Skip to main content

Reproductive biology, mating systems and parental care

  • Chapter
Book cover Tilapias: Biology and Exploitation

Part of the book series: Fish and Fisheries Series ((FIFI,volume 25))

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a general outline of the reproductive strategies of the tilapiine cichlids. We will concentrate on the ethological, evolutionary and ecological aspects, rather than physiology, which will be dealt with elsewhere. As anyone remotely interested in tilapiine cichlids must be familiar with Trewavas’s magnificent book on the mouthbrooding tilapias, we will concentrate on information published since that work appeared (1983) and give rather more coverage to the substrate spawning species than is warranted by their low diversity and minor economic importance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Apfelbach, R. and Leong, D. (1970) Zum Kampfverhalten in der Gattung Tilapia (Pisces, Cichlidae). Z. Tierpsychol. 27, 98–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aronson, L.A. (1949) An analysis of the reproductive behaviour in the mouthbreeding cichlid fish Tilapia macrocephala (Bleeker). Zoologica 34, 133–158.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baerends, G.P. and Baerends-van Roon, J.M. (1950) An introduction to the ethology of the cichlid fishes. Behaviour 1( Supplement), 1–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baerends, G.P. and Blokzijl, G.J. (1963) Gedanken über das Entstehen von Formdivergenzen zwischen homologen Signalhandlungen verwandter Arten. Z. Tierpsychol 20, 517–528.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baldaccini, E.O. (1973) An ethological study of the reproductive behaviour including colour patterns of the cichlid fish Tilapia mariae. Monit. Zool. ltal. 7, 247–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balshine-Earn, S. (1995a) The Evolution of Parental Care in Cichlid Fishes, PhD thesis, University of Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balshine-Earn, S. (1995b) The costs of parental care in Galilee St. Peter’s fish, Sarotherodon galilaeus. Anim. Behav. 50, 1–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balshine-Earn, S. and McAndrew, B.J. (1995) Sex-role reversal in the black-chinned tilapia, Sarotherodon melanotheron (Ruppel) (Cichlidae). Behaviour 132, 861–874.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balthazart, J. (1973) Analyse factorielle du comportement agonistique chez Tilapia macrochir (Boulenger, 1912). Behaviour 46, 37–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barlow, G.W. (1991) Mating systems among cichlid fishes, in Cichlid Fishes (ed. M.H.A. Keenleyside), Chapman and Hall, London, pp. 173–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barlow, G.W. and Green, R.F. (1970) The problems of appeasement and of sexual roles in the courtship of behaviour of the blackchin mouthbreeder, Tilapia melanotheron. Behaviour 36, 84–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baylis, J.R. (1981) The evolution of parental care in fishes, with reference to Darwin’s rule of male sexual selection. Env. Biol. Fish. 6, 223–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Tuvia, A. (1960) The biology of the cichlid fishes of Lakes Tiberias and Huleh. Bull. Sea Fish Res. Stn. Israel 27, 153–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brestowsky, M. (1968) Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Elternbindung von Tilapia-Jungfischen (Cichlidae, Pisces). Z. Tierpsychol. 25, 761–828.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bruton, M.N. (1979) The fishes of Lake Sibaya, in Lake Sibaya (ed. B.K. Allinson), Monographiae Biologicae 36, pp. 162–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruton, M.N. and Boltt, R.E. (1975) Aspects of the biology of Tilapia mossambica Peters (Pisces: Cichlidae) in a natural freshwater lake (Lake Sibaya, South Africa). J Fish Biol. 7, 423–445.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bruton, M.N. and Gophen, M. (1992) The effect of environmental factors on the nesting and courtship behaviour of Tilapia zillii in Lake Kinneret (Israel). Hydrobiologica 239, 171–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coe, M.J. (1966) The biology of Tilapia grahami Boulenger in Lake Magadi, Kenya. Acta Tropica 23, 146–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Denight, M.L. and Ward, J.A. (1982) Relationship of chin spot size to dominance in the black-chinned mouthbrooding cichlid fish (Sarotherodon melanotheron). Anim. Behav. 