Multiple visual stimuli in Pacific staghorn sculpin Leptocottus armatus: Can fish modulate their escape response while escaping?

Abstract

The effect of multiple visual stimuli replicating predator strikes from two opposite sides were investigated in the Pacific staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus) at different time points during the escape response. To trigger the escape responses, we used a visual stimulation (e.g., a looming image of an approaching black circle) simulating a predator strike. For the control treatment, only a single visual stimulus was used while for the treatments we played a second stimulus, simultaneously or with a delay of 33 or 83 milliseconds. Our results revealed that a second stimulus with a delay of 33 ms affects the escape trajectory with a change of turning angle during the stage one of the escape response. Such findings tend to suggest that the sensory feedback mechanism modulates the escape response.