Communication Channel catfish

1 communication

1.1 chemical communication
1.2 distinction between communication signal , information signal
1.3 sound production
1.4 hearing
1.5 communication predators

communication

the channel catfish adapted limited light conditions. members of genus ictalurus, inhabit muddy waters, not depend solely on visual cues. instead, known rely heavily on chemotaxic cues. sound production may important means of communication among channel catfish , other species living in turbid habitats.

chemical communication

the north american channel catfish ostariophysan, or bony fish occupying freshwater habitat. these fishes known produce club cells , alarm substances communication purposes. both fish’s habitat , presence of chemosensory cells covering body presumably results of favored selection method of communication. catfishes capable of producing , recognizing individual specific pheromones. through these pheromones, catfish can identify not species , sex of conspecific, age, size, reproductive state, or hierarchical social status.

territoriality in channel catfish identifiable change in body odor, recognizable other members of same species. chemical change in amino acid composition of skin mucus can noted chromatographic methods, , not long-lasting; rather, last long enough communicate other fish in vicinity. changes may result of release of contents of club cells. these cells not open directly surface of skin, injury caused fighting , other agonistic behaviors may release cells’ contents. since catfish have dominance hierarchy system, information relative change of status of fish important in recognition of social strata.

distinction between communication signal , information signal

in channel catfish, while communication signal directed toward receiver , contains specific message, information signal part of general existence of individual or group. example, release of alarm signal communicate danger, individual’s recognition odor information signal identifying 1 fish another. regards function , contents of club cells, reasonable suggest club cells serve different functions throughout fish’s life cycle. variation in contents of club cells’ information signals therefore may change species’ needs @ different stages of life.

sound production

all species of catfishes can generate sound through stridulation, , many produce sounds through drumming. stridulation consists of clicking or grinding of bony parts on fish’s pectoral fins , pectoral girdle, , drumming consists of contraction of specialized sonic muscles subsequent reverberation through swimbladder. variability in sound signals created channel catfish depends on mechanism sound produced, function of resultant sound, , physical factors such sex, age, , temperature. variation may result in increased complexity of outgoing signal , may allow increased usefulness of signal in interspecies communication. in channel catfish, sounds produced pectoral stridulation, species not express sonic muscles. however, swimbladder may still used audition.

due high density of water, sound travels 4.8 times faster , on longer distances underwater in air. consequently, sound production via stridulation excellent means of underwater communication channel catfish. pectoral spine of channel catfish enlarged fin ray modified base forms complex articulation several bones of pectoral girdle. unlike other pectoral fin rays, individual fin segments of spine hypertrophied , fused, except @ distal tip. surface of spine ornamented serrated edge , venomous tissues, designed deter predators. sounds produced during fin abduction result movement of base of pectoral spine across pectoral girdle channel. each sweep of sound consists of number of discrete pulses created ridges lining base of pectoral spine pass on rough surface of girdle’s channel. stridulation sounds extremely variable due range , flexibility of motion in fin use. different sounds may used different functions in communication, such in behavior towards predators , in asserting dominance.

in many channel catfish individuals favor 1 fin or stridulatory sound production (in same way humans right-handed or left-handed). first ray of channel catfish pectoral fin bilaterally symmetrical spinous structure minimally important movement; however, can locked defensive adaptation or used means sound production. according 1 scholar, fish tend produce sound right fin, although sound production left fin has been observed.

hearing

the inferior division of inner ear, prominently utricle, considered primary area of hearing in fishes. hearing ability of channel catfish enhanced presence of swimbladder. main structure reverberates echo other individuals’ sounds, sonar devices. volume of swimbladder changes if fish move vertically, , considered site of pressure sensitivity. latency of swimbladder adaptation after change in pressure affects hearing , other possible swimbladder functions, presumably making audition more difficult. nevertheless, presence of swimbladder , relatively complex auditory apparatus allows channel catfish discern different sounds , tell directions sounds have come.

communication predators

pectoral stridulation has been considered main means of agonistic communication towards predators in channel catfish. sudden, relatively loud sounds used startle predators in manner analogous well-documented, visual flash display of various lepidopterans. in catfish, drumming sound can produced use, , incidences of drumming sounds can reach 300 or 400 per second. however, channel catfish must resort instead stridulation sounds , pectoral spine display predator avoidance. in addition communication towards predators, stridulation can seen possible alarm signal other catfish, in sense of warning nearby individuals predator near.