Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ontogeny of aggressive behaviour in schools of yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata

  • Chapter
When do fishes become juveniles?

Part of the book series: Developments in environmental biology of fishes ((DEBF,volume 19))

Synopsis

We studied ontogenetic changes in social interactions, especially in aggressive behaviour of the migratory marine yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata (Carangidae), and compared these to morphological and physiological changes. No agonistic interactions were observed during the larva period until 10 mm in total length (TL), at approximately 20 days after hatching. Typical shivering behaviour with ‘J-posture’ was observed during metamorphosis, when fin rays and calcification of vertebra were completed and there was an increase of tissue thyroid hormone. The onset of aggressive behaviour was just after metamorphosis to the juvenile period, and coincided with a significant increase in tissue cortisol levels. The onset of schooling behaviour was at 12 mm TL, slightly after the onset of aggressive behaviour. From observations of individual aggressive behaviour within juvenile schools, we found three categories of social rank: dominants (10–20%), intermediates (10–20%), and subordinates (60–80%). There was an inverse relationship between social rank and cortisol concentration. Otoliths of dominant fish in 8 experimental groups were labeled and the fish were returned to their groups. Six labeled dominants appeared after 1 day and three after 1 week rearing, respectively, indicating that social rank was maintained for at least 1 week (binomial distribution, p < 0.05). Dominants were larger than subordinates after 1 day rearing, whereas dominants were smaller after 1 week rearing. From long-term rearing experiments using individual otolith marking, larvae that showed the ‘J-posture’ more frequently tended to become dominants after metamorphosis, indicating a positive correlation between the ‘J-posture’ and aggressive behaviour. Synthesizing all results from behavioural experiments, we generated a behavioural model for the triggering mechanism of aggressive behaviour and size selection of school members.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References cited

  • Abbott, J.C., R.L. Dunbrack & C.D. Orr. 1985. The interaction of size and experience in dominance relationships of juvenile steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri). Behaviour 92: 241–253.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anraku, M. & M. Azeta. 1965. The feeding habits of larval and juveniles of yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata Temminck et Schlegel, associated with floating seaweeds. Bull. Seikai Reg. Fish. Res. Lab. 33: 14–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baton, E.K. 1984. Reflections on some decisive events in the early life of fishes. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 113: 178–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bond, C.E. 1979. Behavior. pp. 425–453. In: C.E. Bond (ed.) Biology of Fishes, Saunders College Publishing, Philadelphia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Breder, C.M. 1954. Equations descriptive of fish schools and other animal aggregations. Ecology 35: 361–370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brothers, E.B. 1984. Otolith studies. pp. 50–57. In: H.G. Moser, W.J. Richards, D.M. Cohen, M.P. Fahay, A.W.J. Kendall & S.L. Richardson (ed.) Brothers, E.B. 1, Lawrence.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chantanachookhin, C., T. Seikai & M. Tanaka. 1991. Comparative study of the ontogeny of the lymphoid organs in three species of marine fish. Aquaculture 99: 143–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duncan, D.B. 1955. Multiple range and multiple F tests. Biometrics 11: 1–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ejike, C. & C.B. Schreck. 1980. Stress and social hierarchy rank in coho salmon. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 109: 423–426.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elwood, R.W. & C.J. Rainey. 1983. Social organization and aggression within small groups of female Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens. Aggressive Behay. 9: 303–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fukuhara, O. 1992. Study on the development of functional morphology and behaviour of the larvae of eight commercially valuable teleost fishes. Contributions to the Fisheries Researches in the Japan Sea Block 25: 1–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fukuhara, O., T. Nakagawa & T. Fukunaga. 1986. Larval and juvenile development of yellowtail reared in the laboratory. Bull. Japan. Soc. Sci. Fish. 52: 2091–2098.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, W.D. 1971. Geometry for the selfish herd. J. Theor. Biol. 31: 295–311.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hiroi, J., Y. Sakakura, M. Tagawa, T. Seikai & M. Tanaka. 1997. Developmental changes in low-salinity tolerance and responses of prolactin, cortisol and thyroid hormones to low-salinity environment in larvae and juveniles of Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Zoological Science 14: 987–992.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ichihara, K. 1990. Statistics for bioscience. Nankoudo, Tokyo. 378 pp. (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Imaizumi, K. 1993. Recent progress of Japan Sea-Farming Association in marine finfish hatchery activities. pp. 173–177. In: C.-S. Lee, M.-S. Su & I.C. Liao (ed.) Finfish Hatchery in Asia, Proceedings of Finfish Hatchery in Asia ‘81,3, Tungkang Marine Labolatory TFRI and The Oceanic Institute, Tungkang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Inui, Y. & S. Miwa. 1985. Thyroid hormone induces metamorpho- sis of flounder larvae. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 60: 450–454.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jesus, E.G.D., T. Hirano & Y. Inui. 1991. Changes in cortisol and thyroid hormone concentrations during early development and metamorphosis in the Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 82: 369–376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jesus, E.G.D., Y. Inui & T. Hirano. 1990. Cortisol enhances the stimulating action of thyroid hormones on dorsal fin-ray resorption of flounder larvae in vitro. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 79: 167–173.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kendall, A.W.J., E.H. Ahlström & H.G. Moser. 1984. Early life history stages of fishes and their characters. pp. 11–22. In: H.G. Moser, W.J. Richards, D.M. Cohen, M.P. Fahay, A.W.J. Kendall & S.L. Richardson (ed.) Kendall, A.W.J., E.H. Ahlström & H.G. Moser. 1, Lawrence.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koshio, S., Y. Sakakura, Y. Lida, K. Tsukamoto, T. Kida & K. Dabrowski. 1997. The effect of vitamin C intake on schooling behavior of amphidromous fish, ayu Plecoglossus altivelis. Fish. Sci. 63: 619–624.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Magurran, A.E. 1990. The adaptive significance of schooling as an anti-predator defense in fish. Ann. Zool. Fennici 27: 51–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magurran, A.E. 1993. Individual differences and alternative behaviours. pp. 441–477. In: T.J. Pitcher (ed.) Behaviour of Teleost Fishes, Chapman & Hall, London.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Masuda, R. & K. Tsukamoto. 1998. The ontogeny of schooling behaviour in the striped jack. J. Fish Biol. 52: 483–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masuda, R. & K. Tsukamoto. 1999. School formation and concurrent developmental changes in carangid fish with reference to dietary conditions. Env. Biol. Fish. 56: 243–252 (this volume).

