scholarly journals Response of pumpkinseed sunfish to conspecific chemical alarm cues: an interaction between ontogeny and stimulus concentration

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (10) ◽  
pp. 1671-1677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason P Marcus ◽  
Grant E Brown
Keyword(s):  
Standard Length ◽  
Relative Concentration ◽  
Lepomis Gibbosus ◽  
Skin Extract ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Alarm Cues ◽  
Pumpkinseed Sunfish ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Chemical Alarm Cues ◽  
Antipredator Responses

Recent studies have shown that juvenile centrachids undergo ontogenetic shifts in their behavioural response towards conspecific and heterospecific chemical alarm cues based on threat-sensitive trade-offs between the benefits associated with predator avoidance and foraging. We conducted laboratory studies to test the hypothesis that the relative concentration of conspecific alarm cues provides relevant information, allowing individuals to maximize these trade-offs. Juvenile (<40 mm standard length) and subadult (>95 mm standard length) pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) were exposed to conspecific skin extracts at stock (undiluted) concentration or diluted 1:1 (50%), 1:3 (25%), or 1:7 (12.5%) with distilled water. Juvenile sunfish exhibited significant antipredator responses (relative to the distilled water controls) when exposed to conspecific skin extracts at a concentration as low as 25%. Juveniles exposed to 12.5% skin extract were not significantly different from the distilled water controls. Subadult sunfish exhibited significant antipredator responses only to the two highest concentrations. In response to the two lowest concentrations (25% and 12.5%), however, subadult sunfish exhibited significant foraging responses. These data demonstrate that the relative concentration of chemical alarm cues provides reliable information and allows individuals to accurately assess local predation risk and hence maximize potential trade-offs.

scholarly journals Living in mixed species groups promotes predator learning in degraded habitats

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas P. Chivers ◽  
Mark I. McCormick ◽  
Eric P. Fakan ◽  
Randall P. Barry ◽  
Maud C. O. Ferrari
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Alarm Cues ◽  
Learning Mechanisms ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Chemical Alarm Cues ◽  
Pomacentrus Amboinensis ◽  
Predator Foraging ◽  
Predator Learning ◽  
Predator Odour

AbstractLiving in mix-species aggregations provides animals with substantive anti-predator, foraging and locomotory advantages while simultaneously exposing them to costs, including increased competition and pathogen exposure. Given each species possess unique morphology, competitive ability, parasite vulnerability and predator defences, we can surmise that each species in mixed groups will experience a unique set of trade-offs. In addition to this unique balance, each species must also contend with anthropogenic changes, a relatively new, and rapidly increasing phenomenon, that adds further complexity to any system. This complex balance of biotic and abiotic factors is on full display in the exceptionally diverse, yet anthropogenically degraded, Great Barrier Reef of Australia. One such example within this intricate ecosystem is the inability of some damselfish to utilize their own chemical alarm cues within degraded habitats, leaving them exposed to increased predation risk. These cues, which are released when the skin is damaged, warn nearby individuals of increased predation risk and act as a crucial associative learning tool. Normally, a single exposure of alarm cues paired with an unknown predator odour facilitates learning of that new odour as dangerous. Here, we show that Ambon damselfish, Pomacentrus amboinensis, a species with impaired alarm responses in degraded habitats, failed to learn a novel predator odour as risky when associated with chemical alarm cues. However, in the same degraded habitats, the same species learned to recognize a novel predator as risky when the predator odour was paired with alarm cues of the closely related, and co-occurring, whitetail damselfish, Pomacentrus chrysurus. The importance of this learning opportunity was underscored in a survival experiment which demonstrated that fish in degraded habitats trained with heterospecific alarm cues, had higher survival than those we tried to train with conspecific alarm cues. From these data, we conclude that redundancy in learning mechanisms among prey guild members may lead to increased stability in rapidly changing environments.

Does habitat complexity influence the ability of fathead minnows to learn heterospecific chemical alarm cues?

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (5) ◽  
pp. 923-927 ◽  
Author(s):  
M S Pollock ◽  
D P Chivers
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Complexity ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Predatory Fish ◽  
Skin Extract ◽  
Alarm Cues ◽  
Fathead Minnows ◽  
Chemical Alarm Cues

Numerous aquatic animals release chemical cues when attacked by a predator. These cues "warn" other individuals of danger and have been termed alarm cues. Cross-species responses to alarm cues are common and in some cases result from learned recognition. However, little is known about the ecological factors that could influence this learned recognition. The current study focuses on the role of habitat complexity in the learning of heterospecific alarm cues. We introduced brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) into outdoor pools containing fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) naïve to stickleback. The pools all contained a predatory fish (northern pike, Esox lucius) but varied in habitat characteristics. Pools representing high-complexity habitats had a large amount of structure to obscure the visual environment, while pools representing low-complexity habitats had minimal structure. After 8 days, fish were removed from the pools and behavioural assays were conducted in the laboratory. We tested the minnows for a response to either stickleback skin extract (experimental) or swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) skin extract (control) and found that minnows conditioned in pools with little structure had learned to recognize stickleback alarm cues, while those from pools with complex structure did not recognize stickleback alarm cues.

scholarly journals Effects of group size on the threat-sensitive response to varying concentrations of chemical alarm cues by juvenile convict cichlids

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant E Brown ◽  
Tony Bongiorno ◽  
Daniel M DiCapua ◽  
Laura I Ivan ◽  
Ellie Roh
Keyword(s):  
Group Size ◽  
Predator Avoidance ◽  
Response Pattern ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Alarm Cues ◽  
Response Patterns ◽  
Alarm Cue ◽  
Convict Cichlids ◽  
Graded Response ◽  
Chemical Alarm Cues

The threat-sensitive predator avoidance model predicts that prey should balance the intensity of antipredator responses against perceived predation risk, resulting in a graded response pattern. Recent studies have demonstrated considerable interspecific variation in the intensity of threat-sensitive response patterns, ranging from strongly graded to relatively nongraded or "hypersensitive" threat-sensitive response patterns. Here, we test for intraspecific plasticity in threat-sensitive responses by varying group size. We exposed juvenile convict cichlids, Archocentrus nigrofasciatus (Günther, 1867), as individuals or in small (groups of three) or large (groups of six) shoals to a series of dilutions of conspecific chemical alarm cues and a distilled water control. Singleton cichlids exhibited significant reductions in time spent moving and in frequency of foraging attempts (relative to distilled water controls) when exposed to a 12.5% dilution of conspecific alarm cue, with no difference in response intensity at higher stimulus concentrations, suggesting a nongraded (hypersensitive) response pattern. Small shoals exhibited a similar response pattern, but at a higher response threshold (25% dilution of stock alarm cue solution). Large shoals, however, exhibited a graded response pattern. These results suggest that group size influences the trade-off between predator avoidance and other fitness related activities, resulting in flexible threat-sensitive response patterns.

Conspecific skin extracts elicit antipredator responses in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (11) ◽  
pp. 1916-1922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant E. Brown ◽  
R. Jan F. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Antipredator Behaviour ◽  
Skin Extract ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Juvenile Rainbow Trout ◽  
Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽  
Antipredator Responses ◽  
Body Extract

We investigated, under laboratory conditions, the presence of chemical alarm signals in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In an initial experiment, we exposed trout to a whole-body extract from conspecifics or a distilled-water control. When exposed to whole-body extract, trout significantly (i) decreased time spent swimming, (ii) increased time taken to resume foraging, and (iii) decreased the number of food items eaten. These data indicate a significant chemically mediated antipredator response. A second experiment was conducted to determine (i) if this is a generalized response to injured fish or a specific response to injured conspecifics, and (ii) if the chemical signal is localized in the skin. We exposed juvenile trout to one of three chemical stimuli: (1) trout skin extract, (2) trout body extract, or (3) swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) skin extract. Significant antipredator responses were observed in trout exposed to conspecific skin extract, but responses of those exposed to conspecific body extract or swordtail skin extract did not differ from those of distilled-water controls. These data strongly suggest that juvenile rainbow trout possess a chemical alarm signal, localized in the skin, that elicits antipredator behaviour when detected.by conspecifics.

Variable predation risk and the dynamic nature of mosquito antipredator responses to chemical alarm cues

Chemoecology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maud C. O. Ferrari ◽  
François Messier ◽  
Douglas P. Chivers
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Alarm Cues ◽  
Dynamic Nature ◽  
Chemical Alarm Cues ◽  
Antipredator Responses

ONTOGENETIC CHANGES IN RESPONSE TO HETEROSPECIFIC ALARM CUES BY JUVENILE LARGEMOUTH BASS ARE PHENOTYPICALLY PLASTIC

Behaviour ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 139 (7) ◽  
pp. 913-927 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devon Gershaneck ◽  
Justin Golub ◽  
Grant Brown ◽  
Desiree Plata
Keyword(s):  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Standard Length ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Alarm Cues ◽  
Ontogenetic Changes ◽  
Body Type ◽  
Chemical Alarm Cue ◽  
Alarm Cue ◽  
Information Cues ◽  
Chemical Alarm Cues

AbstractJuvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) undergo an ontogenetic change in their response to chemical alarm cues of a heterospecific prey guild member (finescale dace, Phoxinus neogaeus), shifting from an antipredator to a foraging response at a standard length of 50 to 55 mm. We conducted a laboratory study to determine if: (1) this shift is fixed or phenotypically plastic, and (2) juvenile bass respond to the alarm cues of a non-Ostariophysan prey guild member. Juvenile bass were reared on high versus low food diets for 10 weeks prior to the experiment, and then exposed to heterospecific skin extracts (the source of chemical alarm cues). When exposed to the skin extracts of finescale dace or green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), juvenile bass exhibited a significant positive relationship between standard length and horizontal and vertical area use and time spent moving. In addition, there was a significant effect of body type, with bass with deeper body morphs shifting from antipredator to foraging responses earlier than those with shallower body morphs. Bass exhibited no change in behaviour to swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) skin extracts, which lack a chemical alarm cue recognized by bass. These data strongly suggest that the developmental point at which bass switch from an antipredator to a foraging response is phenotypically plastic and dependant upon body morphology, and that bass are capable of using the chemical alarm cue of at least two, taxonomically diverse, heterospecific prey guild members as social information cues.

