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J Chem Ecol

Title:		Are chemical alarm cues conserved within salmonid fishes?
Author(s):		Mirza RS; Chivers DP;
Address:		"Department of Biology, 112 Science Place, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada. mirza@skyway.usask.ca"
Journal Title:		J Chem Ecol
Year:		2001
Volume:		27
Issue:		8
Page Number:		1641 - 1655
DOI:		10.1023/a:1010414426082
ISSN/ISBN:		0098-0331 (Print) 0098-0331 (Linking)
Abstract:		"A wide diversity of fishes possess chemical alarm signalling systems. However, it is not known whether the specific chemicals that act as alarm signals are conserved within most taxonomic groups. In this study we tested whether cross-species responses to chemical alarm signals occurred within salmonid fishes. In separate laboratory experiments, we exposed brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis), brown trout (Salmo trutta), and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to chemical alarm signals from each of the three salmonid species and from swordtails (Xiphophorus helleri). In each case, the test species responded with appropriate antipredator behavior to all three salmonids alarm cues, but did not react to swordtail cues. These data suggest that chemical alarm cues are partially conserved within the Family Salmonidae. For each species tested, the intensity of the response was stronger to conspecific alarm cues, than to heterospecific alarm cues, indicating that salmonids could distinguish between chemical cues of conspecifics versus heterospecifics. These results suggest that the chemical(s) that act as the alarm cues may be: 1) identical and that there may be other chemical(s) that allow the test fish to distinguish between conspecifics and heterospecifics, or 2) that the cues that act as signals are not identical, but are similar enough to be recognized"
Keywords:		*Animal Communication Animals Avoidance Learning *Biological Evolution Classification Pheromones/*pharmacology Predatory Behavior Salmonidae/*physiology Smell;
Notes:		"MedlineMirza, R S Chivers, D P eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2001/08/28 J Chem Ecol. 2001 Aug; 27(8):1641-55. doi: 10.1023/a:1010414426082"