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7370477 
Journal Article 
Social plasticity in non-territorial male African cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni 
Fulmer, AG; Neumeister, H; Preuss, T 
2017 
Yes 
Journal of Ethology
ISSN: 0289-0771
EISSN: 1439-5444 
35 
1 
109-119 
WOS:000392031600013 
The African cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni represents a valuable model system for studies of social decision-making due to its socially mediated phenotypic plasticity. The males reversibly transition in social status from reproductively dominant and territorial (DOM) to submissive and non-territorial (SUB). Males are traditionally categorized into these two behavioral phenotypes by observational scoring. There is evidence, however, that this dichotomous categorization might not capture the behavioral plasticity displayed by individuals transitioning between SUB and DOM status. To test this concept, we used focal observations of intrasexual conflict behavior in fish communities combined with a modified analysis of the ethogram typically used in A. burtoni. Results revealed a cluster of males close to the crossover point between SUB and DOM status as defined by the traditional dominance index. These intermediate males showed the highest frequency of intrasexual conflict behaviors, distinct behavioral responses to threats, and body pigment signaling displays that distinguish them from prototypical SUBs and DOMs. As such, our results provide a noninvasive behavioral metric to categorize A. burtoni males into three groups, thus further capturing the complex social dynamic of this model organism. 
Social behavior; Reversible phenotype; Dominance; Territoriality; Intrasexual competition