Interspecific Aggression and Territorial Behaviour Between Scarlet Robin Petroica multicolor and Flame Robin P. phoenicea

1989 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Robinson
1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (12) ◽  
pp. 2337-2347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Pottle ◽  
John M. Green

A study of territorial behaviour of the cunner, Tautogolabrus adspersus, was carried out in Conception Bay, Newfoundland, in 1977 and 1978. Cunners that overwinter in a torpid state were active only from May to late October of both years. Large males established territories prior to the midsummer spawning season and territories were defended throughout and after that season. Territory size ranged from 16.1 to 74.3 m2 on rocky substrate at depths of 0.7 to 13 m and did not vary significantly with either the size of the resident fish or the degree of intraspecific aggression it exhibited. Nonterritorial males were generally smaller than territorial males and were vigorously excluded from their territories. Only territorial males exhibited interspecific aggression, which was most frequent toward Pholis gunnellus. Territorial females were present in the peripheral areas of some males' territories and were aggressive toward other females. Tagging indicated that most males and some females defend the same territory from year to year, and that territory size remains relatively constant. The proportions of territorial and nonterritorial fish, of either sex, in the population are unknown. The primary function of territorial behaviour in T. adspersus may be the provision of a spawning site from which potential rivals are excluded.


1975 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 1004-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian N. Turner ◽  
Michael R. Perrin ◽  
Stuart L. Iverson

Beginning in November 1973, numerous meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) moved onto a spruce forest grid occupied by red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi). A resident meadow vole population resulted, the two species coexisting until April 1974, when most meadow voles disappeared from the grid during a relatively short period. Interspecific aggression levels, as determined from voles temporarily removed from the populations and tested in paired encounters in a laboratory arena, were low during the winter, but increased when males of both species entered reproductive condition in the spring. Microtus was generally dominant in early breeding period encounters, but this dominance declined concurrently with the meadow voles' disappearance from the forest. It is argued that meadow voles did not leave the forest to breed, or because the snow cover melted, since this species will live and reproduce in forest in the absence of Clethrionomys. The results are interpreted as support for an earlier hypothesis that competitive habitat exclusion varies seasonally with reproduction-related aggression. Thus, these species apparently may coexist in either of their preferred habitats when interspecific aggression is low (the nonbreeding season), but this relationship terminates when interspecific aggression levels increase with the resumption of breeding in the spring.


1977 ◽  
pp. 169-194
Author(s):  
N. W. Milgram ◽  
Mauro Caudarella ◽  
Lester Krames

Koedoe ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas E. Collias ◽  
Elsie C. Collias

Spotted-backed Weaverbirds were studied during September-December, 1969 in the Transvaal, chiefly in the Kruger National Park, and observations were made on their distribution, ecology and behaviour. Territorial behaviour, nest-building, pair formation displays, vocalizations and food habits are described as well as the division of labour between male and female in care of the young. Attacks by snakes and hawks are described as well as responses of the birds to their enemies. Behavioural relations to another species of weaver were also observed.


Ecology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 90 (5) ◽  
pp. 1207-1216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren A. Harrington ◽  
Andrew L. Harrington ◽  
Nobuyuki Yamaguchi ◽  
Michael D. Thom ◽  
Pablo Ferreras ◽  
...  

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