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Effect of paired encounters on plasma androgens and behaviour in males and females of the spiny damselfish Acanthochromis polyacanthus

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 17:19 authored by Hay, AC, Pankhurst, NW
Sexuallly mature male and female spiny damselfish, Acanthochromis polyacanthus (Pomacentridae) were introduced to resident fish of both sexes in paired encounter trials and the effect on activity, agonistic behaviour and plasma levels of testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) in males, and T and 17β-estradiol (E2) in females, and cortisol in both sexes was determined. Introduced males showed suppressed levels of T in the presence of both resident males and females, whereas resident males showed elevated T in response to introduced males but not females. Plasma 11-KT levels were unchanged in either resident or introduced males. Resident males showed increased activity in the presence of males but not females. Resident females showed an increase in activity when paired with introduced females and greater aggressive behaviour towards females than males. There were no differences in plasma hormone levels in either resident or introduced female fish. Plasma cortisol levels were low in all fish and stress effects did not appear to account for differences in T levels in males. The results of the present study show that elevations in plasma T levels in resident male spiny damselfish are associated only with male presence but that suppression of T in introduced fish occurs irrespective of the sex of the resident. In contrast resident females, which show stronger evidence of aggressive behaviour do not show changes in plasma androgen levels. This suggests that aggressive behaviour in male and female fishes may be mediated by different endocrine pathways. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Group Ltd.

History

Publication title

Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology

Volume

38

Pagination

127-138

ISSN

1023-6244

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Taylor & Francis Ltd

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Fisheries - aquaculture not elsewhere classified

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