title: Effects of Lampricide on Olfaction and Behavior in Young-of-the-Year Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens).
abstract: The lampricide, 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM), is a primary component to sea lamprey control in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Though the lethal effects of TFM are well-known, the sublethal effects on fishes are virtually unknown. Here we studied the effects of TFM on the olfactory capabilities and behavior of young-of-the-year (YOY) lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). At ecologically relevant concentrations of TFM there was reduced olfactory response to all three cues (l-alanine, taurocholic acid, food cue) tested, suggesting that TFM inhibits both olfactory sensory neurons tested. Sturgeon exposed to TFM also showed a reduced attraction to the scent of food and reduced consumption of food relative to unexposed fish. Exposed fish were more active than control fish, but with slower acceleration. Fish were able to detect the scent of TFM, but failed to avoid it in behavioral trials. The connection between neurophysiological and behavioral changes, and the commonality of habitats between sturgeon and lamprey ammocoetes, suggests that there may be effects at the ecosystem level in streams that undergo lamprey control treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Lakehead University , 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1, Canada.
authors.forename: Kathrine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge , 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada.|Department of Biology, Trent University , 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8, Canada.
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Dew
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Lakehead University , 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1, Canada.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hecnar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge , 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada.
authors.forename: Gregory G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Pyle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology; D060106:Lakes; D008824:Michigan; D009596:Nitrophenols / Q000633:toxicity*; D012903:Smell / Q000187:drug effects*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D009596:Nitrophenols; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C003687:3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol