Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Extracellular Multi-Unit Recording from the Olfactory Nerve of Teleosts
Published on: October 6, 2020
An increase in pH boosts olfactory communication in sticklebacks
Jan Heuschele1, Ulrika Candolin
1Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, Helsinki 00014, Finland. jan.heuschele@helsinki.fi
Abstract:
Human-induced eutrophication is a serious environmental problem that constrains visual communication and influences the mate choice process in fishes. Eutrophication also changes the chemical environment and the pH of the water, which could influence the use of olfactory cues in mate choice. Here, we show that an increase in pH enhances the use of male olfactory cues in mate choice in three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus. In a laboratory choice experiment, gravid females were more attracted to male olfactory cues when pH was raised. This could compensate for impaired visual communication in eutrophied waters and facilitate adaptive mate choice.
Related Concept Videos
Fixed Action Patterns
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway
The olfactory...
Communication
Osmoregulation in Fishes
Olfaction
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...

