The Times Australia
Friday, February 28, 2025 4:09:33 AM
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

how NZ’s wide-bodied pipefish confounds expectations

  • Written by Sarah Flanagan, Senior Lecturer, University of Canterbury

If you’ve ever watched a natural history programme on TV, you’ve probably seen animals performing a wide variety of behaviours to get the attention of the opposite sex.

BBC Earth even released an interview with David Attenborough[1] about some of nature’s most spectacular mating displays. Not included, however, was Aotearoa New Zealand’s wide-bodied pipefish – although I think they should have been!

As our recent research[2] explains, our local pipefish species really does confound expectations.

Pipefish are unusual because the males carry their developing babies around on their bodies, often in special broad pouches. In some species, these pouches are the only difference in appearance between males and females.

But that’s not the case for New Zealand’s wide-bodied pipefish. Females have a torso that can be almost three times as wide as males, and they have brightly coloured stripes.

Why females have such a different body shape is a mystery. We set out to solve the puzzle by observing how females use this trait when interacting with other females and with males. To do this, we brought wild fish into aquariums and filmed their behaviours in groups of males and females.

Female wide-bodied pipefish
The female wide-bodied pipefish is more brightly coloured than the male of the species. Author provided (no reuse)

The surprising courtship

We found males initiated courtship displays with females most of the time, using comical wiggles. This was unexpected because the wide-bodied pipefish gets its name from the broad, colourful, striped abdomen of the female – not the male.

Given this ornamentation, we expected females would approach males for courtship and display more often and for longer than males. Normally, the sex with more ornamentation in a species will lead the courtship display.

Read more: DNA in the water shows South African scientists where to find a rare pipefish[3]

But what we observed was surprising. Often, a group of male wide-bodied pipefish would wiggle at a single female. These males would sometimes follow the female around the tank if she swam away. The resulting bouts of courtship display could last for minutes on end.

The results suggest males are more active in making decisions about who they want to court than has been described in other pipefish species.

Our findings also mean we can’t necessarily predict which sex will be most active in courtship based on their ornamental traits and the differences in shape between males and females.

Yellow seahorse
Seahorses are close relatives of the pipefish, and also feature male pregnancy. Getty Images

The pregnant male

Wide-bodied pipefish – like their close relatives seahorses – also feature male pregnancy. So males put a lot of energy into caring for their developing embryos.

One possible reason the males are so active in courtship is that they are choosing the most fecund females – those with the most available eggs.

Females deposit eggs into the male’s pouch, making him pregnant, and he fertilises those eggs and then cares for the embryos as they develop. Females who can give the male more eggs might therefore be preferred by males.

These findings differ from what we know about pipefish species in other parts of the world.

All pipefish have the unusual male pregnancy capability. But usually females initiate courtship, and males reject some females. Any group behaviours involve more females than males. So even among pipefish, the wide-bodied pipefish is particularly odd.

Read more: Tiny and mysterious: research sheds light on sub-Saharan Africa’s seahorses, pipefish and pipehorses[4]

Our research is the first step in understanding how wide-bodied pipefish males and females interact, and it’s raised more questions for us to answer. We now want to know whether males court females in groups when there are more females than males, and vice versa.

Knowing more about these unusual fish behaviours is important in the broader context of mating behaviours scientists are already aware of. Having a diversity of examples can help make sense of unexpected behaviours in other species – and can challenge our expectations of the world.

There is still so much to learn, but every additional piece of the puzzle helps us understand what influences the weird and wonderful animals living around us.

A pregnant male wide-bodied pipefish being measured.
A pregnant male wide-bodied pipefish being measured. Author provided (no reuse)

All of the research described was approved by the University of Canterbury’s Animal Ethics Committee.

Read more https://theconversation.com/male-pregnancy-and-weird-courtship-wiggles-how-nzs-wide-bodied-pipefish-confounds-expectations-216618

The Times Features

Head lice are getting harder to kill. Here’s how to break the nit cycle

Wrangling head lice, and the children they infest, must be up there with the most challenging duties a parent or carer has to face. And the job is getting harder. Commonly u...

How Positive Behaviour Support Helps People with Disabilities and Autism

(Source) People diagnosed with learning disabilities and autism face challenges when it comes to communicating with other people and social interaction. These hurdles can make d...

Gemstone Engagement Rings: Why They’re Gaining Popularity

(Source) When you want to choose an engagement ring, what thoughts do you have? For many, it's the traditional diamond solitaire—an undying image of love and commitment. But in ...

What Is a Transaction Account & Why Do You Need One?

(Source) Managing cash can sometimes be like navigating a maze. Between bills, direct debits, online buying, and the occasional cash withdrawal, keeping track of where your mone...

CHARGE Syndrome_ A Rare Genetic Disorder and Its Impact on Australian Healthcare

Introduction CHARGE syndrome is a complex, multi-system genetic disorder that presents with a constellation of congenital anomalies, significantly impacting affected individuals...

7 Tips to Brew Perfect Mullein Tea Every Time

Brewing the perfect cup of mullein tea can often feel elusive, especially with all the conflicting advice available online. You might struggle with weak flavour, overpowering bit...

Times Magazine

First Nations Writers Festival

The First Nations Writers Festival (FNWF) is back for its highly anticipated 2025 edition, continuing its mission to celebrate the voices, cultures and traditions of First Nations communities through literature, art and storytelling. Set to take ...

Improving Website Performance with a Cloud VPS

Websites represent the new mantra of success. One slow website may make escape for visitors along with income too. Therefore it's an extra offer to businesses seeking better performance with more scalability and, thus represents an added attracti...

Why You Should Choose Digital Printing for Your Next Project

In the rapidly evolving world of print media, digital printing has emerged as a cornerstone technology that revolutionises how businesses and creative professionals produce printed materials. Offering unparalleled flexibility, speed, and quality, d...

What to Look for When Booking an Event Space in Melbourne

Define your event needs early to streamline venue selection and ensure a good fit. Choose a well-located, accessible venue with good transport links and parking. Check for key amenities such as catering, AV equipment, and flexible seating. Pla...

How BIM Software is Transforming Architecture and Engineering

Building Information Modeling (BIM) software has become a cornerstone of modern architecture and engineering practices, revolutionizing how professionals design, collaborate, and execute projects. By enabling more efficient workflows and fostering ...

How 32-Inch Computer Monitors Can Increase Your Workflow

With the near-constant usage of technology around the world today, ergonomics have become crucial in business. Moving to 32 inch computer monitors is perhaps one of the best and most valuable improvements you can possibly implement. This-sized moni...

LayBy Shopping