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Horm Behav

Title:		Cortisol influences the antipredator behavior induced by chemical alarm cues in the Frillfin goby
Author(s):		Barreto RE; Barbosa-Junior A; Urbinati EC; Hoffmann A;
Address:		"Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociencias, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Caunesp, Campus de Botucatu - Rubiao Jr., 18618-970 Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: rebarreto@yahoo.com. Laboratorio de Neurofisiologia Comparada, Departamento de Fisiologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto, USP, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Monte Alegre, 14049-900 Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciencias Agrarias e Veterinarias, Caunesp, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castelane, 14884-900 Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo, Brazil"
Journal Title:		Horm Behav
Year:		2014
Volume:		20140320
Issue:		4
Page Number:		394 - 400
DOI:		10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.03.007
ISSN/ISBN:		1095-6867 (Electronic) 0018-506X (Linking)
Abstract:		"We evaluated the effect of increased plasma cortisol levels on fish antipredator behavior induced by conspecific chemical alarm cues. The experimental model for the study was the Frillfin goby Bathygobius soporator. We first confirmed that the alarm substance induces typical defensive antipredator responses in Frillfin gobies and described their alarm substance cells (epidermal 'club' cells). Second, we confirmed that intraperitoneal cortisol implants increase plasma cortisol levels in this species. We then demonstrated that exogenous cortisol administration and subsequent exposure to an alarm substance decreased swimming activity to a greater extent than the activity prompted by either stimulus alone. In addition, cortisol did not abolish the sheltering response to the alarm chemical cue even though it decreased activity. As predators use prey movements to guide their first contact with the prey, a factor that decreases swimming activity clearly increases the probability of survival. Consequently, this observation indicates that cortisol helps improve the antipredator response in fish"
Keywords:		"Animals Behavior, Animal/drug effects/*physiology Epidermal Cells Hydrocortisone/administration & dosage/*blood/pharmacology Perciformes/*physiology Pheromones/pharmacology Stimulation, Chemical Antipredator behavior Chemical alarm cue Communication Corti;"
Notes:		"MedlineBarreto, Rodrigo Egydio Barbosa-Junior, Augusto Urbinati, Elisabeth Criscuolo Hoffmann, Anette eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2014/03/25 Horm Behav. 2014 Apr; 65(4):394-400. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.03.007. Epub 2014 Mar 20"