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A blind fish can school

T J Pitcher, B L Partridge, C S Wardle

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |November 26, 1976
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Fish can school without sight, relying on their lateral line system. Blinded fish joined schools, but those with damaged lateral lines could not, highlighting its importance in schooling behavior.

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    Area of Science:

    • Marine Biology
    • Animal Behavior
    • Sensory Neuroscience

    Background:

    • Fish schooling is a complex behavior crucial for survival.
    • The sensory modalities involved in fish schooling, particularly vision and the lateral line system, are actively researched.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the role of vision and the lateral line organ in the schooling behavior of saithe (Pollachius virens).
    • To determine if fish can school without visual input and assess the necessity of the lateral line system.

    Main Methods:

    • Five saithe (Pollachius virens) were blinded with opaque eye covers and introduced to a school.
    • A separate group of five saithe had their lateral lines severed at the opercula and were also blinded.
    • Schooling behavior was observed in an annular tank, noting fish position and response to movement.

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    Main Results:

    • Blinded saithe were able to join and maintain position within a school, indicating vision is not essential for initial entry or sustained schooling.
    • Blinded saithe showed some response to conspecific movements, though quantitative differences in reaction times were observed.
    • Saithe with severed lateral lines and blinded eyes were unable to school, demonstrating the critical role of the lateral line system.

    Conclusions:

    • Vision is not a prerequisite for saithe to join or remain within a school.
    • The lateral line organ plays a crucial role in enabling saithe to school, particularly in the absence of visual cues.
    • While schooling without vision is possible, the lateral line is indispensable for coordinated group behavior in saithe.