Pheromones Released by Invasive Great Lakes Fish Can Be Extracted From Water and Used for Control
Ann Arbor, MI — When researchers are trying to identify fish pheromones (chemical signals that pass among individuals of the same species), they analyze their holding water. This is a great challenge because the actual quantities of such pheromones are miniscule.
Researchers overcame this challenge by developing a procedure to identify the sea lamprey pheromone, trapping a cue so potent that if a single pound flowed over Niagara Falls, it could still be detected for several weeks.
Pheromones clearly have potential to help control invasive fishes, such as sea lampreys and Asian carp.
"If we release pheromones into or near traps, we can lure the fish, but first we need to collect and identify these chemical cues," explains Jared Fine, who recently earned his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. "Now, we have developed a practical means to accomplish this."
The few fish pheromones identified to date come from various body parts and are detected by analyzing their water. Fish holding water is pumped through a special filter called XAD resin, to which the lamprey pheromone sticks and is later removed safely, easily, and inexpensively.
The method was developed to help control sea lampreys, and has potential application for other invasive fishes in the Great Lakes.
Original Publication Information
Results of this study "A Practical Method for Obtaining Useful Quantities of Pheromones from Sea Lamprey and Other Fishes for Identification and Control," are reported by Jared M. Fine, Sean P. Sisler, Lance A. Vrieze, William D. Swink and Peter W. Sorensen in the latest issue (Volume 32, No. 4, pp. 832-838) of the Journal of Great Lakes Research, published by the International Association for Great Lakes Research, 2006.
Contacts
For more information about the study, contact Peter Sorensen, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108; soren003@umn.edu; (612) 624 4997.
For information about the Journal of Great Lakes Research, contact Marlene Evans, Editor, National Water Research Institute, Environment Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3H5, Canada; jglr@ec.gc.ca; (306) 975-5310.
Links
Since 1967, IAGLR has served as the focal point for compiling and disseminating multidisciplinary knowledge on North America's Laurentian Great Lakes and other large lakes of the world and their watersheds. In part, IAGLR communicates this knowledge through publication of the Journal of Great Lakes Research, available to members in print and electronic form. A searchable archive of the journal is available online and includes the abstracts of articles from the journal's inception in 1975 through the most recent issue. In addition, complete articles are available to members who have signed up for an electronic subscription.