Article (Scientific journals)
Effect of water temperature on the courtship behavior of the Alpine newt Triturus alpestris
Denoël, Mathieu; Mathieu, Maryève; Poncin, Pascal
2005In Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 58 (2), p. 121-127
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Keywords :
Temperature; Environment; Phenotypic plasticity; Courtship behavior; Sexual behaviour; Alternative mating tactics; Ecology; Adaptation; Cold; Fanning movement; Display rate; Display duration; Mesotriton alprestris; Ichthyosaura alpestris; Triturus alpestris; Amphibian; Alpine newt; Phenology; Triton alpestre; Amphibien
Abstract :
[en] Temperature is expected to have an effect on the behavioral patterns of all organisms, especially ectotherms. However, although several studies focused on the effect of temperature on acoustic displays in both insects and anurans, almost nothing is known about how environmental temperature may affect ectotherm visual courtship displays and sexual performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of environmental temperature on the sexual behavior of Alpine newts (Triturus alpestris). We subjected T. alpestris to two different temperatures in controlled laboratory conditions. Temperature had a major effect on both male and female behaviors: at low temperature, the frequencies of several displays, including tail-raising during sperm deposition, are lowered. This variation is caused indirectly by temperature because it is due to female responsiveness, which is temperature-dependent. However, the fanning movement of the male's tail during its main courtship display is independent of female behavior: at lower temperatures, the tail beats at a lower rate, but for a longer time. The similar reproductive success (i.e. sperm transfer) at the two temperature ranges indicates that breeding in cold water is not costly but instead allows males and females to mate early in the season. This is particularly adaptive because, in many habitats, the reproductive period is shortened by drying or freezing conditions, which may impair survival of branchiate offspring. This study also demonstrates the necessity of considering environmental parameters when modeling optimality and characteristics of ectotherm behaviors.
Disciplines :
Environmental sciences & ecology
Aquatic sciences & oceanology
Animal psychology, ethology & psychobiology
Zoology
Neurosciences & behavior
Author, co-author :
Denoël, Mathieu  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences et gestion de l'environnement > Biologie du comportement - Ethologie et psychologie animale
Mathieu, Maryève;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Biologie du Comportement
Poncin, Pascal ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Biologie du comportement - Ethologie et psychologie animale
Language :
English
Title :
Effect of water temperature on the courtship behavior of the Alpine newt Triturus alpestris
Publication date :
2005
Journal title :
Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
ISSN :
0340-5443
eISSN :
1432-0762
Publisher :
Springer, New York, United States - New York
Volume :
58
Issue :
2
Pages :
121-127
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Funders :
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE]
Available on ORBi :
since 30 December 2008

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