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The role of the sensory systems of herring larvae in evading predatory fishes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

J.H.S. Blaxter  and
L.A. Fuiman
J.H.S. Blaxter
Affiliation:
Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, PO Box 3, Oban, Argyll, PA34 4AD
L.A. Fuiman
Affiliation:
Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, PO Box 3, Oban, Argyll, PA34 4AD
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Abstract

Herring (Clupea harengus L.) larvae, ranging from 8–35 mm T.L. were subjected to predation by juvenile herring and sprats (Sprattus sprattus L.) ranging from 80–160 mm T.L. Responses to attacks and non-threatening encounters were recorded by a TV system operated with infra-red light, which was invisible to both predator and prey. Records were made in both light and dark with larvae before and after the otic bullae filled with gas, before and after lateral line canal formation, and before and after chemical ablation of the neuromasts with streptomycin.

Larvae often responded with a C-start, turning away from the stimulus source, both in dark and light. Attacks on larvae occurred only in the light. Responsiveness to attacks was very low in the smaller larvae but increased as the otic bulla filled with gas and the lateral line canal developed. Larger larvae responded more often to attacks than to non-threatening encounters with predators. Vision seems to inhibit unnecessary responses since responsiveness was lower in the light than the dark for non-threatening encounters. Response distances were generally short, only 2–4 cm, with no substantial differences associated with sensory capability.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 70 , Issue 2 , May 1990 , pp. 413 - 427
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1990

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