个性对中华倒刺鲃群体运动特征和食物占有能力的影响

为了探讨鱼类个性特征(勇敢性和社会性)对集群行为的影响及其与食物占有能力之间的关联, 实验选取中华倒刺鲃(Spinibarbus sinensis)幼鱼为实验对象, 分别测定其勇敢性、社会性和单尾饲养条件下的食物占有能力(摄食率)和生长、集群时每尾鱼个体运动特征及其食物占有能力(摄食率)。研究发现: (1)中华倒刺鲃的勇敢性和社会性具有较好的重复性, 且两者呈显著负相关, 但均与食物占有能力无关联; (2)社会性高的个体集群时运动时间比和速度同步性较低。(3)集群时较为活跃且距离鱼群质心距离较远的个体往往具有较高的食物占有能力。研究表明: (1)中华倒刺鲃的社会性在集群运动时能够很好的保留, 且个性差异会对集群运动特征产生重要影响。(2)在集群行为中, 群体成员运动特征的异质性会导致其食物占有能力出现差异, 这进一步表明个性分化对鱼类的集群生活具有重要的影响。     

群体成员大小差异对不同生境鲤科鱼类集群行为的影响

为研究群体成员大小差异对不同喜好生境鱼类集群行为特征的影响, 实验分别以鳊(Parabramis pekinensis)和中华倒刺鲃(Spinibarbus sinensis)幼鱼为实验对象, 比较分析4尾等大小(E)和不等大小(2大2小, NE)实验鱼群体的自发游泳速度、空间分布以及对恐吓刺激反应等集群行为参数的差异。结果显示: (1)和鳊相比, 中华倒刺鲃有更高的自发游泳速度、速度同步性和排列方向的极性, 但二者对恐吓刺激的反应率及反应的协调一致性相似; (2)当群体成员大小出现差异时, 两种鱼群体排列方向的极性不受影响, 且大小个体成员间的速度及其同步性均没有差异, 但整体的速度同步性与等大小群体相比有所下降; (3)个体间距离数据显示, 个体大小差异不会影响两种鱼群体的凝聚力; (4)群体成员在两种鱼群中偏好位置不同, 当群体成员大小不同时, 大个体成员更偏好占据领头鱼位置; (5)群体成员大小的差异导致两种鱼对刺激的反应率下降。研究表明: 中华倒刺鲃具有更高的活跃性、更好的群体运动的协调性, 可能与其流水生境相关; 当群体成员大小出现差异时, 成员不分大小在整体上协调运动的速度和方向, 并保持群体有较高的凝聚力, 但两种鱼类自发游泳速度调整策略截然不同(鳊大小个体速度妥协趋同, 而中华倒刺鲃低速个体速度提高); 群体成员大小差异导致鱼群对恐吓刺激的反应率有所下降, 可能原因包括体形差异导致的社会因素造成敏锐性下降、信息交流效率受阻和(或)集群收益代价出现分化影响一致决策的形成等。     

饥饿对中华倒刺鲃幼鱼代谢、个性和集群的影响

在自然界中,环境变化、季节更替和人为因素造成食物资源时空分布的不均一性,导致鱼类经常面临食物资源短缺的环境胁迫,对其能量代谢和行为造成一定影响。为考察食物资源短缺下暖水性鲤科鱼类能量代谢、个性与集群行为的应对策略及其可能的内在关联,选取中华倒刺鲃(Spinibarbus sinensis)幼鱼为实验对象,分别测定饥饿组(2周)和对照组(维持日粮)在处理前后实验鱼的标准代谢率(Standard metabolic rate,SMR)、个性行为(勇敢性、探索性和活跃性)以及实验处理后的集群行为(凝聚力和协调性)。研究发现:(1)饥饿组和对照组实验过程中实验鱼SMR均显著下降,但仅饥饿组实验鱼SMR具有重复性;(2)饥饿导致中华倒刺鲃幼鱼勇敢性、探索性、活跃性均显著增加;(3)饥饿导致群体成员间距离缩短,游泳速度及其同步性上升。研究表明:饥饿后的中华倒刺鲃不仅适应性降低SMR以减少能量消耗,而且呈现出更高的勇敢性、探索性和活跃性以利于获取食物资源;饥饿迫使中华倒刺鲃群体提高凝聚力和协调性,可能有助于提高群体的生存能力。     

