Journal Article
Chemoorientation in the feeding behavior of the blind Mexican cavefish Astyanax fasciatus (Characidae, Teleostei)
Kasumyan, A. O. and Marusov, E. A.
Record Number:
2904
Year:
2015
Journal:
Russian Journal of Ecology
Pages:
559-563
Volume:
46
Abstract:
It was shown for the first time that the perception of the blind Mexican cavefish Astyanax fasciatus of the odour of food and targeted food search in response to it is completely controlled by olfaction. Blockage of olfactory reception deprives the fish of this ability. The odour concentration threshold (water extract of chironomid larvae) is 10-5 g/L. It is suggested that degeneration of visual organs does not intensify olfaction in troglobiont cavefish, but can cause its insignificant correction. Chronic anosmia (4 months) leads to weak recovery of chemoorientation, which supports the possession of external taste reception in blind cavefish.
Times Cited:
1
Relevent Species: