Aspects of Species Recognition by Sound in Four Species of Damselfishes, Genus Eupomacentrus (Pisces: Pomacentridae)

Abstract

Members of four sympatric species of Eupomacentrus carry out reproductive activities at the same time of the year and produce similar pulsed courtship sounds. Such sounds are known to facilitate courtship among conspecifics. Consequently, members of the four species in the field and in the laboratory were tested with the various sounds to determine if they could distinguish their own species sounds from those produced by congeners. The differential responses clearly demonstrate species specific recognition by sound and indicate that the pulse interval and the number of pulses per sound are the important parameters for this recognition.