    Google Scholar 

  • May, R.C. 1974. Larval mortality in marine fishes and the critical period concept. pp. 3–19. In: J.H.S. Blaxter (ed.) The Early Life History of Fish, Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Noakes, D.L.G. 1978. Social behaviour as it influences fish production. pp. 360–382. In: S.D. Gerking (ed.) Ecology of Freshwater Fish Production, Blackwell, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noakes, D.L.G. & J.-G.J. Godin. 1988. Ontogeny of behavior and concurrent developmental changes in sensory systems in teleost fishes. pp. 345–395. In: W.S. Hoar & D.J. Randall (ed.) Fish Physiology, Volume 6, Academic Press, San Diego.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noakes, D.L.G., J.F. Leatherland. 1977. Social dominance and interrenal cell activity in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri (Pisces, Salmonidae). Env. Biol. Fish. 2: 131–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira, R.F. & V.C. Almada. 1996. On the (in)stability of dominance hierarchies in the cichlid fish Oreochromis mossambicus. Aggressive Behay. 22: 37–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • a, B.L., M.W. Davis & C.H. Ryer. 1994. Behavioural defects in hatchery-reared fish: potential effects on survival following release. Aquacult. Fish. Manag. 25: 19–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitcher, T.J. 1983. Heuristic definitions of shoaling behaviour. Animal Behay. 31: 611–613.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pitcher, T.J. & J.K. Parrish. 1993. Functions of shoaling behaviour in teleosts. pp. 363–439. In: T.J. Pitcher (ed.) Behaviour of Teleost Fishes, Chapman & Hall, London.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Pitcher, T.J., C.J. Wyche & A.E. Magurran. 1982. Evidence for position preferences in schooling mackerel. Anim. Behay. 30: 932–934.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polis, G.A. 1981. The evolution and dynamics of intraspecific predation. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 12: 225–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Potthoff, T. 1984. Clearing and staining techniques. pp. 35–37. In: H.G. Moser, W.J. Richards, D.M. Cohen, M.P. Fahay, A.W.J. Kendall & S.L. Richardson (ed.) Potthoff, T. 1, Lawrence.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruzzante, D.E. 1994. Domestication effects on aggressive and schooling behavior in fish. Aquaculture 120: 1–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Safran, P. 1990. Drifting seaweed and associated ichthyofauna: floating nursery in the Tohoku waters. La mer 28: 225–239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakakura, Y., M. Tagawa & K. Tsukamoto 1998a. Whole-body cortisol concentrations and ontogeny of aggressive behavior in yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata Temminck & Schlegel; Carangidae). Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 109: 286–292.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakakura, Y., S. Koshio, Y. Lida, K. Tsukamoto, T. Kida & J.H. Blom. 1998b. Dietary vitamin C improves the quality of yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata, seedlings. Aquaculture 161: 427–436.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sakakura, Y. & K. Tsukamoto. 1996. Onset and development of cannibalistic behaviour in early life stage of yellowtail. J. Fish Biol. 48: 16–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sakakura, Y. & K. Tsukamoto. 1997a. Age composition in the schools of juvenile yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata, associated with drifting seaweeds in the East China Sea. Fish. Sci. 63: 37–41.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sakakura, Y. & K. Tsukamoto. 1997b. Effects of water temperature and light intensity on the aggressive behavior in the juvenile yellowtails. Fish. Sci. 63: 42–45.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sakakura, Y. & K. Tsukamoto. 1998a. Social ranks in schools of juvenile yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 14: 69–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sakakura, Y. & K. Tsukamoto. 