Chemosensory Attraction to Home Stream Water and Conspecifics by Native Brook Trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, from two Southern New England Streams

Behavioral preference tests were used to determine whether native brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, from two distinct populations could chemically discriminate home stream water and stock-specific cues. Juveniles and adults from a local anadromous population demonstrated significant preferences for home stream water and conspecifics when these stimulants were paired with groundwater. However, these trout did not prefer home stream water when paired with water from an unfamiliar stream, nor chemical traces of sympatric juveniles when paired with those of allopatric juveniles. Juvenile brook trout from a freshwater resident population displayed the same chemosensory responses as the anadromous trout, although they demonstrated distinct seasonal differences in their behaviors. These landlocked juveniles also preferred home stream water when paired with water from an unfamiliar stream. Anosmic trout maintained significant preferences for home stream water and water conditioned by conspecifics over control w...