力竭追赶训练对两种鲤科鱼类呼吸循环系统参数和力竭运动后代谢特征的影响

为了考察力竭追赶训练对中华倒刺鲃(Spinibarbus sinensis)和岩原鲤(Procypris rabaudi)幼鱼呼吸循环系统和力竭运动后代谢特征的影响, 在(25±0.5)℃条件下, 将2种实验鱼各60尾 [体重分别为(28.36±0.08) g和(19.53±0.13) g]随机等分成对照组和训练组, 训练组进行1次/d共21d的力竭追赶训练。随后测定各组实验鱼的心脏和鳃指数、血液指标以及力竭运动后过量耗氧(Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, EPOC)。结果发现: 2种鱼心脏指数、鳃指数、血红蛋白含量和红细胞数目在各自对照组和训练组之间都没有显著性差异; 岩原鲤对照组的鳃指数显著低于中华倒刺鲃对照组(P<0.05), 但心脏指数、血红蛋白含量和红细胞数目与中华倒刺鲃对照组无显著性差异。中华倒刺鲃训练组的运动前代谢率、运动代谢峰值、峰值比率、代谢恢复速率与其对照组没有显著差异, 但运动后恢复时间和过量耗氧显著大于对照组(P<0.05); 岩原鲤训练组的运动前代谢率显著低于其对照组(P<0.05), 但运动代谢峰值、峰值比率、运动后恢复时间、过量耗氧、代谢恢复速率与其对照组没有显著性差异。岩原鲤对照组的运动前代谢率、运动代谢峰值、过量耗氧和代谢恢复速率分别显著低于中华倒刺鲃对照组(P<0.05), 但峰值比率和运动后恢复时间与中华倒刺鲃对照组无显著性差异。研究表明: (1)力竭追赶训练对中华倒刺鲃和岩原鲤幼鱼的呼吸和循环系统参数没有产生显著性影响; (2)力竭追赶训练显著提高了中华倒刺鲃幼鱼的无氧代谢能力; (3)中华倒刺鲃幼鱼力竭运动前后代谢率显著高于岩原鲤幼鱼, 这可能与其较为活跃的习性有关。     

宽鳍鱲个性与维持代谢、食物占有能力和日常能量消耗的关联

为了探讨集群性鱼类宽鳍鱲(Zacco platypus)的个性在群体中的生态学关联, 研究首先测定了宽鳍鱲的个性特征(包括活跃性、探索性、勇敢性和社会性)和标准代谢率。随后在群体(10个群体, 每群体6尾鱼)条件下测定了每尾鱼的运动轨迹、摄食状况, 并计算出每尾鱼的日总耗能。研究发现: 宽鳍鱲的个性特征与标准代谢率、摄食率和日总耗能均没有关联。个性与摄食率的关联丧失可能因为其野外生境食物丰度较高, 个性的差异未体现在对食物的竞争能力上; 而个性与能量代谢无关联可能与实验室单尾鱼测定条件下宽鳍鱲的应激反应有关。日总耗能与集群运动参数中的运动时间比、平均游泳速度和摄食率均呈正相关, 可能因为运动能耗和消化能耗在日总耗能中占比较高。另外, 日总耗能也与距质心距离正相关, 可能个性较积极的个体在群体中活跃程度较高, 集群时较多位于群体的边缘, 且日常能量消耗较高。研究结果表明, 集群时活跃的成员往往处于鱼群的外周, 食物占有能力更高, 但日常能量消耗也越多。研究还提示针对集群性野生鱼类, 可能在群体条件下考察其个性、能量代谢特征及其生态收益和代价更具生态学意义。     

