Abstract
The pipefish Corythoichthys haematopterus, which forms lifelong pair bonds and exhibits strict monogamy, performs a daily ritualized intrapair interaction, called the greeting. Cross-pairing experiments were performed to examine the capacity for partner recognition in C. haematopterus during the greeting. When pair members were released into an artificially constructed greeting arena, they exhibited typical greeting behavior immediately after contact. In contrast, when males and females from different pairs met, almost no displays were exchanged. These results strongly suggest that paired C. haematopterus can recognize their own partners, irrespective of the meeting location.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 191-196 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Ethology |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 Jan |
Keywords
- Corythoichthys haematopterus
- Greeting behavior
- Individual recognition
- Mate fidelity
- Monogamy
- Syngnathidae
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
- Animal Science and Zoology