Escaping from multiple visual threats: Modulation of escape responses in Pacific staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus).

Fish perform rapid escape responses to avoid sudden predatory attacks. During escape responses, fish bend their bodies into a C-shape and quickly turn away from the predator and accelerate. The escape trajectory is determined by the initial turn (Stage 1) and a contralateral bend (Stage 2). Previous studies have used a single threat or model predator as a stimulus. In nature, however, multiple predators may attack from different directions simultaneously or in close succession. It is unknown whether fish are able to change the course of their escape response when startled by multiple stimuli at various time intervals. Pacific staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus) were startled with a left and right visual stimulus in close succession. By varying the timing of the second stimulus, we were able to determine when and how a second stimulus could affect the escape response direction. Four treatments were used: a single visual stimulus (control); or two stimuli coming from opposite sides separated by a 0 ms (simultaneous treatment); a 33 ms; or a 83 ms time interval. The 33 ms and 83 ms time intervals were chosen to occur shortly before and after a predicted 60 ms visual escape latency (i.e. during Stage 1). The 0 ms and 33 ms treatments influenced both the escape trajectory and the Stage 1 turning angle, compared to a single stimulation, whereas the 83 ms treatment had no effect on the escape response. We conclude that Pacific staghorn sculpin can modulate their escape response only between stimulation and the onset of the response, but that escape responses are ballistic after the body motion has started.

Otolith chemistry discriminates water mass occupancy of Arctic fish in the Chukchi Sea

The microchemistry of otoliths has the potential to reconstruct fish movement patterns and habitat use between environmentally different habitats for individual age classes of Arctic marine fish. Herein, we tested the relationship between the bottom water mass from which a fish was collected and the microchemistry of the most recent growth edge of the fish’s otolith using Mg, Sr, Ba and Ca, and then determined the physical and biological factors that affected the chemical signatures. A discriminant function post hoc analysis of fish occupying bottom water masses resulted in 76% correct classification of Arctic or Polar cod (Boreogadus saida) and 82% correct classification of Arctic staghorn sculpin (Gymnocanthus tricuspis) into bottom water masses of capture when ages were pooled. By separating age classes, correct classifications into water masses of capture were as high as 87% for Arctic cod (three water masses) and 90% for Arctic staghorn sculpin (two water masses). Otolith Ba:Ca, Mg:Ca and Sr:Ca ratios were most consistently affected by bottom water temperature; the latter two were also affected by fish age and fish length. The use of otolith microchemistry to determine occupancy of water masses over time is most promising for Arctic cod, which is widespread and occupies the most thermally diverse habitats in Arctic waters.