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Acquired Predator Recognition by Fathead Minnows: Influence of Habitat Characteristics on Survival

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Abstract

In this study we conditioned fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) to recognize the odor of a perch (Perca flavescens) by exposing them to perch odor coupled with minnow alarm cue. We then staged encounters between the predator and prey in order to assess whether the predator odor training had any effect on survival of the prey. We tested for a survival effect in the presence and absence of shelter. Our results indicate that fish trained with alarm signals to recognize predators gained a survival benefit during staged encounters with a predator and that habitat characteristics influenced the survival of conditioned fish.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E2, Canada

    Kyra J. Gazdewich & Douglas P. Chivers

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  1. Kyra J. Gazdewich
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  2. Douglas P. Chivers
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Correspondence to Douglas P. Chivers.

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Gazdewich, K.J., Chivers, D.P. Acquired Predator Recognition by Fathead Minnows: Influence of Habitat Characteristics on Survival. J Chem Ecol 28, 439–445 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017902712355

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017902712355

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