The effect of temperature on a social behavior of weakly electric fish Eigenmannia virescens

Abstract

1. 1. The frequency of the electric organ discharge (EOD) of Eigenmannia virescen changes with water temperature and with the presence of an electrical sine wave stimulus of a neighboring frequency. The latter response, called the jamming avoidance response, was observed at various temperatures ranging from 18 to 30°C. 2. 2. Jamming avoidance response (JAR) in Eigenmannia, characterized by a shift in the fish's EOD frequency away from the electrical stimulus frequency, increased with rising temperature. 3. 3. The Q 10 of the resting EOD frequency and JAR were different in their absolute values and variation patterns with temperature. 4. 4. These results suggest that the neuronal mechanisms for the 2 behavioral responses are probably independent and the integration site is likely to be at the pacemaker cells.