The effects of duration of territorial residence on aggression in convict cichlids

Abstract

Resident convict cichlid aggression against a conspecific intruder was measured after 24 or 48 h of sole territorial residence. Latency of attack was significantly shorter and the intensity of attack was significantly higher in the 48-h residence condition than in the 24-h condition. These temporal changes in aggression fit the time frame for the development of the territorial prior residence effect in this species, apparently reflecting an underlying proximate mechanism in its occurrence.A series of recent studies using convict cichlids, Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum GUnther (Figler & Einhorn, 1983;Figler & Evensen, 1979;Figler & Peeke, 1978;Figler, Wazlavek, Spencer, & Gussio, 1985), and jewel fish, Gill (Figler, Dyer, Streckfus, & Nardini, 1975;Figler, Klein, & Peeke, 1976), have investigated the prior residence effect in fish. This phenomenon refers to the fact that in a territorial encounter, the territory owner is typically successful in repelling a conspecific intruder (Braddock, 1949). Hemichromis bimaculatusVarious factors have been shown to influence the resident's dominance advantage. These factors include relative size of resident and intruder (Figler, Wazlavek, Walko, & Chaves, 1985), length of territorial residence (Figler & Einhorn, 1983; Figler et aI., 1976), intra-and extraterritorial cues (Figler et aI., 1975;Figler & Einhorn, 1983;Figler, Wazlavek, Spencer, & Gussio, 1985), and past experience (Figler, et al., 1976). The proximate mechanisms underlying the prior residence effect, however, remain unclear.A number of hypotheses have been developed, but have not been supported (see Figler & Einhorn, 1983). Recently, however, Figler and Einhorn (1983) have suggested that a resident's initial fear in the territory (neophobia) habituates during a 24-48 h period, making the resident more aggressive (less inhibited by fear) than the intruder. This heightened aggression is suggested by the consistent finding in the above-mentioned studies that the resident reliably attacks first in an encounter, and that initiating attack is a reliable predictor of ultimate dominance. The notion of a 24-48 h habituation period derives from the fact that in C. nigrofasciatum the prior residence effect occurs somewhere between a 24-48 h period of residence in a geographical area.If this habituation-of-fear/increase-in-aggression hypothesis is tenable, then residents should show an increase in aggression across the time period concomitant with the development of the territorial dominance advan- tage. Therefore, the present preliminary study compared levels of aggression in residents that had occupied their territories for either 24 or 48 h prior to a territorial intrusion by a conspecific. METHOD SubjectsSubjects were 19 male and female convict cichlids (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum Gunther) maintained for several days in two 65 liter (78 x 32 x 31 cm) aquariums under constant aeration, filtration, and stable water temperature (26 0 C), and fed a diet of brine shrimp (Anemia salina) once per day. The room in which the fish we...

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

“…It is interesting to note that temperature has a telling effect on aggression in cichlids. We also note that our 24-hr residence fish were observed to exhibit greater mean bites than the 24-hr fish in the experiment of Figler et al [1986].…”

Social isolation and aggressiveness in the Amazonian juvenile fish Astronotus ocellatus

“…2). Reduced latency indicates increased aggressiveness, as observed for Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum (Figler et al, 1986). Moreover, Fernö (1978) found an increased latency to fight in Haplochromis burtoni after 3 days of isolation, which was associated with a reduced aggressive drive, confirming that aggressive motivation can be adequately inferred from this parameter.…”

“…Thus, the mirror image may also give the oscar some incomplete information about the "opponent", since there is no chemical communication between the "combatants", stimulating continuous attacks from the aggressor. Thirdly, probably a prior residence effect occurred (e.g., Figler & Einhorn, 1983;Figler et al, 1986;Turner, 1994), which can be established through isolation in many cichlids. An increased level of aggression in the absence of competitors may be advantageous because it increases the chance to win contests against conspecific intruders (Gómez-Laplaza & Morgan, 2000).…”

Reassessment of socially mediated learning in Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens).

“…Bronstein's (1986a) Experiment 1 was again replicated, except that the fish were first tested for their tunnel color preferences prior to exposure to the mirror conditioning procedure. Several other changes were made in this study, including the fact that training followed the same schedule used by Bronstein (e.g., eight 40-min sessions over 4 consecutive days) and half of the fish were tested on the day after they were relocated to the test environment, whereas the other fish were given a longer time to develop a territorial attachment to the test environment (e.g., Figler, Canoune, & Kitner-Triolo, 1986).…”