SOCIAL BEHAVIOR IN THE ELECTRIC CATFISH: THE ROLE OF BEHAVIORAL AND ELECTRIC ORGAN DISCHARGE DISPLAYS IN INTRA- AND INTERSPECIFIC INTERACTIONS (TERRITORIALITY, AGGRESSION, MALAPTERURUS ELECTRICUS).
Item
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Title
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SOCIAL BEHAVIOR IN THE ELECTRIC CATFISH: THE ROLE OF BEHAVIORAL AND ELECTRIC ORGAN DISCHARGE DISPLAYS IN INTRA- AND INTERSPECIFIC INTERACTIONS (TERRITORIALITY, AGGRESSION, MALAPTERURUS ELECTRICUS).
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Identifier
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AAI8423094
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identifier
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8423094
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Creator
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RANKIN, CATHARINE HELEN.
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Contributor
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Peter Moller
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Date
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1984
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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 | Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture
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Abstract
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Using a Resident-intruder Experimental paradigm the African electric catfish, Malapterurus electricus, was observed in inter- and intraspecific interactions. Qualitative and quantitative differences in the catfish's behavior demonstrated that this fish discriminated between conspecifics and members of other species. In interactions with conspecifics, open-mouthed and lateral displays were observed. Some of these aggressive interactions escalated to bites with or without electric organ discharges. Discharges were rarely observed during intraspecific interactions. In interactions between conspecifics, residents stayed near their shelter on one side of the tank while intruders stayed on the other side. In contrast, resident and intruder catfish showed few differences in their behavior when their partner was not a conspecific. In interspecific encounters, contacts were limited to brief touches often accompanied by electric organ discharges. The temporal patterning of the electric organ discharges emitted in response to contacts with conspecifics was different from that associated with contacts with other species.;An observation of catfish in groups of different sizes, over a period of several days, provided information about territoriality, spacing strategies and the role of electric organ discharges in social behavior. The electric catfish restricted other conspecific's use of shelter sites. Dominance relationships were established following lateral displays with few electric organ discharges observed. Under high population density, electric organ discharge may serve a communication function and "advertize" a territory.
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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.
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Program
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Psychology
