Effects of temperature and prior residence on territorial aggression in the convict cichlidCichlasoma nigrofasciatum

Abstract

Aggression in the convict cichlid Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum was measured under two different environmental parameters after introduction of a conspecific intruder. Measurements were made after 24‐hr and 48‐hr teritorial residence times at both 26°C and 30°C. Eight fish established territories in individual tanks each containing one terra cotta pot. Intruders contained in a glass cylinder were introduced into the territories. An opaque divider separating the resident from the intruder was removed after a 15‐min acclimation period. At 26°C, we observed a significant difference in the mean number of bites of the cichlids of 24‐hr and 48‐hr residency durations, whereas, at 30°C, such a difference did not exist. Statistical analysis showed that cichlids exhibited more aggression at 30°C than at 26°C. Increased aggression levels at the higher temperature may be related to the fact that cichlids establish territories and spawn at about 30°C.

Aggressive interactions between the invasive Rio Grande cichlid (Herichthys cyanoguttatus) and native bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), with notes on redspotted sunfish (Lepomis miniatus)

“…Size is important in determining the outcome of contests in cichlids (Barlow et al 1986;Wazlavek and Figler 1989;Keeley and Grant 1993;Turner 1994). Temperature would also be a potential factor, especially with the tropical cichlids (Ratnasabapathi et al 1992). Introduced eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) showed less aggression towards native Spanish toothcarps (Aphanius iberus and Valencia hispanica) when temperatures were lower (Rincon et al 2002).…”

“…Based on similar behavioral trials (Wazlavek and Figler 1989;Ratnasabapathi et al 1992;Glova 2003;Metcalfe et al 2003), one fish was introduced into the experimental aquaria and allowed 24 h to acclimate to either a clay pot or a portion of PVC pipe (the ''territory''). After 24 h of residence, an opaque divider was inserted into the middle of the aquarium and a fish of similar size but different species was introduced to the opposite side.…”

The Relationship between Environmental Factors and Flamingo Aggression Examined via Internet Resources

“…It has been shown that humans are more likely to engage in aggressive behaviour when the weather is warmer and are less likely to engage in aggression during cooler weather (Michael and Zumpe, 1983;Perry and Simpson, 1987). Within the animal kingdom, these temperature shifts can correspond with the breeding and migratory seasons (e.g., Wiebe and Gerstmar, 2010), which could influence levels of aggression (cf., Ratnasabapathi et al, 1992).…”

“…The effects of temperature, for instance, on behaviour have been studied in various species (e.g., Ratnasabapathi et al, 1992), including humans (for review see Anderson, 2001). It has been shown that humans are more likely to engage in aggressive behaviour when the weather is warmer and are less likely to engage in aggression during cooler weather (Michael and Zumpe, 1983;Perry and Simpson, 1987).…”

“…The breeding season for a flamingo is generally during the early spring while migration away from the breeding grounds can occur in the winter (Brown and King, 2005). As this shift in behaviour is believed to be related to the shift from warm weather to cool weather (see Ratnasabapathi, et al, 1992;Wiebe and Gerstmar, 2010), we expect to see higher levels of aggression for observations on warmer days than for observations on cooler days which could be related to any of the measured weather variables mentioned below as it is not only temperature that is altered during this shift.…”