Disentangling the effects of group size and density on shoaling decisions of three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

Frommen, Joachim G.; Hiermes, Meike; Bakker, Theo C. M.

doi:10.1007/s00265-009-0831-5

Cited by 19 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…Salamanders, another simple vertebrate, have also been reported to discriminate between large quantities on the basis of movement (Krusche et al, 2010). Furthermore, other continuous variables such as density (Frommen et al, 2009) and surface area (Agrillo et al, 2008b) have also been shown to play a role in discrimination of large shoals in fish. Cumulative surface area also affected discrimination of large quantities of geometric figures in mosquitofish (Agrillo et al, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although fish can discriminate between groups (shoals) of conspecifics of different numerical size (Krause et al, 1998; Bradner and McRobert, 2001; Binoy and Thomas, 2004; Agrillo and Dadda, 2007; Agrillo et al, 2007, 2008a; Buckingham et al, 2007; Frommen et al, 2009; Piffer et al, 2012), generally no control for continuous variables has been attempted. To date the only comprehensive approach to unravel the cues that guide fish in selection of numerically different shoals has been carried out in mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki , (Agrillo et al, 2007, 2008b, 2009, 2010, 2011) and evidence indicates that this fish species is able to discriminate the larger of two shoals solely on the basis of number (Dadda et al, 2009), although perhaps not all factors were controlled.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Activity Counts: The Effect of Swimming Activity on Quantity Discrimination in Fish

Gómez‐Laplaza¹,

Gerlai²

2012

Front. Psychology

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Human infants and non-human animals can discriminate the larger of two sets of discrete items. This quantity discrimination may be based upon the number of items, or upon non-numerical variables of the sets that co-vary with number. We have demonstrated that angelfish select the larger of two shoals of conspecifics without using inter-fish distance or space occupied by the stimuli as cues. However, density appeared to influence the choice between large shoals. Here, we examine the role of another non-numerical cue, swimming activity of the stimulus fish, in quantity discrimination by angelfish. To control this variable, we varied the water temperature of the stimulus aquaria or restricted the space occupied by each fish in the stimulus shoals. We used the previously successfully discriminated contrasts consisting of large (10 vs. 5) and small (3 vs. 2) shoals. We also studied whether more active or less active shoals are preferred in case of equally sized shoals (10 vs. 10, 5 vs. 5, and 3 vs. 3). When differences in stimulus fish activity were minimized by temperature manipulation we found angelfish to prefer the larger shoal in the 3 vs. 2 comparison, but not in the 10 vs. 5 comparison. When activity was controlled by space restriction, angelfish preferred the larger shoal in both numerical contrasts. These results imply that the overall activity level of the contrasted shoals is not a necessary condition for small shoals discrimination in angelfish. On the other hand, the results obtained for the large shoals, together with results obtained in the control treatments (equal numerical contrasts and differing activity levels), suggest that activity is a sufficient condition for discrimination when large shoals are involved. Further experiments are needed to evaluate the influence of other continuous variables, and to assess whether the mechanisms underlying performance are comparable to those suggested for other animals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Activity Counts: The Effect of Swimming Activity on Quantity Discrimination in Fish

Gómez‐Laplaza¹,

Gerlai²

2012

Front. Psychology

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“…It is impossible to control for the space occupied by a shoal without altering the numerosity of the shoals, which in turn could also influence behavioural decisions (cf. Frommen et al 2009). For example, the dilution effect (Krause & Ruxton 2002) is expected to act only on the number of fish present, not their total space occupied.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Size‐Assortative Shoaling in the Guppy (Poecilia reticulata): The Role of Active Choice

et al. 2010

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Many fish species exhibit size‐assortative shoaling, which is often thought to be driven by predation risk. Recent fieldwork has revealed that guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are more size assorted in high‐predation populations than in low‐predation ones. However, size assortment does nonetheless occur in some low‐predation populations, suggesting that predation is unlikely the sole driving force behind size‐assortment. Here, we investigated in the laboratory the potential role of active choice in size‐assortative shoaling in wild‐caught female guppies originating from two populations of the same river system in Trinidad. Small or large focal females from each population were offered a binary choice of shoaling with either four small female conspecifics or four large ones. Observed shoaling preferences depended on the body size of the focal fish, suggesting phenotype‐mediated conflict over group composition. Large focal fish preferred to shoal with the size‐matched stimulus shoal of large fish. In contrast, small focal fish did not shoal assortatively but also preferred to shoal with larger females. Our results suggest that size‐assortative shoaling in female guppies is likely to be due to factors other than active choice, such as habitat segregation and sexual harassment.

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“…Several studies have described a preference for shoals composed of fish that are more similar in size (e.g. Hoare et al 2000;Barber 2003;Frommen et al 2009a). During the breeding season, reproductive males leave the shoal and establish territories near the shore line, while non-reproductive males and females remain shoaling (Wootton 1984).…”

Section: The Model Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Test females and stimulus females were always taken from different outdoor tanks to elimi-nate familiarity effects (Frommen et al 2007). As fish from the used population are known to include body size differences in their shoaling decisions (Frommen et al 2009a), stimulus fish were matched in body length.…”

Section: Experimental Subjectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gravidity‐Associated Shoaling Decisions in Three‐Spined Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

et al. 2012

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Group living has evolved in many animal species as an antipredator behavior, an evolutionary effect that might be augmented by grouping with similarly looking individuals. Consequently, groups are often composed according to species, size, or coloration. During egg ripening or embryo growth, the outer appearance of females often changes drastically within days, which makes them more prone to predation. Thus, a female's group preference should change according to her reproductive state, an issue that has seldom been investigated. To test this, we gave gravid and non‐gravid three‐spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) the choice to shoal either with a gravid or a non‐gravid conspecific. The results showed that shoaling preferences of gravid and non‐gravid individuals differed significantly. Non‐gravid females preferred gravid fish as shoaling partners, which might rely on the fact that gravid sticklebacks show reduced escape performance, which in turn might increase a non‐gravid female's chance of survival. However, in contrast to our predictions, gravid fish did not show any significant preference. A reason for this pattern might be competition between gravid females for mating partners, which might overrule benefits of shoaling with similar looking individuals. Hence, gravidity influences social preferences in a shoaling fish, which might pose a largely overlooked form of the cost of reproduction.

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Disentangling the effects of group size and density on shoaling decisions of three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

Cited by 19 publications

References 59 publications

Activity Counts: The Effect of Swimming Activity on Quantity Discrimination in Fish

Activity Counts: The Effect of Swimming Activity on Quantity Discrimination in Fish

Size‐Assortative Shoaling in the Guppy (Poecilia reticulata): The Role of Active Choice

Gravidity‐Associated Shoaling Decisions in Three‐Spined Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

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