The Effect of Chemical Cues on the Settlement of Sea Cucumber(Apostichopus japonicus) Larvae

The effects of four ions and eight neuroactive compounds on inducing larval settlement ofA. japonicus were assessed in the present study. All bioassays were conducted in 60 × 9mm Petri dishes, each contained 10mL of the test solution and 10 doliolaria larvae. There were significant inductive effects of K＋ （10 mmol L-l）, NH4＋ （0.1 mmol L-l）, GABA （10-3 tool L-l）, acetylcholine （10-5 molL-l）, L-DOPA （10-SmolL-1）, norepinephrine （10-SmolL-1） and dopamine （10-TmolL-1 and 10-5 molL-1） on the settlement of sea cucumber larvae. L-DOPA and dopamine are the most efficient chemical cues to induce A.japonicus larvae to settle. The highest percentage of larval settlement was induced by 10-5 tool L-1 L-DOPA and dopamine （33% and 40%） compared to the control （7%）. However, Ca2＋, Mg2＋, choline, serotonin, and epinephrine were less effective on larval settlement at all tested concentrations. This study evaluated the stability and feasibility of chemical cues for larval settlement in different culture systems, which can be applied to improve the hatchery production of this valuable species.

Chemical cues from kingsnakes do not cause inducible defenses in house mice

Abstract Many rodents exhibit inducible defenses when exposed to chemical cues from mammalian predators. These responses may include delays in sexual maturation, smaller adult body size and decreases in litter size and pup weight. We exposed the hybrid juvenile offspring of field-caught and lab-descended house mice Mus musculus to the chemical cues of mouse-fed or chick-fed kingsnakes, Lampropeltis getula, for 20 days after weaning, to examine the effects of ophidian predator cues on prey development. We hypothesized that these cues would elicit inducible defenses such as alteration of growth rates, and/or the timing of reproductive development in mice. Once mature, the reproductive effort of the mice might also be impacted by producing smaller litter sizes or lighter pups or not reproducing at all. We found no effect of kingsnake cues on any of the measures. These findings support the hypothesis that inducible defenses may have evolved as a strategy to deal with specific predators.

Generalization of predator recognition:Velvet geckos display anti-predator behaviours in response to chemicals from non-dangerous elapid snakes

Many prey species detect chemical cues from predators and modify their behaviours in ways that reduce their risk ofpredation. Theory predicts that prey should modify their anti-predator responses according to the degree of threat posed by thepredator. That is, prey should show the strongest responses to chemicals of highly dangerous prey, but should ignore or respondweakly to chemicals from non-dangerous predators. However, if anti-predator behaviours are not costly, and predators are rarelyencountered, prey may exhibit generalised antipredator behaviours to dangerous and non-dangerous predators. In Australia, mostelapid snakes eat lizards, and are therefore potentially dangerous to lizard prey. Recently, we found that the nocturnal velvetgecko Oedura lesueurii responds to chemicals from dangerous and non-dangerous elapid snakes, suggesting that it displays generalisedanti-predator behaviours to chemicals from elapid snakes. To explore the generality of this result, we videotaped the behaviourof velvet geckos in the presence of chemical cues from two small elapid snakes that rarely consume geckos: the nocturnalgolden-crowned snake Cacophis squamulosus and the diurnal marsh snake Hemiaspis signata. We also videotaped geckos in trialsinvolving unscented cards (controls) and cologne-scented cards (pungency controls). In trials involving Cacophis and Hemiaspischemicals, 50% and 63% of geckos spent long time periods (> 3 min) freezing whilst pressed flat against the substrate, respectively.Over half the geckos tested exhibited anti-predator behaviours (tail waving, tail vibration, running) in response to Cacophis(67%) or Hemiaspis (63%) chemicals. These behaviours were not observed in control or pungency control trials. Our resultssupport the idea that the velvet gecko displays generalised anti-predator responses to chemical cues from elapid snakes.Generalised responses to predator chemicals may be common in prey species that co-occur with multiple, ecologically similar,dangerous predators [Current Zoology 56 (3): 337-342, 2010].

Predatory Cues Influence the Behavioral Responses and Metamorphic Traits of Polypedates maculatus(Anura: Rhacophoridae)

