Association of predation risk with a heterospecific vocalization by an anabantoid fish

Abstract

Honey gouramis (Trichogaster chuna) received chemical alarm cues derived from conspecific epidermal tissue and, simultaneously, the vocalization produced by a heterospecific gourami species, the sparkling pygmy gourami (Trichopsis pumila). Control trials paired water with the vocalization. In trials that received alarm cues, honey gouramis significantly increased activity relative to control trials that received water, suggesting an attempt to flee and search for refuge. When the recording of the vocalization was later replayed to test fish without any additional chemical cue, fish that had previously experienced the alarm cue froze while those that had received water with the vocalization did not change their behaviour. These data indicate that honey gouramis recognize and respond to chemical alarm cues, making this report the second anabantoid species to be recorded with this response. Second, these data indicate that honey gouramis can associate risk of predation with a novel auditory stimulus, including vocalizations from other species. These data suggest the potential for vocalizations to evolve into alarm signals in this group of fishes.

Ring a bell? Variable recognition of a multicomponent auditory stimulus associated with predation risk by zebrafish responding to full and partial matches

“…Zebrafish conditioned with alarm cues and a three-note auditory stimulus responded with antipredator behaviour when re-exposed to either the same three-note stimulus, or two of the three notes, relative to a playback stimulus containing only one of the three notes. These data corroborate earlier studies that demonstrated that fishes can associate risk with auditory stimuli (Wisenden et al, 2008;Seigel et al, 2021Seigel et al, , 2022. Response intensity of learned responses were of lower intensity than behavioral responses during conditioning trials, manifest only as a significant change in vertical distribu- tion but not change in activity or shelter use.…”

Use of multimodal sensory cues in predator avoidance by wild-caught zebrafish shoals

“…Besides increased cohesion, polarization and velocity, freezing is another strategy often adopted by prey, to avoid a predator. A variety of fish species, including zebrafish, are known to exhibit freezing behaviour in presence of a predator (Seigel et al 2022, Kimbell and Morell 2015; Kalueff et al 2013; Malavasi et al 2013; Brown and Magnavacca 2003, Brown and Dreier 2002). Further, freezing has been shown to increase proportionally with increase in dosage of alarm substance, i.e, predator cue (Speedie and Gerlai 2008).…”

Yellowtail damselfish Chrysiptera parasema can associate predation risk with the acoustic call of a heterospecific damselfish following pairing with conspecific alarm cues

“…Recently it has been demonstrated that some fish can associate risk with auditory stimuli when a novel auditory stimulus is paired with chemical alarm cues released from damaged epidermis (e.g., Johnson et al, 2023;Seigel et al, 2021Seigel et al, , 2022Wisenden et al, 2008). Fathead minnows Pimephales promelas and glowlight tetras Hemigrammus erythrozonus learn to associate risk with a tone when the tone and conspecific alarm cues from damaged skin of conspecifics are presented simultaneously (Wisenden et al, 2008).…”

“…Zebrafish (minnow family) also associate risk with a tone and respond specifically to the frequency of the training tone and do not respond to tones of different frequencies (Seigel et al, 2021). Honey gouramis Trichogaster chuna (an anabantoid) can be trained to associate risk of predation with the call of a heterospecific anabantoid, the sparkling gourami Trichopsis pumila (Seigel et al, 2022), suggesting a plausible path for the evolution of an auditory alarm signal (Wisenden, 2014b). Seigel et al (2022) did not record auditory responses of test subjects because honey gouramis are not known to produce sounds.…”

“…Honey gouramis Trichogaster chuna (an anabantoid) can be trained to associate risk of predation with the call of a heterospecific anabantoid, the sparkling gourami Trichopsis pumila (Seigel et al, 2022), suggesting a plausible path for the evolution of an auditory alarm signal (Wisenden, 2014b). Seigel et al (2022) did not record auditory responses of test subjects because honey gouramis are not known to produce sounds. Damselfish species (Pomacentridae) is a speciose marine group unrelated to the largely freshwater species in the otocephala and anabantoidea.…”