Energy Costs of Catfish Space Use as Determined by Biotelemetry

Abstract

Animals use dispersed resources within their home range (HR) during regular day-to-day activities. The high-quality area intensively used by an individual, where critical resources are concentrated, has been designated as the core area (CA). This study aimed to describe how animals utilize energy in the HR and CA assuming that changes would occur according to the size of the used areas. We observed energetic costs of space use in the largest European freshwater predator catfish, Silurus glanis, using physiological sensors. Catfish consumed significantly more energy within the CA compared to the rest of the HR area. In addition, energetic costs of space use within a large area were lower. These results generally indicate that utilization of larger areas is related to less demanding activities, such as patrolling and searching for new resources and mates. In contrast, fish occurrence in small areas appears to be related to energetically demanding use of spatially limited resources.

Behavioural and fitness effects of translocation to a novel environment: Whole‐lake experiments in two aquatic top predators

“…Previous catfish stocking experiments in Czech reservoirs have shown that catfish respond to conditions surpassing ecological carrying capacity with extended movements, declines in growth and high catchability to angling gear, indicating intensive foraging in their new environment (Vejřík et al, 2017, 2019). Also, in previous work catfish have been found to be stressed by social competition (Carol et al, 2007; Slavík & Horký, 2009; Slavík et al, 2014), and are also challenged by finding shelter among unfamiliar individuals (Slavík, Horký, Maciak, & Wackermannová, 2016). Alternatively, because the translocated catfish were relatively large‐bodied, even the smallest catfish that we stocked unlikely experienced substantial risk of predation.…”

“…We expected the behaviour of northern pike and catfish to be symptomatic of competitive interactions following introduction. Both catfish and pike are known to show agonistic behavioural interactions towards conspecifics (Nilsson, 2006; Slavík, Horký, & Závorka, 2014) and should therefore experience interference competition with resident conspecifics. Although catfish has been described as temporarily social (Boulêtreau et al, 2016), territoriality is a well known phenomenon, resulting in confined home ranges that vary seasonally in dimension (Brevé et al, 2014; Carol, Zamora, & García‐Berthou, 2007; Slavík & Horký, 2009; Slavík et al, 2014).…”

“…Both catfish and pike are known to show agonistic behavioural interactions towards conspecifics (Nilsson, 2006; Slavík, Horký, & Závorka, 2014) and should therefore experience interference competition with resident conspecifics. Although catfish has been described as temporarily social (Boulêtreau et al, 2016), territoriality is a well known phenomenon, resulting in confined home ranges that vary seasonally in dimension (Brevé et al, 2014; Carol, Zamora, & García‐Berthou, 2007; Slavík & Horký, 2009; Slavík et al, 2014). Furthermore, catfish have been shown in a laboratory environment to strongly prefer sheltering with familiar over unfamiliar individuals (Slavík, Maciak, & Horký, 2012), suggesting that resident catfish might show interference with newcomers.…”

Co‐existence with non‐native brook trout breaks down the integration of phenotypic traits in brown trout parr

“…High activity and SMR are traits typically related to high‐gain high‐cost strategies, which are expected to be successful in a predictable environment with rich food resources (Biro & Stamps ). Therefore, it is likely that these three traits were associated with territorial behavior, where territorial individuals defend a small habitat patch, display high activity and SMR, whereas non‐territorial floaters and wanderers display low activity and SMR (Jenkins ; Dingemanse & de Goede ; Careau & Garland ; Slavík, Horký & Závorka ). There was no relationship between SGR in body length and AS, but AS was positively correlated with SGR in body mass.…”

“…Territorial individuals as opposed to non‐territorial ones are often highly active and aggressive, have high metabolic rates, and maintain a stable position within the habitat patch they defend (e.g. great tit, Parus major : Dingemanse & de Goede ; European catfish, Silurus glanis : Slavík, Horký & Závorka ). Non‐native invaders can induce an additional competitive pressure (Fausch & White ; Cole & Harris ) and reduce the predictability of resource distribution (Carpenter et al .…”