Predation latent alarm signals

Stabell OB, Ogbebo F, Primicerio R (2003) Inducible defences in Daphnia depend on latent alarm signals from conspecific prey activated in predators. Chem Senses 28 141-153... 

Table 1). This suggests that some type of predator labelling may be the functional mechanism after all, but that the chemical signals in question do not possess the instant releaser effects (Wilson and Bossert, 1963) normally associated with alarm pheromones. The signal type proposed here, denoted latent alarm signals, has recently been described in aquatic invertebrates (Stabell et al., 2003). A short glance at the invertebrate story therefore seems appropriate. 

Latent alarm signals seem to be present in vertebrates, especially in tadpoles of fix)gs, and the existence of such signals may explain some basic evolution questions in e relationships between predators and prey. The presumable inactive compounds in question may be activated by the bacterial flora within the gut of predators, explaining why taxonomically different predators may release diverse responses within one single prey species. Knowing the exact source of the alarm signals will be of utmost importance for future work within predator-prey interactions. 

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