Sensitivity of northern redbelly dace, Phoxinus eos, to chemical alarm cues

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angélique Dupuch ◽  
Pierre Magnan ◽  
Lawrence M Dill
Keyword(s):  
Brook Trout ◽  
Salvelinus Fontinalis ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Alarm Substance ◽  
Skin Extract ◽  
Alarm Cues ◽  
Fright Reaction ◽  
Chemical Alarm Cues ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Shield Lakes

The northern redbelly dace, Phoxinus eos (Cope, 1862), is subject to predation by brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill, 1814), in Canadian Shield lakes, particularly when individuals migrate to the pelagic zone at sunset to feed on zooplankton and fish shoals break up into single individuals. The objectives of the present study were to (i) determine whether northern redbelly dace react to skin extracts from conspecifics and thus potentially use chemical alarms to detect predators in nature, (ii) characterize the fright reaction in northern redbelly dace under different concentrations of alarm substance, and (iii) estimate the active space of the alarm substance in this species. Northern redbelly dace responded to skin extracts of conspecifics with a series of antipredator behaviours. The dace moved closer to the substrate and away from the area where the alarm substance was injected, increased both the cohesion and polarization of their schools, and performed more dashing and freezing behaviours. The observed responses were closely correlated with the concentration of the skin extract solution, suggesting that individuals could use this sensitivity to different concentrations of alarm substance to estimate the risk of predation in nature. The dilution experiment allowed us to estimate that 1 cm2 of northern redbelly dace skin contains enough alarm substance to generate a response of individuals in 110 558 L of water, which corresponds to a cube with sides of approximately 4.8 m. Indirect evidence suggests that the northern redbelly dace could use chemical alarm cues to assess the risk of predation by brook trout in nature.

Avoidance Response By Adult Newts (Cynops Pyrrhogaster and Notophthalmus Viridescens) To Chemical Alarm Cues

Behaviour ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 132 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 95-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn A. Marvin ◽  
Victor H. Hutchison
Keyword(s):  
Avoidance Response ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Skin Extract ◽  
Notophthalmus Viridescens ◽  
Alarm Cues ◽  
Alarm Response ◽  
Cynops Pyrrhogaster ◽  
Plethodontid Salamander ◽  
Chemical Alarm Cues ◽  
General Response

AbstractMany fishes and aquatic invertebrates use chemical alarm cues to avoid predation, however relatively little is known about the occurrence of chemical alarm cues in amphibians. We tested the response of adult fire-bellied newts (Cynops pyrrhogaster) and red-spotted newts (Notophthalmus viridescens) to chemical cues from damaged tissues of newts and other salamanders. Both species avoided chemical cues from a conspecific skin extract. Notophthalmus viridescens also avoided chemical cues from C. pyrrhogaster skin extract, but the converse was not true. Neither species avoided chemical cues from a conspecific viscera extract, plethodontid salamander (Desmognathus and Plethodon) skin extracts, or a conspecific skin extract which had been heated. These results indicate that the avoidance behaviour is an alarm response to chemical cues released from damaged newt skin and is not a general response to chemical cues from damaged salamander tissue. This study provides the best evidence to date for an avoidance response by caudate amphibians to chemical alarm cues.

Active space of chemical alarm cue in natural fish populations

Behaviour ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 145 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Wisenden
Keyword(s):  
Skin Extract ◽  
Alarm Cues ◽  
Fathead Minnows ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Active Space ◽  
Chemical Alarm Cue ◽  
Alarm Cue ◽  
Predator Attack ◽  
Water Traps ◽  
Chemical Alarm Cues

AbstractChemical cues released from injured fish skin during a predator attack provide reliable information about the presence of predation risk. Here, I report estimates of the area avoided by littoral fishes after experimental release of chemical alarm cues in two small lakes in northern Minnesota. Minnow traps were labeled chemically with either water (control) or skin extract (chemical alarm cue) made from 2 cm2 of cyprinid skin (redbelly dace in experiment 1, fathead minnows in experiment 2). Traps labeled with water were placed 1, 2, or 8 m from traps labeled with alarm cue. After 2 h, water-traps that were either 1 or 2 m distant from an alarm-trap caught significantly fewer fish than water-traps 8 m distant from alarm-traps. Conspecific and heterospecific skin extract produced similar area avoidance by fathead minnows. Redbelly dace showed a larger active space in response to conspecific than heterospecific alarm cues. Brook stickleback showed reduced catches within 2 m of skin extract of fathead minnows. Overall, the radius of active space was between 2 and 8 m under lake conditions with average subsurface currents of 0.82 cm/s. These data are the first field estimates of active space of ostariophysan chemical alarm cues.

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