No abstract

Forty-eight male Betta splendens were assigned to three groups of 16 (eight pairs) each. In two of the groups, pairs of fish were first allowed to fight until a dominance-subordinance relationship was established. Then each subject was tested on measures of time spent in approach and threat display toward either (1) its own pair member, with which it was experienced and familiar (Group EF), or toward (2) another combat-experienced fish, with which it was unfamiliar (Group EV). A third group of inexperienced and unfamiliar individuals (Group IV) were first exposed to their own mirror images and then tested for approach and threat-display duration. Pairs of these fish were then allowed to fight until dominance was determined. The three major findings were: (a) Dominant subjects approached and displayed significantly more than subordinates in all three groups; (2) Dominant subjects of Group IU did not differ significantly from dominants in the other two groups with respect to time spent in approach and display; and (3) Fish exposed to mirrors prior to combat required significantly fewer sessions to establish dominance than fish not receiving mirror exposure. Results suggest that dominant fish can be distinguished on the basis of their approach tendency and threat-display scores prior to actual physical combat. An habituation model of dominance determination was proposed.The threat display of the male Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens, is characterized by extension of the gill covers, erection of the fins, a deepening of body color, and a sequence of vibrating body movements (Simpson, 1968). This threat display is reliably emitted whenever a male encounters an unfamiliar male conspecific, and it will even occur with considerable vigor in response to a male model, or in response to the male's own mirror image (Johnson, 1972). Furthermore, Bettas will

No abstract

The present experiments are concerned with an aspect of behavior which Lindzey et al ([965)

The present experiment examined the enhancement of saccharin consumption observed after a temporary shift to water. An 8-day adaptation period of continuous access to saccharin was used. It was found that the avidity of albino rats for saccharin. as measured by daily consumption, can be increased significantly both by periods of saccharin deprivation and by social living conditions.