Nest orientation patterns in Salaria fluviatilis
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| Authors: | Vinyoles, D; Côté, IM; De Sostoa, A |
| Year: | 2002 |
| Journal: | Journal of Fish Biology 61: 405-416 |
| Title: | Nest orientation patterns in Salaria fluviatilis |
| Abstract: | The entrances of nests established under small stones by male river blennics Salaria fluviatilis in two rivers of the Ebro Basin in eastern Spain were randomly oriented in slow-flowing sites. In fast-flowing stretches or under large stones, however, nest entrances tended to open at an angle of c. 30degrees relative to current flow direction, i.e. near a south-east direction. As current velocity increased, males positioned their nest entrance closer and closer to the direction of flow. Selective nest entrance orientation reduced significantly the speed of current reaching the nest entrance such that current velocity was similar (5-7 cm s (-1)) for all nests, regardless of stone size, prevailing current speed, or study site. Male mating success, measured as egg clutch area, however, was not related to current speed at the nest entrance but instead, it increased with nest stone size and decreased with deviations from a south-east direction. The reasons for female river blenny preference for this specific nest orientation are unknown but may be related to patterns of water flow, and hence oxygenation of the eggs, in the nest. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of The Fisheries Society of the British Isles. |
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