SOCIAL FAMILIARITY AND NIP DOMINANCE IN MALE SWORDTAILS (XIPHOPHORUS HELLERI) AND PLATYS (XIPHOPHORUS MACULATUS)

摘要: Sumnzary.-Male swordtails and plarys (ns = 12) were tested tor nip dominance among familiar (mnkmate) unfamiliar (nontankrnate) conspecific pairs in four round robin contests conducted at weekly intervals. Stable relationships found for both species, with less aggression manifested between swordtail pairs, to a lesser extent, platy than nonfamiliar pairs. Significant correlations physical size status also species. The purpose of this study was twofold. First, an attempt made ascertain the role recent interanimal familiarity upon stability relationships. It wzs hypothesized that, since relations suange animals can only be determined by immediate conditions, whereas prior interactions may play members changes would slower animals, their hierarchy more stable over time. That hierarchies variety species are quite has been noted Van Kreveld (1970), it is presently argued that least part responsible this. In addition, felt displays fewer relationships, once established, characterized overt aggressive behavior. Whatever mechanism, adaptive time energy need devoted statusregulating Secondly, possibility differences two closely related fish investigated. Noble Borne (1940) reported (Xzphophmm hellerk) periods up 6 mo., Braddock (1942) reports mean duratioc male platys (Xiphophorr.4~ mculatw) 5.8 days. Though there methodological experiments, comparison very difficult because findings have abstract, indeed differ regard widely correlate other e.g., rhesus monkeys (Warren & Maroney, 1958) golden hamsters (Drickamer, Vandenbergh, Colby, 1973), its these as well.