Habitat selection behaviour of Pungitius kaibarae (Gasterosteidae) in the presence of the visual predator Anguilla japonica (Anguillidae)
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Authors
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Jeong-Soo Gim
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Sang-Bin Lee
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Hyo Gyeom Kim
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Dong-Kyun Kim
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Seok-Nam Kwak
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Gea-Jae Joo
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Hyunbin Jo
a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:25:"Pusan National University";}
Abstract
Our study deals with how the short nine-spine stickleback Pungitius kaibarae uses visual cues to select among habitats,
thereby reducing predation pressure from the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica. We examined the behaviour of P. kaibarae
in selecting four habitats (water weed, sandy, rocky and open water) under the presence/absence of A. japonica. Using video
tracking technology, we found that in the presence of A. japonica, sticklebacks preferred specific refuge patches, such as
waterweed and rocks, over open water with a sandy bottom. Thus, our investigation demonstrated the importance of habitat
structures in evoking escape behaviour. We discuss the importance of this bold behaviour patterns of the prey fish.
Keywords: Bold behaviour, Stickleback, Eel, Swimming speed, Video tracking