Risk assessment via predator diet cues in a coral reef goby

摘要: Recent studies conducted in freshwater systems have shown that predator faeces can provide important chemosensory information to prey individuals. To date, no on the ability of assess risk through diet cues been undertaken coral reef ecosystems. Therefore, present study investigated whether conspecific chemical a goby (Asterropteryx semipunctatus) elicited an anti-predator response once they had passed gut common piscivore (the rock cod, Cephalopholis boenak). Predators were fed one two different diets: A. semipunctatus or Xiphophorus helleri for three consecutive days. Acclimated then exposed to: faecal containing digested X. helleri; cues; and seawater. A significant reduction moves feeding strikes was observed conspecifics, compared those helleri. This change behaviour similar magnitude exhibited towards cue, suggesting key component cue may not completely degrade during digestion process. is first document behavioural responses fish, highlighting effectiveness as method assessment.