Comparison of reproductive behaviors between two species of Eghtspine stickle backs (genus: Pungitius)

The object of this study is to differentiate the reproductive behaviors of Pungitius sinensis and P. kaibarae inhabiting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. We collected P. sinensis from Jusu stream, Okkye‐myeon and P. kaibarae from Sacheon stream, Sacheon‐myeon both in Gangwon province and subsequently raised and observed them in an aquarium. At the beginning of the reproductive season, male P. sinensis got tinged with dark green, made a territory, and built nests on the bottom. On the other hand, male P. kaibarae became black all over, its white ventral spines became conspicuous and built nests on the stems of waterweed off the bottom. In the courtship dance, male P. sinensis made frequent attempts to entice females into their nests after many bitings, while male P. kaibarae mostly did this with conspicuous jumpings. In courtship behaviors, the body's angle of male P. kaibarae with his head down was larger than that of male P. sinensis by 50–60 degrees. During courtship, the biting frequency as an index of aggressive behavior was greater in P. sinensis and the jumping frequency as an index of sexual behavior was greater in P. kaibarae. During the courtship dance, bitings tended to suppress jumpings, for P. sinensis, but not for P. kaibarae.

Key words:

• Reproductive behavior
• Pungitius sinensis
• Pungitius kaibarae

Notes

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