M. C. P. Amorim, J. M. Simoes, P. J. Fonseca and G. F. Turner (2008):
Species differences in courtship acoustic signals among five Lake Malawi
cichlid species (Pseudotropheus spp.). J. Fish Biol., 72(6), 1355-1368.
Abstract: Male courtship acoustic signals from five Lake Malawi cichlid fish
species of the Pseudotropheus zebra complex were recorded and compared.
Sounds made by males of P. zebra, Pseudotropheus callainos and the
undescribed species known as Pseudotropheus 'zebra gold' from Nkhata Bay,
and Pseudotropheus emmiltos and Pseudotropheus faizilberi from Mphanga
Rocks, differed significantly in the number of pulses and in pulse period.
The largest differences in acoustic variables were found among the sympatric
Mphanga Rocks species that, in contrast to the other three species, show
relatively minor differences in male colour and pattern. These findings
suggest that interspecific mate recognition is mediated by multimodal
signals and that the mass of different sensory channels varies among
sympatric species groups. This study also showed that sound peak frequency
was significantly negatively correlated with male size and that sound
production rate increased significantly with courtship rate.
URL:
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2008.01802.x
For reprints please contact Maria Clara Amorim (Email:
Kind regards
Sonja
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Dr. Sonja Amoser
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