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Acquired Recognition of Predator Odour in the European Minnow ( Phoxinus phoxinus )
Author(s) -
Magurran Anne E.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
ethology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.739
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-0310
pISSN - 0179-1613
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1989.tb00501.x
Subject(s) - phoxinus , minnow , esox , pike , predator , biology , predation , fishery , zoology , ecology , fish <actinopterygii>
Naive European minnows ( Phoxinus phoxinus ) do not show a fright reaction when they first encounter the odour of a natural predator (the pike: Esox lucius ) or the odour of a non‐piscivorous exotic (tilapia: Tilapia mariae ). A conditioned fright response to both these odours will however develop if minnows experience them in a potentially dangerous situation, for example, in conjunction with Schreckstoff, the ostariophysian alarm pheromone. Although minnows respond to both odours the reaction to the tilapia odour is reduced. This suggests that a constraint on learning is involved. Olfactory recognition is particularly valuable for detecting predators that hunt in conditions where visibility is poor.