Spatial distribution of defence and foraging in young-of-the-year brook charr, Salvelinus fontinalis

Brook charr, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), in running water typically hold position at a central place and feed on drift, often within a defended territory. The authors observed fish in streams near Guelph, Canada, to determine the size and shape of their territories and foraging areas. Frequenc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of animal ecology 1989, Vol.58 (3), p.773-784
Main Authors: GRANT, J. W. A, NOAKES, D. L. G, JONAS, K. M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agnatha. Pisces
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Autoecology
Biological and medical sciences
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Salvelinus fontinalis
Vertebrata
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Summary:Brook charr, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), in running water typically hold position at a central place and feed on drift, often within a defended territory. The authors observed fish in streams near Guelph, Canada, to determine the size and shape of their territories and foraging areas. Frequency of aggressive acts and mean aggressive radius (upstream = 2 multiplied by 7 body lengths, downstream = 1 multiplied by 6 body lengths) were greater upstream than downstream of the central place. These results were consistent with the hypothesis that brook charr defend their access to drift by excluding fish upstream of their position. The maximum widths of the defended and foraging areas were similar but the relative use of this space for defence and foraging was different. In addition, fish with wider defended areas had wider foraging areas.
ISSN:0021-8790
1365-2656
DOI:10.2307/5123