Field observations on the reproductive behaviour of the cunner, Tautogolabrus adspersus (Walbaum), in Newfoundland

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 247-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Pottle ◽  
John M. Green
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Courtship Behaviour ◽  
Tautogolabrus Adspersus ◽  
Group Spawning ◽  
Conception Bay ◽  
Courtship Displays ◽  
Labrid Species

Courtship behaviour and pair spawning of the cunner, Tautogolabrus adspersus (Walbaum) were observed in Conception Bay, Newfoundland, during midsummer of 1977 and 1978. Courtship displays were recorded between 0600 and 2100 hours and spawns between 1300 and 2100 hours. The frequency of both courtship behaviour and spawns varied with the time of day. Spawning, but not courtship, is correlated with the tidal cycle. Spawns occur most often during the mid flood to high-tide phase of the eye le. Fish of both sexes are capable of multiple spawns per day. Both territorial and non territorial males acquire nuptial colouration between emergence from overwintering torpor and the start of the spawning season. Nonterritorial males are vigorously excluded from territories by the resident males and appear to contribute little to the reproductive effort of the population. Courtship and spawning occur only within male's territories. Group spawning was not observed. Sexual dichromatism and reproductive behaviour in the cunner are discussed with reference to other labrid species.

scholarly journals Courtship behaviour influences social partner choice in male guppies

Behaviour ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 157 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 923-947
Author(s):  
Heather L. Auld ◽  
Jean-Guy J. Godin
Keyword(s):  
Poecilia Reticulata ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Partner Choice ◽  
Courtship Behaviour ◽  
Social Partner ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Association Preference ◽  
Social Associations ◽  
Courtship Displays ◽  
Social Association

Abstract Although male courtship displays have evolved primarily to sexually attract females, they also generate inadvertent public information that potentially reveals the courter’s relative sexual attractiveness and the perceived quality and sexual receptivity of the female being courted to nearby eavesdropping male competitors, who in turn may use this information to bias their social partner choices. We tested this hypothesis by first presenting individual eavesdropping male guppies (Poecilia reticulata) the opportunity to simultaneously observe two demonstrator males whose courtship behaviour was manipulated experimentally to differ, following which we tested them for their preference to associate socially with either demonstrator males. Test males preferentially associated with the demonstrator male who they had previously observed courting a female over the other (non-courting) demonstrator. This social association preference was not expressed in the absence of a female to court. Our findings highlight the potential for sexual behaviour influencing male-male social associations in nature.

scholarly journals Acoustic signalling during courtship in the painted goby, Pomatoschistus pictus

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 1017-1023 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.C.P. Amorim ◽  
A.S.M. Neves
Keyword(s):  
Low Frequency ◽  
Courtship Behaviour ◽  
Male Size ◽  
Pulse Trains ◽  
Very Low Frequency ◽  
Somatic Condition ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
First Time ◽  
Courtship Displays

Gobies emit sounds during different stages of reproduction, including courtship, pre-spawning events (in the nest) and spawning. The breeding sounds of the painted goby Pomatoschistus pictus and associated courtship behaviour were recorded in captivity and described for the first time. Males emitted thump-like sounds mainly when displaying alone in the nest and produced drumming sounds outside the nest. Thumps have never been reported for other species of the genus Pomatoschistus. Thumps were short (~80 ms) very-low frequency (below 100 Hz) non-pulsed sounds, whereas drums were longer (hundreds of ms) and consisted of low frequency (~300 Hz) pulse trains. Thump characteristics varied significantly among males but also showed high within-male variability. The frequency of thump emissions and courtship behaviour (total number of courtship displays, lead and nest display) were positively correlated with male size but not with male somatic condition. Thump bursts emitted during nest displays were significantly longer than when emitted with other behaviours. These results suggest that larger males courted females more intensively, both with visual and acoustic displays, than smaller ones.

