 |
|
The importance of being helpful -- Cooperative cichlids boost their own reproductive success
May 18, 2009Press release from PLoS ONE
Subordinate individuals living within a group of vertebrates sometimes assist a more dominant pair by helping to raise the dominant pair's offspring and this has been shown to occur among subordinate female cichlids. Reporting in the online, open-access, peer-reviewed journal PLoS ONE, Dik Heg and colleagues at the University of Bern, Switzerland, and the Ohio State University, suggest that rather than engaging in an act of reciprocal altruism, these subordinate females actually benefit from the care-giving they offer as the more helpful subordinates are more likely to reproduce.
A number of hypotheses have been proposed to explain why subordinate female cichlids (Neolamprologus pulcher) often help to raise the offspring of unrelated dominant females (a form of alloparental care). Studying small groups of unrelated individuals, Heg and colleagues found no evidence that the helping behaviour of the subordinates was an example of reciprocal altruism, even though opportunities for reciprocation among cichlids are high, as the females lay eggs about every second week-there was no correlation between the amount of care that dominants provided for their subordinates' broods and subordinates' alloparental care for dominants' broods.
The results of the PLoS ONE study suggest that while reciprocal altruism doesn't occur, the subordinate cichlids did receive reciprocal benefits in exchange for the care they provided for the offspring of dominant pairs-a behaviour that enhanced their own chances of successfully reproducing. More specifically, a subordinate's helping behaviour ensures she gains access to the breeding substrate, on which she lays her eggs.
Heg and colleagues show that subordinates may be prepared to increase their care "payments" in return for enhancements in their own current reproductive potential (which they call the "pay-to-reproduce" hypothesis). Finally, subordinates may adjust their level of help according to parentage, at least in females
The authors suggest that this finding may also apply to other species, such as the female yellow-bellied marmot, which also adjusts its social behaviour largely to get access to direct reproduction.
http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0005458
Public Library of Science
The results of the PLoS ONE study suggest that while reciprocal altruism doesn't occur, the subordinate cichlids did receive reciprocal benefits in exchange for the care they provided for the offspring of dominant pairs-a behaviour that enhanced their own chances of successfully reproducing. More specifically, a subordinate's helping behaviour ensures she gains access to the breeding substrate, on which she lays her eggs.
Heg and colleagues show that subordinates may be prepared to increase their care "payments" in return for enhancements in their own current reproductive potential (which they call the "pay-to-reproduce" hypothesis). Finally, subordinates may adjust their level of help according to parentage, at least in females
The authors suggest that this finding may also apply to other species, such as the female yellow-bellied marmot, which also adjusts its social behaviour largely to get access to direct reproduction.
http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0005458
Public Library of Science
Cichlids Current Events and Cichlids News RSSGenetic conflict in fish led to evolution of new sex chromosomes
University of Maryland biologists have genetically mapped the sex chromosomes of several species of cichlid (pronounced "sick-lid") fish from Lake Malawi, East Africa, and identified a mechanism by which new sex chromosomes may evolve.
East African cichlid fish offer new understanding of genetic basis of sex determination
Biologists have genetically mapped the sex chromosomes of several species of cichlid fish from Lake Malawi, East Africa, and identified a mechanism by which new sex chromosomes may evolve.
Fish researcher demonstrates first 'non-visual feeding' by African cichlids
Most fish rely primarily on their vision to find prey to feed upon, but a University of Rhode Island biologist and her colleagues have demonstrated that a group of African cichlids feeds by using its lateral line sensory system to detect minute vibrations made by prey hidden in the sediments.
Infidelity produces faster sperm
Until now, it has been difficult to prove that fast-swimming sperms have an advantage when it comes to fertilizing an egg.
Species thrive when sexual dimorphism broadens their niches
Some Caribbean lizards' strong sexual dimorphism allows them to colonize much larger niches and habitats than they might otherwise occupy, allowing males and females to avoid competing with each other for resources and setting the stage for the population as a whole to thrive.
Butterfly speciation event recreated
In a matter of months, butterflies sporting the yellow and red wing color pattern of a wild species were created through simple laboratory crosses of two other wild species, researchers report in the June 15, 2006 edition of the journal Nature.
Multiple genes permit closely related fish species to mix and match their color vision
Vision, like other biological attributes, is shaped by evolution through environmental pressures and demands, and even closely-related species that are in other ways very similar might respond to their particular environments by interpreting the visual world slightly differently, using photoreceptors that are attuned to particular wavelengths of light.
More Cichlids Current Events and Cichlids News Articles
 |
Pocket Professional Guide to Cichlids by David E. Boruchowitz (Author) |
 |
Aquarium Care of Cichlids (Animal Planet Pet Care Library) by Claudia Dickinson (Author) Cichlids are popular and attractive fish that require specific care and maintenance. This easy-to-follow guide provides clear and concise information on how to keep cichlids healthy and thriving in home aquariums. |
 |
Cichlids (Complete Pet Owner's Manual) by George Zurlo (Author), David Schleser (Author) These colorful fish are native to Central and South America, Africa, and Asia, and hobbyists will find them available in many colors and varieties. Titles in the extensive Complete Pet Owner's Manuals series provide pet owners with basic information on keeping healthy, contented, well-cared-for animals. The series includes approximately 175 titles and covers pets of every kind: dogs, cats, and birds of many breeds, as well as fish, reptiles, rabbits, hamsters, and just about any other animal that people keep as a pet. Facts and advice cover all aspects of pet care, which include proper feeding, housing, health care, grooming, training, and much more. The text in each manual is supplemented with many vivid, full-color photos, and with instructive, anatomically accurate line art. Each... |
 |
Lake Malawi Cichlids (Complete Pet Owner's Manual) by Mark Smith (Author) Aquarium hobbyists will find everything they need to know about this interesting species of tropical fish. Books in the Complete Pet Owner's Manuals series present basic information for new or soon-to-be owners. Advice and instruction covers feeding, housing, health care, training, grooming, and much more. Texts emphasize pet care basics and are easy for all readers to understand. All books in this series are filled with high quality full-color photos and instructive line drawings. Length averages between 64 and 104 pages. |
 |
New Life Spectrum Cichlid Formula - 300 g by New Life International Inc 1mm Sinking/Fresh H2O |
 |
Malawi Cichlids in their Natural Habitat, New 4th Edition by Ad Konings (Author) No lake in the world contains such a diversified and distinct community of cichlid fishes as Lake Malawi. The total number of cichlid species in the lake is now estimated at about 1000, which are about 200 more than all the freshwater fish species of the North American Continent combined! And there is every indication that still more remains to be discovered. This fourth, completely revised edition of the definitive study of Lake Malawi cichlids discusses and illustrates more species (843 species of which 822 are shown in photos) than any previous publication. Basing his study on more than 1500 hours of underwater observations all over the lake (36 expeditions), the author characterizes the species by their habitat preference, distribution, and coloration. More than 1750... |
 |
Back to Nature: Guide to Tanganyika Cichlids, Revised & Expanded Second Edition by Ad Konings (Author) Tanganyika cichlids are the most interesting aquarium fishes known today. More than any other group of aquarium fishes, they have evoked great passion among hobbyists. They provide aquarists with a combination of attractive fishes, interesting behavior, and easy maintenance. In order to enjoy your Tanganyika cichlid aquarium to the full, however, it is essential to take their specific maintenance requirements into account. This new guide provides expert advice on all the elements of proper maintenance, such as choice of aquarium (with details of the minimum size and capacity required for each species discussed), creating the correct water conditions, providing appropriate decor, feeding, breeding, common diseases, etc. This book is a revised and greatly expanded version of the... |
 |
Cichlids: The Pictorial Guide, Volume 2 by Pablo Tepoot (Author), Ian M. Tepoot (Author) The critically acclaimed follow-up to Volume 1 is filled with superior photography and clearly written valuable information. Like in the first book, a male and a female are shown in prime condition for every cichlid. This book concentrates primarily on Tanganyika Cichlids and on South & Central American Cichlids. Compared to Volume 1, this Volume 2 has also more text and comments on each fish. With over 300 stunning color photos, 336 pages, hardcover, it is the perfect companion to Volume 1. PLEASE NOTE: THIS BOOK IS WRITTEN IN ENGLISH, GERMAN, JAPANESE AND CHINESE. |
 |
Celebrating Cichlids from Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika by Ad Konings (Author) Just the words East African Rift Lake convey sufficient magic to attract the attention of those that have never even heard of cichlids. Imagine a body of water as large as the state of Maryland, filled with crystal clear water fresh water and teeming with millions of gaudily colored fishes. Just like a coral reef without the salt water, the currents, and the tides. And Africa has two such lakes, both about the same size and both with a unique set of fishes, almost all of them found only in that particular lake. A part of Lake Malawi has been declared a World Heritage Site, the world?s first freshwater park. The fauna of Lake Tanganyika, with a depth of 1470 meter/4,822 feet, the second deepest in the world, is thought to be older than six million years, and perhaps as old as 20... |
 |
Malawi Cichlids Feeding Behavior, A Seminar by Ad Konings Starring: Ad Konings Directed By: Ad Konings No lake in the world contains such a diversified and distinct community of cichlid fishes as Lake Malawi. Over the years Malawi cichlids, which are among the most colorful freshwater fishes known, have become very popular among aquarists, as they are easy to maintain and breed in captivity. The total number of cichlid species in the lake is now estimated at about 1000, which are about 200 more than all the freshwater fish species of the North American Continent combined! |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |