Journal article
Electrosensory interference in naturally occurring aggregates of a species of weakly electric fish, Eigenmannia virescens
Behavioural brain research, Vol.164(1), pp.83-92
2005
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2005.06.014
PMID: 16099058
Abstract
The detection and identification of behaviorally relevant signals in the presence of competing signals in the environment is a major challenge of animal sensory systems. In weakly electric fish such as
Eigenmannia virescens, the interactions between the autogenous electric field and the electric fields of nearby conspecifics can have profound effects on the perception of other behaviorally relevant electrosensory information. To better understand the natural signals that the nervous system of
Eigenmannia experiences during the processing of electrosensory information, we examined the electrosensory milieu of
Eigenmannia in the wild and in the laboratory. Recordings of the electric fields of
Eigenmannia were made in ‘black’ and ‘white’ waters near the Napo River in eastern Ecuador. Fourier analysis revealed that
Eigenmannia typically experience the electric fields of three to five conspecifics during the day and night in each habitat. The median difference in electric organ discharge frequencies between nearby
Eigenmannia during the day was 23
Hz in black water habitats, 41
Hz in white water, and 37
Hz at night in both habitats: these signals are known to activate tuberous electroreceptors and downstream CNS circuits. There was no correlation between the number of individual
Eigenmannia detected at recording sites and electric organ discharge frequencies. Further,
Eigenmannia apparently do not maximize the frequency differences between conspecifics. In laboratory studies fish were preferentially observed in aggregates of two fish or more. Aggregate sizes observed in the laboratory were similar to those in the wild.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Electrosensory interference in naturally occurring aggregates of a species of weakly electric fish, Eigenmannia virescens
- Creators
- Eric W. Tan - Johns Hopkins UniversityJonathan M. Nizar - Johns Hopkins UniversityErika Carrera-G - Pontificia Universidad Católica del EcuadorEric S. Fortune - Johns Hopkins University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Behavioural brain research, Vol.164(1), pp.83-92
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.bbr.2005.06.014
- PMID
- 16099058
- ISSN
- 0166-4328
- eISSN
- 1872-7549
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2005
- Academic Unit
- Nephrology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984359897602771
Metrics
13 Record Views