Effect of visual and chemical stimuli on predator avoidance behavior in juvenile masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou
2016
Miyamoto, K. (National Research Institute of Aquaculture, Fisheries Research Agency, Nikko, Tochigi (Japan))
Observation were undertaken to determine whether exposure to a visual (a model bird) or a chemical stimulus (skin extracts from a conspecific) were capable of inducing predator avoidance behaviors in masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou. The results showed that both visual and chemical stimuli induced predator avoidance behavior: hiding under a shelter, partially concealing themselves in gravel, freezing and ceasing to feed. To test whether the fish reacted differently to the two stimuli, the locations in the aquarium selected by the fish when exposed to the stimuli were compared. The number of fish that selected the gravel on the bottom as a hiding place was significantly greater during the visual (bird attack) than the chemical alarm cue stimulus. On the other hand, the number of fish that selected the shelter as a hiding place was significantly greater during the chemical alarm cue than the bird attack trial. These results suggest that both visual and chemical stimuli are capable of inducing predator avoidance behavior in masu salmon and that each stimulus has a different effect on their selection of hiding place.
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