30, 1099–1104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Silva, S.S. and Sirisena, H.K.G. (1988) Observations on the nesting habits of Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters) (Pisces: Cichlidae) in Sri Lankan reservoirs. J Fish Biol. 33, 689–696.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FAO (1993). Fisheries Management in South-east Lake Malawi, the Upper Shire River and Lake Malombe. CIFA Technical Paper 17, 106 pp, FAO, Rome.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fryer, G. and Iles, T.D. (1969) Alternative routes to evolutionary success as exhibited by African cichlids fishes of the genus Tilapia and the species flocks of the great lakes. Evolution 23, 359–369.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fryer, G. and Iles, T.D. (1972) The Cichlid Fishes of the Great Lakes of Africa, Oliver and Boyd, Edinbugh.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gross, M.R. and Sargent, R.C. (1985) The evolution of male and female parental care in fishes. Amer. Zool. 25, 807–822.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinrich, W. (1967) Untersuchungen zum Sexualverhalten in der Gattung Tilapia (Cichlidae, Teleostei) und bei Artbastarden. Z. Tierpsychol. 24, 684–754.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hert, E. (1989) The function of egg-spots in an African mouth-brooding cichlid fish. Anim. Behav. 37, 726–732.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hulscher-Emeis, T.M. (1991) A Causal Ethological Analysis of the Display of Variable Colour Patterns in Tilapia zillii (Cichlidae), PhD thesis, University of Groningen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iles, T.D. and Holden, M.J. (1969) Bi-parental mouthbrooding in Tilapia galilaea (Pisces, Cichlidae). J Zool. Lond. 158, 327–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kellogg, K.A., Markert, J.A., Stauffer, J.R. and Kocher, J.D. (1995) Microsatellite variation demonstrates multiple paternity in lekking cichlid fishes from lake Malawi, Africa. Proc. Roy Soc. Lond. B. 260, 79–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolding, J. (1993) Population dynamics and life history styles of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Ferguson’s Gulf, Lake Turkana, Kenya. Env. Biol. Fish 37, 25–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuwamara, T. Nagishi, M. and Sato, T. (1989) Female to male shift of mouthbrooding in a cichlid fish Tanganicodus irsacae, with notes on breeding habits of two related species in Lake Tanganyika. Env. Biol. Fish 24, 187–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lanzing, W.J.R. and Bower, C.C. (1974) Development of colour pattern in relation to behaviour in Tilapia mossambica (Peters). J Fish Biol. 6, 29–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loiselle, P.V. and Barlow, G.W. (1979) Do fishes lek like birds? in Contrasts in Behaviour (eds E. Reese and F.J. Lighter), Wiley, New York, pp. 31–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowe, R.H. (1956) The breeding behaviour of Tilapia species (Pisces; Cichlidae) in natural waters: Observations on T. karomo Poll and T. variabilis Boulenger. Behaviour IX, 2–3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowe, R.H. (1959) Breeding behaviour patterns and ecological differences between Tilapia species and their significance for evolution within the genus Tilapia (Pisces: Cichlidae). Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 132, 1–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsh, B.A., Marsh, A.C. and Ribbink, A.J. (1986). Reproductive seasonality in a group of rock-frequenting cichlid fishes in Lake Malawi. J Zool. London (A) 209, 9–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • May, R.M. and Harvey, P.H. (1988) Tampering with territories. Nature 335, 668–669.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maynard Smith, J. (1982) Evolution and the Theory of Games, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • McKaye, K.R. (1984) Behavioural aspects of cichlid reproductive strategies: patterns of territory defence in Central American substrate spawners and African mouthbrooders, in Fish Reproduction: Strategies and Tactics (eds G.W. Potts and R.J. Wootton), Academic Press, London, pp. 245–273.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKaye, K.R. (1986) Mate choice and size assortative pairing by the cichlid fishes of Lake Jiloa, Nicaragua. J Fish Biol. 29(Supplement A), 135–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKaye, K.R. (1991) Sexual selection and the evolution of the cichlid fishes of Lake Malawi, Africa, in Cichlid Fishes (ed. M.H.A. Keenleyside), Chapman and Hall, London, pp. 241–257.