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opencc-zeroOct 2020View details →

Size-selective mortality induces evolutionary changes in group risk-taking behavior and the circadian system in a fish

1. Intensive and trait-selective mortality of fish and wildlife can cause evolutionary changes in a range of life-history and behavioral traits. These changes might in turn alter the circadian system due to coevolutionary mechanisms or correlated selection responses both at behavioral and molecular levels, with knock-on effects on daily physiological processes and behavioral outputs. 2. We examined the evolutionary impact of size-selective harvesting on group risk-taking behavior and the circadian system in a model fish species. We exposed zebrafish (Danio rerio) to either large or small size-selective harvesting relative to a control over five generations, followed by eight generations during which harvesting halted to remove maternal effects. 3. Size-selective mortality affected fine-scale timing of behaviors. In particular, small size-selective mortality, typical of specialized fisheries and gape-limited predators targeting smaller size classes, increased group risk-taking behavior during feeding and after simulated predator attacks. Moreover, small size-selective mortality increased early peaks of daily activity as well as extended self-feeding daily activity to the photophase compared to controls. By contrast large size-selective mortality, typical of most wild capture fisheries, only showed an almost significant effect of decreasing group risk-taking behavior during the habituation phase and no clear changes in fine-scale timing of daily behavioral rhythms compared to controls. 4. We also found changes in the molecular circadian core clockwork in response to both size selective mortality treatments. These changes disappeared in the clock output pathway because both size-selected lines showed similar transcription profiles. This switch downstream to the molecular circadian core clockwork also resulted in similar overall behavioral rhythms (diurnal swimming and self-feeding in the last hours of darkness) independent of the underlying molecular clock. 5. To conclude, our experimental harvest left an asymmetrical evolutionary legacy in group risk-taking behavior and in fine-scale daily behavioral rhythms. Yet, the overall timing of activity showed evolutionary resistance probably maintained by a molecular switch. Our experimental findings suggest that size-selective mortality can have consequences for behavior and physiological processes.

opencc-zeroFeb 2024View details →

Cross-context behavioral correlations and signals of aggression in females of a livebearing fish

Behaviors may be adaptively correlated with each other and with other aspects of phenotype. We investigated behavior across foraging, mating, and risk contexts in females of the poeciliid fish, Girardinus metallicus. We quantified relationships between these behaviors and aggression signals, body size, and reproductive output. Behaviors describing aggression and boldness, some of which were repeatable, were correlated in females. Aggression was signaled by the darkening of a black spot on the extended dorsal fin or by fin flaring. Spot darkening occurred during intra- and intersexual interactions and was positively correlated with inter-female aggression and negatively correlated with time females spent following males, suggesting that it honestly indicates motivational state. In contrast, fin flaring was only directed at females and occurred more frequently in the foraging context. Larger females had fewer offspring and received fewer courtship displays, possibly because they were more aggressive to males. In contrast to studies of males, we found a negative relationship between rank order of boldness and aggression, consistent with either a tradeoff or with selection favoring the negative relationship. Our results highlight the importance of studying females in model systems to uncover novel patterns and potentially meaningful departures from what is typically seen in males.

opencc-by-4.0Dec 2016View details →

Fig. 2 in Behavioral Responses Of Salmonid Fingerlings To New Invasive Fish Predator Perccottus Glenii

Fig. 2. Large adult Perccottus glenii male used in the experiment.

opencc-zeroJul 2024View details →

Data for: Multiple behavioral mechanisms shape development in a highly social cichlid fish

Early-life social experiences shape adult phenotype, yet the underlying behavioral mechanisms remain poorly understood. We manipulated early-life social experience in the highly social African cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni to investigate the effects on behavior and stress axis function in juveniles. Juveniles experienced different numbers of social partners in stable pairs (1 partner), stable groups (6 fish; 5 partners), and socialized pairs (a novel fish was exchanged every 5 days; 5 partners). Treatments also differed in group size (groups vs. pairs) and stability (stable vs. socialized). We then measured individual behavior and water-borne cortisol to identify effects of early-life experience. We found treatment differences in behavior across all assays: open field exploration, social cue investigation, dominant behavior, and subordinate behavior. Treatment did not affect cortisol. Principal components (PC) analysis revealed robust co-variation of behavior across contexts, including with cortisol, to form behavioral syndromes sensitive to early-life social experience. PC1 (25.1 %) differed by social partner number: juveniles with more partners (groups and socialized pairs) were more exploratory during the social cue investigation, spent less time in the territory, and were more interactive as dominants. PC5 (8.5 %) differed by stability: socialized pairs were more dominant, spent less time in and around the territory, were more socially investigative, and had lower cortisol than stable groups or pairs. Observations of the home tanks provided insights into the social experiences that may underlie these effects. These results contribute to our understanding of how early-life social experiences are accrued and exert strong, lasting effects on phenotype.

