Social fish use different submission signals depending on spatial position

Abstract

Abstract Animals often possess multiple distinct threat signals which indicate their level of aggressive motivation or resource holding potential. In contrast, the diversity of submission signals is considerably lower. Still, some social species exhibit multiple distinct submission signals which could have different strategic functions or serve to enhance signal transmission. In the current study, we examine submission signalling in the daffodil cichlid (Neolamprologus pulcher), a cooperatively breeding fish which produces two distinct submission signals: a tail quiver, and a head-up posture. Observing interactions within stable social groups revealed that submission signal selection depends on the location of the interaction, with tail quivers being preferentially displayed near the substrate, and head-up postures being deployed when the interaction takes place further away from the substrate. Our findings suggest that variation in submission signalling in daffodil cichlids may serve to enhance signal transmission across spatial contexts rather than to convey distinct information.