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, A. (1993) Phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary processes in East African cichlid fishes. Trends Ecol. Evol. 8, 279–284.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Neat, F.C. (1996) Behavioural and Physiological Studies of Fighting in Male Tilapia zillii (Cichlidae), PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neat, F.C., Huntingford, F.A. and Beveridge, M.C.M. (1998) Fighting and assessment in male cichlid fish: the effects of asymmetries in gonadal state and body size. Anim. Behav. 55, 883–891.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Neil, E.H. (1964) An analysis of color changes and social behavior in Tilapia mossambica. Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool. 75, 1–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, CM. (1995) Male size, spawning pit size and female mate choice in a lekking cichlid fish. Anim. Behav. 50, 1587–1599.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oehlert, B. (1958) Kampf und Paarbildung eineger Cichliden. Z. Tierpsychol. 15, 141–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira, R.F. and Almada, V.C. (1996) On the (in)stability of dominance hierarchies in the cichlid fish Oreochromis mossambicus. Agg. Beh. 22(1), 37–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oppenheimer, J.R. and Barlow, G.W. (1968) Dynamics of parental behavior in the black-chinned mouthbreeder, Tilapia melanotheron (Pisces, Cichlidae). Z. Tierpsychol. 25, 889–914.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Owusu-Frimpong, M. (1987) Breeding behavioural patterns of the lake fish Tilapia (Coptodon) discolor Günther (Teleostei, Cichlidae). J. Fish Biol. 30, 1–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perrone, M. and Zaret, T.M. (1979) Parental care patterns of fishes. Amer. Natur. 113, 351–361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Philippart, J.-Cl. and Ruwet, J.-Cl. (1982) Ecology and distribution of tilapias, in The Biology and Culture of Tilapias (eds R.S.V. Pullin and R.H. Lowe-McConnell), ICLARM, Manila, pp. 15–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pomiankowski, A. and Meiler, A.P. (1995). A resolution of the lek paradox. Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond. B. 260, 21–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ribbink, A.J., Marsh, A.C. and Marsh, B.A. (1981) Nest-building and communal care of young by Tilapia rendalli Dumeril (Pisces: Cichlidae) in Lake Malawi. Env. Biol. Fish 6, 219–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ribbink, A.J., Greenwood, PH., Ribbink, A.C. Twentyman-Jones, V. and van Zyl, B.J. (1991). Unique polychromatism of Tilapia guinasana, an African cichlid fish. S. Afr. J. Sei. 87, 608–611.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, R.L. (1995) The Dynamics of Space Use in Some Lake Malawi Fishes, PhD thesis, Rhodes University, South Africa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russock, H.I. (1986) Preferential behaviour of Sarotherodon (Oreochromis) mossambicus (Pisces: Cichlidae) fry to maternal models and its relevance to the concept of imprinting. Behaviour 96, 304–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruwet, J.-C. (1963) Observations sur le comportement de Tilapia macrochir Blgr. (Pisces: Cichlidae) au lac de retenue de la Lufira (Katanga). Behaviour 20, 242–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwanck, E. (1980) The effect of size and hormonal state on the establishment of dominance in young males of Tilapia mariae (Pisces; Cichlidae). Behavioural Processes 5, 45–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwanck, E. (1986) Filial cannibalism in Tilapia mariae. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 2, 65–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwanck, E. (1987a) Reproductive Behaviour of a Monogamous Cichlid Fish Tilapia mariae, PhD thesis, University of Stockholm.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwanck, E. (1987b) Lunar periodicity in the spawning of Tilapia mariae in the Ethiop River, Nigeria. J Fish Biol. 30, 533–537.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwanck, E. (1994) Behaviour and colour differences between Oreochromis macrochir and O. mweruensis (Teleostei: Cichlidae). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters 5, 267–280.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, E.S. and Aronson, L.R. (1958) Oral incubation in Tilapia macrocephala. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 103, 375–416.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stauffer, J.R., LoVullo, T.J. and McKaye, K.R. (1993) Three new sand-dwelling cichlids from Lake Malawi, Africa, with a discussion of the status of the genus Copadichromis (Teleostei: Cichlidae). Copeia 1993, 1017–1027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stiassny, M.L.J., Schliewen, U.K. and Dominey, W.J. (1992). A new species flock of cichlid fishes from Lake Bermin, Cameroon with a description of eight new species of Tilapia (Labroidei: Cichlidae). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters 3, 311–346.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sturmbauer, C. and Meyer, A. (1993) Mitochondrial phylogeny of the endemic mouthbrooding lineages of cichlid fishes from Lake Tanganyika in eastern Africa. Mol. Biol. Evol. 10, 751–768.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thys Van den Audenaerde, D.F.E. (1970) The paternal mouthbrooding habit of Tilapia (Coptodon) discolor and its special significance. Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr. LXXXII, 3–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trewavas, E. (1983) Tilapiine fishes of the genera Sarotherodon, Oreochromis and Danakilia. Brit. Mus. Nat. Hist. Publ., London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, G.F. (1986a). Teleost mating systems and strategies, in The Behaviour of Teleost Fishes (ed. T.J. Pitcher), Croom Helm, Beckenham, pp. 253–274.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, G.F. (1986b) Territory dynamics and the cost of reproduction in a captive population of the colonial nesting mouthbrooder Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters). J Fish Biol. 29, 573–587.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, G.F. (1987) Display and Deceit in Cichlid Fishes, PhD thesis, University of Wales, Bangor.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, G.F. (1994a) The fighting tactics of male mouthbrooding cichlids: the effects of size and residency. Anim. Behav. 47, 655–662.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, G.F. (1994b) Speciation mechanisms in Lake Malawi cichlids: a critical review. Advances in Limnology (Arch. Hydrobiol. Beih. Ergebn. Limnol) 44, 139–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, G.F. (1995). The lek paradox resolved? Trends Ecol. Evol. 10, 473–474.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, G.F. and Burrows, M.T. (1995). A model of sympatric speciation by sexual selection. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 260, 287–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, G.F. and Huntingford, F.A. (1986) A problem for game theory: assessment and intention in male mouthbrooder contests. Anim. Behav. 34, 961–970.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, G.F. and Mwanyama, N.C. (1992). Distribution and Biology of Chambo (Oreochromis spp.) in Lakes Malawi and Malombe. FI:DP/MLW/86/013. Field Document 21, 23 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, G.F., Phiri, L.M. and Cawthraw, S. (1989) Partner attack inhibition in the sexually monomorphic biparental cichlid Tilapia mariae. Behaviour 109, 1–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, G.F., Witimani, J., Robinson, R.L. Grimm, A.S. and Pitcher, T.J. (1991) Reproductive isolation and nest sites of Lake Malawi chambo, Oreochromis (Nyasalapia) spp. J Fish Biol. 39, 775–782.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Welcomme, R.L. (1970) Studies on the effects of abnormally high water levels on the ecology of fish in certain shallow regions of Lake Victoria. J Zool. Lond. 160, 405–436.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whyte, S.A. (1975) Distribution, trophic relationships and breeding habits of the fish populations in a tropical lake basin (Lake Bosomtwe, Ghana). J Zool. Lond. 177, 25–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2000 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Turner, G.F., Robinson, R.L. (2000). Reproductive biology, mating systems and parental care. In: Beveridge, M.C.M., McAndrew, B.J. (eds) Tilapias: Biology and Exploitation. Fish and Fisheries Series, vol 25. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4008-9_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4008-9_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-7923-6391-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-4008-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics