Synopsis
Behavioural data were collected from control and experimental pairs of orange chromides, from pairing to the time of spawning. Experimental females had their pelvic fins surgically removed at the time of pairing. The pelvic fins were found to be necessary for equidistant egg placement at the time of spawning. Recently developed cartographic techniques were modified for the data analysis to verify the results statistically and visually. The spawns of control females were of uniform density and egg placement was equidistant. The spawns of experimental females were of variable density and egg placement was not equidistant. Female pelvic fin flickering does not appear to be a socially significant courtship activity. The frequency of courtship behaviours and significant behavioural transitions were nearly identical for control and experimental pairs.
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Ostrander, G.K., Ward, J.A. The function of the pelvic fins during courtship and spawning in the orange chromide, Etroplus maculatus . Environ Biol Fish 13, 203–210 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00000932
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00000932