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Social learning of predators in the dark: Understanding the role of visual, chemical and mechanical information
journal contribution
posted on 2018-11-01, 00:00 authored by Rachel ManassaRachel Manassa, MI McCormick, DP Chivers, MCO FerrariThe ability of prey to observe and learn to recognize potential predators
from the behaviour of nearby individuals can dramatically increase survival
and, not surprisingly, is widespread across animal taxa. A range of sensory
modalities are available for this learning, with visual and chemical cues
being well-established modes of transmission in aquatic systems. The use
of other sensory cues in mediating social learning in fishes, including
mechano-sensory cues, remains unexplored. Here, we examine the role of
different sensory cues in social learning of predator recognition, using
juvenile damselfish (Amphiprion percula). Specifically, we show that a predator-naive observer can socially learn to recognize a novel predator when paired with a predator-experienced conspecific in total darkness. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that when threatened, individuals release chemical cues (known as disturbance cues) into the water. These cues induce an anti-predator response in nearby individuals; however, they do not facilitate learnt recognition of the predator. As such, another sensory modality, probably mechano-sensory in origin, is responsible for information transfer in the dark. This study highlights the diversity of sensory cues used by coral reef fishes in a social learning context.
Funding
Category 1 - Australian Competitive Grants (this includes ARC, NHMRC)
History
Volume
280Issue
1765Start Page
1End Page
8Number of Pages
8eISSN
1471-2954ISSN
0962-8452Publisher
The Royal Society PublishingPublisher DOI
Peer Reviewed
- Yes
Open Access
- No
External Author Affiliations
James Cook University; University of SaskatchewanEra Eligible
- Yes