FILIAL SOCIAL BOND FORMATION IN FRY OF THE MATERNAL MOUTHBROODING TILAPIA (PISCES: CICHLIDAE): A COMPARATIVE STUDY

摘要: The mother - fry relationship in the maternal mouthbrooding species of tilapia has become a model social bond formation fish because relatively extensive care given to young. This been extensively studied Oreochromis mossambicus. In order determine if response pattern observed O. mossambicus broader applications, critical experiments these studies were replicated two closely related tilapia, niloticus and esculentus. All used study removed from their mother's mouth as eggs hatched artificially groups. also exposed models groups, but all tested for responsiveness or preferential behaviour individually. Experiment I determined naive establish baseline future comparisons. exhibited significant decline between days 11 12 post-hatching while esculentus 16 18, suggesting possible existence sensitive period species. obtain evidence period, both II at peak then later age which had fallen significantly. 15 18 comparisons involving species, exposure prevented responsiveness. III examined whether experience with effected how exclusively responded such future. It was predicted that, like fry, experienced would exhibit that formed least partial mismatch fry's initial schema stimuli. prediction not supported. IV behaviour. behave preferentially toward whichever pair closer match schema, necessarily they previously exposed. Maternally expected preferentially. These predictions generally supported, although effect less vigorous consistent than Filial appears be characterized by strong predispositions maternally relevant visual stimuli require appropriate maintenance induction preferences. Since similar developmental seen (e.g.) song learning passerine birds, imprinting precocial birds filial following substrate spawning cichlid fish, phenomenon broad significance.