Facial Recognition in a Discus Fish (Cichlidae): Experimental Approach Using Digital Models.

ABSTRACT: A number of mammals and birds are known to be capable of visually discriminating between familiar and unfamiliar individuals, depending on facial patterns in some species. Many fish also visually recognize other conspecifics individually, and previous studies report that facial color patterns can be an initial signal for individual recognition. For example, a cichlid fish and a damselfish will use individual-specific color patterns that develop only in the facial area. However, it remains to be determined whether the facial area is an especially favorable site for visual signals in fish, and if so why? The monogamous discus fish, Symphysopdon aequifasciatus (Cichlidae), is capable of visually distinguishing its pair-partner from other conspecifics. Discus fish have individual-specific colo

SUBMITTER: Satoh S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4871422 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature