Territoriality and microhabitat selection in two intertidal New Zealand fish

Abstract

Aspects of territoriality and microhabitat selection in Acunthoclinus fuscus and Forsferygiun nigripenne rubustum were studied in intra-and interspecific confrontation experiments under tidal and constant conditions. In both species aggressive responses were closely related to activity with maximal frequencies during the first 2 h of the experiments. Under tidal conditions activity was higher than at constant water level. Size predominantly affected contest outcome in both species. Initiation of the first bout and past experience were further important factors, whereas prior residence did not influence dominance relationships. Dominant individuals defended access to shelter and low tide pools as critical resources. A . fuscus preferred tubes matching the body size for cover, whereas F. n. robustum spent more time in caves and on open areas. Furthermore, A . ,fuscus preferred shallower water and was able to sustain long periods out of water. The different microhabitat preferences may reduce interspecific competition. Although A . fuscus did not win significantly more trials, higher aggressive tendencies were observed in this species.

Temporal variation of rocky intertidal resident fish assemblages - patterns and possible mechanisms with a note on sampling protocols

“…Gibson, 1972;Koppel, 1988;Mayr and Berger, 1992), or any other effect of species domination, although it must be recognized that most studies evaluated resilience and were not designed to detect competition. Lack of evidence may reflect insufficient rigor in the investigation to address this question.…”

“…Itzkowitz, 1977;Brock et al, 1979;Behrents, 1987;Larson, 1980a, b, c;Jones, 1987a, b;Dufour and Galzin, 1992;Mayr and Berger, 1992). The rocky intertidal habitat is a harsh and strongly fluctuating environment, subjected to frequent disturbances (e.g.…”

Ecological studies on two intertidal New Zealand fishes,Acanthoclinus fuscusandForsterygion nigripenne robustum

“…A.fuscus showed a remarkable tolerance of aerial exposure for up to 5 h (Mayr & Berger 1992). F. n. robustum was rarely found entirely out of water and was poorly represented in the intertidal zone during summer.…”

Agonistic behaviour and control of access to hiding places in two intertidal blennies, Lipophrys pholis and Coryphoblennius galerita (Pisces: Blenniidae)

“…Other studies of rock intertidal fishes that provide evidence that access to shelter is an important resource at stake in agonistic encounters are those of Grossman (1980), Behrents (1987), Koppel (1988), and Mayr and Berger (1992). Faria et al (1998b) partly tested this hypothesis, demonstrating that there is a significant correlation between the dominance rank of each fish in a group and the time spent in shelters.…”

“…Other studies have reported the presence of agonistic behaviour in adult males of other species as well as in adult females and juveniles (e.g. Phillips 1977;Wirtz 1978;Almada et al 1983Almada et al , 1990Mayr and Berger 1992;Gonçalves et al 1996;Faria et al 1998a). In his successive reviews on the behaviour of littoral fishes, Gibson (1969Gibson ( , 1982Gibson ( , 1986Gibson ( , 1988Gibson ( , 1999 summarised the available information on the subject.…”