K. Håkan Olsén

Male goldfish reproductive behaviour and physiology are severely affected by exogenous exposure to 17β-estradiol

Mature male goldfish were exposed to different concentrations of the natural hormone 17beta-estradiol (E2). Two methods of exposure were employed, via ingestion at 0, 1, 10 and 100 microg/g food and via the water at 0, 1 and 10 microg/l. The fish were exposed for 24-28 days during the spawning period. The males were then paired with an artificially induced, spawning female and their sexual behaviour was observed during a 15 min period. The physiological status of the fish was also examined with respect to GSI, presence of milt and spawning tubercles and the blood plasma concentration of E2. Despite the relatively short exposure period, exposure to physiological levels of E2 was shown to severely affect the male goldfish reproductive behaviour and physiology. In conclusion, the results from this study and the ability to interpret the effects on this well-studied species, show that the effects of E2, and possibly other estrogenic EDCs, have severe effects at several vital levels of male goldfish reproduction. The results also suggests that the hormone E2 can act as an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) in the environment.

Changes in brain serotonergic activity during hierarchic behavior in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.) are socially induced

SummaryThe experiment was performed in two phases. During the first phase (phase 1) the dominance hierarchy was determined in 4 groups of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.), each group consisting of 4 fish. Phase 2 was started by rearranging phase 1 fish into 4 new groups. Group 1 consisted of previously dominant fish and groups 2, 3 and 4 of fish that previously held rank 2, 3 and 4, respectively. After phase 2 telencephalon and brain stem were analyzed with regard to their contents of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), the principle metabolite of 5-HT. No correlation was found between the social rank (measured as dominance index) during phase 1 and the brain serotonergic activity (measured as the ratio 5-HIAA/5-HT) determined after phase 2. However, most important, the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio was significantly correlated with the last experienced social rank, i.e. that acquired during phase 2. These results shows that the difference in brain serotonergic activity between dominant and subordinate fish develops through social interactions. Further, we found that previous subordinate experience inhibited aggressive behavior, an effect which, in the light of available information on stress and 5-HT, could be related to the increase in brain serotonergic activity. We hypothesize that stress induces an increased serotonergic activity which in turn inhibits the neuronal circuitry which mediates aggressive behavior.

17α-Ethinyl estradiol affects anxiety and shoaling behavior in adult male zebra fish (Danio rerio)

Ethinyl estradiol is a potent endocrine disrupting compound in fish and ubiquitously present in the aquatic environment. In this study, we exposed adult zebra fish (Danio rerio) males to 0, 5 or 25 ng Ethinyl estradiol/L for 14 days and analyzed the effects on non-reproductive behavior. Effects of treatment of the exposed males was shown by vitellogenin induction, while brain aromatase (CYP 19B) activity was not significantly altered. Both concentrations of Ethinyl estradiol significantly altered the behavior in the Novel tank test, where anxiety is determined as the tendency to stay at the bottom when introduced into an unfamiliar environment. The effects were, however, opposite for the two concentrations. Fish that were exposed to 5 ng/L had longer latency before upswim, fewer transitions to the upper half and shorter total time spent in the upper half compared with control fish, while 25 ng Ethinyl estradiol treatment resulted in shorter latency and more and longer visits to the upper half. The swimming activity of 25, but not 5 ng-exposed fish were slightly but significantly reduced, and these fish tended to spend a lot of time at the surface. We also studied the shoaling behavior as the tendency to leave a shoal of littermates trapped behind a Plexiglas barrier at one end of the test tank. The fish treated with Ethinyl estradiol had significantly longer latency before leaving shoal mates and left the shoal fewer times. Further, the fish exposed to 5 ng/L also spent significantly less time away from shoal than control fish. Fertilization frequency was higher in males exposed to 5 ng/L Ethinyl estradiol when compared with control males, while no spawning was observed after treatment with 25 ng/L. The testes from both treatment groups contained a normal distribution of spermatogenesis stages, and no abnormality in testis morphology could be observed. In conclusion, we have observed effects on two behaviors not related to reproduction in zebra fish males after treatment with Ethinyl estradiol, adding to the ecological consequences of contamination of aquatic environments with estrogenic substances.

Responses of Acilius sulcatus (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) to chemical cues from perch (Perca fluviatilis)

Abstract In this study we tested the hypothesis that the presence of chemical stimuli from a hungry predator would initiate anti-predator responses, while stimuli from a satiated predator would not. We used chemical stimuli released from starved perch (Perca fluviatilis) and from satiated perch (predator). As prey we used adult Acilius sulcatus (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae). The reaction of the beetles to different predator conditions was tested during daytime. We also tested the reaction to starved perch during the night. A. sulcatus activity decreased when it was exposed to stimuli released from starved perch during daytime when visibility was poor, due to the presence of artificial vegetation. There was, however, no reaction to satiated perch under the same experimental conditions. These results indicate that A. sulcatus can discriminate between chemical cues from hungry and satiated fish predators. When visibility was good and the concentration of chemical cues was constant, the beetles did not react to starved perch in the daytime, but their activity decreased at night in response to stimuli released from starved perch. Visual as well as chemical cues seem to be important for detecting a potential predator. When visibility is good, beetles seem to rely on visual stimuli, while in darkness they seem to use chemical stimuli to detect the presence of predators.

Downstream migration in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolt sibling groups

Previous studies have shown kin recognition abilities in salmonid fish. Some authors have suggested that the attraction of juvenile fish to siblings may indicate preference for shoaling with kin. T ...

Learning and sibling odor preference in juvenile arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus (L.)

