Competition for spawning sites between two gobiid fishes, Bathygobius fuscus and Eviota abax, derived by alteration of mating tactics of the former |
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Authors: | Masanori Taru Takeshi Kanda Tomoki Sunobe |
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Affiliation: | (1) Marine Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi 274-8510, Japan;(2) Marine Science Station, Field Science Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Miyazaki University, Akamizu, Nobeoka 889-0517, Japan;(3) Natural History Museum and Institute of Chiba, 955-2 Aoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8682, Japan |
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Abstract: | Interspecific competition for spawning sites between two gobiid fishes, Bathygobius fuscus and Eviota abax, was studied on a rocky shore. Large males (LM: 55–80mm in standard length: SL) and small males (SM: 34–52mm SL) of B. fuscus acted as nest holders and sneakers, respectively, in the early spawning season (July). The sympatric male E. abax (22–33mm SL) was smaller than SM B. fuscus, and synchronically used rocky holes much smaller than those of LM B. fuscus. In this season, aggressions between the two species were rarely observed. In late season (August), as the number of the LM decreased, the SM converted their tactics to nest holding, occupying nests of a sizes similar to those of E. abax. Eviota abax males were dispossessed by SM and shifted their nest sites to cavities between cobbles and sandy bottom, which might be poorer nest sites than rocky holes. |
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Keywords: | Interspecific competition Spawning site Mating tactics Gobiidae |
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