19986. Effects of density, starvation and size difference on aggressive behaviour in juvenile yellowtails (Seriola quinqueradiata). J. Appl. Ichthyol. 14: 9–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schjelderup-Ebbe, T. 1935. Social behavior of birds. pp. 947–972. In: T. Murchison (ed.) Handbook of Social Psychology, Clark University Press, Worcester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, E. 1962. The schooling of fishes. Scient. Amer. 206: 128–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, E. 1978. Schooling fishes. Amer. Scient. 66: 166–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokal, R.R. & F.J. Rohlf. 1995. Analysis of frequencies. pp. 685–793. In: R.R. Sokal & F.J. Rohlf (ed.) Biometry, W.H. Freeman and Company, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Svâsand, T. 1993. Are reared juveniles suited for release? ICES Council Meeting F34: 1–13 (mimeogr.).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tagawa, M. & T. Hirano. 1989. Changes in tissue and blood concentrations of thyroid hormones in developing chum salmon. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 76: 437–443.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka, M., J.B. Tanagonan, M. Tagawa, E.G.D. Jesus, H. Nishida, M. Isaka, R. Kimura & T. Hirano. 1995. Development of the pituitary, thyroid and interrenal glands and applications of endocrinology to the improved rearing of marine fish larvae. Aquaculture 135: 111–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsukamoto, K. 1985. Mass-marking of ayu eggs and larvae by tetracycline-tagging of otoliths. Bull. Japan. Soc. Sci. Fish. 51: 903–911.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsukamoto, K. 1988. Migratory mechanisms and behavioral characteristics in ayu. pp. 100–133. In: T. Ueno & M. Okiyama (ed.) Ichthyology Currents, Asakura Shoten, Tokyo (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsukamoto, K., Y. Seki, T. Oba, M. Oya & M. Iwahashi. 1989. Application of otolith to migration study of salmonids. Physiol. Ecol. Japan. 1: 119–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsukamoto, K. & K. Uchida. 1992. Migration mechanism of the ayu. pp. 145–172. In: V.I. Ilyichev, V.V. Anikiev (ed.) Oceanic and Anthropogenic Controls of Life in the Pacific Ocean, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrect.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Uchida, K., Y. Dotu, S. Mito & K. Nakahara. 1958. The spawning and early life history of `burl’, Japanese yellow tail, Seriola quinqueradiata Temminck et Schlegel. Sci. Bull. Fac. Agr., Kyushu Univ. 16: 329–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Umeda, S. & A. Ochiai. 1973. On the development of the structure and function of the alimentary tract of the yellowtail from the larval to the juvenile stage. Bull. Japan. Soc. Sci. Fish. 39: 923–930.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, T. & V. Kiron. 1994. Prospects in larval fish dietetics. Aquaculture 124: 223–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamagishi, H. 1962. Growth relation in some small experimental populations of rainbow trout with special reference to social relations among individuals. Japan. J. Ecol. 12: 13–53.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Fisheries Ecology, Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Minamidai 1-15-1, Nakano, Tokyo 164, Japan

    Yoshitaka Sakakura & Katsumi Tsukamoto

Authors
  1. Yoshitaka Sakakura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Katsumi Tsukamoto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Gordon H. Copp Vladimír Kováč Karol Hensel

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sakakura, Y., Tsukamoto, K. (1998). Ontogeny of aggressive behaviour in schools of yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata . In: Copp, G.H., Kováč, V., Hensel, K. (eds) When do fishes become juveniles?. Developments in environmental biology of fishes, vol 19. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3678-7_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3678-7_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-5305-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-3678-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation