Aggression by convict cichlid pairs as a means to deter brood mixing in a natural setting

Breukelen, Natalie April van; Santangelo, Nicholas

doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.02.005

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…The invasive convict cichlid, Amatitlania nigrofasciata , is a non‐native fish in the Balsas basin; it was first recorded in this basin in 1987 (Contreras‐MacBeath et al., 1998). The species exhibits aggressive behavioral traits that facilitate its colonization of novel freshwater ecosystems (Leese & Blatt, 2021; Moss et al., 2015; van Breukelen & Santangelo, 2020). This aggressiveness allows them to effectively gain and defend reproductive territories (McKaye, 1977; Wisenden, 1995) from the native Mexican mojarra Amphilophus istlanus .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aggressiveness overcomes body‐size effects in contests between native and invasive cichlid fishes

Aranda,

Arce,

Mercado‐Silva

et al. 2024

Ethology

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In animal fights, there are often size asymmetries between opponents. Although larger individuals typically dominate smaller ones, size is not the sole determining factor, as the competitors' motivation, aggressiveness, resource value, physiological characteristics, and strength also play crucial roles in fighting outcomes. In this study, we evaluated the influence of body size on dominance hierarchy and contest success during intra‐ and inter‐specific contests in two fish species: the native mojarra of the Balsas basin Amphilophus istlanus and the invasive convict cichlid Amatitlania nigrofasciata. We used size‐asymmetric males to carry out experimental contests. The number and type of aggressive behaviors, time to contest outcome, and dominant individual at the end of the contest were determined. In contests between two native mojarra, the smaller individual always lost. In contests between convict cichlids, the smaller contestants lost in all contests where size asymmetry was greater than 20%. In interspecific contests, the native mojarra performed more aggressive behaviors than the invasive convict cichlid and dominated convict cichlids despite a size disadvantage. This suggests that in terms of competition via interference, the native mojarra can counter the arrival of the invasive convict cichlid.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aggressiveness overcomes body‐size effects in contests between native and invasive cichlid fishes

Aranda,

Arce,

Mercado‐Silva

et al. 2024

Ethology

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“…Factors predicting the outcome of aggressive interactions have been reported for many animals (Chapin et al, 2019; Kravitz & Huber, 2003). For instance, body size and sex are well‐known intrinsic factors that induce high‐frequency aggressive behaviours in interspecific and intraspecific interactions (Fisher et al, 2020; Reichert & Gerhardt, 2011; van Breukelen & Santangelo, 2020). One possible explanation is that defensive decision‐making may be determined by sex and/or size differences between intracolonial members.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Context‐dependent expression of variation in defensive behaviour in the lower termite Zootermopsis nevadensis

et al. 2023

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Eusocial animals exhibit a sophisticated division of labour. The self‐organized colony requires coordination of local interactions at the individual level. Termites are a well‐known group exhibiting social organization among castes within a colony, and helper castes have facilitated their ecological and evolutionary success. Termites have soldier castes specialized in defence, but other castes are also known to exhibit defensive behaviour depending on the context. However, it is unclear how variation in the frequencies of defensive behaviour is emerged. Here, we investigate the effects of the presence of nestmates on individual defensive behaviour in the dampwood termite Zootermopsis nevadensis. We experimentally prepared three conditions and observed biting behaviour against the ant Camponotus obscuripes. First, the frequency of biting was significantly higher in soldiers than that in pseudergates (i.e. workers) under isolated conditions. Second, the results showed that the frequencies of biting exhibited by soldiers were much higher than those of pseudergates in the pseudergate–soldier pairs. Finally, we investigated the social conditions in the presence of the same castes, that is, pseudergate–pseudergate and soldier–soldier pairs. The frequencies of biting exhibited by first‐biting individuals were significantly higher than those exhibited by second‐biting individuals in both paired conditions. Our findings demonstrate that defensive behaviour can be frequently observed in first‐biting individuals despite the presence of two individuals of the same caste, suggesting that the variation of defensive behaviour may be increased in the presence of nestmates.

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“…During the breeding season, convict cichlids form monogamous pair bonds and work together to build a nest, defend a territory, and raise their offspring ( Wisenden 1995 ). This species is well studied for their aggression in the field ( McKaye 1977 ; Anderson et al 2016 ; van Breukelen and Santangelo 2020 ) and the lab ( Draud and Lynch 2002 ; Leiser et al 2004 ; Arnott and Elwood 2009 ; Barley and Coleman 2010 ). While individuals in pair bonds cooperate in many tasks, studies have found significant differences in parental roles between males and females when fry are present, with males spending more time engaging in defense and females showing more direct interactions with young ( Itzkowitz et al 2005 ; Snekser et al 2011 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex Differences in How Territory Quality Affects Aggression in Convict Cichlids

Leese

Blatt

2021

Integrative Organismal Biology

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In animal contests, the value an individual assigns to limited resources can directly impact the level of aggression they demonstrate. For territorial species, individuals often assess their territory quality and appropriately modify the time and energy invested in its defense. In this study, male and female convict cichlids, Amatitlania nigrofasciata, were acclimated to one of three territorial treatments representing either a Low, Medium, or High resource value. Territories with a “Low Value” included substrate alone, “Medium Value” territories included substrate and a nest site, and a “High Value” territory included substrate, a nest site, and constant food source. After three days of acclimation, a size-matched intruder was introduced to elicit territorial aggression and behaviors were observed. Territory quality affected one measure of low-intensity aggression (displays) in residents but had no effect on high-intensity aggression (bites and chases). Moreover, there was a significant effect of sex, with males and females differing in the types of aggressive behaviors demonstrated across all treatments. Females showed more low-intensity aggressive behaviors toward intruders than males did. Additionally, a significant interaction of sex and territory quality was observed on two measures of high-intensity aggressive behavior (bites and chases), with females more likely than males to increase aggressive behaviors along with increasing territory quality. This suggests that females may be more sensitive and/or responsive to changes in the quality of a territory, possibly due to the necessity of a suitable nest site for egg deposition within a territory.

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Aggression by convict cichlid pairs as a means to deter brood mixing in a natural setting

Cited by 6 publications

References 59 publications

Aggressiveness overcomes body‐size effects in contests between native and invasive cichlid fishes

Aggressiveness overcomes body‐size effects in contests between native and invasive cichlid fishes

Context‐dependent expression of variation in defensive behaviour in the lower termite Zootermopsis nevadensis

Sex Differences in How Territory Quality Affects Aggression in Convict Cichlids

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