Title: | An increase in pH boosts olfactory communication in sticklebacks |
Address: | "Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, Helsinki 00014, Finland. jan.heuschele@helsinki.fi" |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1744-9561 (Print) 1744-957X (Electronic) 1744-9561 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "Human-induced eutrophication is a serious environmental problem that constrains visual communication and influences the mate choice process in fishes. Eutrophication also changes the chemical environment and the pH of the water, which could influence the use of olfactory cues in mate choice. Here, we show that an increase in pH enhances the use of male olfactory cues in mate choice in three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus. In a laboratory choice experiment, gravid females were more attracted to male olfactory cues when pH was raised. This could compensate for impaired visual communication in eutrophied waters and facilitate adaptive mate choice" |
Keywords: | "Animal Communication Animals Female Hydrogen-Ion Concentration Male *Mating Preference, Animal *Odorants Sex Attractants/metabolism Sexual Behavior, Animal Smegmamorpha/*physiology Water/*chemistry;" |
Notes: | "MedlineHeuschele, Jan Candolin, Ulrika eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2007/04/26 Biol Lett. 2007 Aug 22; 3(4):411-3. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2007.0141" |