Lateralization of pectoral stridulation sound production in the channel catfish.
Sounds of the channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus were found to consist of a rapid series of pulses produced by rubbing a ridged process on the first pectoral spine against the rough surface of a groove in the pectoral girdle during fin abduction. Although sounds can be made with either fin, approximately half of the individuals exhibited a fin preference, and 90% of these preferred the right fin. Unlike examples of handedness in other invertebrates and fishes, this preference is not simply a matter of anatomical asymmetry, but as in humans, reflects a preference between two equally developed limbs.
Fine
M L
ML
Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23284-2012, USA.
McElroy
D
D
Rafi
J
J
King
C B
CB
Loesser
K E
KE
Newton
S
S
D000818:Animals; D005121:Extremities / Q000502:physiology*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D007059:Ictaluridae; D013016:Sound