstrated a significant interindividual variability and most of them were correlated with the size of the emitter. A cross-validated and permuted discriminant function analysis (pDFA) separated the two groups and correctly classified around 50% of the sounds to the correct individuals. Acoustic features that best distinguished among males were the instantaneous frequency of sounds and the modulation of pulse amplitude. These results suggest that acoustic signals could bear information about individual identity. The long-term stability of this signature is likely to be weak since the signature of a growing individual may change over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Bertucci
- Université de Saint-Etienne, Equipe Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, ENES/CNPS, CNRS UMR 8195, 23 rue Paul Michelon, 42023 Saint-Etienne cedex 2, France.
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