Data and code from: Watching the watchers: Emperor cichlids can perceive attention toward their offspring by divers
Data files
Mar 09, 2026 version files 11.08 KB
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R_codes.R
3.16 KB
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README.md
1.98 KB
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Supp_S2.csv
5.94 KB
Abstract
Gaze is a pivotal signal in animal societies, shaping not only predator avoidance but also social interaction. However, researchremains scarce across many groups, limiting broad comparisons of gaze sensitivity among vertebrates. In this study, we examined whether the gaze of human divers directed towards the eggs (or fry) guarded by parental emperor cichlids, Boulengerochromis microlepis—one of the largest cichlid species-altered aggressive behaviour towards divers. Emperor cichlids attacked divers significantly more often when divers looked directly at the eggs than when they averted their gaze or turned their fins towards the clutch, and the attack rate was similar to when divers stared at the guarding parents. Conversely, the time fish spent near divers was greatest when divers oriented their fins towards the eggs. These findings suggest that fish may possess a rudimentary form of ‘attention attribution’—the ability to recognise where another individual’s focus lies. Consequently, we may need to account for the role of ‘gaze’ in shaping wildlife responses within ecotourism and conservation contexts.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.4f4qrfjrt
Description of the data and file structure
This data was collected in Lake Tanganyika to verify the visual sensitivity of Emperor Cichlids. Three observers participated in the verification of this dataset. It includes dates and observer data not analyzed in the main text. Additionally, by running the R code alongside this dataset, you can reproduce the statistical analyses described in the main text.
Files and variables
File: Supp_S2.csv
Description:
Variables
- date: Date of experiments
- pair_ID: breeding pair IDs
- indi_ID: focal individual IDs
- treatment: gaze condition by the experimenter
- locality: the place where we conducted experiments.
- nest_type: sexes providing brood care.
- parents: sexes of focal individuals
- aggression: the number of aggressions toward the experimenter by the focal cichlid
- time_spent: the time spent by the experimenter (sec). Time in close proximity was defined as the duration during which the focal individual approached within a distance roughly equal to its own head length, estimated from its total body length.
- order: order of the experiment
- habitat: type of habitat of the focal breeding pair (sand area or rocky area)
- offspring: the growth stage of offspring cared for by the focal breeding pair
- fin: color of the fin of the experimenter
- experiment_by: name of experimenter
- analysed_by: name of experimenter who conducted behavioral analysis
- note
File: R_codes.R
Description: Additionally, by running the R code alongside this dataset, you can reproduce the statistical analyses described in the main text.
Code/software
R (ver. 4.4.2): Core Team. 2024 R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing.