Abstract
Chemical communication is widely used in aquatic environments, where visual or auditory signals may not be always effective. Fish of the superorder Ostariophysi are known to display epidermal cells (club cells) that produce and store alarm substances, which are released to the water when the skin is damaged. Responses to alarm substances range widely, between active searches for refuge to a complete stop in any locomotor activity. In this study a large number of binucleated club cells (average density of 11 cells /5m2) were histologically observed in the skin of the catfish Rhamdia quelen (known as jundia). Skin extract (2, 5, and 10% w/v) applied for 15 minutes to conspecifics elicited increase in swimming activity and in the area visited by the fish inside the tank. However, exposure to the epithelial alarm cue did not evoke any stress response: plasma osmolality, ions (sodium, chloride, magnesium, and potassium), glucose and cortisol remained unchanged. In conclusion, the conspecific alarm cue of the jundia induces behavioral responses but not an acute stress response upon short-term exposure, compatible with its role in fostering physical integrity without representing major stress activation. Considering that in the natural environment such stimuli must quickly disappear due to dilution and that rapid protection responses may be necessary upon the possibility of an approaching predator, a faster mechanism to assure survival may come into play, such as sympathetic nervous system activation.
Highlights
IntroductionFast and generalized transmission of information is frequently crucial for the survival of any species
In the natural environment, fast and generalized transmission of information is frequently crucial for the survival of any species
Alarm substances - first named “Schreckstoff”, fear or fright substance in German - were described by Karl Ritter von Frisch in 1942, who observed that European minnows (Phoxius phoxinus) with skin injury evoked escape responses in conspecifics (Stensmyr & Maderspacher, 2012)
Summary
Fast and generalized transmission of information is frequently crucial for the survival of any species. Large epidermal club cells presented in the skin of many teleost fish, and in those of superorder Ostariophysi, are supposed to be damaged during predatory attacks, releasing a chemical alarm cue that has been frequently reported to cause anti-predatory responses in conspecifics (Ide et al, 2003; Carreau-Green et al, 2008; Barbosa Júnior et al, 2012; Manek et al, 2013). Carreau-Green et al, (2008), for example, observed that the skin of juvenile fathead minnows promoted an alarm response in conspecifics even before the club cells appear along their development. Carreau-Green et al, (2008), for example, observed that the skin of juvenile fathead minnows promoted an alarm response in conspecifics even before the club cells appear along their development. Manek et al (2013) suggest that alarm cues may be mixtures of chemicals from different parts of the epidermis, including the ECC (epidermal club cells)
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