Ontogenetic shifts in microhabitat use, foraging and temporal activity for the striped bark scorpion Centruroides vittatus (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

ABSTRACTOrganisms that experience large changes in body size during the life span often exhibit differences in resource use among life stages. Ontogenetic shifts in habitat use reduce intraspecific competition and predation and are common in lotic organisms. Although information on the immature life stages of the Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is limited, this aquatic salamander exhibits ontogenetic shifts in habitat use in some streams, with adults sheltering under large rocks and larvae utilizing interstitial spaces of gravel beds. Due to the geomorphology of Little River, Tennessee, however, limited interstitial spaces within the gravel are filled with sand. Therefore, we quantified microhabitat parameters for three life stages of Hellbenders (larvae, sub-adult, adult) to determine if an ontogenetic shift in microhabitat occurred in Little River. We found no significant differences in stream substrate at capture sites among the stages, but there was a positive correlation between rock shelters underlain with very coarse gravel and overall Hellbender occupancy. Although we found no difference in water quality parameters and streambed particle size among the stage classes at the sites of capture, there was a significant difference in the average shelter size among all stages, with larvae utilizing the smallest shelters. Based on these results, future Hellbender research and conservation efforts should consider differences in life stage habitat use as well as specific stream particle classes.

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Microhabitat use of recently settled Sparisoma parrotfishes: ontogenetic shifts and association with algal-gardening damselfishes

Marine Ecology Progress Series ◽

10.3354/meps13833 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

H Vallès ◽

DL Kramer

Keyword(s):

Microhabitat Use ◽

Ontogenetic Shifts

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Ontogenetic shifts in microhabitat preference of the temperate reef fish Forsterygion lapillum: implication for population limitation

10.26686/wgtn.13013000 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

C McDermott ◽

Jeffrey Shima

Keyword(s):

Choice Experiment ◽

Habitat Associations ◽

Microhabitat Use ◽

Population Limitation ◽

Ontogenetic Shifts ◽

Temperate Reef ◽

Random Assortment ◽

Choice Chamber ◽

Temperate Reef Fish ◽

Local Recruitment

Quantitative surveys of habitat associations of New Zealand's common triplefin fish Forsterygion lapillum suggest that young settlers disproportionately occur within the fronds of the large brown algae Cystophora retroflexa and C. torulosa (hereafter collectively referred to as Cystophora). This apparent preference is specific to Cystophora (i.e. fish do not appear to respond to structurally similar macroalgal species) and is not exhibited by older juveniles or adults of the species, which suggests that age-specific microhabitat requirements may act as a bottleneck to recruitment. To determine whether the overuse of Cystophora by newly settled F. lapillum could be attributed to a behavioural preference for this specific habitat, we conducted a lab-based choice experiment. Using a purpose-built 'choice chamber' that facilitated assessments of behavioural responses of focal individuals provided with a choice of 4 common habitat types, we determined that newly settled F. lapillum selected chambers containing Cystophora more frequently than predicted by random assortment. To test the ecological consequences of this behavioural preference, we conducted a field experiment (replicated at 2 sites) that manipulated Cystophora cover and examined subsequent patterns of recruitment by F. lapillum. Experimental additions of Cystophora cover enhanced local recruitment of F. lapillum, and the effects of Cystophora additions were most pronounced at the site where Cystophora was naturally rare. Overall, these results suggest that age-specific behavioural preferences may mediate ontogenetic shifts in microhabitat use and limit recruitment in local populations. © Inter-Research 2006.

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Ontogenetic shifts in microhabitat use and coral selectivity in three coral reef fishes

Environmental Biology of Fishes ◽

10.1007/s10641-019-0842-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 102 (1) ◽

pp. 55-67 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alyssa L. Giffin ◽

Theresa Rueger ◽

Geoffrey P. Jones

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Reef Fishes ◽

Coral Reef Fishes ◽

Microhabitat Use ◽

Ontogenetic Shifts

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Selección de microhabitat del lagarto verdinegro (Lacerta schreiberi) (Sauria: Lacertidae)

Amphibia-Reptilia ◽

10.1163/156853888x00350 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 265-275 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Alfredo Salvador

Keyword(s):

Microhabitat Use ◽

Microhabitat Selection ◽

Cantabrian Mountains ◽

Ontogenetic Shifts

Microhabitat use of Lacerta schreiberi was studied at one locality in the Cantabrian mountains of León province, Spain. Lizards do not use the microhabitat categories in proportion to their availability. Ontogenetic shifts in microhabitat selection have been observed. Juveniles are found in grass and rush areas, while adults prefer bushes. Subadults were present in both microhabitat types. Lizards perch on plants, mainly bushes, between 10 and 80 cm height. Microhabitat selection changes seasonally only in subadults.

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Ontogenetic shifts in microhabitat preference of the temperate reef fish Forsterygion lapillum: implication for population limitation

10.26686/wgtn.13013000.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

C McDermott ◽

Jeffrey Shima

Keyword(s):

Choice Experiment ◽

Habitat Associations ◽

Microhabitat Use ◽

Population Limitation ◽

Ontogenetic Shifts ◽

Temperate Reef ◽

Random Assortment ◽

Choice Chamber ◽

Temperate Reef Fish ◽

Local Recruitment

Quantitative surveys of habitat associations of New Zealand's common triplefin fish Forsterygion lapillum suggest that young settlers disproportionately occur within the fronds of the large brown algae Cystophora retroflexa and C. torulosa (hereafter collectively referred to as Cystophora). This apparent preference is specific to Cystophora (i.e. fish do not appear to respond to structurally similar macroalgal species) and is not exhibited by older juveniles or adults of the species, which suggests that age-specific microhabitat requirements may act as a bottleneck to recruitment. To determine whether the overuse of Cystophora by newly settled F. lapillum could be attributed to a behavioural preference for this specific habitat, we conducted a lab-based choice experiment. Using a purpose-built 'choice chamber' that facilitated assessments of behavioural responses of focal individuals provided with a choice of 4 common habitat types, we determined that newly settled F. lapillum selected chambers containing Cystophora more frequently than predicted by random assortment. To test the ecological consequences of this behavioural preference, we conducted a field experiment (replicated at 2 sites) that manipulated Cystophora cover and examined subsequent patterns of recruitment by F. lapillum. Experimental additions of Cystophora cover enhanced local recruitment of F. lapillum, and the effects of Cystophora additions were most pronounced at the site where Cystophora was naturally rare. Overall, these results suggest that age-specific behavioural preferences may mediate ontogenetic shifts in microhabitat use and limit recruitment in local populations. © Inter-Research 2006.

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Long-term monitoring provides insight into estuarine top predator (Carcharhinus leucas) resilience following an extreme weather event

Marine Ecology Progress Series ◽

10.3354/meps13269 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 639 ◽

pp. 169-183

Author(s):

P Matich ◽

BA Strickland ◽

MR Heithaus

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Acoustic Telemetry ◽

South Florida ◽

Behavioral Variability ◽

Catch Per Unit Effort ◽

Ontogenetic Shifts ◽

Carcharhinus Leucas ◽

Acute Disturbance ◽

Cold Snap

Chronic environmental change threatens biodiversity, but acute disturbance events present more rapid and immediate threats. In 2010, a cold snap across south Florida had wide-ranging impacts, including negative effects on recreational fisheries, agriculture, and ecological communities. Here, we use acoustic telemetry and historical longline monitoring to assess the long-term implications of this event on juvenile bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas in the Florida Everglades. Despite the loss of virtually all individuals (ca. 90%) within the Shark River Estuary during the cold snap, the catch per unit effort (CPUE) of age 0 sharks on longlines recovered through recruitment within 6-8 mo of the event. Acoustic telemetry revealed that habitat use patterns of age 0-2 sharks reached an equilibrium in 4-6 yr. In contrast, the CPUE and habitat use of age 3 sharks required 5-7 yr to resemble pre-cold snap patterns. Environmental conditions and predation risk returned to previous levels within 1 yr of the cold snap, but abundances of some prey species remained depressed for several years. Reduced prey availability may have altered the profitability of some microhabitats after the cold snap, leading to more rapid ontogenetic shifts to marine waters among sharks for several years. Accelerated ontogenetic shifts coupled with inter-individual behavioral variability of bull sharks likely led to a slower recovery rate than predicted based on overall shark CPUE. While intrinsic variation driven by stochasticity in dynamic ecosystems may increase the resistance of species to chronic and acute disturbance, it may also increase recovery time in filling the diversity of niches occupied prior to disturbance if resistive capacity is exceeded.

