Conspecific alarm substance differently alters group behavior of zebrafish populations: Putative involvement of cholinergic and purinergic signaling in anxiety- and fear-like responses
Alarm substance induces fear in zebrafish shoals of two populations. Leo shoals show pronounced basal defensive responses in comparison to WT fish. Only WT shows enhanced shoaling and diving response triggered by alarm substance. The cholinergic and purinergic systems may play a role in defensive behaviors.