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Visual habitat choice in cyprinid fishes: an experimental approach
Author(s) -
Podolsrky D.,
Uiblein F.,
Winkler H.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
ecology of freshwater fish
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1600-0633
pISSN - 0906-6691
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0633.1995.tb00028.x
Subject(s) - rutilus , leuciscus , foraging , habitat , ecology , biology , zoology , fishery , fish <actinopterygii>
– The mechanisms leading to spatial segregation along optical habitat dimensions in closely related, co‐occurring fishes were investigated. In two experimental series, six laboratory‐reared cyprinid species were faced to six novel optical patterns. These were positioned either laterally, at the bottom, or at the water surface, in one of three compartments of a large tank. When a bottom pattern was presented, the primarily bottom‐dwelling species Vimba elonguta and Abranzis brama chose the test compartment at high frequencies, indicating a significant preference. More surface‐oriented species like Chalcalburnus chalcoides mento and Scardinius erythrophthalmus developed similar preferences in response to surface patterns. V. elongata, A. brama , and Rutilus rutilus showed significant preferences for a photograph of submerged plants. Also, V. elongata developed preferences for several optical patterns. These data confirm earlier studies on V. elongata habitat selection and foraging behaviour which suggest a highly exploratory lifestyle. S. erythrophthalmus and Leuciscus cephalus showed significant avoidances for laterally positioned optical patterns associated with reduced interindividual distances, indicating marked neophobic responses. The establishment of species‐specific preferences or avoidances during the two experimental series was influenced by learning processes.