scholarly journals Manipulating territory size via vegetation structure: optimal size of area guarded by the convict cichlid (Pisces, Cichlidae)

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 376-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy Breau ◽  
James WA Grant
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Territory Size ◽  
Optimal Size ◽  
Convict Cichlid ◽  
Food Patch ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Archocentrus Nigrofasciatus ◽  
Data Support

To test the predictions of optimal territory size models, we attempted to manipulate the size of area that a dominant convict cichlid fish (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus) would defend around a food patch by placing simulated vegetation at three different distances from the edge of the patch (0, 11, and 22 cm). As expected, the size of area defended against four smaller intruders increased as the vegetation was moved farther from the patch. Consistent with optimal territory size models, both the costs of defence, measured as chase radius and chase rate, and the benefits of defence, measured as the amount of food eaten by the defender, increased with the distance of the vegetation from the patch. Growth rates of the defenders, however, did not differ among the treatments, perhaps because the benefits of monopolizing food were balanced by the costs of defending a larger area. Our data support the hypothesis that the size of a guarded area around an ephemeral resource patch affects both the costs and benefits of defence.

Males respond differently than females to mate loss in the biparental convict cichlid fish

Behaviour ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 145 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Courtship Behavior ◽  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Pair Bond ◽  
Convict Cichlid ◽  
Archocentrus Nigrofasciatus

AbstractUsing the biparental convict cichlid fish, Archocentrus nigrofasciatus, we examined whether the loss of a mate prior to spawning influences pair re-formation and reproduction. We manipulated an individuals' "readiness to mate" by removing its mate within 24 h prior to spawning and immediately replacing it with a similar sized individual that had not been exposed to prior courtship. Most pairs with a replaced male showed an increase in aggression and courtship but, within 24 h, successfully spawned. We determined that resident females required the presence of a male before depositing their eggs and the likelihood of forming this new pair bond remained unchanged in spite of the abbreviated premating period. Pairs in which females were replaced (i.e., male is the resident) took longer to spawn than control pairs. Courtship behavior did not increase with the addition of the new female, further illustrating that spawning was not imminent. Here again we provide evidence that the likelihood of forming a pair bond remained unchanged. We suggest that unlike females that were provided with a new male, a male provided with new female delays spawning because of his prior pair bond attachment to the initial female.

How does competition influence mate choice decisions for males and females in the monogamous convict cichlid fish, Archocentrus nigrofasciatus?

Behaviour ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 143 (5) ◽  
pp. 619-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Santangelo ◽  
M. Itzkowitz
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Time Preference ◽  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Mate Guarding ◽  
The Other ◽  
Convict Cichlid ◽  
Continuous Assessment ◽  
Archocentrus Nigrofasciatus ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Male Mate

AbstractIt is understood that mate choice, competition, and sex differences produced by sexual selection underlie behavior, but few studies focus on their interactions within a system to understand how they shape behavior. Here, using the monogamous convict cichlid, Archocentrus nigrofasciatus, we examined the mate choice process of males and females in the presence of intrasexual competition. We compared and contrasted patterns reported in a previous study exploring this process in the absence of competition by using the same methodological paradigm. Specifically, two individuals (i.e., the competitors) were presented with a choice of two alternative, visually and tactilely isolated, mates and observed until one competitor (i.e., the primary competitor) spawned with one of the potential mates (i.e., the accepted mate). This was done for males and females separately. Both sexes spent more time with their mates while attacking and inhibiting the courtship of the other competitor (i.e., the secondary competitor). Only females expressed this time preference in the absence of competition (Santangelo & Itzkowtiz, 2004), but both sexes visited accepted mates more in the presence of competition. These results suggest competition causes the adoption of a mate guarding tactic. Males exhibited more differences than females with the addition of competition suggesting that male mate choice patterns are more labile than females. We attribute this to the ability of males to be bigamous and the adoption of different strategies based on the level of male-male competition. Courtship was not affected by competition for either sex, however the courtship of secondary individuals did appear to be influenced by primary individuals. Competition did not eliminate a searcher's continuous assessment of potential mates, yet it was conducted to a lesser degree. Thus, mate guarding is an important strategy that must be balanced with an individual's inclination to continuously assess based on present competition levels.

scholarly journals Convict cichlids benefit from close proximity to another species of cichlid fish

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 610-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Topi K Lehtonen
Keyword(s):  
Resource Use ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Convict Cichlid ◽  
Archocentrus Nigrofasciatus ◽  
Fitness Effects ◽  
Convict Cichlids ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Sessile Organisms ◽  
Offspring Mortality

The coexistence of species with overlapping resource use is often thought to involve only negative fitness effects as a consequence of interspecific competition. Furthermore, the scarce empirical research on positive species interactions has predominantly focused on sessile organisms. Here, I experimentally assessed the effect of close proximity of a potential brood predator and competitor on reproductive success of a neotropical cichlid fish. I demonstrate that convict cichlid ( Archocentrus nigrofasciatus ) broods have a higher survival rate near territories of the Nicaragua cichlid ( Hypsophrys nicaraguensis ), and that escape from predation and nest takeovers is the most likely explanation for the decreased offspring mortality.

scholarly journals Aggression, sex and individual differences in cerebral lateralization in a cichlid fish

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 338-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam R Reddon ◽  
Peter L Hurd
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Individual Variation ◽  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Convict Cichlid ◽  
Cerebral Lateralization ◽  
Present Evidence ◽  
Archocentrus Nigrofasciatus ◽  
Behavioural Trait

Cerebral lateralization is an evolutionarily ancient adaptation, apparently ubiquitous among vertebrates. Despite demonstrated advantages of having a more lateralized brain, substantial variability in the strength of lateralization exists within most species. The underlying reasons for the maintenance of this variation are largely unknown. Here, we present evidence that the strength of lateralization is linked to a behavioural trait, aggressiveness, in the convict cichlid ( Archocentrus nigrofasciatus ), and that this relationship depends on the sex of the fish. This finding suggests that individual variation in behaviour may be linked to variation in cerebral lateralization, and must be studied with regard to the sex of the animal.

Biparental division of roles in the convict cichlid fish: influence of intruder numbers and locations

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Richter ◽  
N. Santangelo ◽  
M. Itzkowitz
Keyword(s):  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Convict Cichlid

Behavioural mutagenesis in the convict cichlid fish, Cichlosoma nigrofasciatum guenther

1972 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Holzberg ◽  
Johannes Horst Schröder
Keyword(s):  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Convict Cichlid

scholarly journals Serial monogamy benefits both sexes in the biparental convict cichlid

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e6535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Snekser ◽  
Murray Itzkowitz
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Brood Size ◽  
Parental Behavior ◽  
Convict Cichlid ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Serial Monogamy ◽  
Convict Cichlids ◽  
Amatitlania Nigrofasciata ◽  
Males And Females

Monogamy can be either long-term or serial, with new pairs formed with each breeding bout. Costs and benefits are associated with each strategy. Because biparental convict cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) typically switch mates, exhibiting serial monogamy, we tested for the costs associated with forcing individuals to remain with the same mate. Convict cichlids were observed over two successive breeding bouts, either with the same or a new, equally experienced, mate. Parental behavior did not differ between breeding bouts, nor did brood size. Surprisingly, fish that remained with their original partner for a second bout took significantly longer to produce a brood compared to fish that paired with new partners. New partners were also more likely to successfully produce a second brood than re-mated partners. This is in contrast to the majority of bird studies that show many benefits to staying with the same partner for multiple broods. In convict cichlids, there seems to be no benefit associated with remaining with the same partner and switching mates reduces duration between broods for both males and females, potentially increasing overall reproductive success.

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