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Parents know best: transgenerational predator recognition through parental effects

Authors :
Jennifer A. Atherton
Mark I. McCormick
Source :
PeerJ, Vol 8, p e9340 (2020)
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
PeerJ Inc., 2020.

Abstract

In highly biodiverse systems, such as coral reefs, prey species are faced with predatory threats from numerous species. Recognition of predators can be innate, or learned, and can help increase the chance of survival. Research suggests that parental exposure to increased predatory threats can affect the development, behaviour, and ultimately, success of their offspring. Breeding pairs of damselfish (Acanthochromis polyacanthus) were subjected to one of three olfactory and visual treatments (predator, herbivore, or control), and their developing embryos were subsequently exposed to five different chemosensory cues. Offspring of parents assigned to the predator treatment exhibited a mean increase in heart rate two times greater than that of offspring from parents in herbivore or control treatments. This increased reaction to a parentally known predator odour suggests that predator-treated parents passed down relevant threat information to their offspring, via parental effects. This is the first time transgenerational recognition of a specific predator has been confirmed in any species. This phenomenon could influence predator-induced mortality rates and enable populations to adaptively respond to fluctuations in predator composition and environmental changes.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
21678359
Volume :
8
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
PeerJ
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.b18a915e3d124c0ea359353ab9782b8e
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9340