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The interaction of innate and imposed colour perception: a behavioural approach

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Abstract

Nile tilapia were raised from eggs to 2 months of age under a coloured light regime (violet, blue, green, yellow, and red) and then tested for colour preference in a multiple chamber maze with different colour options. Fish were observed individually during three days at 8, 11, 14, and 17 h, every 2 min for 20 min and the visit frequency in each compartment was analyzed. Young Nile tilapia kept under yellow and red light showed preference for yellow and red, respectively. Fish held under violet, blue, and green light did not show any colour preference or avoidance. These results imply that environmental colour affects colour preference of Nile tilapia, possibly due to light-dependent shift of visual pigments in the retina, indicating that colour preference is not an innate response. This conclusion reinforces the idea that environmental colour modulates fish physiological and behavioural processes.

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Acknowledgments

We thank very much Ms. Diana Salajan for the English review. This study was supported by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoas de Nível Superior, CAPES (Brazil).

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  1. Departamento de Fisiologia, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 1510, Natal, 59078-970, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

    Ana C. Luchiari & Jessica J. Oliveira

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  1. Ana C. Luchiari
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  2. Jessica J. Oliveira
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Correspondence to Ana C. Luchiari.

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Luchiari, A.C., Oliveira, J.J. The interaction of innate and imposed colour perception: a behavioural approach. J Ethol 32, 179–183 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-014-0407-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-014-0407-3

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