Event Title
Honey, I Moved the Kids: Division of Labor in a Biparental Cichlid Fish
Presentation Type
Poster/Portfolio
Presenter Major(s)
Biomedical Sciences, Health Professions
Mentor Information
Jodee Hunt, huntj@gvsu.edu
Department
Biology
Location
Kirkhof Center KC27
Start Date
13-4-2011 2:00 PM
End Date
13-4-2011 3:00 PM
Keywords
Life Science
Abstract
Parental care is an important form of social behavior that increases offspring fitness. Unlike most fishes, convict cichlids form strong mate bonds and exhibit long-term, biparental care. Such parental care might yield specialized behavior, i.e., division of labor, such that males and females contribute to offspring fitness in different ways. We quantified parental behaviors of males and females to determine whether they differed in (a) amount or type of contact with offspring and (b) time spent near offspring. Females remained near broods and exhibited contact behaviors with offspring more than males. Contact behaviors include mouthing, rubbing, and swish and spit. Because of these differences, females may contribute more to transmission of beneficial microbes, while males may specialize in defensive behaviors.
Honey, I Moved the Kids: Division of Labor in a Biparental Cichlid Fish
Kirkhof Center KC27
Parental care is an important form of social behavior that increases offspring fitness. Unlike most fishes, convict cichlids form strong mate bonds and exhibit long-term, biparental care. Such parental care might yield specialized behavior, i.e., division of labor, such that males and females contribute to offspring fitness in different ways. We quantified parental behaviors of males and females to determine whether they differed in (a) amount or type of contact with offspring and (b) time spent near offspring. Females remained near broods and exhibited contact behaviors with offspring more than males. Contact behaviors include mouthing, rubbing, and swish and spit. Because of these differences, females may contribute more to transmission of beneficial microbes, while males may specialize in defensive behaviors.