Immune challenge affects risk sensitivity and locomotion in mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki)

The immune system is crucial in responding to disease-causing pathogens. However, immune responses also generally cause stereotypical changes in behaviour known as sickness behaviours, which often include reduced activity. Sickness behaviours are thought to have an important role in conserving energy required to support the immune response, however little is known about how they manifest over time or in relation to risk, particularly in fishes. Here, we induced an immune response in mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) by inoculating them with E.coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We subsequently tested batches of fish at 24-hour intervals and examined: locomotory behaviour, tendency to use a refuge and response to a threat stimulus. There was no difference in behaviour between control and LPS-treated fish 1, 3, or 4 days post-inoculation. However, 2 days post-inoculation, LPS fish swam more slowly and spent more time in the refuge than control fish, although no difference in peak acceleration ..., Study Species
Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) measuring 20.4 ± 4.9 mm (mean ± standard deviation) were collected for use in the experiments in May 2023 from Manly Dam, Sydney (-33.806360 S, 151.235144 E). The mosquitofish is a small species of fish that inhabits shallow freshwater habitats and is preyed upon by a wide variety of predators, including fish, birds and insects (Pyke 2005). Prior to experiments, the fish were held for 1 week in 180 L vats held at a temperature of 23.1 ± 1°C and a 12:12 light:dark cycle in the animal holding rooms at the University of Sydney. Fish were fed daily ad libitum with commercially available fish flakes (Nutrafin).
Immune Challenge
Fish were randomly assigned to either LPS or control treatments (LPS-treated: N = 64, Control: N = 64). Groups of 8 individuals were placed in a 500mL bath of either LPS solution or plain aged tap water and left for 60 minutes before being transferred in their groups to separate 5L holding aquaria. Fish assigned to the L..., , # Immune challenge affects risk sensitivity and locomotion in mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki)

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.xsj3tx9q8](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.xsj3tx9q8)

The dataset contains data from an experiment examining the effects of LPS exposure on locomotion, exploratory behaviour and risk sensitivity in the mosquitofish (*Gambusia holbrookii*) over a period of 4 days both before and after a threat stimulus. All fish responded strongly to the threat stimulus.  It was found that LPS-treated individuals had significantly lower swimming speeds and spent significantly more time in the refuge 2 days post-inoculation both before and after the threat stimulus, but not on any other day. No difference in acceleration after the threat stimulus was found. 

## Description of the data and file structure

There are two data files, one (`LPS_Individual_RSOS.xlsx`) containing the data relating to:

(1) mean time spent in refuge (before and after threat stimulus)

(2) mean swimming s...