@article{PlathKromuszczynskiTiedemann2009,
  author    = {Plath, Martin and Kromuszczynski, Katja and Tiedemann, Ralph},
  title     = {Audience effect alters male but not female mating preferences},
  issn      = {0340-5443},
  doi       = {10.1007/s00265-008-0672-7},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {Males often face strong mating competition by neighboring males in their social environment. A recent study by Plath et al. (Anim Behav 75:21-29, 2008a) has demonstrated that the visual presence of a male competitor (i.e., an audience male) affects the expression of male mating preferences in a poeciliid fish (Poecilia mexicana) with a weaker expression of mating preferences when an audience male observed the focal male. This may be a tactic to reduce sperm competition, since surrounding males likely share intrinsic preferences for female traits or copy mate choice decisions. Here, we examined the hypothesis that a same-sex audience would affect female mate preferences less than male mating preferences. Our hypothesis was based on the assumptions that (1) competition for mates in a fashion that would be comparable in strength to sperm competition or overt male-male aggression is absent among Poecilia females, and (2) P. mexicana females typically form female-biased shoals, such that almost any female mate choice in nature occurs in front of a female audience. Poecilia females (P. mexicana, surface and cave form, and the closely related gynogenetic Poecilia formosa) were given a choice between a large and a small male, and the tests were repeated while a conspecific, a heterospecific, or no audience female (control) was presented. Females spent more time in the neutral zone and, thus, less time near the males during the second part of a trial when an audience was presented, but-consistent with predictions-females showed only slightly weaker expression of mate preferences during the second part of the tests. This decline was not specific to the treatment involving an audience and was significantly weaker than the effect seen in the male sex.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MoodleyBrufordBleidornetal.2009,
  author    = {Moodley, Yoshan and Bruford, Michael W. and Bleidorn, Christoph and Wronski, Torsten and Apio, Ann and Plath, Martin},
  title     = {Analysis of mitochondrial DNA data reveals non-monophyly in the bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) complex},
  issn      = {1616-5047},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.mambio.2008.05.003},
  year      = {2009},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{FeulnerPlathEngelmannetal.2009,
  author    = {Feulner, Philine G. D. and Plath, Martin and Engelmann, Jacob and Kirschbaum, Frank and Tiedemann, Ralph},
  title     = {Electrifying love : electric fish use species-specific discharge for mate recognition},
  issn      = {1744-9561},
  doi       = {10.1098/rsbl.2008.0566},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {Mate choice is mediated by a range of sensory cues, and assortative mating based on these cues can drive reproductive isolation among diverging populations. A specific feature of mormyrid fish, the electric organ discharge (EOD), is used for electrolocation and intraspecific communication. We hypothesized that the EOD also facilitates assortative mating and ultimately promotes prezygotic reproductive isolation in African weakly electric fishes. Our behavioural experiments using live males as well as EOD playback demonstrated that female mate recognition is influenced by EOD signals and that females are attracted to EOD characteristics of conspecific males. The dual function of the EOD for both foraging and social communication (including mate recognition leading to assortative mating) underlines the importance of electric signal differentiation for the divergence of African weakly electric fishes. Thus, the EOD provides an intriguing mechanism promoting trophic divergence and reproductive isolation between two closely related Campylomormyrus species occurring in sympatry in the lower Congo rapids.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ApioMuwanikaPlathetal.2009,
  author    = {Apio, Ann and Muwanika, Vincent B. and Plath, Martin and Wronski, Torsten},
  title     = {Seasonal variation in reproductive behaviour of bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas, 1766) in an equatorial savannah ecosystem},
  issn      = {0141-6707},
  doi       = {10.1111/j.1365-2028.2008.01000.x},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {While several authors suggest that bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas) from tropical areas with an approximately bimodal rainfall pattern breed throughout the year, there is also a report of seasonal breeding in this species. In this study, we provide indirect evidence of seasonality in reproduction by analysing behavioural data (e.g. rates of mixed-sex sightings) in a population of bushbuck inhabiting an equatorial savannah ecosystem in western Uganda. Observation rates of mixed-sex sightings were correlated with rainfall patterns. We suggest that peaks in reproductive behaviour following the wet season may be advantageous if calves are born during the next wet season, when fresh vegetation is available.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{AverbeckApioPlathetal.2009,
  author    = {Averbeck, Christiane and Apio, Ann and Plath, Martin and Wronski, Torsten},
  title     = {Environmental parameters and anthropogenic effects predicting the spatial distribution of wild ungulates in the Akagera savannah ecosystem},
  issn      = {0141-6707},
  doi       = {10.1111/j.1365-2028.2009.01076.x},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {Savannah areas affected by human activities such as livestock keeping and agriculture are often characterized by shifts in landscape structuring, with a predominance of few(er) habitat types. This is typically accompanied by pronounced changes in the communities of ungulates. The aim of this study was to find out whether shifts in ungulate communities in Lake Mburo National Park (LMNP) are primarily predicted by an alteration in the composition of the preferred habitat types or if more complex interactions between habitat changes and the prevalence of ungulates occur. Monthly road counts were used to establish the number of eleven ungulate species in LMNP and adjacent unprotected Ankole Ranching Scheme. The common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia campbelliae Gray, 1843) was found in more abundance in disturbed areas, while showing a significant change in habitat use. Common duiker tended to use the vegetation type otherwise used by the bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus dama Neumann, 1902). Our results support the claim that the occurrence of ungulates is not only directly affected by the availability of 'suitable' habitats, but behavioural plasticity and competitive exclusion also need to be considered.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{TimmermannPlath2009,
  author    = {Timmermann, Mirna and Plath, Martin},
  title     = {Phototactic response and light sensitivity in an epigean and a hypogean population of a barb (Garra barreimiae, Cyprinidae)},
  issn      = {1386-2588},
  doi       = {10.1007/s10452-008-9173-z},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {We investigated the response of two populations of the barb Garra barreimiae to different light intensities (0.5-2000 lx) from a light source. Adults of both the surface (epigean) and cave (hypogean) G. barreimiae populations show photophobic behavior. A photophobic response in the cave form was seen only at higher light intensities because the cavefish are eyeless and rely on extra-retinal light receptors to detect light. In contrast, juveniles (surface and cave) showed photophilic behavior, and their preference for the photic zone of the test tank decreased with increasing age. We discuss the potential role played by photophobic behavior for the colonization of caves by previously surface- dwelling fishes.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WronskiApioPlath2009,
  author    = {Wronski, Torsten and Apio, Ann and Plath, Martin},
  title     = {Absence of a dominance hierarchy confirms territorial organization in male bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas, 1766)},
  issn      = {0141-6707},
  doi       = {10.1111/j.1365-2028.2007.00876.x},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {It has been suggested that all species of spiral-horned antelopes (Tragelaphini) lack territoriality. Furthermore, some authors suggested that bushbuck (Tragelpahus scriptus) males form dominance hierarchies. In this study, we investigated the dominance relationships in two groups of free-ranging bushbuck males in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. Adult males dominated young-adult bachelors and subadult males, but no distinct dominance relationships were found among adult males. Landau's index of linearity revealed no linear dominance hierarchy in the study populations. Our results support the idea that adult males are territorial, and overt aggression is directed almost exclusively towards bachelors that challenge territory holders.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WronskiApioPlathetal.2009,
  author    = {Wronski, Torsten and Apio, Ann and Plath, Martin and Averbeck, Christiane},
  title     = {Do ecotypes of bushbuck differ in grouping patterns?},
  issn      = {0873-9749},
  doi       = {10.1007/s10211-009-0058-5},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {Grouping patterns within the genus Tragelaphus suggest that species inhabiting open areas tend to live in larger groups, while species preferring dense habitats live solitarily or in small family groups. We asked if similar variation would be concealed in the within-species variation of bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus). Recent molecular phylogeographic analyses revealed several locally adapted forms of bushbuck in different ecoregions on the African continent. We compared group sizes of south-eastern bushbuck (Tragelaphus sylvaticus) among six different populations ("ecotypes"). To date, most data on the social organization of bushbuck have been collected from only one population in Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) in Uganda. This particular population, however, inhabits an unusual-comparatively open-habitat type, while bushbuck otherwise inhabit dense habitats, leaving doubt whether data collected in QENP are representative of the entire species. We, therefore, compared grouping patterns between ecotypes inhabiting rather open habitats (e.g., dianae and haywoodi) and ecotypes occupying rather dense habitats (e.g., massaicus and ornatus). In bachelor groups and in all-female (spinster) groups, single sightings were the most frequent "group type" in all populations examined. We detected no significant difference among ecotypes in relative frequencies of group size categories in the case of bachelor groups. Spinster group sizes were slightly (albeit significantly) smaller in QENP than in all other areas. Moreover, a comparison of two areas inside (low human pursuit) and outside Lake Mburo National Park (high hunting pressure) in Uganda revealed no significant difference in grouping patterns in response to human pursuit (as reported for impala [Aepyceros melampus] inhabiting the same area). Altogether, our results suggest that group sizes in bushbuck are not dependent on the habitat type they inhabit; neither does human nuisance have an impact on grouping patterns. Hence, an "almost solitary" lifestyle appears to be a characteristic of the entire taxon.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{RieschToblerPlathetal.2009,
  author    = {Riesch, R{\"u}diger and Tobler, Michael and Plath, Martin and Schlupp, Ingo},
  title     = {Offspring number in a livebearing fish (Poecilia mexicana, Poeciliidae) : reduced fecundity and reduced plasticity in a population of cave mollies},
  issn      = {0378-1909},
  doi       = {10.1007/s10641-008-9392-0},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {Life history traits within species often vary among different habitats. We measured female fecundity in mollies (Poecilia mexicana) from a H2S-rich cave and from a neighbouring surface habitat, as well as in laboratory-reared individuals of both populations raised in either light or continuous darkness. Compared to conspecifics from surface habitats, cave-dwelling P. mexicana had reduced fecundity (adjusted for size) in the field. In the laboratory, the fecundity of surface mollies was higher in light than in darkness, whereas fecundity in the cave mollies was almost unaffected by the ambient light conditions. Our results suggest a heritable component to the reduction in fecundity in female cave mollies. Moreover, the reduced plasticity in fecundity of cave mollies in response to light conditions might be an example of genetic assimilation or channelling of a life history trait in a population invading a new environment.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{Plath2009,
  author    = {Plath, Martin},
  title     = {A test for conspecific cueing in two sympatric species of pupfish (Cyprinodon beltrani, C. simus)},
  issn      = {0378-1909},
  doi       = {10.1007/s10641-009-9455-x},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {In many fishes, individuals prefer to associate with phenotypically similar or conspecific individuals (conspecific cueing). Such phenotypic segregation can be an important evolutionary driver, for example, in intralacustric sympatric speciation processes. I examined conspecific cueing in two species of sympatric pupfish from Laguna Chichancanab in southern Mexico: the little shoaling and highly territorial Cyprinodon beltrani and the highly shoaling but non-territorial C. simus. Females were tested for shoal species preferences in two testing scenarios: (1) a sequential choice test where shoals of four conspecific or four heterospecific (Cyprinodon sp. or Poecilia reticulata) females were presented in succession, and (2) a simultaneous choice test where female shoals of both Cyprindon species were presented concurrently. Overall, higher shoaling in C. simus was corroborated in this study. In the sequential test, no effect of the type of stimulus shoal (con- or heterospecific) on shoaling behavior was detected. In the simultaneous tests, C. beltrani, but not C. simus females showed a preference for the conspecific shoal. It seems possible that C. simus females did not evolve species recognition mechanisms because no other Cyprinodon species in the Laguna Chichancanab shows equally high shoaling, which automatically leads to the formation of single-species (i.e., C. simus-) shoals. C. simus males do not establish long-term territories, but rather spawn within shoals, whereas C. beltrani females approach males in their breeding territories to spawn. I discuss that this behavioral difference still provides a powerful reproductive isolation mechanism even in the absence of conspecific cueing in C. simus.},
  language  = {en}
}