Pair-Formation in Coral Reef Fishes: An Ecological Perspective

• Published in: Oceanography and Marine Biology pp. 1 - 80
• Main Authors: Brandl, Simon J., Bellwood, David R.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: United Kingdom CRC Press 2014; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Aquaculture & fishing: practice & techniques; CIVIL ENGINEERING, SURVEYING & BUILDING; Toxicology (non-medical); Predation Risk; Monogamous Mating System; Mouth Brooding; DMSP; Swearer 2013a; Acanthaster Planci; Trophic Groups; Permanent Burrows; Harpacticoid Copepods; Mating System; Monogamous Mating; Animal Kingdom; Reef Fishes; Spawning Aggregations; Immobile Prey; Cooperative Pairs; Coral Reef Fishes; Pairing Species; Preferred Group Size; Pairing Behaviour; Pouch Brooding; Pair Spawning; Sp Ri
• ISBN: 1482220598; 9781482220599
• DOI: 10.1201/b17143-2

This chapter provides a new socialecological definition of pair-formation, examines the prevalence of pair-formation among coral reef fishes, and assesses the ecological and reproductive characteristics of pair-forming reef fishes. Two traits appear to favour the formation of social, cooperative pairs: foraging on small, benthic, and relatively immobile prey; and living in burrows. In contrast, there are limited similarities among pair-forming species with regard to their mating system or spawning mode. It appears that the basis of pair-formation in reef fishes is complex and may involve a range of ecological factors related to food procurement and predation risk. In animals, sexual reproduction usually requires two individual parents, and in many species, adults form transient breeding pairs whose sole purpose is reproduction. Pair-formation is described in many taxa, ranging from unicellular organisms to higher vertebrates. However, understanding of the significance of pairing varies markedly among taxa.