Monogamy and Aggression

这个项目探索了一对一夫一妻制的鱼，尼加拉瓜的迈达斯慈鲷，一对雄性和雌性之间的关系。作为典型的一夫一妻制物种，雄性和雌性长相相似，行为模式也相同。配对的形成伴随着高水平的威胁表现，因为每一种性别都在探测对方是否有能力获得和保护繁殖领地，并保护蛋和幼鸟免受捕食者的侵害。当任意选择时，只有大约50%的配对成功；其他人的攻击性会失控。有些鱼失去了深色色素，变成了惊人的金色。金色的鱼抑制对手的攻击性；因此，大自然为探索伴侣关系提供了一个独特的实验工具。实验有两种类型。首先，巴洛博士将在水族馆里测试三种不同的假设。根据个体的攻击性，它们对配对的成功做出了不同的预测。在第二个实验中，巴洛博士将在一个大水池中探索颜色、攻击性和性别之间的关系。在野外，鱼主要与相同颜色的鱼交配，但实验证明，它们对颜色的偏好并不能预测这种结果。金色对攻击性的影响可能产生了田间的选择性交配；如果是这样，这可以告诉我们一些关于配偶兼容性的重要信息。巴洛博士还将对尼加拉瓜进行实地考察，以检验结论和预测。这个项目与当时的流行趋势背道而驰。目前关于交配的理论强调一夫多妻制物种，在这种物种中，两性看起来截然不同，迅速交配，然后分开。一夫一妻制物种的配偶仍然在一起，并且更需要调整攻击性。迈达斯慈鲷为理解一夫一妻制物种的两性间攻击行为提供了一种模式物种的可能性。请注意，配偶虐待在人类中非常普遍；在美国，平均每15秒就有一个配偶被虐待。最后，米达斯慈鲷是尼加拉瓜最重要的食用鱼；有关其繁殖行为的信息对管理和培养该物种很有用。

This project explores the relationship between a male and a female in a monogamous pair of fish, the Midas cichlid of Nicaragua. As is typical of monogamous species, males and females look alike and have the same behavior patterns. Pair formation is accompanied by high levels of threat display as each sex probes to determine that the other has the wherewithal to obtain and protect a breeding territory, and to defend the eggs and young against predators. When arbitrarily selected, only about 50% of pairs put together successfully mate; aggression gets out of control in the others. Some fish lose their dark pigments and become strikingly gold in color. The gold-colored fish inhibit aggression in their opponents; thus nature has provided a unique experimental tool for exploring pair relationships. The experiments are of two types. In the first, Dr. Barlow will test three alternative hypotheses in aquaria. Each makes different predictions about the success of pairing depending on the aggressiveness of the individuals. In the second experiment, Dr. Barlow will explore the relationship between color, aggressiveness, and sex, using a large pool situation. In the field, the fish mate predominantly with those of the same color, but experiments have proved that they have no preferences by color that would predict such an outcome. The effect of gold color on aggression probably produces assortative mating in the field; if so, this can tell us something important about mate compatibility. Dr. Barlow will also make a field trip to Nicaragua to test conclusions and predictions. This project departs from the prevailing vogue. Current theory on mating has led to an emphasis on polygynous species, in which the sexes look strikingly different from one another, mate quickly, then separate. Mates in monogamous species remain together and have a greater need to adjust aggressiveness. The Midas cichlid offers the possibility of being a model species for understanding intersexual aggression in monogamous species in general. Note that spousal abuse is exceedingly common in humans; in the USA, a spouse is abused on average every 15 seconds. Finally, the Midas cichlid is the most important food fish in Nicaragua; information about its reproductive behavior is useful in managing and culturing this species.