Ecology and behaviour of immature Culicoides melleus (Coq.) (Dipt., Ceratopogonidae)

1972 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Linley ◽  
G. M. Adams
Keyword(s):  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Fourth Instar ◽  
Tidal Level ◽  
Sand Surface ◽  
Tide Level ◽  
The Vertical Distribution ◽  
Incoming Tide

The distribution of the larvae and pupae of Culicoides melleus (Coq.) in a natural beach habitat in an inlet on the Florida coast was studied in relation to tidal level and time of day. Larvae and pupae were confined to the intertidal zone and these distributions were unaffected by time of day or tidal level. Distributions of younger larval instars were displaced towards the inferred area of oviposition at higher elevations on the beach. Pupae were associated with the zone at and somewhat below high tide level. Differences in the vertical distribution of larvae between 0 and 2 in. deep between dark (pre-dawn)/low tide, morning/low tide and afternoon/low tide conditions were probably associated with larval response to light and heat.In laboratory experiments with a temperature gradient, second- to fourth-instar larvae preferred the 18–25°C range, but the fourth instars were the least discriminating. Laboratory experiments with a simulated beach showed that pupae flooded on an incoming tide remained in their burrows and immediately buried themselves more deeply when waves were generated in the water; they were able to return to the surface if buried, and survived drowning for four days. Inundated areas were avoided as pupation sites. The orientation of pupae at the sand surface and their formation in burrows was related to negative phototactic responses of the pupating larvae.

Physiological maturation and reproductive behaviour of female doves (Streptopelia risoria) held under long and short photoperiods

1976 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. R. Liley
Keyword(s):  
Nest Site ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Nest Building ◽  
Short Photoperiod ◽  
Courtship Behaviour ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Streptopelia Risoria ◽  
Long Photoperiod

Female doves were held under long (16 h per day), or short (8 h per day) photoperiod and exposed to actively courting males for 4.5 h per day for 15 days. The occurrence of egg laying and nest building was recorded daily. Behavioural observations were recorded for 15 min on alternate days.Seven out of eight long-photoperiod females laid eggs, whereas only one of nine short-photoperiod females began egg laying. Soliciting by the female and nest building involving male and female are the best indicators of a female's readiness to begin breeding. The occurrence of these activities is correlated with the growth of follicles and oviduct. Copulation and associated behaviours are not correlated with follicle and oviduct growth, and appear to be controlled by factors different from those governing courtship behaviour associated with the nest site.

Male courtship displays and vocal communication in the polygynous bat Carollia perspicillata

Behaviour ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 151 (6) ◽  
pp. 781-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjam Knörnschild ◽  
Marion Feifel ◽  
Elisabeth K.V. Kalko
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Communication ◽  
Mate Recognition ◽  
Courtship Behaviour ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Courtship Display ◽  
Carollia Perspicillata ◽  
Fruit Bat ◽  
Distress Calls ◽  
Individual Signature ◽  
Courtship Displays

Male courtship behaviour towards choosy females often comprises elaborate displays that address multiple sensory channels. In bats, detailed quantitative descriptions of multimodal courtship displays are still fairly scarce, despite the taxon’s speciose nature. We studied male courtship behaviour in a polygynous Neotropical bat, Seba’s short-tailed fruit bat Carollia perspicillata, by monitoring harem males in a captive colony. Courting male C. perspicillata performed stereotypic tactile, visual and acoustic displays. A courtship sequence, directed at one female at a time, lasted up to 120 s. During courtship, males approached females by brachiating or flying, hovered in front of them, pursued them on the wing, sniffed them and repeatedly poked the females with one or both folded wings; the latter behaviour was the most conspicuous male courtship display. Immediately before copulation, males wrapped their wings around the females and bit their necks. As acoustic display, courting male C. perspicillata produced highly variable, monosyllabic courtship trills. The species’ vocal repertoire consisted of ten different social vocalisation types, three for benign interactions (courtship trills, wobbles, isolation calls), four for aggressive encounters (aggressive trills, down-sweeps, warbles, distress calls) and the remaining three for unknown behavioural contexts (V-shaped calls, flat down-sweeps, hooks). Courtship trills and aggressive trills were exclusively produced by males. We measured 245 courtship trills of five males and found statistical evidence for a strong individual signature which has the potential to facilitate female choice, mate recognition or neighbour–stranger recognition among male competitors.

