Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) Preference and Behavioral Response to Animated Images of Conspecifics Altered in Their Color, Aspect Ratio, and Swimming Depth

Abstract

Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) is an example of a freshwater fish species whose remarkable diffusion outside its native range has led to it being placed on the list of the world’s hundred worst invasive alien species (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Here, we investigate mosquitofish shoaling tendency using a dichotomous choice test in which computer-animated images of their conspecifics are altered in color, aspect ratio, and swimming level in the water column. Pairs of virtual stimuli are systematically presented to focal subjects to evaluate their attractiveness and the effect on fish behavior. Mosquitofish respond differentially to some of these stimuli showing preference for conspecifics with enhanced yellow pigmentation while exhibiting highly varying locomotory patterns. Our results suggest that computer-animated images can be used to understand the factors that regulate the social dynamics of shoals of Gambusia affinis. Such knowledge may inform the design of control plans and open new avenues in conservation and protection of endangered animal species.

Fish and Robots Swimming Together in a Water Tunnel: Robot Color and Tail-Beat Frequency Influence Fish Behavior

“…This result is in line with experimental evidences on the role of visual cues in computer-animated images to elicit social responses in comparable fish species, such as sticklebacks [66], [67], mosquitofish [51], and zebrafish [47], [48], . Specifically, several phenotypic varieties of zebrafish, taxonomically listed in the Cyprinidae family together with golden shiner, are known to react differently to computer animations of their conspecifics depending on the similarities of their stripe pattern [47], [48] and color pigmentation [48].…”

“…Fish species used in laboratory studies, such as zebrafish, sticklebacks, and mosquitofish, respond to changes in stripe and color patterns of their conspecifics, and these features have been associated to their shoaling preferences, mating choices, and social ranks, respectively [18], [48], [49], [51]. The same features have been found to be determinants of attraction toward a robotic fish when its morphophysiological and locomotory features have been systematically varied in a series of preference tests [35]–[37].…”

Do Female Western Mosquitofish,Gambusia affinis,Prefer Ornaments That Males Lack?

“…Female G. affinis also shoaled with yellow animated female images more than red animated images (Polverino et al. ). Although these studies do not report hue, saturation, and brightness of color cues, the results suggest that mosquitofish avoid (as in the present study), or at least do not respond to, red coloration.…”

Bioinspiring an Interest in STEM

“…Two high school docents serve as younger scientists with whom the middle school students can easily identify. One of the docents has research experience in the DSL [32], while the other has experience working in the Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium. Owing to the complexity of some of the activities in the program, the targeted student age is middle-school level.…”

“…Examples from DSL research conducted by one of the instructors [24] and one of the docents [32] are used to motivate the use of this powerful method.…”