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Evolutionary, molecular and comparative zoology
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 54(6)

Behavioural responses of Australian freshwater crayfish (Cherax cainii and Cherax albidus) to exotic fish odour

S. G. Height A B and G. J. Whisson A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Applied Biosciences, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: s.height@exchange.curtin.edu.au

Australian Journal of Zoology 54(6) 399-407 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO06011
Submitted: 18 January 2006  Accepted: 27 November 2006   Published: 9 January 2007

Abstract

Exotic finfish and crayfish have been translocated into Western Australia for more than 100 years. Deliberate stocking and subsequent escape from man-made impoundments have resulted in widespread distribution of non-native yabbies (Cherax albidus) and the exotic redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis) in the State’s south-west. Both species are considered invasive and are known to compete with indigenous species for resources. The nature and degree of impact on native marron (Cherax cainii) is unclear and the subject of current debate. Other researchers have hypothesised that invasive species modify their behaviour in the presence of predators in a more rapid and advantageous manner than native species. This greater behavioural plasticity can result in displacement of indigenous species and successful colonisation of invaders. The aim of this study was to investigate behavioural responses of an indigenous crayfish (C. cainii) and an invasive crayfish (C. albidus) to odours from a native predator (Tandanus bostocki) and an exotic predatory fish (P. fluviatilis) present in Western Australia. Crayfish behaviour was observed in individual glass tanks following the addition of odours from native (T. bostocki) or exotic (P. fluviatilis) finfish predators. Marron exhibited minor behavioural modifications when presented with odours from native or exotic finfish. In contrast, the invasive yabby showed greater detection of odours, displaying significant changes in behaviour (P < 0.05). Yabbies also appeared to distinguish between food odour (commercial crayfish feed) and predator odour; however, neither marron nor yabbies displayed behaviour indicating that they could distinguish between a native or exotic fish predator. Results support the hypothesis that invasive crayfish species have a greater capacity for behavioural plasticity than non-invasive crayfish.


Acknowledgments

Thanks to Tim Storer for technical assistance, Patrizia Acquistapace for advice and Tania Whisson for reviewing the manuscript.


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* The widespread, common marron was formerly Cherax tenuimanus (Austin and Ryan 2002). See also Molony et al. 2006.