Environmental Stimuli Influence Oestrogen-Dependent Courtship Transitions and Brain Aromatase Activity in Male Ring Doves

Behaviour ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 133 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 199-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.E. Hutchison ◽  
G. Opromolla ◽  
J.B. Hutchison
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Development ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Courtship Behaviour ◽  
Aromatase Activity ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Brain Aromatase ◽  
Reproductive Cycles ◽  
Ring Doves ◽  
The Brain

AbstractIn paired ring doves, Streptopelia risoria, male and female reproductive behaviour undergoes a series of synchronised transitions. The duration of each phase depends on the reproductive development of the pair. This study examines the effect of the environment in which behaviour is shown on both oestrogen-dependent courtship transitions and formation of oestrogen in the brain. The structuring of the cage environment had an immediate effect on transitions in male courtship behaviour. Males which were tested with females in a cage environment with a perch and a nest bowl (complex cage) displayed significantly less aggressive courtship and more nest-orientated behaviour than males tested with females in a cage environment without perch or nest bowl (simple cage). The response of males, which showed aggressive and nest-orientated courtship behaviour, to reproductively advanced females (abdominal length 1.4-1.6 cm) about to lay eggs or females in earlier stages of reproductive development (abdominal length 0.8-1.1 cm) did not differ initially. On the eighth day of 15-min daily tests, there was, however, an increase in aggressive courtship to females with smaller abdomens. This result suggests that male aggressiveness is more likely when the male and female reproductive cycles are not synchronised. We also tested whether environmental factors and the male's hormonal condition, which affect male courtship interactions, influence the formation of behaviourally effective oestrogen by aromatisation of testosterone in the brain. The aromatase activity was measured in the preoptic and anterior hypothalamic areas in relation to the time spent in interaction with females each day. Both intact and castrated males which interacted intermittently (15 min each day for 9 days) had higher preoptic aromatase activity than males which interacted continuously with females. The males which had high brain aromatase activity and had interacted intermittently with females were considered to represent the initial stages of the cycle. We conclude that cage environment and female reproductive condition influence the course of courtship interactions. Oestrogen formation in the male brain is affected by the type of interaction.

Dualistic spawning behaviour of the cunner, Tautogolabrus adspersus (Pisces: Labridae), in Bonne Bay, Newfoundland

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 1582-1585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Pottle ◽  
John M. Green ◽  
Guy Martel
Keyword(s):  
Tautogolabrus Adspersus ◽  
Spawning Aggregations ◽  
Single Location ◽  
Group Spawning ◽  
Spawning Behaviour ◽  
Blue Phase ◽  
Recorded Occurrence

Group spawning and pair spawning cunners, Tautogolabrus adspersus, were studied at Bonne Bay, Newfoundland. This is the first recorded occurrence of both types of spawning behaviour of this species at a single location. Group spawning occurred within aggregations of 30 to > 150 fish. Cunners in group spawning aggregations ranged in length from 80 to 180 mm. Those with brown phase colouration outnumbered those with male nuptial (blue phase) colouration by at least 3:1. All courtship was initiated by males with nuptial colouration, but some brown-phase males participated in group spawnings. Pair spawning involved territorial males and was observed within 5 m of an aggregation in which group spawning was occurring. Territorial males were larger than 200 mm and had nuptial colouration. They were not observed where small (< 180 mm) cunners were most abundant. Group spawning occurred in the afternoon, being most frequent between 1800 and 1900 hours.

ROLE OF GONADOTROPHIN RELEASING HORMONES IN THE REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR OF FEMALE RING DOVES (STREPTOPELIA RISORIA)

1977 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
MEI-FANG CHENG
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Courtship Behaviour ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Thyrotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Streptopelia Risoria ◽  
Female Behaviour ◽  
Lh Rh ◽  
Lh Releasing Hormone ◽  
Ring Doves

