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Monogamy in a feeding generalist, Chaetodon trichrous, the endemic Tahitian Butterflyfish

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Abstract

Butterflyfishes have been well studied for their feeding ecology and mating systems. In particular, studies of corallivorous butterflyfishes have supported models of monogamy based on their predictable, low quality food; a patch of coral that is economically defensible by a pair. Moreover, pairs often exhibit trade-offs in territorial defense (greater by males) and feeding (greater by females) that improve their reproductive success. However, this model has not been well tested for more generalist feeders. In addition, recent hypotheses for monogamy in fish have emphasized parental care, but butterflyfishes do not provide parental care. This study tests five hypotheses for monogamy in the endemic Tahitian butterflyfish, Chaetodon trichrous: 1) uniform distribution of limiting resources, 2) joint defense of a territory, 3) low mate availability, 4) predator detection, and 5) benefits of cooperative behavior. Chaetodon trichrous was the most abundant butterflyfish in bays. Pairs jointly patrolled feeding territories. They preferentially fed over hard substrate other than live coral, however, this substrate was available outside of territories. They also ate plankton. Pairs were sorted positively for size, and all pairs were heterosexual. Males were larger than their partners, but females fed at higher rates. These results suggest that C. trichrous is monogamous, but reject the hypotheses that pairs form for joint defense of a territory (pairs swam together), that pairs remain together because of low mate availability (frequent interactions with neighbors), or that pairs form for predator detection (no homosexual pairs). Monogamy in C. trichrous is associated with the uniform distribution of hard substrate, although this resource is not limiting. Further, the higher feeding rate of females may represent a benefit provided by their monogamous mates.

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Acknowledgements

We are indebted to the students of Glendale Community College’s Coral Reef Ecology and Scientific Diving classes of 2006 and 2007 for their hours of surveys and observations: David and Elizabeth Hoffman, Nicole Kist, Rebecca Lucero, Sarah McDarby, Russell Smith, Robbert Vermeulen, Marie Utterback and Robynn Utterback. Thanks to all at Le Centre De L'Environnement De Moorea (CRIOBE-EPHE), French Polynesia for their support and hospitality. Thanks to George Barlow for his early support and inspiration for this project. We would also like to thank Alice Gibb, Stephen Shuster, Heather Bleakley, Kenyon Mobley, Cinnamon Pace, Mathew O’Neil, Cassie Kaapu-Lyons, Morgan Burnette and three anonymous reviewers for their critical comments. This research was funded in part by the American Museum of Natural Histories Lerner Grey Fund for Marine Research (JMC), Northern Arizona Universities Hooper Undergraduate Research Award (JMC), Northern Arizona University IGERT-UG (JMC), the Sigma Xi fund for research (JMC), the American Academy of Underwater Sciences Kevin Gurr Scholarship (JMC), Northern Arizona University Dept. of Biology and College of Engineering and Natural Sciences (JMC), and Maricopa Community College District Professional Growth award (RHR).

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  1. Glendale Community College, Glendale, AZ, 85302, USA

    Robert H. Reavis

  2. Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA

    Joshua M. Copus

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Correspondence to Robert H. Reavis.

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Reavis, R.H., Copus, J.M. Monogamy in a feeding generalist, Chaetodon trichrous, the endemic Tahitian Butterflyfish. Environ Biol Fish 92, 167–179 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-011-9826-y

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