The reproductive biology of an endemic cyprinid,Zacco pachycephalus,in Taiwan

Synopsis Reproductive parameters including body weight-length relationship, condition factor, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and fecundity of an endemic cyprinid,Zacco pachycephalus, were studied from October 1991 to January 1993. Although the condition factor was similar between both sexes, GSI values of female (3.72 to 14.24%) were significantly larger than that of males (0.21 to 2.23%) during the major breeding season. The number of yolky eggs per fish ranged from 459 to 2059. Ovum size distribution, annual GSI value, and recruitment of juvenile fish indicated thatZ. pachycephalus conducted two major spawning activities in spring (February to April) and summer (June to August). The larger GSI value and number of yolky eggs in spring compared to those in summer implies thatZ. pachycephalus has evolved a reproductive style by investing more energy in spring to avoid the damage of summer freshet on its recruitment success. The mating behavior ofZ. pachycephalus is similar to that of otherZacco fishes.     

黑龙江省圈养狼交配行为的初步观察

2005 年10 月至2006 年4 月,采用焦点动物取样法和全事件扫描取样法,对黑龙江省哈尔滨北方森林动园4 对圈养狼交配活动进行了观察,以期了解无人干扰下圈养狼的交配过程及其交配模式。观察时间共计25 d, 225 h,实际录像时间为126 h,记录到爬跨741 次,成功交配46 次,成功爬跨交配占总爬跨次数的6. 2% 。狼在交配过程中有锁结现象,雄狼通常在一次爬跨、多次抽动后出现射精。交配行为一般发生在8∶ 00 ～10∶ 00和14∶00 ～ 16∶ 00。雌性具有明显的邀配模式,一旦邀配成功,雌狼站立不动,尾巴偏向一侧,腰部微下躬,配合雄狼爬跨。对交配参数进行单因素方差分析,4 只雄狼的抽插时间没有差异(P = 0. 827),而其锁结行为的时间差异极其显著(F = 71.43,P <0.001),交配期持续5 ～ 14 d,交配平均持续时间为534 ± 402 s,最长达1 588 s,
最短只有28 s。     

Territorial behaviour of the male johnny darter,Etheostoma nigrum

Synopsis A field study was undertaken to describe the territorial behaviour of male johnny darters (Etheostoma nigrum) over the reproductive cycle. While defending eggs, males performed fewer Lateral Displays and lost fewer encounters with conspecific males than in the pre-egg phase. As the reproductive cycle progressed males were less responsive to females and performed relatively fewer courtship and more aggressive displays. Nesting males apparently shifted from a sexual to a parental phase shortly after acquiring eggs.Frequency of response, responsiveness (number of responses/number of intrusions x 100) and maximum distance of response (MDR) of male johnny darters were highest early in the reproductive cycle and decreased over the egg-guarding phase. The patterns of territorial defence exhibited by male johnny darters over the reproductive cycle were similar to those of other species of fish with paternal care.     

Risk of sperm competition does not influence copulatory behavior in the promiscuous meadow vole (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Microtus pennsylvanicus</Emphasis>)

It is not clear whether males in all mammalian species adjust their copulatory behavior when faced with risk of sperm competition (RSC). Previous work on meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, indicated that males increase their sperm expenditure but not the number of ejaculations in the presence of odors of a conspecific male. The present study follows up on this work and asks whether male meadow voles modify any aspect of their copulatory behavior when they face a RSC. We examined 46 variables of copulatory behavior and found that the presence of odors from a conspecific male did not affect any of these variables. Thus, male meadow voles, unlike some other species of mammals, do not adjust their copulatory behavior when exposed to cues associated with an elevated RSC.     

星豹蛛求偶和交配行为

以星豹蛛(Pardosa astrigera)为研究对象,在室内对其求偶和交配行为进行了描述。雄蛛"俯卧撑"式动作(push-up)在求偶中具重要作用。交配初期,两侧触肢交替插入;随交配进行,单侧触肢连续插入3~5次后才换另一侧触肢插入,触肢每插入一次,基血囊膨大多次。完整交配一次雄蛛触肢器平均插入次数为29·625。交配前求偶时间、交配持续时间和有效交配时间分别平均为6min、32min25s和11min11s。星豹蛛雄蛛可进行多次交配,而雌蛛一般为单次交配。雌蛛交配状态(是否已经交配)影响其同类相食行为,已交配雌蛛对雄蛛同类相食率显著高于未交配雌蛛对雄蛛同类相食率。     

Lek-like spawning,parental care and mating periodicity of the triggerfishPseudobalistes flavimarginatus (Balistidae)

Synopsis The triggerfishPseudobalistes flavimarginatus has a lek-like spawning system at Yonge Reef, Great Barrier Reef. Males migrate to a traditional mating ground where they establish territories enclosing nest sites and egg chambers. Females arrive several days later and choose a male for mating. There is biparental care of the fertilized eggs and a strict division of labour. Females appeared to be confined to the nest site by the male. Mating was semi-lunar: eggs were observed in nests several days before the new and full moons on days when high tide occurred near sunset. Differences were observed in the spawning system of another triggerfish (P. fuscus) between the Great Barrier Reef and the Red Sea. Observations of another triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens) are also reported.     

