Electric Signals in the Social Behavior of Sympatric Elephantfish (Mormyridae, Teleostei) from the Upper Zambezi River

Abstract

Electrocommunication in mormyrid fish from African freshwaters is a challenging research field in neuroethology (Turner et al. 1999). However,
virtually nothing is known about electrocommunication
within natural mormyrid populations involving
sympatric, syntopic species. Here we report on the nocturnal activities and electrocommunication among three syntopic species in a spacious laboratory setting resembling the natural one. Petrocephalus catostoma, Cyphomyrus discorhynchus, and Hippopotamyrus sp. nov. differ characteristically in their behavior, such as in territorial defense, schooling, and joining members of other species during foraging. Comparing social encounters within and between species, the first evidence for interspecific electrocommunication among syntopic species was found.