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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The courtship behaviour of Nerophis lumbriciformis
(Pisces: Syngnathidae) consists of three distinct
phases (initial courtship, spawning, and embrace)
marked by prominent behavioural changes. The first
courtship phase is characterised by female quivering.
Courtship activity increases from low to high levels of
quivering, causing undulatory head movements in the female.
In the second phase, the female transfers her eggs
onto the male incubating ventral surface. During the final
phase, the male wraps his body around the female
(embrace). Females actively initiate courtship indicating
that these pipefishes are courtship role reversed. The
complete lack of swimming and vertical movements in
the courtship behaviour of N. lumbriciformis, unlike in
the behaviour of other syngnathid species, suggests an
adaptation to intertidal conditions.
Description
Keywords
Behaviour Courtship Intertidal Nerophis lumbriciformis Spawning
Citation
Acta Ethologica, 4, 109-111
Publisher
Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada