| Title: | Chemical communication in cichlids: A mini-review |
| Author(s): | Keller-Costa T; Canario AV; Hubbard PC; |
| Address: | "Centro de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal. Electronic address: tkeller@ualg.pt. Centro de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal. Electronic address: acanario@ualg.pt. Centro de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal. Electronic address: phubbard@ualg.pt" |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.01.001 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1095-6840 (Electronic) 0016-6480 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "The family Cichlidae is well-known for pair-formation, parental care, territoriality, elaborate courtship and social organization. Do cichlids use chemical communication to mediate any of these behaviours? Early studies suggest that parent cichlids can discriminate between conspecific and heterospecific wrigglers (but not eggs) using olfactory cues. Some species are able to discriminate between their own brood and other conspecific broods based on olfaction. The young recognise conspecific adults (although not necessarily their parents) through the odorants they release. In both scenarios, protection of the young from predation is the likely selective force. Some male cichlids use urinary pheromones during courtship and spawning to attract females and induce ovulation. Females--in their turn--may base their mate-choice in part on assessment of those self-same pheromones. The same pheromonal system may be involved in establishing and maintaining the social hierarchies in lek-breeding cichlids. Individual recognition is also mediated by chemical communication. Finally, there is ample behavioural evidence that cichlids--like ostariophysan fish--release alarm cues that alert conspecifics to predation danger. Although the effects of these cues may be similar (e.g., increased shelter use, tighter schooling), they are different substances which remain to be identified. Cichlids, then, use chemical communication associated with many different behaviours. However, given the diversity of cichlids, little is known about the mechanisms of chemical communication or the chemical identity of the cues involved. The aim of this mini-review is to persuade those working with cichlids to consider the involvement of chemical communication, and those working in chemical communication to consider using cichlids" |
| Keywords: | *Animal Communication Animals Cichlids/*physiology Cues Pheromones/*pharmacology Predatory Behavior Reproduction/drug effects Social Dominance Alarm cues Behaviour Dominance Kin-recognition Pheromone Reproduction; |
| Notes: | "MedlineKeller-Costa, Tina Canario, Adelino V M Hubbard, Peter C eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review 2015/01/28 Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2015 Sep 15; 221:64-74. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.01.001. Epub 2015 Jan 23" |
