Freezing behaviour facilitates bioelectric crypsis in cuttlefish faced with predation risk

Cephalopods, and in particular the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis , are common models for studies of camouflage and predator avoidance behaviour. Preventing detection by predators is especially important to this group of animals, most of which are soft-bodied, lack physical defences, and are subject to both visually and non-visually mediated detection. Here, we report a novel cryptic mechanism in S. officinalis in which bioelectric cues are reduced via a behavioural freeze response to a predator stimulus. The reduction of bioelectric fields created by the freeze-simulating stimulus resulted in a possible decrease in shark predation risk by reducing detectability. The freeze response may also facilitate other non-visual cryptic mechanisms to lower predation risk from a wide range of predator types.

Behavioural relevance of AC and DC in prey detection by the brown bullhead, Ameiurus nebulosus

A large range of aquatic vertebrates employs passive electroreception to detect the weak bioelectric fields that surround their prey. Bioelectric fields are dynamic in strength and frequency composition, but typically consist of a direct current (DC) and an alternating current (AC) component. We examined the biological relevance of these components for prey detection behaviour in the brown bullhead by means of a preference test. We gave each fish the choice between two small dipoles emitting a DC step or AC stimulus of variable strength, respectively. We used AC stimuli that were either representative for ventilatory movements by prey (1 Hz sine wave) or optimal for the ampullary electroreceptor cells (10 Hz sine wave). In an attempt to present a more complex stimulus, we also used slightly modified recordings of bioelectric prey fields, but this yielded no results. Brown bullheads prefer DC stimuli to 10 Hz sine waves if the stimulus intensity of either component is much larger. When the stimulus presentation consists of DC versus 1 Hz, most fish will choose randomly unless the stimulus intensities differ greatly. Then, they favour the component that had a higher amplitude during training. Our results suggest an intrinsic behavioural preference for very low frequency signals (<10 Hz) as well as plasticity in prey detection behaviour.

Signals and noise in the elasmobranch electrosensory system

Analyzing signal and noise for any sensory system requires an appreciation of the biological and physical milieu of the animal. Behavioral studies show that elasmobranchs use their electrosensory systems extensively for prey detection, but also for mate recognition and possibly for navigation. These biologically important signals are detected against a background of self-generated bioelectric fields. Noise-suppression mechanisms can be recognized at a number of different levels: behavior, receptor anatomy and physiology, and at the early stages of sensory processing. The peripheral filters and receptor characteristics provide a detector with permissive temporal properties but restrictive spatial characteristics. Biologically important signals probably cover the range from direct current to 10 Hz, whereas the bandwidth of the receptors is more like 0.1-10 Hz. This degree of alternating current coupling overcomes significant noise problems while still allowing the animal to detect external direct current signals by its own movement. Self-generated bioelectric fields modulated by breathing movement have similar temporal characteristics to important external signals and produce very strong modulation of electrosensory afferents. This sensory reafference is essentially similar, or common-mode, across all afferent fibers. The principal electrosensory neurons (ascending efferent neurons; AENs) of the dorsal octavolateralis nucleus show a greatly reduced response to common-mode signals. This suppression is mediated by the balanced excitatory and inhibitory components of their spatial receptive fields. The receptive field characteristics of AENs determine the information extracted from external stimuli for further central processing.