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Chemically Mediated Strategies to Counter Predation

  • Chapter
Sensory Processing in Aquatic Environments

Abstract

Predator-prey interactions govern the evolution of many behavioral and morphological traits of aquatic animals. In aquatic environments, chemical cues reliably allow prey to assess and avoid predation risk. In this chapter, I review the classes of chemical cues involved in a predation event and ways in which these cues mediate predator-prey interactions. Predators release signature odors that prey use to detect risk of predation. Prey release several types of cues. Chemical deterrents are noxious substances that are either synthesized de novo or acquired from the diet. Disturbance cues are released by startled but noninjured prey. Alarm cues are chemicals released by damaged tissue injured by a predator’s attack, or after passage through the digestive system of a predator (dietary alarm cues). Prey species are adept at detecting the odor of predators. Experience plays a role in allowing prey to learn to associate risk with visual and chemical correlates of predation risk. Prey respond to chemical cues of predation risk by adopting antipredator behaviors, shifting foraging and reproductive behaviors in a risksensitive fashion, producing morphological defences, and by shifting life-history traits. Future work should be directed at a more precise knowledge of the mechanisms of chemical communication (the chemical nature of the cues and the physiology of olfactory receptors) and better understanding of the role of chemical cues in shaping multispecies ecosystems, preferably from field experiments.

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  1. Department of Biology, Minnesota State University, Moorhead, MN, 56563, USA

    Brian D. Wisenden

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  1. Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia

    Shaun P. Collin

  2. Vision Touch and Hearing Research Centre School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia

    N. Justin Marshall

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Wisenden, B.D. (2003). Chemically Mediated Strategies to Counter Predation. In: Collin, S.P., Marshall, N.J. (eds) Sensory Processing in Aquatic Environments. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-22628-6_12

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