Olfactory self-recognition in a cichlid fish.
Animal self-cognizance might be of importance in different contexts like territoriality, self-referent mate-choice or kin recognition. We investigated whether the cichlid fish Pelvicachromis taeniatus is able to recognize own olfactory cues. P. taeniatus is a cave breeding fish with pronounced brood care and social behavior. In the experiments we gave male cave owners the choice between two caves in which we introduced scented water. In a first experiment males preferred caves with their own odor over caves with the odor of an unfamiliar, unrelated male. To examine whether self-recognition is based rather on individual or on family cues we conducted two further experiments in which males could choose between their own odor and the odor of a familiar brother and between the odor of a familiar brother and an unfamiliar, unrelated male, respectively. Males preferred their own odor over that of a familiar brother suggesting individual self-referencing. Interestingly, males (at least outbred ones) preferred the odor of an unfamiliar, unrelated male over that of a familiar brother, maybe to avoid competition with kin. We discuss the results in the context of animal self-cognizance. All experiments were conducted with in- and outbred fish. Inbreeding did not negatively affect self-recognition.
Thünken
Timo
T
Institute for Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, Bonn 53121, Germany. tthuenken@evolution.uni-bonn.de
Waltschyk
Nadine
N
Bakker
Theo C M
TC
Kullmann
Harald
H
D000818:Animals; D002755:Choice Behavior; D023681:Cichlids; D005260:Female; D007178:Inbreeding; D008297:Male; D009812:Odorants; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012903:Smell; D012919:Social Behavior