Culaea inconstans

Gee, J.H. and Holst, H.M. (1992). Buoyancy regulation by the sticklebacks Culaea inconstans and Pungitius pungitius in response to different salinities and water densities. Canadian Journal of Zoology 70,1590-1594. 

In this paper we review learned recognition of heterospecific alarm cues by prey fishes. We do this by providing a case study of the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)/bTOok stickleback Culaea inconstans) alarm systems. Fathead minnows and brook stickleback commonly occur together in a diversity of water bodies. They share a similar suite of predators and consequently cross-species responses to alarm cues should be highly advantageous. 

Pollock, M. S., Chivers, D. P., Mirza, R. S. and Wisenden, B. D., 2003, Fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas, learn to recognize chemical alarm cues of introduced brook stickleback, Culaea inconstans, Em. Biol. Fish. 66 313-319. 

In the past decade the protocol in most trap experiments has involved the use of distilled water as the sole control treatment. For example, Chivers and Smith (1994c) demonstrated that brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) avoided conspecific skin extract over distilled water. The stickleback captured in traps marked with skin extract were significantly smaller than those individuals captured in traps marked with water, implicating experience or physiological development as critical factors in the development of anti-predator behavior. 

Table 2. Summary of stickleback (Culaea inconstans) responses in trap experiments (SB=stickleback FHM=fathead minnow SWT=swordtail DW=distilled water).

Chivers, D.P, Brown, G.E. Smith, R.J.F. 1995. Acquired recognition of chemical stimuli from pike, Esox Indus, by brook sticklebacks, Culaea inconstans, (Osteichthyes, Gasterosteidae). Ethology, 99, 234—242. 

Gelowitz, C.M., Mathis, A. Smith, R.J.F. 1993. Chemosensory recognition of northern pike Esox Indus) by brook stickleback Culaea inconstans) population differences and the influence of predator diet. Behaviour, 127y 105-118... 

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