Site fidelity and homing in juvenile rabbitfishes (Siganidae)

Bellwood, David R., Goatley, Christopher H.R., Khan, Joanna A., and Tebbett, Sterling B. (2016) Site fidelity and homing in juvenile rabbitfishes (Siganidae). Coral Reefs, 35 (4). pp. 1151-1155.

[img]
Preview
PDF (Author Accepted Version) - Accepted Version
Download (656kB) | Preview
View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00338-016-146...
 
10
782


Abstract

The behaviour of juvenile fishes is critical in establishing the link between recruitment and subsequent adult populations. If juvenile fishes move, they can respond to variation in local conditions before adult home ranges are established. Alternatively, if juveniles establish fixed home ranges at settlement, their decisions may determine future population densities at small spatial scales. Field observations and translocations revealed that juvenile rabbitfishes (Siganus corallinus and S. doliatus) have small home ranges and strong homing abilities (covering 6 m in 1 h or 36 m within 24 h). Only four of 22 individuals failed to return; all were transferred up-current, suggesting that olfaction is important in homing. Small home ranges and strong homing tendencies in juvenile herbivores suggest that decisions made by recruits will impact the spatial extent of both adult fishes and the functional roles they play within ecosystems.

Item ID: 47097
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1432-0975
Keywords: home ranges, herbivorous fishes, navigational cues, coral reef resilience
Funders: Australian Research Council (ARC)
Date Deposited: 04 Jan 2017 07:53
FoR Codes: 31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310301 Behavioural ecology @ 100%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960808 Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 782
Last 12 Months: 93
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page