Coral Reef Communities as Prime Resources for Analysis of Evolution and Physiology of Behavior |
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Authors: | HODGSON, EDWARD S. SMITH, C. LAVETT |
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Affiliation: | Department of Biology, Tufts University Medford, Massachusetts 02155 Department of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, New York 10024 |
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Abstract: | The abundance and great diversity of life on coral reef ecosystemsprovides many good opportunities for studying the evolutionand specializations of neurophysiological systems and behavior.Crucial stages in the evolution of nervous systems appear tohave occurred in the Precambrian, as revealed in Ediacaran fossilsand their closest living relatives. By the Ordovician, whenChazy "reefs exemplify some of the earliest complex animalcommunities fixed in one place, more elaborate neurologicalmechanisms for orientation, predation, and escape reactionsare indicated. With the evolution offish, the behavioral richnessof reef communities became further enhanced. Elaborate specializationsof feeding, defensive, aggressive, signaling, schooling, andreproductive behaviors are common in fish. Several examplesof behavioral studies on reef organisms are used to illustrateresearch methodologies and the types of conclusions which maybe drawn. These examples include: (1) analysis of symbioticbehavior of an invertebrate and a vertebratesea anemoneand clownfish; (2) signaling behavior of a fishthe sailfishblenny; and (3) a combined electrophysiological and behavioralanalysis of orientation and feeding/attack behaviorsharks.An almost endless number of possibilities for similar analysismakes the organisms of coral reefs especially useful, and challenging,for teaching purposes as well as further research. |
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