中华倒刺鲃和胭脂鱼游泳行为、应激和免疫能力对短期禁食的响应

近年来,长江流域鱼类资源急剧下降,而有关鱼类对环境变化的行为和生理响应对于评估环境变化对种群动态的影响具有重要意义,相关研究亟待开展。选取中华倒刺鲃(Spinibarbus sinensis)和胭脂鱼(Myxocyprinus asiaticus)幼鱼为实验对象,考察两种鱼类在1-2周禁食后的自发群体运动时间比、游泳速度、个体间距离、最大匀加速速度、溶菌酶含量、鱼体免疫球蛋白(IgM)水平、血清皮质醇水平和超氧化物歧化酶活性的响应。研究发现：(1)相比之下,胭脂鱼的自发游泳行为表现不太活跃,游泳能力和IgM水平更低,超氧化物歧化酶SOD水平更高;(2)胭脂鱼在正常摄食条件下比中华倒刺鲃生长更慢,但是在1-2周短期禁食条件下其体重下降更少;(3)1-2周的短期禁食结束后,两种实验鱼的SOD活性和游泳能力变化不明显,但是其IgM水平和皮质醇都提高,胭脂鱼表现不及中华倒刺鲃;(4)胭脂鱼的溶菌酶含量在1-2周短期禁食后明显提高,但是中华倒刺鲃的溶菌酶含量没有受到1-2周短期禁食的显著影响。研究表明：(1)相比于中华倒刺鲃,胭脂鱼不太活跃,免疫和运动能力也更低,当食物充足时生长优势不明显,但在食物短缺时,营养物质和能量损失更少;(2)两种实验鱼的生理机能(比如游泳行为和免疫功能)对短期禁食有不同的响应,胭脂鱼更加不敏感(溶菌酶除外)。总体而言,研究表明同样的食物资源波动可能导致同一水域不同鱼类不同的生态后果,更多鱼类的相关研究亟待开展。     

环境类型和代谢表型对中华倒刺鲃群体行为的影响

鱼类个体因社会原因而聚集成群现象称作为鱼类群体行为,受到多种因素（如环境类型和能量代谢等）的影响。为考察代谢表型和环境类型对我国长江上游鲤科鱼类群体行为的影响,本研究以喜集群的中华倒刺鲃（Spinibarbus sinensis）为实验对象,在（26.1±0.1）℃水温条件下对该种鱼进行4种代谢表型[低标准代谢率/低代谢空间（低SMR/低AS）、低标准代谢率/高代谢空间（低SMR/高AS）、高标准代谢率/低代谢空间（高SMR/低AS）、高标准代谢率/高代谢空间（高SMR/高AS）]的分型并且在不同生态环境（无食物隐蔽场所、食物、食物隐蔽场所）条件下拍摄实验鱼的群体行为。结果发现：（1）中华倒刺鲃群体中的个体空间位置不受环境类型和代谢表型的影响;（2）中华倒刺鲃在空白环境（无食物隐蔽场所）和食物环境中的个体（群体）游泳速度和移动距离低于食物隐蔽场所环境,但前两种环境的个体游泳速度同步性高于食物隐蔽场所环境。（3）低SMR/低AS表型的个体空间位置的变异系数显著低于其它3种代谢表型;高SMR/高AS表型的最近邻距离以及与群体中间距离均大于低SMR/高AS和低SMR/低AS的两种代谢表型。然而,每种代谢表型在不同环境之间的最近邻距离均无差异。研究表明：虽然中华倒刺鲃群体中的个体空间位置不受环境类型和代谢表型影响,但不同代谢表型间的最近邻距离存在显著差异,暗示个体间的相互吸引力具有代谢表型依赖性;环境复杂性的增加可能不影响中华倒刺鲃的群体协调性。     

四种鲤科鱼类对捕食胁迫行为响应的种间比较

为了比较早期捕食胁迫经历和当前环境中存在的捕食者对鱼类行为的影响, 并考查这些影响是否存在种间差异, 研究分别考查了测定环境(有、无捕食者存在)对有、无捕食胁迫经历的鳊(Parabramis pekinensis)、草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)、鲫(Carassius auratus)和中华倒刺鲃(Spinibarbus sinensis)等4种鲤科鱼类探索性、活跃性和勇敢性的影响。结果发现: 早期捕食胁迫经历与当前环境条件对鱼类行为产生截然不同的影响, 且存在较大的种间差异。无捕食胁迫经历的鳊、草鱼和中华倒刺鲃均会对陌生的捕食者乌鳢(Channa argus)做出行为响应, 提示这3种鱼可能对陌生捕食者具有一定的识别能力, 但这种识别与猎物鱼通过捕食胁迫经历获得的识别仍具有一定差距; 具有捕食胁迫经历的鳊和中华倒刺鲃在空白环境中未表现出反捕食行为, 可能是节约能量的一种策略。总体而言, 草鱼对捕食胁迫经历和测定环境处理反应更为敏感, 而中华倒刺鲃的反应则相对保守。但当周围环境中存在捕食者时, 4种鲤科鱼类均会通过维持较高运动状态的方式来应对捕食者。维持这种应激状态可能对猎物鱼保持与捕食者的距离, 并随时保持警惕较为关键。     

