Abstract
The butterflyfish,Chaetodon lunulatus, forms monogamous pair bonds. Each pair defends a feeding territory against conspecifics. The tail-up or lateral display of the butterflyfish is performed not only towards non-partners in territorial disputes (extra-pair interaction), but also towards partners (intra-pair interaction). In order to explain this phenomenon, I investigated the two interaction types, and found that a simple model explains both interactions very well. The model consists of four behavioral rules and two provisos for applying the rules. Rule 1: Perform the tail-up display when approached by another individual. Rule 2: Perform the tail-up display when another individual performs the tail-up display. Rule 3: Attack another individual that neither approaches nor performs the tail-up display. Rule 4: Swim with your partner. Proviso 1: Apply Rules 1 and 2 when you do not intend to run away. Proviso 2: Apply Rules 1, 2, and 3 when you do not recognize another individual as your partner. When Rules 1–4 and Provisos 1–2 are applied, the display can prevent improper attacks between partners caused by imperfect partner recognition.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baerends, G. P. & J. M. Baerends-van Roon 1950 An introduction to the study of the ethology of chichlid fishes.Behaviour Suppl. 1:1–242.
Barlow, G. W. 1962 Ethology of the Asian teleostBadis badis. III. Aggressive behavior.Z. Tierpsychol. 19:29–55.
Barlow, G. W. 1968 Effect of size of mate on courtship in a cichlid fish,Etroplus maculatus.Comm. Behav. Biol., Part A. 2: 149–160.
Chiszar, D. 1978 Lateral displays in the lower vertebrates: Forms, functions, and origins. In: E. S. Reese and F. J. Lighter (eds.)Contrasts in Behavior. pp.105–135. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Driscoll, J. W. & J. L. Driscoll 1988 Pair behavior and spacing in butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae).Env. Biol. Fishe. 22: 29–37.
Dunham, D., W. K. Kormulder & J. J. A. Van Iersel 1968 Threat and appeasement inBarbus stoliczkanus (Cyprinidae).Behaviour 30: 15–26.
Fricke, H. W. 1986 Pair swimming and mutual partner guarding in monogamous butterflyfish (Pisces, Chaetodontidae): a joint advertisement for territory.Ethology 73: 307–333.
Hinde, R. A. 1970 Animal Behaviour 2nd edn. McGraw-Hill, New York.
Kuiter, R. H. 1995Chaetodon lunulatus, a sibling species ofC. trifasciatus, with observations on other sibling species of butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae).Revue fr. Aquariol. 21:105–106.
Reese, E. S. 1975 A comparative field study of the social behavior and related ecology of reef fishes of the family Chaetodontidae.Z. Tierpsychol. 37:37–61.
Reese, E. S. 1991 How behavior influences community structure of butterflyfishes (family Chaetodontidae) on Pacific coral reefs.Ecol. Inter. Bull. 19: 29–41.
SAS Institute Inc. 1989 SAS/STAT User’s Guide, Version 6. 4th ed. SAS Institute Inc., Cary.
Sutton, M. 1985 Patterns of spacing in a coral reef fish in two habitats on the Great Barrier Reef.Anim. Behav. 33:1332–1337.
Tinbergen, N. 1959 Comparative studies of the behaviour of gulls (Laridae): a progress report.Behaviour 15: 1–70.
Yabuta, S. 1997 Spawning migrations in the monogamous butterflyfish,Chaetodon trifasciatus.Ichthyol. Res. 44: 177–182.
Yabuta, S. 2000 Behaviors in agonistic interaction of the butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunulatus).J. Ethol. 18: (in press)
Yanagisawa, Y. 1982 Social behaviour and mating system of gobiid fishAmblyeleotris japonica.Jpn. J. Ichthyol. 28: 401–422.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
About this article
Cite this article
Yabuta, S. Behavioral rules and tail-up display in extra- and intra-pair interactions of the butterflyfish,Chaetodon lunulatus . J Ethol 17, 79–86 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02769301
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02769301