Abstract
We studied the behavior of the Poeciliid fishGambusia affinis after the introduction of 3 substances into their tank: a homogenization ofGambusia affinis, a homogenization of the Anabantid fishBetta splendens, and a blank made of distilled water. The response of the fish was measured as a change in their spatial distribution in the tank after the introduction of the substance. Two sizes of fish were used, and theGambusia homogenization produced clear alarm reactions in both, the fish fleeing to the bottom of the tank. This is one of a few examples available of recognition of alarm substances in non-ostariophysian fish. In addition, we found that the small fishes that had recently been exposed to the alarm substance stayed in an ‘alert state’, in which they had an increased sensitivity to mechanical and visual fright stimuli.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bryant, P.B. 1987 A study of the alarm system in selected fishes of northern Mississippi. MSc Thesis. Ann. Arbor, Mi.
Frisch, K. von 1941 Über einen Schreckstoff den Fisch haut und seine biologische Bedeutung.Z. vergl. Physiol. 29: 46–145.
Hugie, D.M. & R.F.J. Smith 1987 Epidermal club cells are not linked with an alarm response in reedfishErpetoichthys calabaricus.Can. J. Zool. 65: 2057–2061.
Kasumyan, A.O. & N.I. Pashchenko 1982 Evaluation of the olfactory role in defense reaction to the alarm pheromone in the white amurCtenopharyngodon idella (Cyprinidae). (Russian).Vopr. Ikhtiol. 22: 303–307.
Pfeiffer, W. 1960 Über die Schreckreaktion bei Fischen und die Herkunft des Schreckstoffes.Z. vergl. physiol. 43: 578–614.
Pfeiffer, W. 1977 The distribution of fright reaction and alarm substance cells in fishes.Copeia 1977: 653–665.
Pfeiffer, W. 1982 Chemical signals in communication. pp 306–326. In T.J. Hara (ed.)Chemoreception in fishes. (Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Pfeiffer, W., V. Mangold-Wernado & P. Neusteuer 1984 Identification of the nerve bundle in the tractus olfactorius of the tench,Tinca tinca L., which conducts the nervous excitation elicited by the alarm substance.Experientia 40: 219–220.
Reed, J.R. 1969 Alarm substances and fright reaction in some fishes from the southeastern United States.Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 98: 664–668.
Rosen, D.E., & P.H. Greenwood 1970 Origin of the Weberian apparatus and the relationships of the ostariophysan and gonorynchi-form fishes.Amer. Mus. Novitates 2428: 1–25.
Schutz, F. 1956 Vergleichende Untersuchungen über die Schreckreaktion bei Fischen und deren Verbreitung.Z. vergl. Physiol. 38: 84–135.
Smith, R.F.J. 1982a Reaction ofPercina nigrofasciata, Ammocrypta beami andEtheostoma swaini (Percidae, Pisces) to conspecifics and intergeneric skin extracts.Can. J. Zool. 60: 1067–1072.
Smith, R.F.J. 1982b The adaptive significance of the alarm substance-fright reaction system. pp 327–342. In T.J. Hara (ed.)Chemoreception in fishes. Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Smith, R.F.J. 1989 The response ofAsterropteryx semipunctatus andGnatholepis anjerensis (Pisces, Gobiidae) to chemical stimuli from injured conspecifics, and alarm response in gobies.Ethol. 81: 279–290.
Verheijen, F.J. & J.H. Reuter 1969 The effect of alarm substance on predation among cyprinids.Anim. Behav. 17: 551–554.
Waldman, B. 1982 Quantitative and developmental analyses of the alarm reaction in the zebra danioBrachydanio rerio.Copeia 1982: 1–9.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
García, C., Rolán-Alvarez, E. & Sánchez, L. Alarm reaction and alert state inGambusia Affinis (Pisces, Poeciliidae) in response to chemical stimuli from injured conspecifics. J. Ethol. 10, 41–46 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02350185
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02350185