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Quantifying Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus helleri) Hunting Behavior through Community Science

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d13080349 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 349

Author(s):

Emily R. Urquidi ◽

Breanna J. Putman

Keyword(s):

Habitat Loss ◽

Human Activity ◽

Age Differences ◽

Environmental Changes ◽

Microhabitat Use ◽

Ontogenetic Shift ◽

Community Members ◽

Hunting Behavior ◽

Crotalus Oreganus ◽

Community Science

It is increasingly important to study animal behaviors as these are the first responses organisms mount against environmental changes. Rattlesnakes, in particular, are threatened by habitat loss and human activity, and require costly tracking by researchers to quantify the behaviors of wild individuals. Here, we show how photo-vouchered observations submitted by community members can be used to study cryptic predators like rattlesnakes. We utilized two platforms, iNaturalist and HerpMapper, to study the hunting behaviors of wild Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes. From 220 observation photos, we quantified the direction of the hunting coil (i.e., “handedness”), microhabitat use, timing of observations, and age of the snake. With these data, we looked at whether snakes exhibited an ontogenetic shift in behaviors. We found no age differences in coil direction. However, there was a difference in the microhabitats used by juveniles and adults while hunting. We also found that juveniles were most commonly observed during the spring, while adults were more consistently observed throughout the year. Overall, our study shows the potential of using community science to study the behaviors of cryptic predators.

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The reaction of European lobster larvae (Homarus gammarus) to different quality food: effects of ontogenetic shifts and pre-feeding history

Oecologia ◽

10.1007/s00442-013-2786-5 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 174 (2) ◽

pp. 581-594 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Katherina L. Schoo ◽

Nicole Aberle ◽

Arne M. Malzahn ◽

Isabel Schmalenbach ◽

Maarten Boersma

Keyword(s):

Food Effects ◽

European Lobster ◽

Ontogenetic Shifts ◽

Homarus Gammarus ◽

Quality Food

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Microhabitat use of different age groups of snake-eyed skink and Eastern green lizard

Amphibia-Reptilia ◽

10.1163/15685381-00003039 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 191-198 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dániel Kovács ◽

István Kiss

Keyword(s):

Habitat Management ◽

Age Groups ◽

Carpathian Basin ◽

Microhabitat Use ◽

Forest Edges ◽

Environmental Niche ◽

The Balkans ◽

Natural Grasslands ◽

Lacerta Viridis ◽

First Time

Although Ablepharus kitaibelii and its subspecies are wide-spread, being distributed from the Carpathian Basin through the Balkans to Iraq, their habitat and environmental niche is poorly known. Ablepharus kitaibelii fitzingeri is almost entirely limited to the Carpathian Basin, and is amongst the most strictly protected and least known reptiles of Central and Eastern Europe. The main aim of our study was to determine habitat use preferences of different age groups of A. kitaibelii fitzingeri and Lacerta viridis. The occurrence of green lizard was determined by the abundance of refugia rather than by the naturalness of grasslands. The snake-eyed skink prefers semi-natural grasslands with abundant tussock-forming grass or sedge species, avoiding densely shrubby places. For the first time, we show that woodland mosaics lacking shrubs and temporary grasslands next to forest edges are important for the species. Microhabitat use by snake-eyed skink varies with age group; adults preferring shady edge zones rich in leaf litter and shadier grassland spots provided by woodland mosaics, whereas juveniles were found in natural, more open grasslands far from forest edges and in woodland mosaics with dense shrubby understory. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the ecological needs of A. kitaibelii fitzingeri. Our methodology could be adapted to other species and subspecies of Ablepharus. Based on our results, it is important to reconsider habitat management activities, which should not be limited to shrub control: the main goal should be the development of a diverse habitat structure.

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