条纹短攀鲈的交配习性和筑巢生境

条纹短攀鲈栖息于静止、植被茂密、靠近稻田和池塘边缘的浅水中。本文研究了它在泰国稻田和小池塘两种生境中的繁殖特征。与池塘相比,稻田筑巢地的pH值、溶解氧的含量和温度较高,而电导、溶解的固体物浓度较低,水也较浅。稻田中的种群密度低于池塘。雄性个体的体重和体长均大于雌性个体,且其体重与体长和体宽正相关,但雌性个体的体重仅与体长正相关;泡巢的面积与雄性个体的体长和重量均不相关。繁殖期间,条纹短攀鲈雌、雄个体交尾多次。每次交尾产卵3.74±1.02(Mean±SD)粒,每个繁殖季节交尾84±12.97次;在一个持续178±51.17min的产卵时段里,条纹短攀鲈平均产卵314±109.77粒。鱼苗孵化需30.75±0.55h,2日龄个体的大小平均为3.21±0.29mm。     

Copulation behavior within one-male groups of wild <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhinopithecus roxellana</Emphasis> in the Qinling Mountains of China

This study was conducted using focal animal sampling on the west ridge group of the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) located in the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve on the north slope of the Qinling Mountains, from 8 July 2003 to 24 May 2004. The difference in the average frequency of copulations for each focal male for each month was significant (F = 3.068, P = 0.016, one-way ANOVA test) with the majority of copulations occurring between September and November. Duration of intromission ranged from 2 to 39 s, with a mean of 16.0 ± 0.4 s. Females initiated 627 courtship attempts (96.2%), while males only initiated 3.8%. Both adult females (72.8%) and sub-adult females (27.2%) were involved in sexual interference acts. Females who gave birth in 2004 performed more sexual interference acts than would be expected by chance in the reproductive period of 2003 (X ² = 13.73 > X ² _0.005,2, df = 2, P < 0.005). Male response to female interference was equally divided into “solicitor mounting” and “interrupter mounting”. The resident males of one-male units were not observed to mount both the solicitor and the interrupter or mount neither following female solicitation interruptions. Three post-conception copulations were also observed in this study. These results suggest a skewed sexual competition, with multiple females competing for a single male, which was shown by courtship attempts and female interference.     

模拟生境中胎生蜥蜴的交配行为及其与环境因子的关系

摘要：2007年和2008年的5月,采用瞬时扫描取样法和全事件观察法,对模拟生境中胎生蜥蝎（Lacerta vivipara）的交配行为进行了详细的研究。结果表明,胎生蜥蜴交配行为的基本模式为：①追逐;②咬腹;③环抱;④交媾;⑤分离。其中各交配行为持续时间占总交配时间的百分比分别为：追逐占2. 35％,咬腹占0.51％...     

On the existence of stable pairing distributions

We formulate and analyze pair-formation models for multiple groups with general pairing rates and arbitrary mixing probabilities. Under the assumption of constant recruitment rates and equal average duration of all types of partnerships, we have shown that the dynamics are relatively simple because of the monotonicity properties of the dynamical system associated with the pairing/mixing of heterogeneous populations of male and female individuals. In fact, we have shown that the corresponding asymptotic stable paired distribution is given precisely by the asymptotic values of the matrices that prescribe the mixing/contact structure. In other words, if the sizes of the mixing subpopulations of males and females are asymptotically constant and if the average durations of partnerships are about the same regardless of type, then the matrices that describe the mixing between subpopulations also characterize the distribution of paired types. Alternatively, if the distribution of the average duration of relationships between individuals has a large variance then it may be impossible to detect any relationship between the mixing/contact structure and the observed distribution of paired types. The study of models with constant per-capita recruitment rates give rise to homogeneous systems of degree one. The analysis of the dynamics of pairs for models with exponentially growing populations of singles is complicated. So far, we are only able to classify the stability of all non-strictly positive boundary exponential solutions. From our incomplete analysis, it is not possible to detect necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence and stability of strictly interior exponential solutions. We cannot rule out the possibility of oscillations. The mathematical problems associated with the stability of exponential solutions of dynamical systems of degree one are of relevance in demography, epidemiology, and population dynamics.On leave from University of Alabama in Huntsville     

The reproductive behavior of the longspine snipefish,Macrorhamphosus scolopax (Syngnathiformes,Macrorhamphosidae)

Synopsis About two hundred Macrorhamphosus scolopax were observed in a large tank and their behavior was videotaped for subsequent analysis. When not disturbed, the fish moved slowly in a head-down position. Spawning in the tank took place in the last two hours before dark. Courting males change color and actively interact aggressively with other males. They push against each other while swimming in parallel or they charge their opponents with their erected dorsal spine directed at them. Courtship begins near the bottom. After following and swimming parallel to the female the two fish unite tightly by their caudal peduncle, with their ventral regions in close proximity and rise slowly in the water column. During the ascent, the genital papilla of the female extends repeatedly and contacts the genital region of the male.     

