The effects of reduced pH on chemical alarm signalling in ostariophysan fishes

Brown, Grant E.; Adrian, James C.; Lewis, Michael G.; Tower, Jon M

doi:10.1139/f02-104

Cited by 65 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 27 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Recently, a very similar range of behavioural changes has been observed in experiments with marine fish exposed to predicted future changes in ocean pH due to rising atmospheric CO 2 [39,40]. However, despite the remarkable similarity in many of the behavioural responses, the underlying mechanisms appear to be entirely different [37,41]. In this review, we compare and contrast the effects of acidification on olfactory-mediated behaviour in freshwater and marine organisms and present evidence for significant dissimilarities between the underlying mechanisms of action.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…Exposure to alarm cues can elicit adaptive predator avoidance behaviour, such as reduced activity levels and increased hiding or tighter group cohesion [43]. These behavioural responses to alarm cues have been observed in a range of freshwater fishes, including fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas), finescale dace (Phoxinus neogaeus), pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) [20,37,44]. However, predator avoidance behaviour was diminished or absent when these alarm cues were presented in experimental treatments acidified using a minute amount of sulfuric acid (often a major contributor to freshwater acidification) [20,38,45].…”

Section: Ecological Effects Of Acidification On Olfaction (A) Freshwamentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effects of acidification on olfactory-mediated behaviour in freshwater and marine ecosystems: a synthesis

Leduc

Munday

Brown

et al. 2013

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

116

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

For many aquatic organisms, olfactory-mediated behaviour is essential to the maintenance of numerous fitness-enhancing activities, including foraging, reproduction and predator avoidance. Studies in both freshwater and marine ecosystems have demonstrated significant impacts of anthropogenic acidification on olfactory abilities of fish and macroinvertebrates, leading to impaired behavioural responses, with potentially far-reaching consequences to population dynamics and community structure. Whereas the ecological impacts of impaired olfactory-mediated behaviour may be similar between freshwater and marine ecosystems, the underlying mechanisms are quite distinct. In acidified freshwater, molecular change to chemical cues along with reduced olfaction sensitivity appear to be the primary causes of olfactory-mediated behavioural impairment. By contrast, experiments simulating future ocean acidification suggest that interference of high CO 2 with brain neurotransmitter function is the primary cause for olfactory-mediated behavioural impairment in fish. Different physico-chemical characteristics between marine and freshwater systems are probably responsible for these distinct mechanisms of impairment, which, under globally rising CO 2 levels, may lead to strikingly different consequences to olfaction. While fluctuations in pH may occur in both freshwater and marine ecosystems, marine habitat will remain alkaline despite future ocean acidification caused by globally rising CO 2 levels. In this synthesis, we argue that ecosystem-specific mechanisms affecting olfaction need to be considered for effective management and conservation practices.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Section: Ecological Effects Of Acidification On Olfaction (A) Freshwamentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of acidification on olfactory-mediated behaviour in freshwater and marine ecosystems: a synthesis

Leduc

Munday

Brown

et al. 2013

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

116

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For instance, information disruption has been shown to impair alarm responses in several fishes exposed to acidified waters [37,38]. Laboratory evidence suggests that an alarm pheromone of these fishes suffers an irreversible change in structure that renders it non-functional [39]. This particular effect occurs completely external to the impaired organism.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ocean acidification impairs crab foraging behaviour

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Anthropogenic elevation of atmospheric CO 2 is driving global-scale ocean acidification, which consequently influences calcification rates of many marine invertebrates and potentially alters their susceptibility to predation. Ocean acidification may also impair an organism's ability to process environmental and biological cues. These counteracting impacts make it challenging to predict how acidification will alter species interactions and community structure. To examine effects of acidification on consumptive and behavioural interactions between mud crabs (Panopeus herbstii) and oysters (Crassostrea virginica), oysters were reared with and without caged crabs for 71 days at three pCO 2 levels. During subsequent predation trials, acidification reduced prey consumption, handling time and duration of unsuccessful predation attempt. These negative effects of ocean acidification on crab foraging behaviour more than offset any benefit to crabs resulting from a reduction in the net rate of oyster calcification. These findings reveal that efforts to evaluate how acidification will alter marine food webs should include quantifying impacts on both calcification rates and animal behaviour.

show abstract

“…In addition, acquired recognition of novel predators (a covert response to alarm cues; Smith 1999) likewise leads to increased survival during encounters with predators Chivers 2000, 2001b;Gazdewich and Chivers 2002). Brown et al (2002) have demonstrated that the ability of two cyprinid species (fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas and finescale dace, Phoxinus neogaeus) to detect and respond to conspecific and artificial alarm pheromones is significantly impaired under weakly acidic conditions (pH 6.0). When exposed to conspecific skin extract or hypoxanthine-3-N-oxide (H3NO), the putative Ostariophysan alarm 'pheromone', (Brown et al 2000(Brown et al , 2002 under natural (pH 7.8) conditions, both minnows and dace exhibited significant increases in antipredator behaviour.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Brown et al (2002) have demonstrated that the ability of two cyprinid species (fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas and finescale dace, Phoxinus neogaeus) to detect and respond to conspecific and artificial alarm pheromones is significantly impaired under weakly acidic conditions (pH 6.0). When exposed to conspecific skin extract or hypoxanthine-3-N-oxide (H3NO), the putative Ostariophysan alarm 'pheromone', (Brown et al 2000(Brown et al , 2002 under natural (pH 7.8) conditions, both minnows and dace exhibited significant increases in antipredator behaviour. When acclimated to weakly acidic conditions (pH 6.0) over 4 days and retested, there was no significant response to natural or artificial alarm cues.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of conspecific alarm cues by juvenile salmonids under neutral and weakly acidic conditions: laboratory and field tests

2004

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A variety of fishes possess damage-released chemical alarm cues, which play a critical role in the detection and avoidance of potential predation threats. Recently, we have demonstrated that the ability of fathead minnows ( Pimephales promelas) and finescale dace ( Phoxinus neogaeus) to detect and respond to conspecific alarm cues is significantly reduced under weakly acidic conditions (pH 6.0). Rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brook charr ( Salvelinus fontinalis) possess an analogous alarm cue system. However, it is unknown if the trout alarm cue system is likewise affected by relatively small changes in pH. In addition, previous studies have not verified this phenomenon under natural conditions. We conducted laboratory and field trials to examine the potential effects of acute exposure to weakly acidic (pH 6.0) conditions on the detection and response of conspecific alarm cues by juvenile trout. Our laboratory results demonstrate that while juvenile rainbow trout exhibit significant increases in antipredator behaviour under normal pH conditions (pH 7.0-7.2), they do not respond to the presence of conspecific chemical alarm cues (i.e. response is not different from controls) under weakly acidic conditions. Similarly, a wild strain of brook charr in their natural streams near Sudbury, Ontario, failed to detect conspecific alarm cues in a weakly acidic stream (mean pH 6.11) while they responded to these cues in a neutral stream (mean pH of 6.88). This is the first demonstration that relatively small changes in ambient pH can influence alarm responses under natural conditions. These data suggest significant, sub-lethal effects of acid precipitation on natural waterways.

show abstract

The effects of reduced pH on chemical alarm signalling in ostariophysan fishes

Cited by 65 publications

References 27 publications

Effects of acidification on olfactory-mediated behaviour in freshwater and marine ecosystems: a synthesis

Effects of acidification on olfactory-mediated behaviour in freshwater and marine ecosystems: a synthesis

Ocean acidification impairs crab foraging behaviour

Detection of conspecific alarm cues by juvenile salmonids under neutral and weakly acidic conditions: laboratory and field tests

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About