Kin discrimination in juvenile brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and the effect of odour concentration on kin preferences

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Abstract
Kin discrimination abilities have been demonstrated in juveniles of many salmonid species. In this study, two experiments were conducted to determine: (i) if juvenile brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) have the ability to discriminate kin based on chemosensory cues and (ii) the effect that odour concentration has on an individual's preference. In the first experiment, individuals spent more time in water conditioned by kin than in water conditioned by non-kin, indicating that juvenile brook trout have the ability to discriminate kin based on chemosensory cues. Individuals in the second experiment based preferences on both concentration and kinship. When odour concentrations were equal, individuals preferred water conditioned by kin over that conditioned by non-kin. However, if given a choice between high and low concentrations, individuals preferred the high concentration independent of kinship. Individuals may perceive the various odour concentrations as an indicator of shoal size and base preferences on these differences.