Learned predator recognition and antipredator responses in fishes

Abstract

Early research into the causes of geographical variation in antipredator behaviour in fishes revealed that population differences have an underlying genetic basis. However, evidence from a variety of fish species suggests that learning plays an important role in the development of antipredator responses. Here, we consider the opportunities for learning during the three main stages of a predator–prey interaction: detection, recognition and assessment, and attack avoidance. Much of the evidence for learning is based on the recognition and assessment stage of the predator–prey interaction, but this may reflect methodological biases. We also examine the relative roles of different sensory cues, in particular, vision and olfaction, and the importance of individual vs. social learning. We provide evidence that visual predator recognition skills are largely built on unlearned predispositions, whereas olfactory recognition typically involves experience with conspecific alarm cues. Populations display variation in their propensity to learn, and we predict that ecological factors are likely to mediate the balance between individual and social learning.

Plasticity of boldness in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss: do hunger and predation influence risk-taking behaviour?

“…The antipredator response often derives from experience (Kelley and Magurran, 2003), (Brown et al, 2005a;Johnsson et al, 2001a) which may be evident in cultured fish such as those used here (Álvarez and Nicieza, 2003). Whilst this should be considered when interpreting behaviour, alarm pheromone does elicit antipredator responses even in farmed trout (Ashley et al, 2009), though comparisons between wild and farmed individuals could be explored in future studies.…”

Learned predation risk management by spider mites

“…The hypothesis of fine-tuned behavioral flexibility of prey in response to different levels of predation risk is termed threatsensitive predator avoidance hypothesis and has been originally developed by Sih (1982) and Helfman (1989). The predictions of this hypothesis have been experimentally assessed and shown across diverse animal taxa, both vertebrates and invertebrates, and habitats, both aquatic (e.g., Kelley and Magurran, 2003;Turner et al, 2006;de Oliveira Mesquita and Young, 2007) and terrestrial (e.g., Maloney and McLean, 1995;Murray et al, 2004;Walzer and Schausberger, 2011).…”

<b>Psychological Stress and Welfare in Fish</b>

“…The memory of timeplace associations is one of the pre-requisites for episodic memory, and has also been demonstrated for a number of species (Reebs, 1996(Reebs, , 1999Barreto et al, 2006a;Delicio & Barreto, 2008). Fish avoidance of dangerous sites, showing anticipatory capabilities, was already described in different studies (Huntingford & Wright, 1989;Kelley & Magurran, 2003). Schreck and colleagues (1997) reviewed a number of studies showing how stress can affect the memory and learning processes in fish.…”

“…It is known that fish can anticipate events, like avoiding predator sites (e.g. Kelley & Magurran, 2003) or showing feeding anticipation (Galhardo & Oliveira, unpublished data). While these behaviours may be mediated by simpler forms of learning, experimental work has shown already that some species form at least relational memories of the type 'where-when' (Reebs, 1996(Reebs, , 1999Barreto et al, 2006a;Delicio & Barreto, 2008).…”