PASSAGE ORDER THROUGH DIFFERENT PATHWAYS IN GROUPS OF SCHOOLING FISH,AND THE DIVERSIFIED LEADERSHIP HYPOTHESIS

The diversified leadership hypothesis proposes that different individu als within a school of fish act as leaders in different circumstances. This 'circumstantial leadership' results from inter-individual behavi oral variability and a 'cohesion-dispersion' tendency modulated by 'fa ilure-success' contingencies. The hypothesis predicts that when offere d different pathways to escape the restriction of their swimming space , individuals within a group of fish will show (a) consistent passage orders in each pathway, but (b) different passage orders in different pathways. Using an avoidance paddle and three different groups of fish (Aphyocharax erithrurus) the results confirmed prediction (a) while p rediction (b) was verified only in one group.