Social learning and its effect on conservation efforts in the Barrens Topminnow: an evaluation of conditioning and social learning as a viable longterm solution to evolutionary traps

The invasive Western Mosquitofish (WMF), Gambusia affinis, has facilitated the extinction and endangerment of multiple freshwater fish species, including the Barrens Topminnow (BTM), Fundulus julisia. In my study, I investigated if BTMs are capable of socially learning conditioned predator recognition, and I hypothesized that BTMs are capable of social learning and that such learning might improve survival of BTMs. To explore the role of conditioning and subsequent learning in the conservation of BTMs, I conducted a series of experiments in which I 1) attempted to condition BTMs to exhibit antipredator behavior when faced with WMF, and 2) created a situation in which naive BTMs could potentially learn from conditioned individuals. I found no evidence of conditioning or of social learning, and there were no significant differences in behavior, body condition, or survival among my treatment groups