Male–female interactions affect foraging behaviour within groups of small-spotted catshark, Scyliorhinus canicula

To examine potential effects of male–female interactions on the sexes' foraging behaviour, we studied equal-sized, single- and mixed-sex groups of a benthic elasmobranch, the small-spotted catshark, in response to electric stimuli. A total of 88 size-matched, adult individuals were repeatedly presented with a range of artificial, prey type electric fields (E fields) under laboratory conditions in groups of (1) four males, (2) four females and (3) two of each sex. Females in single-sex groups were more responsive towards E fields than both single- and mixed-sex group males, despite showing similar activity levels. Equally, females in mixed-sex groups were more responsive than males in mixed groups, but showed similar activity levels. Furthermore, females in mixed-sex groups were less responsive to E fields than females from single-sex groups, despite showing similar activity levels. Males in mixed-sex groups were less responsive than males in single-sex groups, but were more active. These results indicate more intense foraging behaviour among females than males and significant reductions in foraging behaviour when grouped with the opposite sex. Both findings are probably associated with consequences of differing reproductive strategies and resultant sexual conflict (specifically male harassment and female avoidance).