Yellow‐eyed piranhas produce louder sounds than red‐eyed piranhas in an invasive population of Serrasalmus marginatus

• DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14529
• Publication Date: 2020-09-28T21:06:53Z
• Authors: Xavier Raick; Alessia Huby; Gregório Kurchevski; Alexandre L. Godinho; Éric Parmentier
• Keywords: Parana river

Abstract Serrasalmus marginatus is a piranha species native from the lower Paraná River basin and has been invasive in upper since 1980s. In piranhas, sounds of different have features. The aim this study was to investigate if produced by could be used distinguish two morphotypes: red‐ yellow‐eyed S. Araguari (upper basin). All temporal frequency features were equivalent both groups eye colour; it corresponds species‐specific signature described for . Nonetheless, amplitude all statistically between piranhas. Yellow‐eyed specimens louder sounds. fish species, colour change eyes can due absence or presence dominant allele. It also involved social rank during reproduction. Different hormones neuropeptides modulate vocal hypothesized that mutation hormonal concentrations explain sound playing role animal communication