Efeitos do álcool, percepção e comunicação de risco predatório em peixes zebra

Abstract

In prey-predator interactions, behavioral and hormonal changes can occur, besides as risk communication, already demonstrated in zebrafish through chemical cues. In addition, in several animal species, it is verified that the presence of dead conspecific induces antipredato-ry behavior. These events involved in the antipredator response can be useful for assessing the effects of alcohol on zebrafish. The goals of the present study were to evaluate the behavioral and neuroendocrine reaction of zebrafish in face of death, visual signals of conspecific at risk, and alcohol withdrawal. For this reason, we proceeded the exposure of zebrafish to dead con-specific, or only the water originated from dead conspecific (article 1). Visual contact with a group of zebrafish species exposed to the predator (article 2). Exposure to alcohol for 8 days, for 20 minutes per day, at a dose of 1%, analyzing distinct groups at day one and seven with-drawal (article 3). We verified antipredatory behavior and cortisol elevation, for fish in direct contact with dead conspecific, only with water from dead conspecific, or visualizing conspe-cific exposed to the predator. One day of alcohol withdrawal increased cortisol levels and caused anxiolytic-like behavior. Alcohol blunted the stress response at one and seven days after withdrawal. In this work was possible to better understand the risk perception and com-munication of this, as well as the effects of alcohol.