Meeting Abstract
Cephalopods depend on multiple sensory systems for predator detection. In this study we examine the role of two sensory systems, the lateral line analogue and vision, in successful predator evasion of squid throughout ontogeny. Squid Doryteuthis pealeii and Lolliguncula brevis were recorded using high-speed videography in the presence of natural predators under light and dark conditions with their lateral line analogue intact and ablated via a pharmacological technique. Paralarval squid showed reduced escape responses when ablated, indicating that the lateral line analogue is important for predator detection early in life. Ablated juveniles and adults had lower response times, escape velocities and peak acceleration than non-ablated individuals, indicating that the lateral line analogue enables squid to respond quicker and with more powerful jets to a predator and maximize escape success. Throughout ontogeny, squid oriented themselves anteriorly towards the oncoming predator, maximizing sensory input to the lateral line analogue system and providing better positioning for tail-first escape jetting. Our findings reveal that the lateral line analogue contributes to predator detection and successful escape response at the earliest life stages, and continues to add to successful evasion by aiding visual cues in juvenile and adult squid.
