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.

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Apr 13th, 2:00 PM Apr 13th, 3:00 PM

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.