SITE FIDELITY AND HOMING BEHAVIOR OF THE INTERTIDAL STICHAEIDAE, XIPHISTER ATROPURPUREUS (BLACK PRICKLEBACK)
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Date
2013-12
Authors
Nelson, Ashley Kim
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
To investigate site fidelity and homing behavior in the intertidal Stichaeidae,
Xiphister atropurpureus, mark and recapture studies were conducted at South Cove,
Cape Arago Park, in Oregon from July to August 2012. A total of35X atropurpureus
were captured, tagged, released, then repeatedly surveyed by conducting numerous
census days over a period of 46 days. Out of this total, 15 fish were tagged and released
at their home sites and 20 fish were tagged and displaced at varying distances from their
home sites (10, 30, 50, or 150m). Of the 15 fish rereleased at their home sites, a total
of 5 were recaptured at or within 1.5 m of their home site. The recapture rates ( 13% for
home site; 20% for neighboring site) for fish tagged and released at their point of
capture indicate that site fidelity is highly likely in this particular species. Of the 20 fish
displaced from their home site, only 1 fish from the 30m-displacment group was
recaptured. Recapture rates (0% for home site; 20% for neighboring site) for homing
behavior indicate that it remains a possibility but requires further studies to determine if
it is exhibited in this species. A simple population size estimate was carried out using a Lincoln-Peterson estimate with a Bailey’s adjustment, providing an estimate of
approximately 0.77 to 1.47 fish per 100 m2. Site fidelity and homing behavior may be
influenced by competitive or territorial behavior and a dispersed population could allow
for resource availability.
Description
31 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of Biology and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Science, Fall 2013.
Keywords
Site Fidelity, Homing, Intertidal, Stichaeidae, Xiphister Atropurpureus, Prickleback