This work was carried out to determine whether gonadotrophin releasing hormone(s) (GnRH) plays a role in the courtship behaviour of female ring doves. In particular, it tests the hypothesis that a high dose of oestrogen suppresses the synergistic action of GnRH with oestrogen which is required to elicit courtship behaviour. The hypothesis was formulated to provide an explanation for a finding in a previous study that ovariectomized ring doves treated with a high dose of oestrogen, paradoxically, failed to show courtship behaviour. In the present study, treatment with synthetic LH releasing hormone (RH) enabled such birds to show typical female behaviour, thus supporting the hypothesis. This LH-RH effect was not apparently mediated by LH or progesterone since treatment with LH or progesterone failed to induce courtship behaviour. In addition, LH-RH can synergise with sub-threshold doses of oestrogen to induce both nest-soliciting and squatting behaviour. This portion of the LH-RH effect complements similar results reported for the rat. Finally, the results of thyrotrophin releasing hormone point to the specificity of LH-RH and the results of an anti-ovulation LH-RH analogue agree with the LH-RH effect.

Territorial behaviour of the north temperate labrid, Tautogolabrus adspersus

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (12) ◽  
pp. 2337-2347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Pottle ◽  
John M. Green
Keyword(s):  
Territory Size ◽  
Territorial Behaviour ◽  
Intraspecific Aggression ◽  
Tautogolabrus Adspersus ◽  
Interspecific Aggression ◽  
Rocky Substrate ◽  
The North ◽  
Spawning Site ◽  
Peripheral Areas ◽  
Conception Bay

A study of territorial behaviour of the cunner, Tautogolabrus adspersus, was carried out in Conception Bay, Newfoundland, in 1977 and 1978. Cunners that overwinter in a torpid state were active only from May to late October of both years. Large males established territories prior to the midsummer spawning season and territories were defended throughout and after that season. Territory size ranged from 16.1 to 74.3 m2 on rocky substrate at depths of 0.7 to 13 m and did not vary significantly with either the size of the resident fish or the degree of intraspecific aggression it exhibited. Nonterritorial males were generally smaller than territorial males and were vigorously excluded from their territories. Only territorial males exhibited interspecific aggression, which was most frequent toward Pholis gunnellus. Territorial females were present in the peripheral areas of some males' territories and were aggressive toward other females. Tagging indicated that most males and some females defend the same territory from year to year, and that territory size remains relatively constant. The proportions of territorial and nonterritorial fish, of either sex, in the population are unknown. The primary function of territorial behaviour in T. adspersus may be the provision of a spawning site from which potential rivals are excluded.

Reproductive behaviour of the southern-hairy nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons)

2010 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Hogan ◽  
Clive Phillips ◽  
Allan Lisle ◽  
Alan Horsup ◽  
Tina Janssen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Distribution ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Courtship Behaviour ◽  
Video Surveillance System ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Locomotor Patterns ◽  
Reproductive Rates ◽  
Straight Lines ◽  
Daily Time

The southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) is under threat as its current distribution range and population size is declining. The low reproductive rates observed for this species, both in the wild and within captivity, are a cause for concern; as such this study was designed to provide a comprehensive account of reproductive behaviour in L. latifrons. The behaviour of four groups of captive animals (each 1♂ : 2♀) was remotely monitored for 14 months using a digital video-surveillance system. Using this technology, 13 distinctive reproductive-based behaviours were identified and recorded; each behaviour was allocated to one of two categories: courtship/guarding or mating. The courtship-to-mating ritual was made up of six consecutive phases: investigation, attraction, chase, restraint, coitus and recovery. In total, 423 courtship and 49 mating bouts were observed from five (2♂ : 3♀) wombats. Courtship behaviour was observed on 116 days, with a mean bout number of 3.6 ± 0.2 per day and a mean total daily time of 29.8 ± 1.8 min. Mating was observed on 24 days, with a mean bout number of 2.1 ± 0.3 per day and a mean total daily time of 100.1 ± 9.8 min. Courtship occurred over the entire enclosure area and three distinctive courtship locomotor patterns were identified: spiral-circles, straight-lines and random. Matings occurred only in closed spaces and were always accompanied by courtship behaviour. In contrast, only 68% of all courtship days were associated with a mating event. Receptivity in the female wombats lasted for 13 h and the behavioural signs of oestrus were so subtle that only the reaction/interest of the male could be used for its detection. The covert reproductive behaviours identified for female L. latifrons closely match those previously reported for captive common wombats and may relate to this species’ need to conserve energy.

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