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Behavioral and Ecological Determinants of Home Range Size in Juvenile Pumpkinseed Sunfish ( Lepomis gibbosus )
Author(s) -
Coleman Kristine,
Wilson David Sloan
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
ethology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.739
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-0310
pISSN - 0179-1613
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1996.tb01170.x
Subject(s) - lepomis , juvenile , home range , range (aeronautics) , aggression , ecology , predator , biology , predator avoidance , centrarchidae , fish <actinopterygii> , predation , fishery , zoology , psychology , developmental psychology , micropterus , habitat , materials science , composite material
Numerous species of freshwater fish are known to be site specific, yet the ecological and behavioral factors influencing home range size have rarely been examined. In this study we examine aggression, predator avoidance and feeding rate in juvenile pumpkinseed sunfish as a function of location within their home range. We also compare the behavior of individuals within their home range with individuals that were displaced from their home range by being transplanted from one pond to another. Juvenile pumpkinseeds had a higher feeding rate in the center of their home range than on the periphery. Transplanted juveniles did not adopt a restricted home range over a 3‐wk period and had a lower feeding rate than residents in the same pond. Aggression and predator avoidance do not appear to be important determinants of home range size in our study.