Premium
A re‐evaluation of the effect of shoalmate familiarity on the proliferation of alarm substance cells in ostariophysan fishes
Author(s) -
Wisenden B. D.,
Smith R. J. F.
Publication year - 1998
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.1095-8649.1998.tb01837.x
Subject(s) - biology , pimephales promelas , alarm , fish <actinopterygii> , predation , predator , zoology , investment (military) , ecology , fishery , toxicology , minnow , engineering , politics , law , political science , aerospace engineering
A re‐examination of data from Wisenden & Smith Journal of Fish Biology 50 , 799–808) suggests that fathead minnows Pimephales promelas adjust investment into epidermal alarm substance cells (ASC) facultatively based upon the level of perceived risk. When placed into a container with non‐familiar shoalmates (relatively high risk) ASC production increased. This allows these individuals to attract a secondary predator better. When placed into a container with familiar shoalmates (relatively low risk) ASC production decreased. This may reflect increased effectiveness of a group antipredator response by familiar individuals, and/or the cost to inclusive fitness of attracting additional predators to the vicinity of their kin.