COURTSHIP AND SPAWNING OF 9 SPECIES OF WRASSES (LABRIDAE) FROM THE WESTERN PACIFIC

Courtship and spawning behaviors for the Western Pacific wrasses Cheil inus fasciatus, Choerodon fasciatus, Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura, C. kath erinae, Oxycheilinus unifasciatus, Pteragogus cryptus and Thalassoma a mblycephalum are described. Pair spawning was observed in six species and group spawning in T. amblycephalum. Mating systems included haremi c mating groups, promiscuity, lek-like behavior leading to group spawn ing, and facultative monogamy. Observations of some courtship behavior of two additional species, Cheilinus undulatus and Epibulus insidiato r, indicated parading by mating group members in the former, and patro lling by males in the latter. The distinct behavioral patterns observe d may have use in future phylogenetic analyses and in determining path s of evolution in the behavior of these fishes.