Benjamin M West
Karlie K Ditter
Alex S. Peterson
Robin D. Calfee
Zachary D Beaman
Mark L. Wildhaber
2023
<div class="html-p">Due to their invasiveness in North America, grass (<span class="html-italic">Ctenopharyngodon idella</span>), bighead (<span class="html-italic">Hypophthalmichthys nobilis</span>), and silver carp (<span class="html-italic">Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</span>) are management priorities. Comparing electrophysiological responses to olfactory cues, such as amino acids, could help identify stimuli to facilitate management efforts (i.e., repellants or baits). We assessed olfactory response magnitude to individual amino acids between fish species and amino acids using electro-olfactogram recording techniques (EOG). We measured EOG responses (peak EOG magnitude) of juvenile grass (<span class="html-italic">n</span><span> </span>= 21), bighead (<span class="html-italic">n</span><span> </span>= 21), and silver carp (<span class="html-italic">n</span><span> </span>= 22) to 10<sup>−4</sup><span> </span>molar amino acid solutions containing one of L-alanine, L-arginine, L-aspartic acid, L-asparagine, L-glutamine, or L-glutamic acid. Amino acid EOG responses differed across species; grass carp had the greatest mean EOG response. Statistical analyses showed no inter- or intra-specific differences in EOG response among amino acids. The greater EOG response of grass carp matched their selective grazing habits compared to more passive, generalist-tending, filter-feeding bighead and silver carp. All amino acids elicited significant EOG responses in all species, meaning they are candidates for future behavioral research. Such research could explore the management potential of amino acids, testing if amino acids are attractants or deterrents that could facilitate the removal of these fish by congregating and/or directing movement.</div>
application/pdf
10.3390/fishes8070334
en
MDPI
Herbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) exhibit greater olfactory response to amino acids than filter-feeding bighead (Hypophthalmichthysnobilis) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
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