Integrative approach on the diversity of nesting behaviour in fishes

Abstract

Nests are the key elements of the reproductive repertoire of several fish species. Understanding the physiological aspects behind their nesting behaviour is imperative to improve our knowledge about behavioural mechanisms focusing on species conservation. Nevertheless, current knowledge on fish nesting is still underexplored. Here, we show a synthesis based on an integrative approach for understanding the diversity of nesting behaviour in fish. Because a nest sometimes does not involve new buildings (as in birds), we suggest a more comprehensive definition based on the behaviour instead of the structure per se. Forty fish families were recorded as they made nests, which were sorted into six main types: bowls, burrows, foam nests, nests made of plant matter and animal parts, besides nests made on clean rock surfaces. Besides spawning and parental care, these nests also serve as a refuge against predators and male competitors, as targets for sexual selection, including bowers with no parental care function, and badges of social status. We showed that, although it is advantageous to what the Darwinian fitness of the species is concerned, nesting also requires time and energy. We propose an evolution of nest types and functions, from the ancestral bowl used as refuge to derived foam nests with sexual selection functions. Physiologically, nesting is controlled by the HPG axis and particular brain circuits, this probably being the less explored subject. Finally, we highlighted that, in the changing world of the Anthropocene, nesting behaviour emerges as a framework to indicate the quality of the aquatic environments.

Form, function, foam: evolutionary ecology of anuran nests and nesting behaviour

“…Fertilization in most anurans is external, meaning embryos are taken back onto/into the body. While considering bodies as nests is unusual, similar reasoning has been applied to mouthbrooding fishes [24], and I suggest the functional overlap between these strategies and more typical types of nesting provide opportunities to understand the remarkable morphological, physiological and behavioural diversity among amphibians and beyond.…”

“…Across vertebrates, nest site selection dictates abiotic nest characteristics (e.g. temperature, moisture) that directly influence offspring health and development, as well as the risk of predation for both parents and offspring (for reviews in birds, mammals, reptiles and fishes see [9,[23][24][25]). Moreover, because favourable and unfavourable characteristics often trade off among different nest sites, parents make complex, context-dependent decisions in this realm.…”

How sexual and natural selection interact and shape the evolution of nests and nesting behaviour in fishes

“…Many direct benefits of nest choice derive from nests being naturally selected. The shape and location of the nest can protect the offspring from abiotic and biotic environmental factors [3,6,[65][66][67][68]. Nests are typically also the place where the parents provide care [3,6].…”

“…The shape and location of the nest can protect the offspring from abiotic and biotic environmental factors [3,6,[65][66][67][68]. Nests are typically also the place where the parents provide care [3,6]. As such, choice of nest site and nest construction is important to parents and offspring alike.…”

Sex or snack? Drivers behind the behavioural mystery of basking shark circles revealed

“…Fishes display a broad array of behaviours, including predator avoidance (Álvarez & Nicieza, 2003), predator inspection (Pitcher et al ., 1986), feed searching (Hara, 2006), nesting (Bessa et al ., 2022) and shoaling (Ruhl & McRobert, 2005), to name just a few, and understanding the diversity of fish behaviour can be crucial for welfare (Macaulay et al ., 2021), conservation (Railsback & Harvey, 2011) and management (Walsh et al ., 2004). Knowledge gaps in fish behaviour can, therefore, hinder progress in effective protection and utilization of fishes.…”