Fish predatation and behaviors related to it have been extensively studied, but I have never seen any data suggesting this behavior in bass toward madtoms. A good many species of fishes include individual prey specialists, which is a matter of learning, so I suppose it is possible that some bass are madtom specialists; smallmouths do eat them. I would predict, however, that they are eaten in proportion to their availability to bass, or perhaps somewhat less frequently. Determining availability is a tricky thing. Usually, the closest we can come to it is to determine relative abundance of prey.
But the point about evolution is well taken. I will investigate to see if I can find any data in the literature that suggest an immunity to madtom venom in bass.
David L. McNeely, Ph.D., Professor of Biology
Langston University; P.O. Box 1500
Langston, OK 73050; email: dlmcneely-in-lunet.edu
telephone: (405) 466-6025; fax: 405) 466-3307
home page http://www.lunet.edu/mcneely/index.htm
"Where are we going?" "I don't know, are we there yet?"
----- Original Message -----
From: jlw-in-dune.net
Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 1:30 pm
Subject: RE: NANFA-L-- Michigan Chapter
> Don't forget also, that predators develop defenses against their
> prey'sdefenses. In other words, they can evolve to be list
> effected by venom, or its
> method of injection. Certainly individuals-in-any given time are
> going to be
> more effected than others -- we can see this even in human beings.
> I love hot
> peppers, and make a plate of chili that makes my S. O. want to
> leave the house
> (we'll pretend it's the CHILI that does that). Yet, I have a
> friend who thinks
> its "Not bad, a little weak."
>
> Fish are the same way -- one bass grabs a madtom and it's like a
> platefull of
> hot peppers. Another grabs one, thinks, "SPICY!" and heads off in
> search of
> another. :)
>
> JW.
>
> Quoting Christopher Gutmann <cgutmann-in-dupageforest.com>:
>
> > It is indeed a defensive mechanism in madtoms. Studies have
> demonstrated> that the venom causes temporary paralysis in some
> predatory fishes. In order
> > for the venom to be released, the integument around the spines
> needs to be
> > broken. In other words, an individual needs to suffer physical
> damage (i.e.,
> > be attacked) for the venom to be released. In pilot studies
> that I conducted
> > years ago, I observed madtoms frequently surviving attacks. As
> soon as the
> > predators were envenomated, they quickly spit out the madtom.
> Furthermore,> the predators in the study refrained from subsequent
> attacks on madtoms
> > during the trials. This, of course, may not be a universal
> response with all
> > predators, but it illustrates that madtoms can survive attacks
> from some
> > predators. Could the venom serve other purposes? Most
> certainly. However,
> > the delivery mechanism and the nature of the venom imply that it
> likely> evolved as an antipredatory response.
> >
> > Chris Gutmann
> > Des Plaines River drainage
> > Oak Brook, Illinois
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-nanfa-l-in-nanfa.org [owner-nanfa-l-in-nanfa.org]On Behalf Of
> > Bob Muller
> > Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 8:21 PM
> > To: nanfa-l-in-nanfa.org
> > Subject: NANFA-L-- Michigan Chapter
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Last week I gave a talk on native fishes to the Clinton Valley
> chapter of
> > Trout Unlimited. It was well received with lots of questions
> and interest in
> > the other fish in their trout streams. One question I have
> never gotten
> > before. In talking about the madtoms venom I was asked what
> for. I would
> > guess it helps them from being eaten any other ideas.
> >
> >
> >
> > Bob Muller
> >
> > Red Run (the ghost river of Royal Oak)
> >
> > a tributary of the Clinton River, Michigan
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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