Hierarchical response to prey stimuli and associated effects of hunger and foraging experience in the fifteen-spined stickleback, Spinachia spinachia (L.) |
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Authors: | M. I. Croy R. N. Hughes |
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Affiliation: | School of Biological Sciences, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, U.K. |
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Abstract: | Responsiveness of fifteen-spined sticklebacks, Spinachia spinachia (L.) to motility (rotating or still). size (larger or smaller), colour (red or green), shape (rectangular or tapered) and location (near bottom or surface of water) was investigated by presenting fish with binary choices of artificial prey, constructed from frozen mysids, trimmed, dyed and fixed to adjustable, motorized rods. Responsiveness was in the order movement > size > colour > shape = location. In natural situations, movement may distinguish edible from inedible objects, while size indicates profitability and feasibility for attack. Colour, shape and location are more specific stimuli. Sticklebacks familiar with Artemia are more responsive to red coloration, tapered shape and pelagic location, as opposed to green, rectangular and benthic characterizing Gammarus . |
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Keywords: | Spinachia spinachia visual cues prey selection experience hunger |
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