Meeting Abstract

1.1  Sunday, Jan. 4  Predation history and the evolution of antipredator behavior in threespine stickleback fish WUND, Matthew A.*; FOSTER, Susan A.; BAKER, John A.; Clark University; Clark University; Clark University mwund@clarku.edu

Isolated populations of threespine stickleback fish encounter various predator assemblages, and thus might exhibit substantial variation in antipredator behavior, and the underlying endocrine stress response. Ancestral, oceanic stickleback populations encounter many predators, including predatory fish, while derived, freshwater populations typically experience reduced predator assemblages. In particular, many lakes contain native predatory fish while others do not, and in many Alaskan lakes historically lacking predatory fish, game trout have recently been introduced. We are investigating whether these differences in predation history have led to differences in antipredator behavior and baseline and post-stress cortisol levels among stickleback populations. Preliminary results indicate that antipredator behavior covaries with predation regime in wild-caught fish, but this relationship is diminished in laboratory reared fish, suggesting a prominent role for learning. We are currently exploring whether cortisol levels differ among populations, and if this variation relates to predation history.