Factors affecting the aggressive behavior in neotropical cichlid fish a review

• Grant number: 21/05884-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2021
• End date: February 28, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Animal Behavior
• Principal Investigator: Eliane Gonçalves de Freitas
• Grantee: Bianca Cambiaghi e Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Cichlid fish family shows a great species richness, especially in the African and Neotropical regions. It is represented by important species for aquaculture, as well as for behavioral research. The independent evolution of cichlids in the great African lakes, plus the complexity of their social behavior, has been generating great interest from the scientific community that has been working with such species as study models. However, despite the diversity of cichlids in the neotropical region, studies on the behavior of such species are still scarce. Considering a large number of species and richness of social behaviors distinct from those in the African region, this study aims to carry out a review to describe and characterize the factors affecting aggressiveness in neotropical cichlids. For this, a revision in the databases will be carried out, by using keywords such as aggressive behavior, social behavior, and genera of neotropical cichlid species. Data will be organized into tables, graphs, and figures of specific behaviors. In the end, we will have a synthesis of existing studies in the literature, as well as a view regarding the gaps in the studies of aggressive behavior in neotropical cichlids. The data will also indicate future paths for research in social behavior and conservation of this fish group. (AU)