Synopsis
A field study was undertaken to describe the territorial behaviour of male johnny darters (Etheostoma nigrum) over the reproductive cycle. While defending eggs, males performed fewer Lateral Displays and lost fewer encounters with conspecific males than in the pre-egg phase. As the reproductive cycle progressed males were less responsive to females and performed relatively fewer courtship and more aggressive displays. Nesting males apparently shifted from a sexual to a parental phase shortly after acquiring eggs.
Frequency of response, responsiveness (number of responses/number of intrusions x 100) and maximum distance of response (MDR) of male johnny darters were highest early in the reproductive cycle and decreased over the egg-guarding phase. The patterns of territorial defence exhibited by male johnny darters over the reproductive cycle were similar to those of other species of fish with paternal care.
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Grant, J.W.A., Colgan, P.W. Territorial behaviour of the male johnny darter,Etheostoma nigrum . Environ Biol Fish 10, 261–269 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001479
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001479