Biology of the rainbowfish,Glossolepis multisquamatus (Melanotaeniidae), from the Sepik River floodplains,Papua New Guinea

Synopsis G. multisquamatus is abundant in the Sepik River, preferring floodplain lakes and marginal areas of floodplain with moderate turbidity. It is the only rainbowfish documented to inhabit river floodplains. Migrations onto and off the floodplain occur in response to changes in flood conditions. Seasonality is evident in reproduction, condition factor and fat deposit and stomach fullness indices; all increasing in the flood season. Fecundity is high compared with stream dwelling rainbowfish species mainly due to decreased egg size. The reproductive strategy ofG. multisquamatus is interpreted as a response to increased adult mortalities encountered on floodplains in comparison to more stable stream habitats occupied by related species.G. multisquamatus is carnivorous, its diet being similar to other rainbowfishes, consisting of a variety of small invertebrates taken from mid-water or the water surface. The ecology and behaviour ofG. multisquamatus is explained as a partial colonisation of newly developed floodplains in this river.     

Division of labor in the monogamous goby,Valenciennea longipinnis, in relation to burrowing behavior

Feeding and burrowing behavior of the monogamous gobiid fish,Valenciennea longipinnis, were studied on the coral reef at Sesoko Island, Okinawa, Japan. These fish usually live in pairs, the male and female feeding in close proximity to one another upon benthic animals and constructing several burrows cooperatively for purposes of shelter or spawning. Paired females fed more and burrowed less frequently than their mates. Because burrow maintenance was mostly conducted by the latter, the paired females performed work much less frequently than solitary females. Thus, the paired females may be able to allocate more energy toward egg production. The division of labor related to burrowing behavior in this species may be an effective way to increase reproductive success for both sexes. Moreover, the fameles burrowed even less frequently when paired with larger males, probably because burrowing ability may be correlated with mouth size in males. This is a likely reason for the preference of females to mate with larger males.     

Androgen and the elaborate courtship behavior of a tropical lekking bird

In most bird species, male courtship behavior is controlled by testosterone (T) and its metabolites. In species breeding in temperate and arctic regions T circulates at high levels during a relatively short courtship period because high levels of T can be costly in terms of immunocompetence and parental care. Few studies have investigated androgen modulation of courtship behavior in tropical birds. Male golden-collared manakins (Manacus vitellinus) aggregate in leks for several months and perform spectacular, acrobatic courtship displays. Here we examined whether T is elevated in golden-collared manakins during the displaying period and if courtship behavior is modulated by androgen action on androgen receptors. We measured T levels in displaying males at the beginning of the breeding season and again, one month later. In addition, both wild and captive males were treated with the anti-androgen, flutamide, and their courtship behavior was recorded for several weeks. T levels were relatively high shortly after leks were established but decreased substantially a month later, even though the amount of courtship did not change. Flutamide reduced male courtship activity for one week, but display behavior then increased after two weeks of flutamide treatment. Our studies show that androgens modulate male manakin courtship, but the amount of courtship is not directly correlated with the concentration of circulating T. These results suggest that the relationships between androgen and courtship might differ between tropical and temperate birds.     

Behavioral responses of males to estradiol-treated females in the budgerigar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Melopsittacus undulatus</Emphasis>)

We investigated the effects of estradiol-treated females on the behavior of male budgerigars. In comparison to control females, females given implants of estradiol showed elevated nest behavior and darker cere color, which are characteristics of breeding females. After we confirmed the efficacy of estradiol treatment on behavior and morphology, each female was paired with a male mate. Males paired with estradiol-treated females showed more courtship behavior (auditory and visual display, and courtship feeding) to their mates than males paired with control females. These data indicate that budgerigar females with a high estrogen level enhance males' courtship behavior. Since males did not show response to estradiol-treated females soon after females were introduced, effects of estradiol-treated female budgerigars may be mediated by the endocrine system, rather than wholly by the nervous system, of males. Electronic Publication     

Mating behavior of the squid Loligo opalescens

In the laboratory, the squid Loligo opalescens exhibits dominance behavior during spawning. A single dominant male keeps other male squid from coming near the egg mass he is guarding. Females are allowed to approach the egg mass. The dominant squid uses postural and color displays directed toward challenging males. Similar dominance behavior and displays have not been observed in natural spawns in the ocean.     

