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Chemical communication in cichlids: A mini-review
Tina Keller-Costa1, Adelino V M Canário1, Peter C Hubbard1
1Centro de Ciências do Mar, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.
General and Comparative Endocrinology
|January 28, 2015
Summary
Cichlids utilize chemical signals for crucial behaviors like parental care, courtship, and predator avoidance. Further research is needed to identify the specific chemical cues involved in these complex fish communications.
Area of Science:
- Ethology
- Chemical Ecology
- Ichthyology
Background:
- The Cichlidae family exhibits complex social behaviors including pair-formation, parental care, and territoriality.
- Previous research indicates cichlids possess olfactory capabilities for discriminating between conspecifics and heterospecifics, particularly concerning brood recognition and predator avoidance.
- Chemical communication, including the use of pheromones, is suspected to play a role in cichlid courtship, mate choice, and social hierarchy establishment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of chemical communication in cichlids.
- To highlight the involvement of chemical cues in various cichlid behaviors such as parental care, reproduction, and social interactions.
- To encourage further research into the mechanisms and chemical identities of cues used in cichlid communication.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature on cichlid behavior and chemical communication.
- Analysis of studies investigating olfactory discrimination in parent and young cichlids.
- Examination of research on pheromonal signaling in cichlid courtship, mate choice, and social organization.
Main Results:
- Parent cichlids use olfactory cues to distinguish between conspecific and heterospecific young, and some can differentiate their own brood.
- Male cichlids employ urinary pheromones for courtship, while females may use these cues for mate selection.
- Alarm cues are released by cichlids to warn conspecifics of danger, though the specific substances remain unidentified.
Conclusions:
- Cichlids extensively use chemical communication across a range of behaviors, including parental care, reproduction, and predator response.
- Despite behavioral evidence, the specific chemical compounds and mechanisms underlying cichlid chemical communication are largely unknown.
- The study advocates for increased investigation into chemical communication within the diverse cichlid family.
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