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The colouration and its behavioural significance in the corkwing wrasse, Crenilabrus melops

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

G. W. Potts
G. W. Potts
Affiliation:
The Laboratory, Marine Biological Association, Citadel Hill, Plymouth
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Extract

The colour patterns of the corkwing wrasse Crenilabrus melops and the functional significance of these patterns has been described. The resting colours of the fish are described for juveniles, mature males and mature females. These colour patterns assist in making the fish less conspicuous in their natural environment. Agonist behaviour is characterized by the development of a series of vertical bars on the body together with ritualized lateral and frontal displays in aggressive, and a head-up submissive posture in fright situations. Most aggressive behaviour is associated with the territorial activity of the mature male. Courtship and spawning activities involve a complex series of visual signals that synchronize the roles played by the male and female. The differences in colouration between juvenile and mature fish and the changes any individual can display have wrongly lead earlier authors to split C. melops into different species or varieties.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 54 , Issue 4 , November 1974 , pp. 925 - 938
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1974

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