TY - JOUR
T1 - Are two South-Western Atlantic wrasses involved in a case of social mimicry?
AU - Nunes, José Anchieta C.C.
AU - Sampaio, Cláudio L.S.
AU - Leduc, Antoine O.H.C.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, Japan Ethological Society.
PY - 2021/9
Y1 - 2021/9
N2 - We investigated whether two South-Western Atlantic wrasses [Halichoeres penrosei (models) and Thalassoma noronhanum (mimics)] were involved in social mimicry. In mixed shoals, we recorded species-specific abundances and lengths, and qualitatively assessed these fishe’s behaviour. In all aggregations, mimics were fewer than models but of comparable body size. Furthermore, mimics faithfully followed model’s behaviour. As mimicry should provide benefits, we measured the flight initiation distance (FID) of mimics to an approaching predator. FID was negatively correlated with group size, suggesting that larger shoals were perceived as safer. These results suggest that social mimicry between these species takes place, and provide antipredation benefits.
AB - We investigated whether two South-Western Atlantic wrasses [Halichoeres penrosei (models) and Thalassoma noronhanum (mimics)] were involved in social mimicry. In mixed shoals, we recorded species-specific abundances and lengths, and qualitatively assessed these fishe’s behaviour. In all aggregations, mimics were fewer than models but of comparable body size. Furthermore, mimics faithfully followed model’s behaviour. As mimicry should provide benefits, we measured the flight initiation distance (FID) of mimics to an approaching predator. FID was negatively correlated with group size, suggesting that larger shoals were perceived as safer. These results suggest that social mimicry between these species takes place, and provide antipredation benefits.
KW - Antipredator behaviour
KW - Labridae
KW - Reef ecosystem
KW - Reef fish
KW - Social behaviour
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U2 - 10.1007/s10164-021-00702-5
DO - 10.1007/s10164-021-00702-5
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85105445558
SN - 0289-0771
VL - 39
SP - 411
EP - 415
JO - Journal of Ethology
JF - Journal of Ethology
IS - 3
ER -