Chemical cues for intraspecific chemical communication and interspecific interactions in aquatic environments: applications for fisheries and aquaculture

Abstract

Aquatic organisms detect chemical cues to sense the local environment, for example, to find a mate, locate food, and identify danger. Knowledge of chemical cues can be used in aquaculture, in practical applications such as controlling mating behavior to increase fertility, enhance feeding, and decrease stress; in fisheries, by catching selected species with low-cost artificial attractants; and to address maritime issues, by decreasing biofouling. Aquatic organisms also detect chemical cues related to global environmental changes, ocean acidification, and increases in ocean plastics, all of which can affect their chemosensory behaviors. Here we discuss the nature of chemical cues and chemosensory biology and ecology of aquatic organisms, and potential applications with an emphasis on sex pheromones in commercially important and well-studied animals, namely, decapod crustaceans and fish.

Ocean acidification does not overlook sex: Review of understudied effects and implications of low pH on marine invertebrate sexual reproduction

“…Out of all marine invertebrates, reproductive pheromones are best understood in decapod crustaceans. Pheromones released by female crabs instigate courtship displays and guarding behaviors in males (Kamio et al, 2022). Male crabs can distinguish female molting stages and copulation readiness based on pheromone detection (Kamio et al, 2022).…”

“…Pheromones released by female crabs instigate courtship displays and guarding behaviors in males (Kamio et al, 2022). Male crabs can distinguish female molting stages and copulation readiness based on pheromone detection (Kamio et al, 2022). Alteration of pheromone chemical composition, molecule shape, and residence time in low pH conditions could impact necessary mating behaviors and successful reproduction (Roggatz et al, 2016;Kamio et al, 2022).…”

“…Male crabs can distinguish female molting stages and copulation readiness based on pheromone detection (Kamio et al, 2022). Alteration of pheromone chemical composition, molecule shape, and residence time in low pH conditions could impact necessary mating behaviors and successful reproduction (Roggatz et al, 2016;Kamio et al, 2022). Additionally, the ability of invertebrates to produce and detect these compounds may be impacted by low pH (Roggatz et al, 2016;Kamio et al, 2022).…”

“…Alteration of pheromone chemical composition, molecule shape, and residence time in low pH conditions could impact necessary mating behaviors and successful reproduction (Roggatz et al, 2016;Kamio et al, 2022). Additionally, the ability of invertebrates to produce and detect these compounds may be impacted by low pH (Roggatz et al, 2016;Kamio et al, 2022). A recent hypothesis developed by Olischläger and Wild (2020) suggests that gamete release timing during periods of low water motion is possibly regulated by the carbon concentrating mechanism in corals and/or their symbionts, which may make the synchronized spawning of organisms with photo-symbionts vulnerable to OA.…”

Impact of Marine Chemical Ecology Research on the Discovery and Development of New Pharmaceuticals

“…Apart from human health, infochemical-based communication has potential biotechnological applications, particularly in aquaculture, marine conservation, management and biodiversity restoration (refer to reviews in references [ 15 , 16 ]). The key benefit of infochemicals is the efficient transmittance of communication across taxonomic groups, kingdoms of life and different trophic levels, ranging from interactions between the simplest unicellular organisms to complex multicellular plants and animals.…”