Behavioural responses of Australian freshwater crayfish (Cherax cainii and Cherax albidus) to exotic fish odour

2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 399 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. G. Height ◽  
G. J. Whisson
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Predatory Fish ◽  
Behavioural Plasticity ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Freshwater Crayfish ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Exotic Fish ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Invasive Crayfish ◽  
Australian Freshwater

Exotic finfish and crayfish have been translocated into Western Australia for more than 100 years. Deliberate stocking and subsequent escape from man-made impoundments have resulted in widespread distribution of non-native yabbies (Cherax albidus) and the exotic redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis) in the State’s south-west. Both species are considered invasive and are known to compete with indigenous species for resources. The nature and degree of impact on native marron (Cherax cainii) is unclear and the subject of current debate. Other researchers have hypothesised that invasive species modify their behaviour in the presence of predators in a more rapid and advantageous manner than native species. This greater behavioural plasticity can result in displacement of indigenous species and successful colonisation of invaders. The aim of this study was to investigate behavioural responses of an indigenous crayfish (C. cainii) and an invasive crayfish (C. albidus) to odours from a native predator (Tandanus bostocki) and an exotic predatory fish (P. fluviatilis) present in Western Australia. Crayfish behaviour was observed in individual glass tanks following the addition of odours from native (T. bostocki) or exotic (P. fluviatilis) finfish predators. Marron exhibited minor behavioural modifications when presented with odours from native or exotic finfish. In contrast, the invasive yabby showed greater detection of odours, displaying significant changes in behaviour (P < 0.05). Yabbies also appeared to distinguish between food odour (commercial crayfish feed) and predator odour; however, neither marron nor yabbies displayed behaviour indicating that they could distinguish between a native or exotic fish predator. Results support the hypothesis that invasive crayfish species have a greater capacity for behavioural plasticity than non-invasive crayfish.

Behavioural responses to alarm odours in indigenous and non-indigenous crayfish species: a case study from Western Australia

2002 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Gherardi ◽  
Patrizia Acquistapace ◽  
Brian A. Hazlett ◽  
Glen Whisson
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Appropriate Use ◽  
Alarm Signals ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Phylogenetic Inertia ◽  
Invasive Crayfish ◽  
Measurable Change ◽  
Crayfish Species

The assertion that invasive species show higher plasticity in the use of information than indigenous ones was analysed in an indigenous crayfish Cherax tenuimanus (marron) and the non-indigenous C. albidus (yabby) in temperate Western Australia. In the laboratory, both species displayed a measurable change in their behaviour when presented with odours produced by food and by damaged conspecifics. They also reacted to heterospecific cues, possibly because ~70 years of sympatry had led the two species to learn each other’s alarm signals. However, this may be explained as a case of phylogenetic inertia and/or may be related to similar mechanisms of chemical detection. Yabbies displayed shorter reaction times and clearer changes in their body posture to heterospecific odours than did marron, supporting the view that invasive crayfish make faster and more appropriate use of information than those species they are displacing.

scholarly journals Temperament, Plasticity, and Emotions in Defensive Behaviour of Paca (Mammalia, Hystricognatha)

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 293
Author(s):  
Selene S. C. Nogueira ◽  
Sérgio L. G. Nogueira-Filho ◽  
José M. B. Duarte ◽  
Michael Mendl
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Behavioural Plasticity ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Defensive Behaviour ◽  
Rapid Adaptation ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Judgement Bias ◽  
Temperament Dimension ◽  
Ambiguous Cue

Within a species, some individuals are better able to cope with threatening environments than others. Paca (Cuniculus paca) appear resilient to over-hunting by humans, which may be related to the behavioural plasticity shown by this species. To investigate this, we submitted captive pacas to temperament tests designed to assess individual responses to short challenges and judgement bias tests (JBT) to evaluate individuals’ affective states. Results indicated across-time and context stability in closely correlated “agitated”, “fearful” and “tense” responses; this temperament dimension was labelled “restless”. Individual “restless” scores predicted responses to novelty, although not to simulated chasing and capture by humans in a separate modified defence test battery (MDTB). Restless animals were more likely to show a greater proportion of positive responses to an ambiguous cue during JBT after the MDTB. Plasticity in defensive behaviour was inferred from changes in behavioural responses and apparently rapid adaptation to challenge in the different phases of the MDTB. The results indicate that both temperament and behavioural plasticity may play a role in influencing paca responses to risky situations. Therefore, our study highlights the importance of understanding the role of individual temperament traits and behavioural plasticity in order to better interpret the animals’ conservation status and vulnerabilities.

Phylogeny of the Australian freshwater crayfish Cherax destructor-complex (Decapoda : Parastacidae) inferred from four mitochondrial gene regions

2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thuy T. T. Nguyen ◽  
Christopher M. Austin
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
Cytochrome Oxidase ◽  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Large Subunit ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Freshwater Crayfish ◽  
Cherax Destructor ◽  
Australian Freshwater

The phylogenetic relationships among 32 individuals of Australian freshwater crayfish belonging to the Cherax destructor-complex were investigated using a dataset comprising sequences from four mitochondrial gene regions: the large subunit rRNA (16S rRNA), cytochrome oxidase I (COI), adenosine triphosphatase 6 (ATPase 6), and cytochrome oxidase III (COIII). A total of 1602 bp was obtained, and a combined analysis of the data produced a tree with strong support (bootstrap values 94–100%) for three divergent lineages, verifying the phylogenetic hypotheses of relationships within the C. destructor species-complex suggested in previous studies. Overall, sequences from the 16S rRNA gene showed the least variation compared to those generated from protein coding genes, which presented considerably greater levels of divergence. The level of divergence within C. destructor was found to be greater than that observed in other species of freshwater crayfish, but interspecific variation among species examined in the present study was similar to that reported previously.

Phylogeographic structure of a freshwater crayfish (Decapoda:Parastacidae:Cherax preissii) in south-western Australia

2006 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin Gouws ◽  
Barbara A. Stewart ◽  
Savel R. Daniels
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Molecular Dating ◽  
Phylogeographic Structure ◽  
Freshwater Crayfish ◽  
The North ◽  
South West ◽  
Biogeographical Regions ◽  
Freshwater Decapods ◽  
North Western

Although phylogeographic patterns of freshwater decapods elsewhere in Australia are well documented, little is known of the phylogeography and biogeography of the endemic freshwater fauna of south-western Australia. Here, the phylogeographic structure of a freshwater crayfish, Cherax preissii Erichson, 1846, was investigated to determine contemporary and historical patterns of gene flow and to examined evolutionary and biogeographical scenarios. Allozyme and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I mitochondrial DNA data were collected from 15 populations, sampled across the known C. preissii distribution. Both markers revealed a clear distinction and separation among populations occurring in the north-western and southern portions of the distribution. Inferences of allopatric fragmentation and molecular dating attributed the divergence of the aquatic fauna of these regions to periods of Pliocene–Pleistocene aridity. Connectivity appeared to be greater within each of these regions. Evidence suggested contemporary, but not ongoing, gene flow, particularly within the southern region. This was possibly facilitated by dispersal during pluvial Pleistocene periods or drainage connectivity during episodic marine regressions. The divergence and distributions of these lineages parallels patterns seen in other freshwater crayfish of the region. More explicit investigation of these and further fine-scale phylogeographic studies may contribute to the understanding of biogeography and evolution in the south-west, and may further refine currently recognised biogeographical regions.

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