Under rocks and logs, in burrows and underwater, Dr. Alicia Mathis finds fascinating creatures to study. Mathis, head of the biology department at Missouri State University, focuses her research on the behaviors of tiny amphibians and fish.

One of the most common things these animals need to communicate about is predation risk. It’s been understood that alarm cues are received and understood by animals of the same species and of different species – imagine a minnow and a stickleback – but her lab has uncovered some surprising results.

Look deeper at her research

Predation risks and alarm cues are communicated chemically

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