Learning about danger by young hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis): are antipredator strategies ontogenetically plastic?

摘要: Some aquatic species are able to learn recognize chemical cues from predators through classical conditioning. In previous tests, laboratory-reared larval hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) showed weak antipredator responses introduced (trout) compared their native predators, such as bass and sculpin. However, hellbender larvae that were conditioned with conspecific alarm at six months of age learned trout odour, but the younger have not been tested ontogeny learning abilities is known. this study, we successfully trained (4 old) trout. Moreover, found (decreased activity) different those older (increased in study. This ontogenetic shift behaviour may result increasing locomotor sensory becoming more visible during 4-6 month time period.