ESCAPE MANEUVERS OF SCHOOLING CLUPEA-HARENGUS

Paolo Domenici, Robert S Batty

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The escape behaviour of schooling herring startled by an artificial sound stimulus was observed by means of high speed video filming. Response latencies showed two distinct peaks, at 30 ms and c. 100 ms. Escape responses belonging to the two latency groups showed different turning rates during the first stage of the response, and showed different escape trajectories. We suggest that long latency escapes may be responses to startled neighbours or simply weak responses to the sound stimulus. In addition, the different contraction rates during the C-bend formation seen in the two latency groups may imply differences in the neuronal commands. The escape responses of herring were directed away from the stimulus more often than towards it (88% of the total). These away responses were more common in long latency responses, suggesting that the latter enable herring to be more accurate in discerning the direction of the threat. Startled fish contracting their body towards the stimulus (performing a towards response) appear to correct their escape course, since their escape trajectory distribution is non-uniformly distributed around 360 degrees and directed away from the stimulus. We hypothesize that when herring are schooling, the ability of each fish to correct its trajectory following turns towards the stimulus is enhanced.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)97-110
Number of pages14
JournalJ FISH BIOL
Volume45
Issue numbersup A
Publication statusPublished - 1994

Keywords

  • MAUTHNER CELL
  • FAST-START PERFORMANCE
  • BEHAVIOR
  • HERRING LARVAE
  • Marine & Freshwater Biology
  • KINEMATICS
  • Fisheries
  • TELEOST FISH
  • TROUT SALMO-GAIRDNERI
  • RETICULOSPINAL COMMAND NEURON
  • RESPONSES
  • ANGELFISH PTEROPHYLLUM-EIMEKEI

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