Mechanisms of predator detection and the influence of the presence of nonlethal predators on antipredator defense behavior and metamorphic traits were studied in the Indian tree frog, Polypedates maculatus. Exposure of P. maculatus tadpoles to chemical cues of caged predator（crabs, Barytelphusa spp.） fed with either conspecific or heterogeneric tadpoles, or were starved elicited defense behavior（by avoiding predator zone） in them. Such a behavior was not evident when exposed to predators housed in a glass beaker（visual cues）. Both early（Gosner stage 27–28） and later（Gosner stage 35–36） stage tadpoles when exposed to caged predators（fed with conspecific tadpoles）, prey tadpoles spent less time swimming and remained motionless for longer periods. Yet, the time spent by prey in feeding was unaffected. Further, the predator avoidance behavior exhibited by them was of the same intensity regardless of whether the caged predators were fed or starved implying the influence of predator＇s kairomones. Tadpoles reared with caged predator reached the metamorphic climax stage（MC stage; Gosner stage 42） earlier than those reared without a predator. Size at emergence（Gosner stage 46） was comparable in both the groups. The findings suggest that P. maculatus tadpoles assess predation risk chiefly by sensing kairomones of the predator in eliciting antipredator defense behaviors. Accelerated development and early metamorphosis without any compromise of the size at emergence may be due to their unaltered feeding activity.

Antipredator Behavioral Responses of Native and Exotic Tadpoles to Novel Predator

Factors related to the invasion process, such as high abundance of invaders, residence time, and functional distinctiveness, are well documented, but less attention has been given to the effects of antipredator strategy of invasive species during colonization. In this study, we explored the antipredator strategy of an introduced species by comparing the predator avoidance behaviors of two native anuran species and one introduced （“exotic”） species in the presence of different predators. The two native anuran species used in the study were Black-spotted Pond FrogRana nigromaculata and Terrestrial Frog Rana limnocharis. The introduced （invasive） species used was American bullfrogLithobates catesbeianus. Chinese pond turtleChinemys reevesii, Red-backed rat snakeElaphe rufodorsata, and Big-headed turtle Platysternon megacephalum were used as predator species. Chinese pond turtles and Red-backed rat snakes are native predators of Black-spotted Pond Frogs and Terrestrial Frogs, while Big-headed turtles are novel （“unfamiliar”） to the two frogs. All three predator species are novel （“unfamiliar”） to the American bullfrog. The results show that tadpoles of the two native species displayed behaviors of recognizing the two native predators, but did not display the capability of identifying the novel predator. Results from our study also suggest that American bullfrog tadpoles exhibited strong antipredator behavioral responses by displaying the capability of identifying “unfamiliar” predators without cohabitation history and prior exposure to them. Such antipredator behavioral responses could have resulted in more favorable outcomes for an invading species during the invasive introductory process.

Alarm cue induces an antipredator morphological defense in juvenile Nicaragua cichlids Hypsophrys nicaraguensis

Olfactory cues that indicate predation risk elicit a number of defensive behaviors in fishes, but whether they are sufficient to also induce morphological defenses has received little attention. Cichlids are characterized by a high level of morphological plasticity during development, and the few species that have been tested do exhibit defensive behaviors when exposed to alarm cues released from the damaged skin of conspecifics. We utilized young juvenile Nicaragua cichlids Hypsophrys nicaraguensis to test if the perception of predation risk from alarm cue （conspecific skin extract） alone induces an increased relative body depth which is a defense against gape-limited predators. After two weeks of exposure, siblings that were exposed to conspecific alarm cue increased their relative body depth nearly double the amount of those exposed to distilled water （control） and zebrafish Danio rerio alarm cue. We repeated our measurements over the last two weeks （12 and 14） of cue exposure when the fish were late-stage juveniles to test if the rate of increase was sustained; there were no differences in final dimensions between the three treatments. Our results show that 1） the Nicaragua cichlid has an innate response to conspecific alarm cue which is not a generalized response to an injured fish, and 2） this innate recognition ultimately results in developing a deeper body at a stage of the life history where predation risk is high [Current Zoology 56 （1）： 36-42, 2010].

Sex recognition does not modulate aggression toward nest intruders in a paper wasp

During social interactions,the behavior of an individual often depends on the sex of its social partner.Many animal societies have males and females that play very different behavioral roles,although they coexist and interact non-sexually.At specific phases of the colony cycle,social wasp females and males are contemporaries within a nest,they often interact,although mating occurs mostly off the nest,therefore providing an opportunity to test sex discrimination in contexts other than classical sexual ones.We performed a lure presentation experiment to test if Mischocyttarus metathoracicus discriminate between conspecifics of the 2 sexes during on-nest social interactions.Female wasps discriminated conspecific sex during experimentally simulated nest intrusions.Visual and chemical cues may account for this sex discrimination.Despite sex discrimination(evidenced by differential inspective behavior from the nest females toward the female and the male lures),female wasps were as aggressive toward lures of both sexes.In the female-dominated hymenopteran societies,males are often subordinate and not aggressive on nest,resulting in females directing less aggression to them compared to other females.Instead,M.metathoracicus males and females are both aggressive toward nestmates,so they might be perceived as similar threat during on-nest social interactions.

The fecal shield is a double-edged sword for larvae of a leaf beetle

Larvae of some leaf beetles carry masses of feces covering parts or all of the body,which is called a"fecal shield'In general,the shield is thought to be a defense structure against natural enemies.However,some studies have suggested that defense effectiveness varies depending on the natural enemy.In this study,we used a fecal retention leaf beetle Ophrida xanthospilota(Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae),and 2 local generalist predators(an ant,Camponotus japonicus(Hymenoptera:Formicidae)and a stinkbug,Arma custos(Hemiptera:Pentatomidael)as a system to test the hypothesis that the fecal shield of O.xanthospilota plays different roles in predation behavior of different predators and can provide multiple chemical communication signals in predator-prey interactions.Prey bioassays showed that the fecal shield of O.xanthospilota larvae repelled the ant C.japonicus while attracting the stinkbug A.custos.The results also strongly demonstrated that hexane extracts of the fecal shield significantly repelled C.japonicus,while dichloromethane(DCM)extracts did not inhibit ant predation.Interestingly,DCM extracts attracted A.custos,but hexane extracts did not.Therefore,we suggest that the fecal shield is a double-edged sword for the larvae of O.xanthospilota.Our results also indicated that the risk-benefit tradeoff of an insect should be estimated at a community level involving multiple enemies(predators and parasites)and herbivores,rather than in a single prey-predator pair.

Time to feed： How diet, competition, and experience may influence feeding behaviour and cannibalism in wood frog tadpoles Lithobates sylvaticus

Wood frog Lithobates sylvaticus tadpoles develop in temporary wetlands where high population densities can force tadpoles into aggregations that intensify competition and can lead to cannibalism. However, chemical alarm cues released from injured conspecifics could also dissuade cannibalism. The purpose of this study was to test mechanisms that may influence can- nibalistic behaviour. We tested whether the tendency of tadpoles to consume conspecifics would increase with the presence of competition and/or cues of profitable diets. Tadpoles placed in 1L experimental containers were tested for feeding initiation times of multiple diets, including conspecific tissues and conspecific tissues combined with chemical cues from the alternative diets （brine shrimp and comrneal）. Tadpoles were tested in the presence and absence of a competitor, and at multiple times over the course of the study. Tadpoles exhibited an altered response to diets over time; however the presence of a competitor reduced re- sponse times to all diets including conspecific tissues. Similarly, the presence of specific diets also reduced the response time of tadpoles to conspecific tissues. These results suggest competition among feeding tadpoles could result in aggressive behaviour leading to indiscriminate predation and cannibalism [Current Zoology 60 （5）： 571-580, 2014 ].

Can native species crucian carp Carassius auratus recognizes the introduced red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii？

Procambarus clarkii is native to the south-central United States （Louisiana） and northeastern Mexico, and is a highly efficient predator that poses a damager to native species after its introduction or invasion. In its natural habitat, P. clarkii consumes Carassius auratus, however, whether C. auratus recognizes P. clarkii as a predator is not yet clear. In laboratory experiments, we investigated whether experienced and inexperienced C. auratus recognize P. clarkii as a predatory threat and the specific sensory modality used by C. auratus to respond to chemical and visual stimuli from P. clarkii. In the chemical stimuli experiment, two kinds of chemical stimuli were used, water from a tub containing P. clarkii previously fed with C. auratus （C. auratus diet cues） and water from a tub containing unfed P. clarkii （P. clarkii cues）. In the visual experiment, experienced C. auratus decreased activity, but inexperienced C.auratus avoided the predator compartment. When C. auratus diet cues were presented, both experienced and inexperienced C. auratus increased the use of shelter, decreased activity in the initial response phase. Compared with the blank treatment, experienced C. auratus responded to P. clarkii cues by decreasing activity; however, inexperienced C. auratus showed no reduction in activity. C. auratus appears to recognize P. clarkii as a predator both through visual and chemical cues. Further analysis revealed that C. auratus may recognize R clarkii visually through the disturbances caused by P. clarkii movement and chemically by detecting conspecific alarm cues in the diet of P. clarkii. The results also indicate that ex- perienced C. auratus can recognize R clarkii by innate chemical cues from P. clarkii, whereas inexperienced C. auratus cannot [Current Zoology 57 （3）： 330-339, 2011].

Chemosensory response in stunted prairie rattlesnakes Crotalus viridis viridis

Rattlesnakes use chemical stimuli in ambush site selection and for relocation of envenomated prey through atrike-induced chemosensory searching. Shifts in responsiveness to prey chemicals have been documented in many snakes, and often correlate with prey commonly taken as snakes increase in age and size as well as geographical locations of the species. For instance, neonate rattlesnakes that prey primarily on ectotherms responded most strongly to chemical cues of commonly taken lizard prey, whereas adult rattlesnakes that prey primarily on small mammals responded significantly to chemical cues of com- monly taken rodents. In the current study, 11 Prairie Rattlesnakes Crotalus viridis viridis which were classified as large neonates based on measures of snout-vent length （SVL） and body mass, yet chronologically were at or near adulthood, were tested for their responsiveness to chemical extracts of natural and non-natural prey items. Although the snakes had eaten only neonate lab mice （Mus musculus）, they responded significantly more to chemical cues of natural prey items and particularly to chemical cues of prey normally taken by subadults （Peromyscus mice and Sceloporus lizard）. These results suggest that ontogenetic shifts in re- sponsiveness to natural prey chemical cues are innately programmed and are not based on body size or feeding experience in C. v. viridis. This does not imply, however, that growth and experience are without effects, especially with novel prey or rare prey that have experienced recent population expansion [Current Zoology 59 （2）： 175-179, 2013].

Disturbance cue communication is shaped by emitter diet and receiver background risk in Trinidadian guppies

In animal communication systems,individuals that detect a cue(i.e.,“receivers”)are often influenced by characteristics of the cue emitter.For instance,in many species,receivers avoid chemical cues that are released by emitters experiencing disturbance.These chemical“disturbance cues”appear to benefit receivers by warning them about nearby danger,such as a predator’s approach.While the active ingredients in disturbance cues have been largely unexplored,by-products of metabolized protein are thought to play a role for some species.If so,the content(quality)and volume(quantity)of the emitter’s diet should affect their disturbance cues,thus altering how receivers perceive the cues and respond.Guppies Poecilia reticulata are a species known to discriminate among disturbance cues from different types of donors,but dietary variation has yet to be explored.In this study,we found evidence that diet quality and quantity can affect disturbance cues released by guppy emitters(i.e.,experimental“donors”).Receivers discriminated between donor cue treatments,responding more strongly to cues from donors fed a protein-rich bloodworm diet(Experiment 1),as well as an overall larger diet(Experiment 2).We also found that receivers exposed to higher background risk were more sensitive to disturbance cue variation,with the strongest avoidance responses displayed by high-risk receivers toward disturbance cues from donors fed the high-quality diet.Therefore,diet,and perhaps protein specifically,affects either the concentration or composition of disturbance cues released by guppies.Such variation may be important in information signaling in social species like the guppy.

Amino acid compounds released by the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii during ecdysis:a factor attracting cannibalistic behaviour?

Ecdysis is a comm on phe nomenon that happe ns throughout the life phase of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii.It is vital to better understand the correlation between cannibalism and biochemical compound that exists during the moulting process.The objective of the present study was to determine the amino acid profile released by M.rosenbergii during the ecdysis process that promotes cannibalism.To accomplish this,changes in amino acid levels(total amino acid(TAA)and free amino acid(FAA))of tissue muscle,exoskeleton,and sample water of culture medium from the moulting(E-stage)and non-moulting(C-stage)prawns were analysed using highperformanee liquid chromatography(HPLC).Comparison study revealed that among the TAA compounds,proline and sarcosine of tissues from moulting prawn were found at the highest levels.The level of FAA from water that contains moulting prawns(E-stage)was dominated by tryptophan and proline.Significant values obtained in the present study suggested that these amino acid compounds act as a chemical cue to promote cannibalism in M.rosenbergii during ecdysis.The knowledge of compositions and compounds that were released during the moulting process should be helpful for better understanding of the mechanism and chemical cues that play roles on triggering cannibalism,and also for future dietary man ipulati on to improve feeding efficie ncies and feeding man agement,which in directly impacts productivity and profitability.

Interactive effects of reproductive assets and ambient predation risk on the threat-sensitive decisions of Trinidadian guppies

Threat-sensitive behavioral trade-offs allow prey animals to balance the conflicting demands of successful predator detection and avoidance and a suite of fitness-related activities such as forag- ing, mating, and territorial defense. Here, we test the hypothesis that background predation level and reproductive status interact to determine the form and intensity of threat-sensitive behavioral decisions of wild-caught female Trinidadian guppies Poecilia reticulata. Gravid and nongravid gup- pies collected from high- and low-predation pressure populations were exposed to serial dilutions of conspecific chemical alarm cues. Our results demonstrate that there was ＇no effect of reproduct- ive status on the response of females originating from a low-predation population, with both gravid and nongravid guppies exhibiting strong anti-predator responses to the lowest concentration of alarm cues tested. Increasing cue concentrations did not result in increases in response intensity. Conversely, we found a significant effect of reproductive status among guppies from a high- predation population. Nongravid females from the high-predation population exhibited a strong graded （proportional） response to increasing concentrations of alarm cue. Gravid females from the same high-predation population, however, shifted to a nongraded response. Together, these re- sults demonstrate that accrued reproductive assets influence the threat-sensitive behavioral deci- sions of prey, but only under conditions of high-ambient predation risk.