Interactions between native and non-native cichlid species in a Costa Rican river

Breukelen, Natalie April van

doi:10.1007/s10641-014-0322-z

Cited by 8 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 24 publications

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“…These freshwater cichlids occur throughout Central America in rivers, streams and lakes ( Bussing, 1998 ). In addition to the multitude of laboratory experiments, the convict cichlid also lends itself to easy study within the field, in both Costa Rica (e.g., Wisenden, 1994 ; Wisenden, 1995 ; Wisenden et al, 2008 ; Lee-Jenkins et al, 2011 ; Snekser et al, 2011 ; van Breukelen, 2015 ) and Nicaragua (e.g., McKaye, 1986 ; Alonzo, McKaye & Van den Berghe, 2001 ; Lehtonen, 2008 ; Wisenden et al, 2008 ), further adding to their value as a model species. The many decades of behavioral research on this species has provided an extensive framework for integrative studies that will reveal more about the connections between behavior and its underlying mechanisms.…”

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confidence: 99%

Male convict cichlid 11-ketotestosterone levels throughout the reproductive cycle: an exploratory profile study in laboratory and field populations

Breukelen

Snekser²,

Itzkowitz

2015

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The convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) has been extensively examined in relation to many behavioral topics, such as courtship, pair-bonding, bi-parental care, and territoriality. Recently, this model species has been utilized in studies on genetics, endocrinology, and neuroanatomy, with an ultimate goal of connecting behavior with its underlying mechanisms. The goal of this study was two-fold: (1) profile the circulating levels of plasma 11KT in the male convict cichlid at multiple points during the reproductive cycle and (2) generally compare the hormonal profiles of the widely used laboratory populations and those of a free-living population in the streams of Costa Rica. The results of the field experiment showed that male convict cichlids had higher levels of circulating 11KT during courtship and lower during the parental care and non-breeding phases. The profile of the laboratory population was similar to the profile of the free-living individuals, with significantly higher levels of 11KT occurring during courtship than during parental care, though the level of 11KT during non-breeding phase was elevated in the laboratory. The high levels of 11KT during courtship and low levels of 11KT during parental care found in both the field and the laboratory is similar to what has been reported in other species of teleosts, and may suggest an important function of 11KT in the expression of courtship behavior and the subsequent onset of parental behaviors in this model species.

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