The effects of social interaction on behavior and electric organ discharge in two species of mormyrid fish: Gnathonemus petersii (Gunther, 1862) and Brienomyrus niger (Gunther, 1866), Mormyridae, Teleostei.
Item
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Title
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The effects of social interaction on behavior and electric organ discharge in two species of mormyrid fish: Gnathonemus petersii (Gunther, 1862) and Brienomyrus niger (Gunther, 1866), Mormyridae, Teleostei.
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Identifier
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AAI3063888
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identifier
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3063888
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Creator
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Terleph, Thomas Andrew.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Peter Moller
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Date
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2002
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Psychobiology | Biology, Zoology
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Abstract
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African weakly discharging electric fish (of the family Mormyridae) use their self-generated electric signals and electroreceptive abilities in orientation as well as social communication. This thesis investigated short-term changes in electric organ discharge (EOD) pattern, EOD waveform, and locomotor behavior during the course of dyadic social interactions in subadult fish. These changes were documented for two species of mormyrid fish, Brienomyrus niger and Gnathonemus petersii, during free and restricted interactions, when fish were prior residents or intruders, dominant or subordinate, and males or females.;During free interactions, EOD duration and EOD phase amplitude ratios increased in dominant fish. Similar patterns of dominance mediated EOD changes occurred in both sexes, and compared favorably with EOD data from 17alpha-methyltestosterone treated fish. Socially mediated changes reverted to pre-interaction levels when fish were returned to solitary housing conditions. Under restricted conditions, when neighboring fish were prevented from direct physical contact, the EOD parameters changed in both fish in a dominant-like fashion. Prior residence status led to dominant-like changes in B. niger in restricted interactions.;During free competitive interactions, fish often exhibit 'parallel display'. During these displays two fish line up alongside each other and both rapidly discharge. The data suggest that this behavior serves an assessment function, permitting individuals to gauge each other's body size.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
