EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION IN A HYBRIDIZING SPECIES OF SWORDTAIL

This thesis analyzes the behavior of female Xiphophorus birchmanni in response to pheromonal stimuli originating from individuals of the same species and from Xiphophorus malinche. The aim is to understand how female Xiphophorus birchmanni discriminate chemical signals related to species identity. The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment designed to isolate the olfactory variable through individual behavioral tests. The expected results may provide useful insights into the role of conspecific and heterospecific pheromonal communication, with potential implications for hybridization processes.