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- Title
Locomotory activity patterns of Cottus poecilopus Heckel and C. gobio L. (Pisces).
- Authors
Andreasson, Sten
- Abstract
The locomotory activity of the closely related freshwater sculpins Cottus poecilopus Heckel and C. gobio L. was investigated in South Sweden (55° 35'N, 13° 30'E). Three physical (actors were considered: Light intensity, day-length and temperature. 1. The activity of both species was Lower in winter than in summer. Short-time variations in activity followed variations in temperature at tow temperature. The annual cycle of level of activity seemed to be correlated to temperature as far as influenced by exogenous factors. 2. In natural light conditions the did activity of both species was synchronized to light throughout the year with a maximum peak after sunset. On overcast days in winter C. poecilopus began its activity earlier than C. gobio, being also active in the afternoon. 3. Spawning caused a temporary desynchronization for some days. 4. In artificial light low intensity released a phase shift in C. poecilopus which became lightactive, while C. gobio remained dark-active. Seasonal phase shifts are known for C. poecilopus in North Sweden (at the Arctic Circle), where the species is light-active in winter but dark-active in summer. 5. Feeding of the fishes did not affect the did activity pattern. 6. The different response to low light intensity may diminish competition between the two species, as they utilize different periods of the day for activity.
- Subjects
COTTUS asper; COTTUS bairdii; SCATTERING (Physics); PHASE shift (Nuclear physics); COLLISIONS (Physics); ANGULAR distribution (Nuclear physics)
- Publication
Oikos, 1969, Vol 20, Issue 1, p78
- ISSN
0030-1299
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2307/3543747