Seasonal cell differentiation and olfactory potency of secretions by the anal glands of male peacock blenny <i>Salaria Pavo</i>

Serrano, Rui M.; Lopes, Orlando; Hubbard, Peter C.; Araújo, J.; Canário, Adelino V.M.; Barata, Eduardo N.

doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2008.02025.x

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…The anal glands (Fig. 1), consisting of extensive folds of the integument of the anal fin first two rays (Giacomello, Marchini & Rasotto 2006; Serrano et al. 2008b), contain antimicrobials with lysozyme‐like activity (Giacomello, Marchini & Rasotto 2006) and males, while performing parental care, rub the anal–urogenital region over the nest internal surface, possibly transferring the mucous anal gland secretion to eggs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

When fathers make the difference: efficacy of male sexually selected antimicrobial glands in enhancing fish hatching success

Pizzolon¹,

Giacomello²,

Marri³

et al. 2010

Functional Ecology

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Summary1. Egg and offspring resistance to pathogens is a major determinant of survival and has been mainly ascribed to maternal factors. However, paternal production of antimicrobials was recently suggested to increase offspring survival in species where males perform egg care. 2. In the peacock blenny, Salaria pavo, a demersal spawning species where males exhibit a pair of anal glands producing lysozyme-like compounds, we tested the antimicrobial activity and the egg protection efficacy of these glands. The anal gland secretion (AGS) has an inhibitory effect on the growth of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including those causing the most severe fish diseases in marine culture. The egg clutches cared for by males deprived of anal glands have a significantly lower survival rate than those cared for by sham-operated males and non-viable eggs showed clear signs of bacterial infection. 3. Anal gland secretion production and its protein content are proportional to gland size. In species where male parental care plays a crucial role in offspring survival, females are expected to assess mates selecting those traits that are reliably associated with parental ability. Hence, we experimentally challenged females with dummy males differing in anal gland size. Females definitely preferred dummy males with larger anal glands, suggesting that their choice is driven by the pursuit of direct fecundity benefits. 4. These findings indicate that antimicrobial production is a crucial component of male parental care. The contribution of antimicrobials to male performance as fathers suggests that the development of traits devoted to this function may influence male attractiveness and be sexually selected.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

When fathers make the difference: efficacy of male sexually selected antimicrobial glands in enhancing fish hatching success

Pizzolon¹,

Giacomello²,

Marri³

et al. 2010

Functional Ecology

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“…Most studies in fishes deal with reproductive pheromones and show that these are mostly produced by the gonads (testes and ovaries) (Hurk & Resink, 1992). In the male peacock blenny ( Salaria pavo ), pheromones involved in sexual attraction of females are secreted by an anal gland located on the anal fin‐rays (Laumen et al ., 1974; Serrano et al ., 2008b). The testicular glands, anal glands and/or the blind pouches (paired evaginations of the spermatic ducts) may be sites of pheromone production (Serrano et al ., 2008a).…”

Section: Chemical Communication Moleculesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiology, endocrinology and chemical communication in aggressive behaviour of fishes

Silva

Canário

Hubbard

et al. 2021

Journal of Fish Biology

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Fishes show remarkably diverse aggressive behaviour. Aggression is expressed to secure resources; adjusting aggression levels according to context is key to avoid negative consequences for fitness and survival. Nonetheless, despite its importance, the physiological basis of aggression in fishes is still poorly understood. Several reports suggest hormonal modulation of aggression, particularly by androgens, but contradictory studies have been published. Studies exploring the role of chemical communication in aggressive behaviour are also scant, and the pheromones involved remain to be unequivocally characterized. This is surprising as chemical communication is the most ancient form of information exchange and plays a variety of other roles in fishes. Furthermore, the study of chemical communication and aggression is relevant at the evolutionary, ecological and economic levels. A few pioneering studies support the hypothesis that aggressive behaviour, at least in some teleosts, is modulated by "dominance pheromones" that reflect the social status of the sender, but there is little information on the identity of the compounds involved. This review aims to provide a global view of aggressive behaviour in fishes and its underlying physiological mechanisms including the involvement of chemical communication, and discusses the potential use of dominance pheromones to improve fish welfare. Methodological considerations and future research directions are also outlined.

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“…Pheromones were also studied for the peacock blenny Salaria pavo. Sexual pheromones in S. pavo were found to be located in their anal glands 256 and are involved in attraction of reproductively competent females to nests. 257 Structural differences in anal glands between pre-spawning and spawning male blennies corresponded to a higher olfactory potency of the male secretions.…”

Section: Fishmentioning

confidence: 99%

Marine chemical ecology in benthic environments

2011

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Seasonal cell differentiation and olfactory potency of secretions by the anal glands of male peacock blenny Salaria Pavo

Cited by 5 publications

References 26 publications

When fathers make the difference: efficacy of male sexually selected antimicrobial glands in enhancing fish hatching success

When fathers make the difference: efficacy of male sexually selected antimicrobial glands in enhancing fish hatching success

Physiology, endocrinology and chemical communication in aggressive behaviour of fishes

Marine chemical ecology in benthic environments

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