中华倒刺鲃能量代谢和热耐受特征的体重效应

为了探讨体重对中华倒刺鲃能量代谢和热耐受特征的影响,在25℃条件下分别测定不同体重大小(1、10、25、50 g组)中华倒刺鲃的静止代谢率(Resting metabolic rate,RMR)、力竭运动后过量耗氧(Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption,EPOC)和热耐受参数。随体重的增加,中华倒刺鲃个体RMR、最大代谢率(Maximum metabolic rate,MMR)、代谢空间(Metabolic scope,MS)和EPOC均显著增加(P0.05);单位体重RMR、MMR和MS则均显著降低,而单位体重EPOC随体重的增加显著增加(P0.05)。RMR、MMR、MS和EPOC的代谢尺度指数分别为0.796、0.834、0.849和1.137且显著大于2/3,因此中华倒刺鲃的能量代谢参数均呈异速度增加的关系而变化。这些变化可能与其个体变大游泳运动能力增强导致能量代谢需求增加相关。中华倒刺鲃临界低温(Critical thermal minimum,CT_(min))和致死低温(Lethal thermal minimum,IL_(min))与体重之间均呈"微笑型"二次函数的关系,临界高温(Critical thermal maximum,CT_(max))和致死高温(Lethal thermal maximum,IL_(max))均呈"钟型"二次函数的关系,因此中等大小的中华倒刺鲃具有更强的热耐受能力。这种非线性关系可能与其生长发育阶段和温度驯化历时有关。     

捕食驯化对胭脂鱼和中华倒刺鲃游泳行为、应激和免疫功能的影响

鱼类对环境的行为和生理适应能力与其在自然界的资源变动状况密切相关, 研究选取胭脂鱼(Myxocyprinus asiaticus)和中华倒刺鲃(Spinibarbus sinensis)幼鱼为研究对象, 考察1周捕食者(乌鳢, Channa argus)驯化对2种鱼类的运动能力(最大匀加速速度)、特异(血浆IgM水平)和非特异免疫(血浆溶菌酶含量)指标和抗氧化能力(血浆超氧化物歧化酶活性)的影响, 及在有无捕食者急性暴露两种条件下的驯化和非驯化鱼群自发游泳行为(游泳速度、运动时间比和个体间距离)和应激反应(血浆皮质醇水平)。研究发现: (1)总体上中华倒刺鲃比胭脂鱼有更快的游泳速度、更为活跃的自发游泳行为、更高的血浆皮质醇和IgM水平; (2)1周捕食驯化导致两种鱼类血浆皮质醇水平、特异免疫和非特异免疫水平的上升, 并且中华倒刺鲃比起胭脂鱼表现的更加明显; (3)急性捕食者暴露导致血浆皮质醇水平上升, 个体间距离下降, 但后者仅在非驯化组有所体现。研究表明: (1)捕食驯化鱼类通过皮质醇动员特异和非特异免疫应对应激, 这些生理和行为的改变可能有利于鱼类增强避敌能力或加快非致死捕食损伤的快速恢复。这表明捕食驯化可作为潜在的增殖放流前的生态锻炼; (2)2种鱼类的行为、免疫等生理基础状态及其对外界刺激的响应程度不尽相同, 未来相似的环境变化可能对两种鱼类的资源产生不同影响。     

