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Effects of a Chemical Stressor on the Parental Behavior of Convict Cichlids with Offspring in Early Stages of Development
Author(s) -
Lorenz Jerome J.,
Taylor Douglas H.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
transactions of the american fisheries society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1548-8659
pISSN - 0002-8487
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8659(1992)121<0315:eoacso>2.3.co;2
Subject(s) - convict , offspring , stressor , biology , developmental psychology , psychology , zoology , neuroscience , genetics , pregnancy , criminology
Mated pairs of convict cichlids Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum were exposed to one of two acidities (pH 5.0–5.5 and pH 7.0) and allowed to breed. Two conspecifics similar in size to the parents were placed in the tank to act as objects of parental aggression. These conspecifics were isolated from the parents by a grid barrier that allowed free visual and chemical interchange between conspecifics and parents. Significant alterations in brooding behaviors and aggressive activities occurred in pairs exposed to pH 5.0–5.5 compared to those at pH 7.0. Females reduced brooding behaviors at lower pH and males increased brooding behaviors to compensate for reductions by females. Aggressive behaviors, especially by males, increased under low‐pH stress. Increased visual aggression may reduce the need for physical altercation in stressed environments.