Bioacoustics and Reproductive Ecology of the Damselfish Dascyllus Albisella.
Abstract
This thesis is an intensive investigation of the sounds produced by the damselfish Dascyllus albisella, the effect of the environment on their acoustic signals, and how the sounds relate to reproduction. D. albisella males produce pulsed sounds during the signal jump, visiting by females, mating, aggression, and nest preparation. Females make only aggressive sounds. There was no relationship between signal jump speed or distance with the number of pulses or pulse period of calls. The propagation analyses suggest that the courtship sound acts over short distances and that the pulse period provides the most reliable basis for signal detection. A passive acoustic detection system was developed to continuously record sound production activity of individual males in the field. The rate of sound production could be used to determine the timing of spawning. Patterns of male reproductive success varied for individual males over successive reproductive cycles and was not correlated to male size. Rates of courtship were positively correlated with reproductive success for three males. Groups of isolated fish spawned in synchrony, but not in synchrony with other groups, even as close as 20-30m. Synchronization is likely based on social interactions and might develop through the courtship sounds.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA308000
Entities
People
- David A. Mann
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology