Predation risks have been hypothesized to influence spawning behaviors of coral reef fishes that broadcast gametes pelagically. The duration of spawning ascents of 13 species were measured from video footage at a sing...Predation risks have been hypothesized to influence spawning behaviors of coral reef fishes that broadcast gametes pelagically. The duration of spawning ascents of 13 species were measured from video footage at a single spawning site for mul- tiple coral reef fishes to investigate ff this behavior was influenced by varying risks of predation. Fishes that spawned in pairs had as- cents of longer duration than group-spawning species. Duration of spawning ascents did not vary between fishes spawning at daytime and dusk, nor between group-spawning species with specific anti-predatory morphological adaptations. These results indicate that risk of predation may not significantly influence the duration of spawning ascents of pair spawning reef fishes at our study site, while group-spawning behaviors are influenced by predation. Avoidance of egg predation by benthic organisms and female mate choice are more likely to influence the pelagic spawning behaviors of all fishes observed [Current Zoology 58 （1）： 95-102, 2012].展开更多
文摘Predation risks have been hypothesized to influence spawning behaviors of coral reef fishes that broadcast gametes pelagically. The duration of spawning ascents of 13 species were measured from video footage at a single spawning site for mul- tiple coral reef fishes to investigate ff this behavior was influenced by varying risks of predation. Fishes that spawned in pairs had as- cents of longer duration than group-spawning species. Duration of spawning ascents did not vary between fishes spawning at daytime and dusk, nor between group-spawning species with specific anti-predatory morphological adaptations. These results indicate that risk of predation may not significantly influence the duration of spawning ascents of pair spawning reef fishes at our study site, while group-spawning behaviors are influenced by predation. Avoidance of egg predation by benthic organisms and female mate choice are more likely to influence the pelagic spawning behaviors of all fishes observed [Current Zoology 58 （1）： 95-102, 2012].
