This document summarizes research on the relationship between fathead minnows and northern pikes through the use of alarm pheromones. The researchers conducted experiments using different types of controls and experimental groups of fathead minnows to observe their behaviors when exposed to predators. Their findings showed that when fathead minnows are exposed to predators, they release alarm pheromones that attract other predators but also deter the initial predator's attack. It also causes increased shoaling behavior and shelter use in fathead minnows to avoid predation.

1. By: Stephanie Blickenstaff

2. Fathead minnows
{Pimephales promelas}
Brook stickleback
{Culaea inconstan}
Green swordtail
{Xiphophorous helleri}
Iowa darters
{Etheostoma exile}
Northern pike
{Esox lucius}
Rainbow trout
{Oncorhynchus mykiss}

3. Alarm pheromones
 Attract or Deter
 Chemical and Visual Cues
 Involuntary Alarm Signals
 Voluntary Alarm Signals
Most common behavior: FRIGHT!
Fright Responses:
ACTIVITY SHELTER USE SHOALING

6. Researchers
 Douglas P. Chivers
 Alicia Mathis
 R. Jan. F. Smith
 Grant E. Brown
Experiment and research the relation between
Fathead Minnows and Northern Pikes through
Alarm Pheromones.

7. Observation/Behavior
Types of Controls : Types of Experimental:
• Occurrence of escape • Escape with second
w/out second predator predator
• Breeding minnows • Non-breeding minnows
• Distilled water • Skin extract
1 Minnow + 1st Pike= Release
alarm pheromone  2nd pike
interferes in the predation event.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uv5hKBuHNg

8. Statistics
 Time handling- 104 seconds w/out 2nd predator
 Shoaling- increased 100% conspecifics AS
 Use of shelter- 1st instinct  succeeded more than 50%
 Feeding time- decreased z=-2.25, p. 0.02
 Freezing time- for 6 minutes

9. Conclusion
Signaling substances :
Minnows:
 exposure
 attract predator
 assault  deter predator
 confinement  inform conspecifics
 consumption of prey

10. References
 Brown, G. E. and R. JF. Smith. 1997. Conspecific skin extracts elicit antipredator responses in juvenile
rainbow trout (Oncoryhnus mykiss). Canadian Journal of Zoology. 75: 1916-1922.
 Chivers, D. P., G. E. Brown, and R. JF. Smith. 1996. The Evolution of Chemical Alarm Signals: Attracting
Predators Benefits Alarm Signal Senders. The American Society of Naturalists. 148: 649-659.
 Mathis, A. and R. JF. Smith. 1993. Intraspecific and Cross-Superorder Responses to Chemical Alarm
Signals by Brook Stickleback. Ecological Society of America. 74: 2395-2404.
 Mathis, A. and R. JF. Smith. 1993. Chemical labeling of northern pike (Esox lucius) by the alarm
pheromone of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Journal of Chemical Ecology. 19: 1967-1979.
 Mathis, A., D. P. Chivers, and R. JF. Smith. 1996. Cultural transmission of predator recognition in fishes:
intraspecific and interspecific learning. The Association for the study of Animal Behavior. 51: 185-201.
 Mathis, A., D. P. Chivers, and R. JF. Smith. 1995. Chemical Alarm Signals Predator Deterrents or
Predator Attractants? The American Naturalist. 145: 994-1005.
 Wisenden, B. D. 2000. Olfactory assessment of predation risk in the aquatic environment. The Royal
Society., 355: 1205-1208.
Wisenden, B. D., D. P. Chivers, and R. JF. Smith. 1995. Early warning in the predation sequence: A
disturbance pheromones in Iowa darters (Etheostoma exile). Journal of Chemical Ecology. 21: 1469-1480.
 Wisenden, B. D., D. P. Chivers, G. E. Brown, and R. JF Smith. 1995. The role of experience in
risk assessment: Avoidance of areas chemically labeled with fathead minnow alarm
pheromone by conspecifics and heterospecifics. Ecoscience. 2: 116- 122.
 Zimmer, R. K. and C. A. Butman. 2000. Chemical Signaling Processes in the Marine
Envronment. The Biological Bulleting. 198: 168-187.