OLFACTION IN FISH: A SURVEY OF THE LITERATURE,
Abstract
The study of the role played by olfaction in a fish's life began with the clarification of whether a fish smells food. After it had been established that fish do have a sense of smell, a number of investigations were made which per mitted the conclusion that for many species of fish odor is the deciding factor in the search for food. So far, attempts to isolate compounds which attract fish have not met with success. In the study of olfaction in the life of fish, an important role has been played by the method of conditioned reflexes. It has been established that some chemical substances are perceived in insignificant amounts by fish. The ability to distinguish between the odors of certain aquatic plants has been shown in Hyborhync2us notatus; in Phoxinus the ability to differentiate ac curately the odor not only of specimens of other families, but also the smells of specimens from their own family. Repellents were found for some non-agressive fish (Phoxinus, salmons). The Phoxinus were repelled by purino- and pterino like substances isolated from their own skin; the salmons were frightened by alpha-serine, isolated from the skin of mammals. Recently begun investigations into the role of olfaction in the movement of fish show that the olfactory organ in salmons, eels and certain species of perch plays a decisive role in orientation. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 02, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0410651
Entities
People
- B.a. Flerov
Organizations
- Joint Publications Research Service