Sexual Behavior Induced by Amino Acids in the Rose Bitterling Rhodeus ocellatus ocellatus.

Abstract

The sexual behavior of rose bitterling Rhodeus coellatus ocellatus was observed using a dialysis tube filled with an amino acid acid solution, and pecking behavior and sperm release were noted only in males. Pecking though similar to feeding was found to be sexual behavior. Both pecking behavior and sperm release were induced by the same amino acids, especially by L-cysteine, L-serine, L-alanine, glycine, and L-lysine. These two kinds of behavior changed alternately depending on light conditions. It is of interest that some amino acids which have no structural high spe-cificity induced sexual behavior similar to sexual pheromone.