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Open AccessArticle
Effects of Personality and Behavioral Syndromes on Competition for Social Hierarchical Status in Anemonefish Amphiprion clarkii
by
Lisheng Wu
Lisheng Wu
,
Shunyun Deng
Shunyun Deng ,
Wei Tang
Wei Tang ,
Sipeng Zhang
Sipeng Zhang ,
Feng Liang
Feng Liang and
Shaoxiong Ding
Shaoxiong Ding *
State Key Laboratory of Marine Environment Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2024, 14(15), 2216; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14152216 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 15 June 2024
/
Revised: 17 July 2024
/
Accepted: 29 July 2024
/
Published: 30 July 2024
Simple Summary
Simple Summary: In marine coral reef ecosystems, anemonefish are a group with highly complex behavioral patterns and strict social hierarchies. However, there has been a paucity of research on the factors associated with stable hierarchical relationships or the behaviors performed during competitive interactions, especially in anemonefish in the growth phase before sexual differentiation. In the present study, we employed an observational approach to assess the personality type of each individual by observing the interactive behavior between unsexually differentiated Amphiprion clarkii. Our findings revealed that the personality of A. clarkii varied significantly between individuals, with two main types. Furthermore, our pairing experiments confirmed the impact of personality on the establishment of a stable social hierarchy. These personality-related behavioral traits are potentially important for both individual and population survival, and extend our understanding of the establishment and evolution of social hierarchies in anemonefish and their impact on population dispersal. Furthermore, they have the potential to guide aquaculture practices.
Abstract
In this study, the behavioral ethogram of Amphiprion clarkii during the growth phase prior to sexual differentiation was summarized based on behavioral observations in three social environments. These behaviors can be classified into four categories: in addition to normal behaviors, the other three categories of behaviors—threatening, agonistic, and appeasing behaviors—represent different intentions in interactions with other individuals. Subsequently, the personalities of each individual were assessed by testing their reactions to intruders. These individuals mainly exhibited two distinct personality types: bold-aggressive and shy-submissive. In pairing experiments, the interactive behaviors of the anemonefish were observed in pairing combinations of different body sizes and personalities. The impact of personality on the establishment of a stable social hierarchy was confirmed by significant differences in the success rates of different pairing combinations, with the frequency of appeasing behaviors being the main factor influencing the success rate. Our results suggested that in natural waters, when juvenile individuals migrate among host anemones, shy-submissive individuals are more likely to be accepted due to their appeasing behaviors towards larger individuals, thus avoiding the risk of being attacked and bitten, and benefiting the survival of the individual. Conversely, bold-aggressive individuals are more likely to be driven away to another host anemone due to their unwillingness to settle for a lower-ranked status, thereby contributing to population dispersal and increasing opportunities for gene exchange between populations.
Share and Cite
MDPI and ACS Style
Wu, L.; Deng, S.; Tang, W.; Zhang, S.; Liang, F.; Ding, S.
Effects of Personality and Behavioral Syndromes on Competition for Social Hierarchical Status in Anemonefish Amphiprion clarkii. Animals 2024, 14, 2216.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14152216
AMA Style
Wu L, Deng S, Tang W, Zhang S, Liang F, Ding S.
Effects of Personality and Behavioral Syndromes on Competition for Social Hierarchical Status in Anemonefish Amphiprion clarkii. Animals. 2024; 14(15):2216.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14152216
Chicago/Turabian Style
Wu, Lisheng, Shunyun Deng, Wei Tang, Sipeng Zhang, Feng Liang, and Shaoxiong Ding.
2024. "Effects of Personality and Behavioral Syndromes on Competition for Social Hierarchical Status in Anemonefish Amphiprion clarkii" Animals 14, no. 15: 2216.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14152216
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