Coral reef communities as prime resources for analysis of evolution and physiology of behavior

Abstract

The abundance and great diversity of life on coral reef ecosystems provides many good opportunities for studying the evolution and specializations of neurophysiological systems and behavior. Crucial stages in the evolution of nervous systems appear to have occurred in the Precambrian, as revealed in Ediacaran fossils and their closest living relatives. By the Ordovician, when Chazy "reefs' exemplify some of the earliest complex animal communities fixed in one place, more elaborate neurological mechanisms for orientation, predation, and escape reactions are indicated. With the evolution offish, the behavioral richness of reef communities became further enhanced. Elaborate specializations of feeding, defensive, aggressive, signaling, schooling, and reproductive behaviors are common in fish. Several examples of behavioral studies on reef organisms are used to illustrate research methodologies and the types of conclusions which may be drawn. These examples include: (1) analysis of symbiotic behavior of an invertebrate and a vertebrate-sea anemone and clownfish; (2) signaling behavior of a fish-the sailfish blenny; and (3) a combined electrophysiological and behavioral analysis of orientation and feeding/attack behavior-sharks. An almost endless number of possibilities for similar analysis makes the organisms of coral reefs especially useful, and challenging, for teaching purposes as well as further research. © 1990 by the American Society of Zoologist.