The role of tactile interactions in flight responses in the Bronze Cory catfish (Corydoras aeneus)

Riley, Riva J.; Gillie, Elizabeth R.; Savage, James L.; Boogert, Neeltje J.; Manica, Andrea; Jungwirth, Arne

Abstract

One of the primary functions of animal aggregations is defence against predators. Many social animals enjoy reduced predation risk as a result of grouping, and individuals within groups can benefit from information transferred by their group-mates about a potential predator. We present evidence that a tactile interaction behaviour we term “nudging” substantially modified group responses to a potential threat in a highly social catfish, Corydoras aeneus. These catfish deployed nudges during flight responses, and these nudges were associated with a greater likelihood of group cohesion following a threat event. Increased nudging behaviour also resulted in longer flight responses, a potentially costly outcome in natural contexts. In addition, individuals that perceived the threat first were more likely to initiate nudges, implying that nudges could be used to alert group-mates to the presence of a threat. Taken together, our results suggest that tactile communication plays an important role in mediating anti-predator benefits from sociality in these fish.

Citation

Riley, R. J., Gillie, E. R., Savage, J. L., Boogert, N. J., Manica, A., & Jungwirth, A. (2019). The role of tactile interactions in flight responses in the Bronze Cory catfish (Corydoras aeneus). Ethology: international journal of behavioural biology, 125(11), 810-820. https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.12935

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 16, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Aug 7, 2019
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jul 5, 2021
• Journal: Ethology
• Print ISSN: 0179-1613
• Electronic ISSN: 1439-0310
• Publisher: Wiley
• Volume: 125
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 810-820
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.12935
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1246102