The courtship behaviour of the pipefish Nerophis lumbriciformis: Reflections of an adaptation to intertidal life

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2002

Authors

Monteiro, N (Author) Other; Da Natividade Vieira, M (Author) FCUP; Almada, VC (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Acta Ethologica

Vol. 4

Pages: 109-111

ISSN: 0873-9749

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge

Scopus - 30 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-007-A48

DOI: 10.1007/s102110100048

Abstract (EN): The courtship behaviour of Nerophis lumbriciformis (Pisces: Syngnathidae) consists of three distinct phases (initial courtship, spawning, and embrace) marked by prominent behavioural changes. The first courtship phase is characterised by female quivering. Courtship activity increases from low to high levels of quivering, causing undulatory head movements in the female. In the second phase, the female transfers her eggs onto the male incubating ventral surface. During the final phase, the male wraps his body around the female (embrace). Females actively initiate courtship indicating that these pipefishes are courtship role reversed. The complete lack of swimming and vertical movements in the courtship behaviour of N. lumbriciformis, unlike in the behaviour of other syngnathid species, suggests an adaptation to intertidal conditions.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 3