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<p>Prey fishes rely on chemosensory information to assess local predation threats and make appropriate behavioural decisions. However, localized anthropogenic activities in rivers may disrupt information reliability and availability of such information, resulting in increased uncertainty of predation risk. In Trinidad, rivers are used for recreational activities, which can introduce various disturbances, leading to uncertainty of risk among prey. Here, we test the potential impacts of localized human recreational activities on the perception of predation risks among female Trinidadian guppies (<i>Poecilia reticulata</i>). We conducted behavioural observations under semi-natural conditions within pools at or above sites exposed to human disturbance in two rivers differing in ambient predation risk. In experiment 1, we exposed focal guppies to alarm cues, a novel odour, or a stream-water control. Guppies in both populations showed similar responses when tested at or above disturbed sites, suggesting that human activities did not significantly alter the perception of chemosensory cues. In experiment 2, the introduction of turbidity had significant effects on the response to chemosensory cues. Guppies from the low predation population exhibited increased neophobic responses within disturbed sites, compared to lowly disturbed sites. Conversely, guppies from the high predation population exhibited a weaker response to alarm cues at sites exposed to high levels of human recreational activity. These results underscore the importance of studying the impacts of human disturbances on wild streams, as they can lead to unpredictable outcomes. Understanding how anthropogenic activities influence prey perception and behaviours is critical for effective conservation and management strategies in aquatic ecosystems.</p>

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Effects of recreational disturbance history on female Trinidadian guppies’ responses to chemical predation cues

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月11日

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  • Alix J. P. Brusseau,
  • Félixe Dumaresq-Synnott,
  • Jade Morris,
  • Abigail C. Nagl,
  • Adam L. Crane,
  • Grant E. Brown

摘要

Prey fishes rely on chemosensory information to assess local predation threats and make appropriate behavioural decisions. However, localized anthropogenic activities in rivers may disrupt information reliability and availability of such information, resulting in increased uncertainty of predation risk. In Trinidad, rivers are used for recreational activities, which can introduce various disturbances, leading to uncertainty of risk among prey. Here, we test the potential impacts of localized human recreational activities on the perception of predation risks among female Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata). We conducted behavioural observations under semi-natural conditions within pools at or above sites exposed to human disturbance in two rivers differing in ambient predation risk. In experiment 1, we exposed focal guppies to alarm cues, a novel odour, or a stream-water control. Guppies in both populations showed similar responses when tested at or above disturbed sites, suggesting that human activities did not significantly alter the perception of chemosensory cues. In experiment 2, the introduction of turbidity had significant effects on the response to chemosensory cues. Guppies from the low predation population exhibited increased neophobic responses within disturbed sites, compared to lowly disturbed sites. Conversely, guppies from the high predation population exhibited a weaker response to alarm cues at sites exposed to high levels of human recreational activity. These results underscore the importance of studying the impacts of human disturbances on wild streams, as they can lead to unpredictable outcomes. Understanding how anthropogenic activities influence prey perception and behaviours is critical for effective conservation and management strategies in aquatic ecosystems.