Olfactory sensitivity of the gilthead seabream (Sparus auratus L) to conspecific body fluids. | - CCMAR -

Journal Article

TitleOlfactory sensitivity of the gilthead seabream (Sparus auratus L) to conspecific body fluids.
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsHubbard, PC, Barata, EN, Canario, AVM
Year of Publication2003
JournalJ Chem Ecol
Volume29
Issue11
Date Published2003 Nov
Pagination2481-98
ISSN0098-0331
KeywordsAnimal Communication, Animals, Body Fluids, Electrophysiology, Female, Male, Olfactory Nerve, Sea Bream, Smell
Abstract

The potential for intraspecific chemical communication in the gilthead seabream (a marine perciform) was investigated by assessing the olfactory sensitivity to conspecific body-fluids (water occupied by conspecifics, intestinal fluid, urine, semen, egg fluid) by multiunit electrophysiological recording from the olfactory nerve. The olfactory system was responsive to water previously occupied by conspecifics, and the active compound(s) could be extracted by solid-phase extraction. The olfactory system was extremely sensitive to body fluids of sexually mature conspecifics: thresholds of detection were 1:10(7.4) (intestinal fluid), 1:10(6.1) (gametes), and 1:10(4.2) (urine). The olfactory system was also sensitive to amino acids with thresholds of detection from 10(-8.1) M (L-leucine) to 10(-6.1) M (L-phenylalanine). However, a range of other known fish odorants (steroids, bile acids, and prostaglandins) failed to evoke significant responses. Given the high olfactory sensitivity to intestinal fluid and the low urine release rates of marine compared with freshwater fish, we suggest that chemical communication is likely to be mediated via compounds present in the intestinal fluid rather than urine. Furthermore, the types of chemicals involved are likely to be different from those of freshwater fish. Their exact chemical identity and biological roles remain to be established.

Sapientia

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14682529?dopt=Abstract

Alternate JournalJ. Chem. Ecol.
PubMed ID14682529
CCMAR Authors