Conference Paper
Vibration Attraction Behavior expression is prevalent among caves, but variable within caves
Espinasa, L., Retaux, S., Yoshisawa, M., Heintz, C. and Balogh-Robinson, R.
Record Number:
4311
Year:
2019
Journal:
AIM 2019
Pages:
61
Abstract:
Key to the adaptation of the cave environment by Astyanax mexicanus has been the evolution of
adaptive behaviors and the development of specialized sensory receptors. Vibration attraction
behavior (VAB) is the ability of fish to swim toward the source of a water disturbance in the
darkness. VAB has a genetic component and is linked to the mechanosensory function
of neuromasts within the orbital region, which are larger and consequently about twice as
sensitive in cavefish. VAB is evoked in both fry and adult cavefish by vibration stimuli peaking at
35 Hz, which is within the main range of water fluctuation produced by many crustaceans, and
thus an apparent adaptation for searching for food in the darkness. Despite its apparent adaptive
function for hunting while in the darkness of a cave, when first studied, VAB was described as
absent in some cave populations (Tinaja and Molino) but present in others in (Pachon, Piedras,
Toro and Los Sabinos). This posed a problem, as there is no apparent ecologic or
phylogeographic reason to explain such discordant distribution. The aim of this study was to test
the distribution of VAB in the field on multiple cave populations. Results showed that VAB is
actually present in both Tinaja and Molino cave populations, suggesting that, contrary to previous
reports, VAB evolved throughout the range of cavernicole Astyanax. But our results further
highlighted that VAB expression can actually vary between pools of the same cave. It is
hypothesized that individuals inhabiting pools with high abundance of organic matter have
reduced expression of VAB when compared to individuals in other pools of the same cave. Our
results suggest that VAB is a much more variable character, with the capability of induced
plasticity depending on local conditions. Such plasticity may be adaptive to fine-tune individuals
to the specific and local resources of available food.
Times Cited:
1
Conference Name:
Astyanax Interrnational Meeting
Relevent Species: