The effects of external cues on individual and collective behavior of shoaling fish.

ABSTRACT: Collective animal behavior is an emergent phenomenon arising from the local interactions of the members of animal groups. Considerable progress has been made in characterizing these interactions, particularly inferring rules that shape and guide the responses of animals to their near neighbors. To date, experimental work has focused on collective behavior within a single, stable context. We examine the individual and collective behavior of a schooling fish species, the x-ray tetra (Pristella maxillaris), identifying their response to changes in context produced by food cues or conspecific alarm cues. Fish exposed to alarm cues show pronounced, broad-ranging changes of behavior, including reducing speed and predictability in their movements. Alarmed fish also alter their responses to

SUBMITTER: Schaerf TM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5482554 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature