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Mianserin affects alarm reaction to conspecific chemical alarm cues in Nile tilapia

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Abstract

In this study, I show that mianserin, a chemical with serotonin and adrenoceptor antagonist activities, increases fish vulnerability to a potential predator threat, when prey fish must deal with this threat based on conspecific chemical alarm cues. For that, I evaluated whether mianserin, diluted in the water, influences the behavioral responses of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to conspecific skin extract (chemical alarm cues). I found that, while mianserin did not abolished antipredator responses, this drug mitigates some components of this defensive reaction. Thus, a potential decrease in serotonin and adrenergic activities reduces the ability of dealing with predators when perceiving conspecific chemical alarm cues.

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Acknowledgments

I am thankful for technical assistance of Mr. A. C. B. Tardivo. This study was financially supported by the Fundação para o Desenvolvimento da UNESP—FUNDUNESP (Process 00017/08).

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  1. Department of Physiology, CAUNESP, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, UNESP, Rubião Jr s/n, São Paulo, 18618-970, Brazil

    Rodrigo Egydio Barreto

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  1. Rodrigo Egydio Barreto
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Correspondence to Rodrigo Egydio Barreto.

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Barreto, R.E. Mianserin affects alarm reaction to conspecific chemical alarm cues in Nile tilapia. Fish Physiol Biochem 43, 193–201 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-016-0279-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-016-0279-2

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