Seasonal Loss of Alarm Substance Cells in Chrosomus neogaeus, Notropis venustus and N. whipplei

Copeia ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 1983 (3) ◽  
pp. 822 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. F. Smith ◽  
J. D. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Alarm Substance ◽  
Alarm Substance Cells

THE FRIGHT REACTION IN NORTH AMERICAN FISH

1963 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Pfeiffer
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Alarm Substance ◽  
Fish Skin ◽  
Cyprinid Species ◽  
Fright Reaction ◽  
Skin Physiology ◽  
Alarm Substance Cells

The fright reaction was found in five species of North American Cyprinidae including the predaceous northern squawfish, and in two species of Catostomidae. The threshold for Cyprinidae is 1/1000 N ("normal") extract or lower, that for Catostomidae at least a 1/100 N extract. The cyprinid species reacted very strongly to extract from other Cyprinidae but less strongly to catostomid extract; catostomid species reacted strongly to extract from other Catostomidae but less strongly to cyprinid extract. Salmon extract did not produce any reaction in Cyprinidae or Catostomidae. The epidermis of all species studied contained alarm substance cells; the epidermis of the Catostomidæ was very similar to that of the Cyprinidae. There was a relationship between number and size of the alarm substance cells (histology) and the quantity of alarm substance in the fish skin (physiology). The ability to respond to the alarm substance first appeared in young redside shiners at an age of 42 days, in young zebrafish at an age of 32 days, when the fish were kept at 26 °C.

scholarly journals Epidermal ‘alarm substance’ cells of fishes maintained by non-alarm functions: possible defence against pathogens, parasites and UVB radiation

2007 ◽  
Vol 274 (1625) ◽  
pp. 2611-2619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas P Chivers ◽  
Brian D Wisenden ◽  
Carrie J Hindman ◽  
Tracy A Michalak ◽  
Robin C Kusch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Information ◽  
Alarm Substance ◽  
Alarm Cues ◽  
Uvb Radiation ◽  
Ecological Role ◽  
Saprolegnia Ferax ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Cell Production ◽  
Saprolegnia Parasitica ◽  
Alarm Substance Cells

Many fishes possess specialized epidermal cells that are ruptured by the teeth of predators, thus reliably indicating the presence of an actively foraging predator. Understanding the evolution of these cells has intrigued evolutionary ecologists because the release of these alarm chemicals is not voluntary. Here, we show that predation pressure does not influence alarm cell production in fishes. Alarm cell production is stimulated by exposure to skin-penetrating pathogens (water moulds: Saprolegnia ferax and Saprolegnia parasitica ), skin-penetrating parasites (larval trematodes: Teleorchis sp. and Uvulifer sp.) and correlated with exposure to UV radiation. Suppression of the immune system with environmentally relevant levels of Cd inhibits alarm cell production of fishes challenged with Saprolegnia . These data are the first evidence that alarm substance cells have an immune function against ubiquitous environmental challenges to epidermal integrity. Our results indicate that these specialized cells arose and are maintained by natural selection owing to selfish benefits unrelated to predator–prey interactions. Cell contents released when these cells are damaged in predator attacks have secondarily acquired an ecological role as alarm cues because selection favours receivers to detect and respond adaptively to public information about predation.

Effect of hormone treatments on alarm substance cell counts in the pearl dace, Semotilus margarita

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeaniene D. Smith ◽  
R. J. F. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Mucous Cell ◽  
Cell Loss ◽  
Alarm Substance ◽  
Androgen Treatment ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Sexual Characteristics ◽  
Alarm Substance Cells ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Induced Changes

The seasonal loss of alarm substance cells that normally occurs in breeding male and female pearl dace, Semotilus margarita, could not be induced by treatment with androgen, estrogen, salmon gonadotropin, or prolactin. Treatment with carp pituitary did lead to a significant reduction in alarm substance cell numbers. Androgen treatment induced changes in tuberculation and mucous cell counts. Salmon gonadotropin and carp pituitary increased breeding colouration. Prolactin treatment increased mucous cell counts. The lack of response of pearl dace alarm substance cells to androgen contrasts with the situation in fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas, where seasonal alarm substance cell loss is under androgen control. The difference may reflect differences in the annual cycle of secondary sexual characteristics.

Male fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas Rafinesque) retain their fright reaction to alarm substance during the breeding season

1976 ◽  
Vol 54 (12) ◽  
pp. 2230-2231 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. F. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Alarm Substance ◽  
Skin Extract ◽  
Fathead Minnows ◽  
Fright Reaction ◽  
Alarm Substance Cells

In laboratory and field tests, breeding male fathead minnows respond to conspecific skin extract with a fright reaction despite their own seasonal loss of alarm substance cells. Their fright reaction is facilitated by the presence of other fatheads.

The ventral adhesive disc of the clingfish Gobiesox maeandricus: integumental structure and adhesive mechanisms

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 1610-1619 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Green ◽  
D. Louise Barber
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Adhesive Force ◽  
Alarm Substance ◽  
Irregular Surfaces ◽  
Disc Surface ◽  
Adhesive Disc ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Alarm Substance Cells

Light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy of the ventral adhesive disc of the northern clingfish, Gobiesox maeandricus, demonstrate that two distinct types of epidermis are present on the disc surface. Most of the disc is covered with cuboidal epithelium in which four cell types can be distinguished: acidophil cells, mucous cells, epithelial cells, and "alarm substance" cells. The surfaces of the epithelial cells feature whorled microridges typical of teleost epidermis. Near the margin of the disc, on the lateral fin rays, and in discrete raised patches inside the disc are papillae of stratified columnar epithelium. The surface cells of these papillae are microvillous and secrete a noncellular cuticle which is firmly anchored to the microvillous surface of the papillae. The cuticle is not adhesive. It contains keratin-like proteins but no mucins or mucoproteins are demonstrable histochemically. Connective tissue layers and muscle underlying the epidermis of the disc are arranged to provide structural integrity and shock absorption while allowing some flexibility to the disc and papillae. The adhesive force generated by the disc was demonstrated using a pressure transducer. Negative pressure decays over time and is periodically renewed by the fish. Thus suction is largely maintained passively and the disc's seal is subject to some leakage. The fish can also actively apply suction pressure when agitated but fatigues and cannot sustain high negative pressures for long. The epidermal papillae, coupled with the fish's ability to flex the disc, represent an additional gripping mechanism for irregular surfaces. The papillary surface cuticle apparently acts as an abrasion-resistant, frictional surface.

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