Visual communication stimulates reproduction in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Castro, André Luís da Silva; Gonçalves-de-Freitas, Eliane; Volpato, Gilson Luiz; Oliveira, Cláudio

doi:10.1590/s0100-879x2009000400009

Cited by 26 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…In another study using the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus, female visual cues alone were also sufficient to increase courtship behaviors and GSI in males (Castro et al, 2009). In our study, rates of courtship behavior by A. burtoni males given visual cues alone, however, werẽ 10-fold lower than when gravid females were in the same compartment and males had access to full sensory information.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Contextual chemosensory urine signaling in an African cichlid fish

Maruska

Fernald

2012

Journal of Experimental Biology

100

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SUMMARYChemosensory signaling is crucial for communication in many fish species, but little is known about how signalers modulate chemical output in response to sensory information and social context. Here, we tested the hypothesis that dominant male African cichlid fish (Astatotilapia burtoni) use urine signals during social interactions, and demonstrate that this signaling depends on social context (reproductive; territorial) and on available sensory information (visual cues; full interaction). We injected males with dye to visualize urine pulses and exposed them to full sensory information or visual cues alone of four types: (1) dominant male; (2) gravid (reproductively receptive) females; (3) mouth-brooding (non-receptive) females; or (4) control (no fish). We found that males released urine sooner and increased their urination frequency when visually exposed to gravid females as compared with mouth-brooding females and or no-fish controls. While males could distinguish female reproductive states using visual cues alone, courtship behavior rates were ~10-fold higher when they fully interacted with gravid females compared with receiving visual cues alone. Males also increased their urination and territorial behaviors when exposed to another male, suggesting that chemical signals may convey information on dominance status. These data support the hypothesis that dominant males use urine as a chemical signal and adjust the frequency of their urine output based on contextual information.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Contextual chemosensory urine signaling in an African cichlid fish

Maruska

Fernald

2012

Journal of Experimental Biology

100

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“…Reduction in long-wavelength sensitivity with ontogeny Mate choice and male-male competition for territory are key processes in the life of Nile tilapia adults, and depend on visual stimulation and reliable visual assessment of the quality of conspecifics (Castro et al, 2009). Nile tilapia evolved in rivers and pools in central and eastern Africa (Lim and Webster, 2006).…”

Section: Ontogenetic Changes In Retinal Circuitrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Ontogeny in the visual system of Nile tilapia

Sabbah

Hui

Hauser

et al. 2012

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYRetinal neurogenesis in fish facilitates cellular rearrangement throughout ontogeny, potentially allowing for optimization of the visual system to shifts in habitat and behaviour. To test this possibility, we studied the developmental trajectory of the photopic visual process in the Nile tilapia. We examined ontogenetic changes in lens transmission, photoreceptor sensitivity and postreceptoral sensitivity, and used these to estimate changes in cone pigment frequency and retinal circuitry. We observed an ontogenetic decrease in ultraviolet (UV) photoreceptor sensitivity, which resulted from a reduction in the SWS1 cone pigment frequency, and was associated with a reduction in lens transmission at UV wavelengths. Additionally, post-receptoral sensitivity to both UV and long wavelengths decreased with age, probably reflecting changes in photoreceptor sensitivity and retinal circuitry. This novel remodelling of retinal circuitry occurred following maturation of the visual system but prior to reaching adulthood, and thus may facilitate optimization of the visual system to the changing sensory demands. Interestingly, the changes in post-receptoral sensitivity to long wavelengths could not be predicted by the changes observed in lens transmission, cone pigment frequency or photoreceptor sensitivity. This finding emphasizes the importance of considering knowledge of visual sensitivity and retinal processing when studying visual adaptations and attempting to relate visual function to the natural environment. This study advances our understanding of ontogeny in visual systems and demonstrates that the association between different elements of the visual process can be explored effectively by examining visual function throughout ontogeny.

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“…For example, if feed is delivered at times when fish are not motivated to feed, or when they have been disturbed, the feed may not be eaten, reducing feed conversion efficiency and increasing the release of waste into the environment (Chapter 7). In a different context, if adult Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) are held without visual contact with conspecifics, the mechanisms by which social interactions stimulate gonad development are not activated, the fish display little courtship behaviour and there are few spawning events (Castro et al 2009; Chapter 10).…”

Section: Effects Of the Internal Systems That Control Behaviourmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conclusions: Aquaculture and Behaviour

Huntingford

Jobling

Kadri

2012

Aquaculture and Behavior

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This chapter draws together the information presented earlier in the book. Firstly, the criteria that must be met if aquaculture is to be effective and sustainable are discussed and summarised. Second, the reader is reminded that cultured fish show a broadly similar repertoire of behaviour to that of their wild counterparts, in spite of striking differences between the conditions prevailing in fish farms and in nature. A general account is then given of the problems that can arise from the expression of natural behaviour by fish in production systems. Such problems may come from the mechanisms that control behaviour, from the way in which it develops and from the fact that behaviour is the product of natural selection favouring traits that promote Darwinian fitness. By the same token, solutions can be found to such problems based on an understanding of these different aspects of fish behaviour and these are exemplified with reference to examples given in Chapters 4-10. Up to this point, attention has been focused on aquaculture as currently practised, but the final section looks to the future, attempting to anticipate how fish culture might change. Likely developments include diversification of culture species, increased intensification of aquaculture systems, greater use of genetic technologies for stock improvement, increased emphasis on environmental protection and fish welfare and increasing overlap with commercial fisheries, through capture-based aquaculture, and with conservation, through recruitment enhancement. In each case, the part that behavioural biology might play in influencing such developments is discussed.

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Visual communication stimulates reproduction in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Cited by 26 publications

References 31 publications

Contextual chemosensory urine signaling in an African cichlid fish

Contextual chemosensory urine signaling in an African cichlid fish

Ontogeny in the visual system of Nile tilapia

Conclusions: Aquaculture and Behaviour

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