Shoaling in juvenile guppies: the effects of body size and shoal size

While factors affecting shoal mate choice have been examined extensively in adult guppies (Poecilia reticulata), few studies have focused on the shoaling behavior of juveniles. In this study, juvenile guppies were tested for their ability to shoal as well as their response to shoal mates of different body size and to shoals with different numbers of individuals. In dichotomous choice tests, 10-day-old guppies (mean body length=8.83 mm), 30-day-old guppies (13.17 mm) and 50-day-old guppies (18.6mm) were given the opportunity to swim near shoals of five fish or an empty chamber. In most cases, the juvenile fish demonstrated shoaling behavior, swimming near a group of fish rather than an empty chamber, regardless of the age of the stimulus shoal. When presented with two shoals, one of similar age and body size and one of dissimilar age and body size, only the 50-day-old guppies showed a significant preference for the age-matched shoal. Similarly, when choosing between a large shoal and a small shoal, only the 50-day-old guppies spent significantly more time near the larger shoal. Thus, while juveniles at each age shoaled, only 50-day-old fish demonstrated the shoal mate discrimination seen in adult fish.     

Effects of fasting on collective movement and fission–fusion dynamics in both homogeneous and heterogeneous shoals of a group-living cyprinid fish species

The present study aimed to reveal the effect of fasting (21 days) on collective movement and interaction dynamics in both homogeneous (eight members fed a commercial diet or deprived of food) and heterogeneous (four fed + four starved members) shoals of juvenile qingbo (Spinibarbus sinensis). The authors of this study measured the shoaling behaviour in both a commonly used rectangular open arena with no spatial complexity and a radial arm maze. When measured in the open arena, the starved shoals had a faster swimming speed and acceleration rate and a longer interindividual distance than the fed shoals, possibly because of the elevated foraging motivation. Nonetheless, the values of the heterogeneous groups were similar to those of the fed groups. Furthermore, in contrast to the fish in homogeneous shoals, the starved fish in heterogeneous shoals showed a slower acceleration rate and speed than fed members in heterogeneous shoals. These results, combined with the relationships of variables at the among- and within-shoal levels, suggested that starved fish limited their motion in heterogeneous shoals to maintain group cohesion but that the fed fish contributed more to maintaining shoal structure, possibly because of the higher energy expenditure required for movement changes. When monitored in a radial arm maze, starved shoals showed more fission–fusion episodes without sacrificing group cohesion, as they adaptively adjusted the frequency and duration of each majority choice. The among-shoal variation revealed that the heterogeneous groups showed less variation in the open arena but more variation in the radius maze than did the homogeneous groups. This difference might arise because dominant members have opposite effects on shoal behaviour and consensus decisions. In conclusion, the present study showed opposite effects of feeding states on collective behaviour between homogeneous and heterogeneous shoals, possibly because of the complicated interactions among members with different energy storage levels and foraging motivations. Furthermore, the heterogeneous groups showed a difference between shoal behaviour in the open area and exploration in the radial arm maze. Future studies manipulating the personality composition of starved and fed members of heterogeneous groups might yield interesting results.     

Shoal Choice in the Banded Killifish (Fundulus diaphanus,Teleostei, Cyprinodontidae): Effects of Predation Risk,Fish Size,Species Composition and Size of Shoals

Banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus) were presented individually with a choice of shoaling with either of two stimulus shoals which differed in shoal size, species composition, and fish body size, before and after a simulated avian predator attack. When threatened, test fish preferred to shoal with the larger of two conspecific shoals, but only if members of both stimulus shoals were of the same size class as the test fish. Otherwise, they preferred to shoal with similarly sized fish irrespective of shoal size; threat of predation increased the magnitude of this preference. Furthermore, test fish preferred a shoal of similarly sized shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas) over larger killifish, when shoal sizes were identical. This indicates that body size plays a key role in shoal choice, overriding the effects of shoal size and species preference. Notwithstanding the above, shoal choice was affected by predator threat only when differences between shoal size or body size of stimulus fish were large.     