Newborn GnRH neurons in the adult forebrain of the ring dove

The preoptic area of the hypothalamus is a key area that produces gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH). In birds, the chicken GnRH-I-form neurons are responsible for the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal system, which controls reproduction. In the ring dove, electrolytic lesion in the adult hypothalamus induces neurogenesis. In this study, we determined whether adult neurogenesis is involved in repairing GnRH neurons, specifically by generating newborn cells exhibiting GnRH-I immunoreactive properties. We selectively applied electrolytic lesions to three different regions of the diencephalon, including the preoptic area, which contains GnRH-I neurons, and identified new cells (BrdU-positive cells) that co-labeled with GnRH-I-immunoreactive cells. The BrdU⁺/GnRH⁺ double labeled cells were then confirmed with confocal laser analysis. In brains of both male and female ring doves we found new neurons at the lesion site of the preoptic region that were GnRH-I immunoreactive. However, the total number of GnRH neurons in the lesioned brains was less than that of sham-lesioned brains. When two other regions of the diencephalon that contain GnRH-I neurons were damaged, no recruitment of new GnRH-I neurons was detected. The rate of neurogenesis depends on the bird's reproductive phase when the lesion was applied. We found BrdU⁺/GnRH⁺ double-labeled cells almost exclusively during the pre-laying phase when birds are engaged in active courtship that leads to egg laying. Our observations suggest that recruitment of GnRH immunoreactive new neurons is restricted to the hypothalamic region and is sensitive to the reproductive stage of the birds.     

Nonbreeding season pairing behavior and the annual cycle of testosterone in male and female downy woodpeckers, Picoides pubescens

Studies in birds show that testosterone (T) concentrations vary over the annual cycle depending on mating system and life history traits. Socially monogamous species show pairing behavior throughout the year and low levels of male-male aggression and are underrepresented in these studies, yet the function of testosterone could be particularly important for sexual and social interactions occurring outside the breeding season. We measured fecal T concentrations over the annual cycle and the frequency of interactions between male and female downy woodpeckers (Picoides pubescens) from late fall through early spring. We validated the fecal assay by collecting blood in conjunction with a subsample of our fecal samples: fecal T correlated with circulating levels in the blood. The annual peak level of T in males was relatively low and short-lived, similar to that of other bird species with low levels of male-male aggression and high paternal care. The annual cycle of female T resembled the male pattern, and the ratio of male T to female T was close to 1.0. Likewise, the frequency of aggression among females was similar to the frequency among males. Overall, testosterone levels in both sexes were variable, even in winter. In other bird species, sexual behavior during nonbreeding periods correlates with circulating levels of T in males. Based on this observation, we tested the hypothesis that T in winter was positively related to the frequency of interaction between mated downy woodpeckers. The results showed no such relationship. We discuss this finding and further relate the annual cycle of T in both males and females to behaviors that appear to facilitate mate choice and retention of the pair bond during conspecific challenge.     

潮汕蝾螈的求偶行为

潮汕蝾螈(Cynops orphicus)是我国特有的濒危有尾两栖类,繁殖季节始于5月中旬。对其求偶行为观察发现,该螈求偶模式表现出与东方蝾螈(C.orientalis)相似的特点,但雄性扇尾和潜行时间(25~37 s)较东方蝾螈(10~20 s)更长;雄性在一次求偶中多次排精,雌性亦可多次纳精,精子囊形态与东方蝾螈类同;雌性纳精后,雄性反转咬住其腹部,被咬雌性呈现植物态。纳精过后,雌性出现暂时的冷漠或恐惧,不再接受雄性求偶。该螈成功纳精在累次求偶行为中占比不高(2.7%),但较东方蝾螈(1.1%)成功率高。雄性之间存在求偶过程中的竞争和干扰行为。     

Mating behaviors of the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus)

The mating behaviors of the proboscis monkey were observed in a riverine forest along a tributary of the Kinabatangan River, Sabah, Malaysia, for a period of 30 months. Solicitation for copulation was initiated frequently by males and occasionally by females. Most copulations involved only one mount; however, some multiple-mount copulations were observed and a maximum of six mounts per copulation were recorded. The mean duration of mounts was about 27 sec. Nonsexual mounts (female-female, female-juvenile/infant, juvenile-juvenile, and juvenile-infant) were also observed. Female-female mounts occurred shortly after failed solicitations toward males were observed. Harassment by juveniles and/or infants was observed during copulation; however, these harassments apparently did not interfere with copulation. Sexual swelling was evident in 77.4% of copulating females, with copulating subadult females showing the most distinct swelling.