Color Polymorphism and Predation in a Lake Victoria Cichlid Fish

Maan, Martine E.; Eshuis, Brechtje; Haesler, Marcel P.; Schneider, Maria Victoria; Alphen, Jacques J. M. van; Seehausen, Ole

doi:10.1643/ce-07-114

Cited by 56 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…In cichlids however, while many researchers have speculated about colour-dependent predation, data are largely lacking. The only experimental study that we know of tested for differences in predation risk between three colour morphs of the Lake Victoria haplochromine Neochromis omnicaeruleus and found that blotched morphs, particularly orange-blotched (OB), were attacked more often by pied kingfishers [95]. These results are in contrast with the widely held assumption that the blotched phenotype actually provides camouflage [53,96,97]–an idea that could help to explain why blotch is sex-linked, as camouflage would be favoured in females but sexually selected against in males [53].…”

Section: Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Colour variation in cichlid fish: Developmental mechanisms, selective pressures and evolutionary consequences

Maan

Sefc

2013

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology

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Cichlid fishes constitute one of the most species-rich families of vertebrates. In addition to complex social behaviour and morphological versatility, they are characterised by extensive diversity in colouration, both within and between species. Here, we review the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying colour variation in this group and the selective pressures responsible for the observed variation. We specifically address the evidence for the hypothesis that divergence in colouration is associated with the evolution of reproductive isolation between lineages. While we conclude that cichlid colours are excellent models for understanding the role of animal communication in species divergence, we also identify taxonomic and methodological biases in the current research effort. We suggest that the integration of genomic approaches with ecological and behavioural studies, across the entire cichlid family and beyond it, will contribute to the utility of the cichlid model system for understanding the evolution of biological diversity.

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Section: Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Colour variation in cichlid fish: Developmental mechanisms, selective pressures and evolutionary consequences

Maan

Sefc

2013

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology

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180

149

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“…The combination of cues used to detect a predator can be specific to particular taxa; for example, most birds primarily rely on their vision to scan their environment for predators (Fernandez‐Juricic, Erichsen & Kacelnik, ), whereas some fish species may be more likely to use olfactory cues (Mirza et al ., ; Dixson, Munday & Jones, ). While it has not been shown that the sexes of one species differ in their use of cues, the differences in the subsequent behavioral response(s) have been documented in several species (e.g., field voles, Norrdahl & Korpimaki, ; mouse lemurs, Radespiel et al ., ; rats, Sommer, ; blackbirds and small mammals, Christe, Keller & Roulin, ; cichlid fish, Maan et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The potential for sex‐specific responses to predation is amplified in species that are sexually dimorphic in morphology or behavior (Norrdahl & Korpimaki, ; Radespiel et al ., ; Sommer, ; Christe et al ., ; Maan et al ., ). In many species, the behaviors and phenotypes that confer an advantage for mate acquisition also increase the possibility of predation for the sex that employs them, which is typically males (Norrdahl & Korpimaki, ; Maan et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex‐specific antipredator response to auditory cues in the black spiny‐tailed iguana

et al. 2016

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The selective pressures exerted by predation can have considerable influence on the behavior of prey species across a wide range of taxa. Within a species, this force may differ between the sexes, leading to sex‐specific behavioral responses to predators. We tested whether the black spiny‐tailed iguana Ctenosaura similis is able to use auditory cues to detect an avian predator and whether antipredator responses differ in a sex‐dependent fashion. We conducted behavioral assays in which a food item was used as bait while iguanas were subjected to a recording of a Harris's hawk or white noise as a control. We found that a significantly greater percentage of individuals of either sex responded to the hawk call than to the white noise. We also found that a significantly greater percentage of females than males responded to either sound. These results suggest that not only do black spiny‐tailed iguanas incorporate auditory cues into predator detection, but that antipredator behavioral responses differ between the sexes as well. Such sex‐specific behaviors can be attributed to morphological and endocrine differences between male and female iguanas. These findings may also lend insight into how behavior can influence the evolution of sexual dimorphism within a species.

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“…The ease of experimental manipulation is paired with a wealth of ecological and evolutionary information available for haplochromine cichlids in general (for review, see Kocher, 2004; Salzburger et al, 2005). For example, there is thought to be a trade-off between reproduction and survival, such that territorial males, the sole reproducers, are also subject to higher mortality rates through predation, likely due to their conspicuous colouration (Fernald and Hirata, 1977a; 1977b; Maan et al, 2008). Furthermore, A. burtoni is currently undergoing whole genome sequencing, along with three other African cichlid species (see URL: www.broad.mit.edu/models/tilapia/) and thus offers an unrivaled laboratory-based model system for the genomic analysis of complex and ecologically-relevant phenotypes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fish and chips: functional genomics of social plasticity in an African cichlid fish

Renn

Aubin‐Horth

Hofmann

2008

Journal of Experimental Biology

172

182

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Behaviour and physiology are regulated by both environment and social context. A central goal in the study of the social control of behaviour is to determine the underlying physiological, cellular and molecular mechanisms in the brain. The African cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni has long been used as a model system to study how social interactions regulate neural and behavioural plasticity. In this species, males are either socially dominant and reproductively active or subordinate and reproductively suppressed. This phenotypic difference is reversible. Using an integrative approach that combines quantitative behavioural measurements, functional genomics and bioinformatic analyses, we examine neural gene expression in dominant and subordinate males as well as brooding females. We confirm the role of numerous candidate genes that are part of neuroendocrine pathways and show that specific co-regulated gene sets (modules), as well as specific functional Gene Ontology categories, are significantly associated with dominance or reproductive state. Finally, even though the dominant and subordinate phenotypes are robustly defined, we find a surprisingly high degree of individual variation in the transcript levels of the very genes that are differentially regulated between these phenotypes. Our results demonstrate the molecular complexity in the brain underlying social behaviour, identify novel targets for future studies, validate many candidate genes, and exploit individual variation in order to gain biological insights.

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Color Polymorphism and Predation in a Lake Victoria Cichlid Fish

Cited by 56 publications

References 34 publications

Colour variation in cichlid fish: Developmental mechanisms, selective pressures and evolutionary consequences

Colour variation in cichlid fish: Developmental mechanisms, selective pressures and evolutionary consequences

Sex‐specific antipredator response to auditory cues in the black spiny‐tailed iguana

Fish and chips: functional genomics of social plasticity in an African cichlid fish

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