Juvenile convict cichlids shoaling decisions in relation to shoal size and age

Many animals form groups and socialize in response to evolutionary pressures such as predation, food availability, and mate acquisition. Evidence of social choice based on various phenotypic characters (Group Phenotypic Composition [GPC]) has been observed in several animal species. In addition to the physical characteristics of the social group, it is also interesting to consider how decisions of who to socialize with might be expected to change for an individual over time. Younger individuals with limited life experience may discriminate differently between social groups than older conspecifics who have had the opportunity to learn and who may be faced with different ecological or environmental pressures. Here, we used a traditional two‐choice design to explore the shoaling behavior of juvenile convict cichlids and determine whether the number of fish and/or the size/life stage of the individuals within a shoal influenced social choices. We found that juvenile convict cichlids spent more time shoaling with similarly sized juvenile individuals and also preferred to shoal with larger shoals, but not when shoals were comprised of adult fish. The size of the individuals in a shoal was a more influential factor than the size of the shoal itself. Size of individual juveniles was correlated with tendency to visit shoals, but was not correlated with overall time spent shoaling, regardless of shoal composition. As juveniles, convict cichlids can make discriminatory choices that are influenced by specific aspects of shoal composition.     

Shoaling Decisions in Angelfish: The Roles of Social Status and Familiarity

Abstract Past research has shown that angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare , are capable of discriminating between shoals composed of familiar dominant and subordinate companions, whereas they show no preference for shoals of unfamiliar conspecifics. In this study, the relative importance of familiarity and social status (shoal factors) on the shoaling decision of juvenile angelfish, which also differed in social status (individual factor), was investigated as very little is known about such tradeoffs in fishes. Dominant and subordinate individuals were given the choice to shoal with a group of conspecifics composed of familiar dominants vs. unfamiliar dominants and composed of familiar subordinates vs. unfamiliar subordinates. The findings demonstrate that fish with different social status differed in their shoaling preference. Subordinate test fish showed a preferential association with familiar subordinates over unfamiliar subordinates, but preferred the unfamiliar shoal over the familiar one when both shoals were constituted by dominant individuals. The shoaling behaviour shown by dominant test fish, on the other hand, indicated no significant preference for any of the shoals regardless of their composition. A replicate preference test carried out 2 h 30 min after the first one indicated that the association pattern was relatively consistent. Results suggest that angelfish are able to differentiate between the stimulus shoals and demonstrate that the pervasive influence of familiarity on the shoaling decision may be restrained or overridden by the composition of the familiar shoals and the social status of the test fish.     

The effect of sex and shoal size on shoaling behaviour in Danio rerio

Male and female zebra fish Danio rerio were given choices of shoals that differed in sex and size. Male zebra fish preferred to associate with female shoals over male shoals, but had no preference when given a choice between a mixed‐sex shoal and either a male or female shoal. Female zebra fish showed no significant preference when given a choice between male and females shoals, nor between mixed‐sex shoals and either male or female shoals. When given choices between shoals of differing size, females preferred to associate with the larger shoal, whether or not they were composed of males or females. Males, however, had no preference for larger shoals over smaller shoals, whether or not they were composed of males or females. These results showed that male zebra fish were capable of distinguishing between males and females solely on the basis of visual cues. Furthermore, these results demonstrated a significant difference between the shoaling choices of male and female zebra fish, which may indicate a difference in the function of shoaling for the two sexes.     

The Influence of Food Competition and Prédation Risk on Size-assortative Shoaling in Juvenile Chub (Leuciscus cephalus)

Size-assortative shoaling is a widespread phenomenon potentially linked to competition for resources among shoal members and anti-predator benefits gained from living in shoals. This paper investigates the influence of both factors on size-assortative shoaling in chub (Leuciscus cephalus). In a first experiment food competition was studied by manipulating the proportions of small and large chub in shoals of 20 fish. Large fish were generally more competitive than small ones. However, the competitive effect of large fish was strongly dependent on their number in the shoal. This has important consequences for the theory of competition because it makes it difficult to predict stable combinations of different phenotypes when foragers divide between food patches. Despite the strong effects of food competition no significant trend for size-assortativeness was observed in free-swimming shoals when undisturbed. This changed after the shoal had been frightened by introducing Schreckstoff (an alarm substance) to the test tank. Large and small fish still remained in the same shoal but showed a strong preference to be close to neighbours of their own size class. Large fish were observed mainly in the centre of the shoal and small fish were found more in the periphery. It is unclear whether these position differences are due to aggressive behaviour of large fish towards small fish which excludes them from the potentially safe centre of the shoal. These results indicate that prédation plays a more important role than food competition for size-assortative shoaling in chub.