Territoriality and Reproduction of Serranus subligarius in a Captive Environment

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Demski, Leo

Keywords

Serranus subligarius, Hermaphrodite, Hermaphroditism, Territoriality

Area of Concentration

Biology

Abstract

The belted sandfish, Serranus subligarius, is a useful model for the study of sexual behavior. A successful culture of this fish depends on understanding its territorial requirements and reproductive behavior. To explore the dynamics of the addition of a new group to an already established one, a group of fish was ranked according to dominance and then added to a tank containing a group that had already established their territories. The least dominant fish were the first to gain territories and assimilate into the original population while the most dominant fish gained territories later and in areas unpopulated by members of the original group. The original group began demonstrating mating behavior before introduction of the second group. The second group had not previously displayed any sexual behavior but began to do so upon introduction to the other fish. The eggs resulting from several spawnings were incubated in an attempt to raise a second generation. Though evidence of feeding was displayed in one gr up, they did not survive and no other fry made it to that stage of development.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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