Social organization and endocrine profiles of Australoheros facetus, an exotic freshwater fish in southern Portugal | - CCMAR -

Journal Article

TitleSocial organization and endocrine profiles of Australoheros facetus, an exotic freshwater fish in southern Portugal
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsBaduy, F, Guerreiro, PM, Canario, AVM, Saraiva, JL
Year of Publication2017
Journalacta ethologica
Volume20
Issue3
Date PublishedJan-10-2017
Pagination263 - 277
ISSN0873-9749
Abstract

Australoheros facetus is a neotropical cichlid and an exotic species in the Guadiana and Odelouca basins (Southern Portugal). In this research, we aimed to characterize the main behavioural patterns and circulating hormones, 17β- estradiol (E2) for females, and testosterone, 11- ketotestosterone (11KT) and cortisol for both sexes, during the formation of social groups, a crucial step in the lifehistory of A. facetus. A pair-breeding strategy with territorial behaviour and aggressive interactions was found, with a positive correlation between dominance and size for both sexes. There were no significant differences between non-territorial and territorial individuals in the baseline levels of hormones, but 11KT was higher in males when they became territorial, as E2 for territorial females, while there was no clear pattern for testosterone. In contrast, cortisol was higher in non-territorial males and correlated negatively with social dominance. These results suggest that size is the main driver for social dominance and that formation of stable hierarchies result in higher circulating 11KT and lowers stress in territorial males. Related to A. facetus’ behaviour, aggressiveness and biparental care may be an advantage during the invasion process of A. facetus, facilitating colonization of new habitats.

URLhttp://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10211-017-0271-6.pdf
DOI10.1007/s10211-017-0271-6
Short Titleacta ethol
CCMAR Authors