The importance of learning for sibling odor preference in juvenile Arctic char was analyzed in the present study. Fish were reared in the following eight conditions: (1) communally with siblings for 15 months; (2) communally with siblings for 17 months; (3) in isolation since fertilization; (4) in isolation since fertilization and exposed to sibling scent during the whole rearing period; (5) in isolation since fertilization and exposed to sibling scent from time of free swimming; (6) in isolation since fertilization and exposed to sibling scent during the whole rearing period, except two months without scent until testing; (7) in isolation since fertilization and exposed to sibling scent from time of free swimming, except two months without scent until testing; and (8) communally with siblings followed by a two-month isolation until testing. Char were followed individually in a Y-maze (fluviarium test) with a video-computer-based image analysis system for 12 hr. Sibling-scented water was supplied to one lateral half of the test area and water from non-siblings on the opposite half. Isolated individuals without any preexposure to siblings showed no significant preference. Test fish reared with siblings and those that had been reared in isolation but exposed to sibling scent until testing preferred water conditioned by their own siblings. Isolated fish that had been exposed to sibling scent since fertilization, or since free swimming, followed by a two-month period with only pure water, showed no significant preference. Char isolated for two months after being communally reared preferred water scented by siblings. The results demonstrated that behavioral discrimination between siblings and nonsibling odors occurred after total isolation (isolated both from siblings and sibling odors) only in individuals that had been communally reared. This may suggest that social interactions are important for learning and long-term memory of sibling odors in Arctic char.

Comparing RADseq and microsatellites to infer complex phylogeographic patterns, an empirical perspective in the Crucian carp, Carassius carassius, L

The conservation of threatened species must be underpinned by phylogeographic knowledge. This need is epitomized by the freshwater fish Carassius carassius, which is in decline across much of its European range. Restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) is increasingly used for such applications; however, RADseq is expensive, and limitations on sample number must be weighed against the benefit of large numbers of markers. This trade‐off has previously been examined using simulation studies; however, empirical comparisons between these markers, especially in a phylogeographic context, are lacking. Here, we compare the results from microsatellites and RADseq for the phylogeography of C. carassius to test whether it is more advantageous to genotype fewer markers (microsatellites) in many samples, or many markers (SNPs) in fewer samples. These data sets, along with data from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, agree on broad phylogeographic patterns, showing the existence of two previously unidentified C. carassius lineages in Europe: one found throughout northern and central‐eastern European drainages and a second almost exclusively confined to the Danubian catchment. These lineages have been isolated for approximately 2.15 m years and should be considered separate conservation units. RADseq recovered finer population structure and stronger patterns of IBD than microsatellites, despite including only 17.6% of samples (38% of populations and 52% of samples per population). RADseq was also used along with approximate Bayesian computation to show that the postglacial colonization routes of C. carassius differ from the general patterns of freshwater fish in Europe, likely as a result of their distinctive ecology.

Reduction by a surfactant of olfactory mediated attraction between juveniles of arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.)

Abstract The effect of sublethal concentrations of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) on attraction to conspecific compounds was studied in juvenile Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus. In a fluviarium single fish were observed over nine consecutive 90-min test periods in darkness choosing between two flows, the one containing charr odour, the other not. After each 90-min period the flows were exchanged. Sixty-three subjects were tested. Four different types of test were run: control test; attraction test; attraction test after 96 h pre-exposure of test fish to 1–2 ppm LAS; attraction test with LAS distributed to all parts of the test area during four of the test periods. Intact charr always showed strong and steady attraction to water conditioned by conspecifics. Pre-exposure to 1–2 ppm LAS significantly reduced chemo-attraction. Simultaneous supply of 0.02 or 0.2 ppm LAS to the test area significantly decreased attraction, while 1.0 ppm LAS completely quenched the attraction. Chemo-attraction was still significantly reduced during the test period immediately after the supply of 0.02 or 1.0 ppm LAS was stopped. Locomotor activity was affected only during supply of 1.0 ppm LAS into the test area. The chemo-attraction studied in Arctic charr may possibly be used in behavioural-toxicity testing of xenobiotics in sublethal concentrations.

Chemoattraction of juvenile Arctic charr [Salvelinus alpinus (L.)] to water scented by conspecific intestinal content and urine

Abstract 1. 1. The preference behaviour of two summer Arctic charr to conspecific intestinal content and urine was studied in fluviarium tests. 2. 2. The intestinal content, following the pyloric caeca to the gut opening, and urine, collected with a catheter inserted into the urinary bladder, contained substances acting as attractants to the juvenile charr.

Effects of the SSRI citalopram on behaviours connected to stress and reproduction in Endler guppy, Poecilia wingei.

Psychoactive drugs, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) have been identified in high levels in effluents from Swedish sewage treatment plants (STP) at concentrations high enough to give pharmacological effects in fish. In humans SSRIs are used in the treatment of depression and they have anxiolytic effects. In the present study we exposed Endler guppy (Poecilia wingei) of both sexes to citalopram that showed the highest concentrations of SSRIs in STP effluents and studied reproductive and non-reproductive behaviour. Male courting behaviours were not affected compared to control fish after 14-28 days exposure to 1 μg L(-1). In two experiments exposing both sexes to 0.2, 2.3 or 15 μg L(-1) for 21 days, fish exposed to the two highest doses showed anxiolytic effects when placed in a novel environment (novel tank diving test, NT). Males were only affected by exposure to 15 μg L(-1). They had significantly longer latency to explore the upper half of the aquarium, more visits and longer time spent in the upper half, and showed less bottom freezing behaviour, all markers of anxiolytic behaviour. In females exposure to 2.3 or 15 μg L(-1) significantly increased freezing behaviour, while no effects on other behaviour variables were observed. No effects on shoaling behaviour could be discerned. These results show that citalopram have anxiolytic effects on guppy fish and thus affect ecologically relevant behaviours of importance to survival of fish.