Ethogram Characteristics of Silver Carp (<i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i>) During the Breeding Period Based on the PAE Coding System

Animal behavior diversity is a key element of biodiversity, and the establishment of an ethogram provides a crucial framework for exploring the relationship between behavioral patterns and environmental factors. However, the development of ethograms and the quantitative analysis of behavioral divers...

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Main Authors: Min Wang, Fengyue Zhu, Lixiong Yu, Qingrui Yang, Ke Wang, Mingdian Liu, Xinbin Duan, Daqing Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/9/1218
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author Min Wang
Fengyue Zhu
Lixiong Yu
Qingrui Yang
Ke Wang
Mingdian Liu
Xinbin Duan
Daqing Chen
author_facet Min Wang
Fengyue Zhu
Lixiong Yu
Qingrui Yang
Ke Wang
Mingdian Liu
Xinbin Duan
Daqing Chen
author_sort Min Wang
collection DOAJ
description Animal behavior diversity is a key element of biodiversity, and the establishment of an ethogram provides a crucial framework for exploring the relationship between behavioral patterns and environmental factors. However, the development of ethograms and the quantitative analysis of behavioral diversity in fish remain underexplored. In this study, focal animal sampling and instantaneous scan sampling methods, paired with the PAE (Posture-Act-Environment) coding system, were employed to investigate the ethogram and reproductive behavior diversity of silver carp. The findings revealed 12 postures, 20 actions, and 34 behaviors documented during the breeding period of silver carp. Analysis of reproductive behavior diversity revealed that the absolute behavioral diversity index (<i>H</i>), relative behavioral diversity index (<i>r</i>), and regulated diversity index (<i>r-variable</i>) all peaked during the 10–15 h interval following induced spawning. Notably, significant differences (<i>p</i> < 0.001) were observed in these indices across different post-induction time intervals and between sexes. Throughout the breeding cycle, females demonstrated lower diversity and intensity in reproductive behaviors compared to males, suggesting distinct reproductive strategies between the sexes. The reproductive behavior of silver carp exhibited distinct chronobiological disorganization patterns. This study provides a scientific basis for future research on the behavioral ecology of silver carp and the conservation of their wild populations.
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spelling doaj-art-d65c71d7efde4885a96bc439fd6992432025-08-20T01:49:20ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-04-01159121810.3390/ani15091218Ethogram Characteristics of Silver Carp (<i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i>) During the Breeding Period Based on the PAE Coding SystemMin Wang0Fengyue Zhu1Lixiong Yu2Qingrui Yang3Ke Wang4Mingdian Liu5Xinbin Duan6Daqing Chen7Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), School of Life Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaNational Agricultural Science Observing and Experimental Station of Chongqing, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Wuhan 430223, ChinaNational Agricultural Science Observing and Experimental Station of Chongqing, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Wuhan 430223, ChinaDepartment of Water Environment, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, ChinaNational Agricultural Science Observing and Experimental Station of Chongqing, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Wuhan 430223, ChinaNational Agricultural Science Observing and Experimental Station of Chongqing, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Wuhan 430223, ChinaNational Agricultural Science Observing and Experimental Station of Chongqing, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Wuhan 430223, ChinaKey Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), School of Life Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaAnimal behavior diversity is a key element of biodiversity, and the establishment of an ethogram provides a crucial framework for exploring the relationship between behavioral patterns and environmental factors. However, the development of ethograms and the quantitative analysis of behavioral diversity in fish remain underexplored. In this study, focal animal sampling and instantaneous scan sampling methods, paired with the PAE (Posture-Act-Environment) coding system, were employed to investigate the ethogram and reproductive behavior diversity of silver carp. The findings revealed 12 postures, 20 actions, and 34 behaviors documented during the breeding period of silver carp. Analysis of reproductive behavior diversity revealed that the absolute behavioral diversity index (<i>H</i>), relative behavioral diversity index (<i>r</i>), and regulated diversity index (<i>r-variable</i>) all peaked during the 10–15 h interval following induced spawning. Notably, significant differences (<i>p</i> < 0.001) were observed in these indices across different post-induction time intervals and between sexes. Throughout the breeding cycle, females demonstrated lower diversity and intensity in reproductive behaviors compared to males, suggesting distinct reproductive strategies between the sexes. The reproductive behavior of silver carp exhibited distinct chronobiological disorganization patterns. This study provides a scientific basis for future research on the behavioral ecology of silver carp and the conservation of their wild populations.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/9/1218<i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i>breeding periodPAE coding systemethogram
spellingShingle Min Wang
Fengyue Zhu
Lixiong Yu
Qingrui Yang
Ke Wang
Mingdian Liu
Xinbin Duan
Daqing Chen
Ethogram Characteristics of Silver Carp (<i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i>) During the Breeding Period Based on the PAE Coding System
Animals
<i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i>
breeding period
PAE coding system
ethogram
title Ethogram Characteristics of Silver Carp (<i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i>) During the Breeding Period Based on the PAE Coding System
title_full Ethogram Characteristics of Silver Carp (<i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i>) During the Breeding Period Based on the PAE Coding System
title_fullStr Ethogram Characteristics of Silver Carp (<i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i>) During the Breeding Period Based on the PAE Coding System
title_full_unstemmed Ethogram Characteristics of Silver Carp (<i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i>) During the Breeding Period Based on the PAE Coding System
title_short Ethogram Characteristics of Silver Carp (<i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i>) During the Breeding Period Based on the PAE Coding System
title_sort ethogram characteristics of silver carp i hypophthalmichthys molitrix i during the breeding period based on the pae coding system
topic <i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i>
breeding period
PAE coding system
ethogram
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/9/1218
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