Alarm substance from adult zebrafish alters early embryonic development in offspring.
Alarm substances elicit behavioural responses in a wide range of animals but effects on early embryonic development are virtually unknown. Here we investigated whether skin injury-induced alarm substances caused physiological responses in embryos produced by two Danio species (Danio rerio and Danio albolineatus). Both species showed more rapid physiological development in the presence of alarm substance, although there were subtle differences between them: D. rerio had advanced muscle contraction and heart function, whereas D. albolineatus had advanced heart function only. Hence, alarm cues from injured or dying fish may be of benefit to their offspring, inducing physiological responses and potentially increasing their inclusive fitness.
Mourabit
S
S
Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Marine Science and Engineering, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
Rundle
S D
SD
Spicer
J I
JI
Sloman
K A
KA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000819:Animal Communication; D000818:Animals; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D004924:Escape Reaction / Q000502:physiology*; D056084:Genetic Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D006334:Heart Function Tests / Q000187:drug effects; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D010675:Pheromones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014741:Video Recording; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D010675:Pheromones