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High resolution analysis of swim path patterns of intact and olfaction‐deprived minnows ( Phoxinus phoxinus ) stimulated with food and potential predator odour
Author(s) -
Essler H.,
Kotrschal K.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.1994.tb00924.x
Subject(s) - phoxinus , biology , olfaction , predator , rainbow trout , zoology , carassius auratus , stimulation , predation , fish <actinopterygii> , anatomy , ecology , fishery , neuroscience , cyprinidae
The effects of different regimes of chemo‐stimulation on the swim path in minnows ( Phoxinus phoxinus ) before and after olfactory deprivation were recorded by aid of a sensitive video‐based motion analysis system (DOTFINDER 6cp, JVP). Time series of x‐y co‐ordinates were taken at 2·5 Hz from colour‐marked individuals. From these co‐ordinates, nine swim path parameters representing velocities, angles and inter‐individual distances were calculated. Each experiment consisted of the application of a water control followed by stimulation with food extract, or body mucus dilutions of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) a potential predator. These procedures were replicated with the same individuals before and after removal of their olfactory epithelium. Compared to the controls, only food stimulation of intact fish resulted in significant changes of single parameters. Food‐stimulated intact fish swam faster, less steadily, used more of the area and kept wider inter‐individual distances than controls. No significant changes of single swim path parameters occurred between controls and experimentals in all other treatments. Cluster‐analysis however, provided a fair separation of controls (stimulus=water) and experimental (stimulated by food or predator odour) individuals in intact fish, but failed to separate controls and experimentals in olfaction‐deprived fish. Distance travelled, median velocity and total acea use were the most discriminating parameters.