opencc-by-4.0Aug 2019View details →

Video of mobbing behavior by coral-reef fishes

Video of mobbing behavior by coral-reef fishes from article in CORAL, "Trophic Mobbing in Fishes".  1. A school of Convict Tang, Acanthurus triostegus mobbing the territory of the Lavendar Tang, Acanthurus nigrofuscus at Pupukea, Oahu (R.K. Whitton) 2. A group of Millet-seed butterfly fish, Chaetodon miliaris, feeding on the eggs of Abudefduf abdominalis - Kahe Point, Oahu (J.L. Earle) 3. The Reticulated Butterflyfish Chaetodon reticulatus on the outer reef of Avatoru Pass of Rangiroa Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago foraging on colonies of Pocillopora meandrina in a loose aggregation which became a tight cluster when an area defended by Plectroglyphidodon johnstonianus was encountered (J.L. Earle). 4. The Ornate Butterflyfish, Chaetodon ornatissimus, mobbing the territory of the Blackbar Devil Damselfish, Plectroglyphidodon dickii at Kiritimati, Line Islands (J.L. Earle and R.K. Whitton).

opencc-by-4.0Nov 2019View details →

Shipping alters the movement and behavior of Arctic cod (B. saida), a keystone forage fish in Arctic marine ecosystems

Dataset for Ivanova et al. (2019): Shipping alters the movement and behavior of Arctic cod (B. saida), a keystone forage fish in Arctic marine ecosystems. Includes: arctic cod tagging metadata and vps locations files, and vessel activity in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, Canada for 2012.

Fig. 7 in Social and reproductive physiology and behavior of the Neotropical cichlid fish Cichlasoma dimerus under laboratory conditions

Fig. 7. Semiquantitative analysis of pituitary hormone content

Fig. 5. Reproductive territorial male attacking a in Social and reproductive physiology and behavior of the Neotropical cichlid fish Cichlasoma dimerus under laboratory conditions

Fig. 5. Reproductive territorial male attacking a non reproductive territorial male.

Fig. 6 in Social and reproductive physiology and behavior of the Neotropical cichlid fish Cichlasoma dimerus under laboratory conditions

Fig. 6. Plasma cortisol levels in reproductive territorial (RT)

Fig. 3 in Social and reproductive physiology and behavior of the Neotropical cichlid fish Cichlasoma dimerus under laboratory conditions

Fig. 3. Image showing aggressive physical contact between two males, referred to as mouth holding.

opencc-zeroJan 2023View details →

Seasonal variation of behavior and brain size in a freshwater fish

Teleost fishes occupy a range of ecosystem and habitat types subject to large seasonal fluctuations. Temperate fishes in particular, survive large seasonal shifts in temperature, light availability, and access to certain habitats. Mobile species like lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) can behaviorally respond to seasonal variation by shifting their habitat deeper and further offshore in response to warmer surface water temperatures during the summer. During cooler seasons, use of more structurally complex nearshore zones by lake trout could increase cognitive demands and potentially result in a larger relative brain size during those periods. Yet, there is limited understanding of how such behavioral responses to a seasonally shifting environment might shape, or be shaped by, the nervous system. Here we quantified variation in relative brain size and the size of five externally visible brain regions in lake trout, across six consecutive seasons in two different lakes. Acoustic telemetry data from one of our study lakes was collected during the study period from a different subset of individuals and used to infer relationships between brain size and seasonal behaviors (habitat use and movement rate). Our results indicated that lake trout relative brain size was larger in the fall and winter compared to the spring and summer in both lakes. Larger brains coincided with increased use of nearshore habitats and increased horizontal movement rates in the fall and winter based on acoustic telemetry. The telencephalon followed the same pattern as whole brain size, while the other brain regions (cerebellum, optic tectum, olfactory bulbs, hypothalamus) were only smaller in the spring. These findings provide evidence that flexibility in brain size could underpin shifts in behavior, which could potentially subserve functions associated with differential habitat use during cold and warm seasons and allow fish to succeed in seasonally variable environments.

opencc-zeroJul 2023View details →

Data from: Behavioral diversity and biomechanical determinants of the outcome of a fish predator-prey interaction

Predator-prey interactions are ubiquitous and under strong selection because of the consequences experienced by both predator and prey if they lose the interaction. Biomechanics and behavior play important roles in the outcome of these interactions, but many studies focus on the prey, restrict the range of behaviors considered, and the role of prey boldness in the outcome is not understood. We used high-speed video to test for effects of multiple measures of performance and kinematics of both the predator and prey, and boldness of prey on the outcome of interactions between Pike Cichlids (Crenicichla) and Guppies (Poecilia reticulata). We found high variation in the behaviors employed during the predator-prey interactions, including in suction versus raptorial feeding, strike accuracy, and guppy responsiveness. We also found that predators moving relatively slower and prey moving relatively faster were more successful at consuming the prey and evading the predator, respectively. Prey that reacted farther from the predator were more likely to escape predation, but boldness of the prey did not affect the interaction. Our work suggests that a high level of variation in predator-prey interactions is widespread, even when strike and escape behaviors are stereotyped. We also showed that what both the predator and the prey do during an interaction are important in determining the outcome.

publicFeb 2023View details →

Seasonal variation of behavior and brain size in a freshwater fish

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publicJul 2023View details →

Data from: Behavioral diversity and biomechanical determinants of the outcome of a fish predator-prey interaction

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publicOct 2025View details →

Data from: The interplay of satiation and temptation affects cleaner fish foraging behavior and service quality

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publicFeb 2024View details →

Cross-context behavioral correlations and signals of aggression in females of a livebearing fish

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publicApr 2021View details →

Across borders: external factors and prior behavior influence North Pacific albatross associations with fishing vessels

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