The role of electronsensory signals on the locomotor performance of the weakly electric fish apteronotus albifrons

Animal locomotion performance responds to different ecological factors that shape relevant aspects of behavior. Conspecific signals is one of these factors and operates in a wide range of contexts. In schooling fish, coordinated movement is based on visual or mechanical cues and signals. In contrast, most gymnotiforms and mormyriforms are nocturnal or live in dark waters and use electric signals for social communication. However, the effect of conspecific electric signals on locomotion and group movement is largely unknown. Apteronotus albifrons is a well-known model in neuroethological studies of signal processing and locomotion control that relies mostly on visual inputs but can switch to electric sense in low illumination levels to navigate and interact with the environment. Conspecific electric signals might be sufficient to produce changes in locomotor behavior that reflect basic rules of group movement interactions (attraction, repulsion or coordination). To test this hypothesis, recordings of locomotor behavior under two simple were compared using two experimental conditions: single and pairs of weakly electric fish.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies - (M.S.)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

College of Science and Liberal Arts

Year

2015

Author dc:creator

• Gil-Guevara, Oswaldo

Contributors dc:contributor

• Simon J. Garnier
• Eric Scott Fortune
• Gareth J. Russell

• Animal locomotion
• Apteronotus albifrons
• Conspecific electric signals
• Biology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/251

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.njit.edu:theses-1250