ISSN:
1573-1561
Keywords:
Salmon
;
turbot
;
salmon lice
;
Lepeophtheirus salmonis
;
behavior
;
semiochemicals
;
kinesis
;
rheotaxis
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract Adult male salmon lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, displayed kinetic and rheotactic behavioral responses to seawater conditioned with the Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. The kinetic response was initiated by a range of skin, mucus, and flesh preparations from salmon and from a nonsalmonid, the turbot Scophthalmus maximus. Kinesis was quantified by digitally recording the movement of individual lice and by measuring both speed and distance traveled. A directional response, measured in Y-tube assays, was seen in the presence of salmon-conditioned water, but not of turbot-conditioned water. Thus, there is strong evidence that chemical signals are used by salmon lice to mediate host-finding behavior. It is hypothesized that, although salmon lice are excited by the presence of fish-derived semiochemicals, there is a salmonid-specific signal that mediates their positive rheotactic response to a host.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1005592606682
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