High Tide Movements and Homing Behaviour of the Tidepool Sculpin Oligocottus maculosus

1971 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Green
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Homing Behavior ◽  
Homing Behaviour ◽  
Oligocottus Maculosus

Tagging studies show that the tidepool sculpin Oligocottus maculosus Girard shows fidelity to specific tide pools and will return to their pools when displaced. The results indicate that the navigational ability of O. maculosus is not solely dependent upon familiarity with geographical features of the intertidal zone. It is suggested that homing behavior functions as a mechanism stabilizing the spatial distribution of this species.

scholarly journals Intertidal habitat use of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Bahía San Antonio, Argentina

2017 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 1109-1118
Author(s):  
Els Vermeulen
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
San Antonio ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Marine Conservation ◽  
Shallow Waters ◽  
Encounter Rate ◽  
Western Atlantic

Very little information is available on bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) habitat use in the South-western Atlantic. It is, however, essential in understanding their ecology and to improve conservation management. In this study, habitat use of bottlenose dolphins was examined in Bahía San Antonio, an area frequented by the species. Given the large tidal amplitude and extended intertidal zone in this bay, special focus was given to the intertidal vs subtidal habitat use patterns. Bottlenose dolphins were observed in only half of the surveyed area, with on average 1 dolphin group encountered per 100 km surveyed. All dolphin groups were seen in shallow waters <10 m deep. GLM analyses showed that especially during high tide, depth had an important effect on the dolphin encounter rate, with most dolphin groups encountered in the intertidal zone. While in the intertidal zone, most dolphin groups were observed to be engaged in surface feeding activities. The presented data indicate dolphins remained in shallow waters, and moved to the intertidal zone during high tide where they appear to find feeding opportunities. This information is believed to be of high value in understanding this population's ecological needs, and essential when aiming to improve marine conservation efforts at times of increased anthropogenic pressures in the area.

scholarly journals Cross-Shore Suspended Sediment Transport in Relation to Topographic Changes in the Intertidal Zone of a Macro-Tidal Beach (Mariakerke, Belgium)

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelien Brand ◽  
Lars De Sloover ◽  
Alain De Wulf ◽  
Anne-Lise Montreuil ◽  
Sander Vos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sediment Transport ◽  
Suspended Sediment ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Laser Scanner ◽  
Quantitative Agreement ◽  
Suspended Sediment Transport ◽  
Transport Direction ◽  
Erosion And Accretion

Sediment transport is a key element in intertidal beach morphodynamics, but measurements of sediment transport are often unreliable. The aim of this study is to quantify and investigate cross-shore sediment transport and the resulting topographic changes for a tide-dominated, sandy beach. Two fortnight-long field experiments were carried out during which hydrodynamics and sediment dynamics were measured with optical and acoustic sensors, while the beach topography was surveyed with a permanent terrestrial laser scanner. Suspended sediment was generally well-mixed and currents were largest at approximately 1.5 m above the bed, which resulted in a peak in sediment transport at 1/3 of the high tide level. The mean transport direction was onshore during calm conditions (wave height <0.6 m) thanks to tidal currents and offshore during energetic conditions due to undertow. Oscillatory transport was always onshore because of wave asymmetry but it was subordinate to mean transport. The intertidal zone showed an alternation of erosion and accretion with formation of morphological features during energetic (no storm) conditionsand smoothening of the morphology during calm conditions. A good qualitative and quantitative agreement was found between the daily cross-shore suspended load and beach volume changes, especially during calm conditions.

Spatial distribution of the intertidal snail Ilyanassa obsoleta in relation to parasitism by two species of trematodes

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 1137-1143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean G McCurdy ◽  
J Sherman Boates ◽  
Mark R Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Bay Of Fundy ◽  
Spatial Distributions ◽  
Ilyanassa Obsoleta ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Corophium Volutator ◽  
Vertical Distributions ◽  
Second Intermediate Host ◽  
Intertidal Snail

We studied the spatial distributions of mud snails (Ilyanassa obsoleta) infected by two trematodes, Lepocreadium setiferoides and Gynaecotyla adunca, on a macrotidal mudflat in the Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy. Snails, as first intermediate hosts, were castrated by both parasites, and we found no evidence of sex differences in parasitism. Similar to previous work, prevalence of L. setiferoides in I. obsoleta increased exponentially with host size (and age). Unexpectedly, prevalence of G. adunca decreased over the largest size classes of snails, a result that may be due to several causes. Distributions of both parasites across the intertidal zone differed from previous accounts in that snails infected with L. setiferoides were found only in the middle of the intertidal zone, whereas prevalence of G. adunca increased exponentially moving seaward. Several species of polychaetes could be infected by L. setiferoides in the laboratory and may act as appropriate second intermediate hosts, whereas only the amphipod Corophium volutator served as a second intermediate host for G. adunca. Finally, the vertical distributions of I. obsoleta infected by either species of trematode overlap with distributions of apparent or known second intermediate hosts.

scholarly journals Responses of the mussel Brachidontes rodriguezii to aerial exposure: implications on growth and physiological condition

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (7) ◽  
pp. 612-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Eugenia Torroglosa ◽  
Juliana Giménez
Keyword(s):  
Shell Length ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Physiological Condition ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Aerial Exposure ◽  
Intertidal Zones ◽  
The North ◽  
Calcein Am ◽  
High Intertidal Zone

The length of aerial exposure (i.e., environmental conditions) of an organism, due to daily tides, induces physiological responses. A mark–recapture field experiment was conducted in two intertidal zones (low tide and high tide) using the stain calcein AM to determine growth, as measured by shell length, of the mussel Brachidontes rodriguezii (d’Orbigny, 1842) along its vertical distribution off the north Argentinean coast. In the high intertidal zone, B. rodriguezii exhibited slower growth in shell length because of the physiological stress resulting from aerial exposure during low tides. In the low intertidal zone and during spring, B. rodriguezii exhibited faster growth in shell length. It is suggested that growth of B. rodriguezii relies on several environmental factors (temperature, photoperiod, and aerial exposure) that fluctuate according to tidal height.

Ecology and behaviour of immature Culicoides melleus (Coq.) (Dipt., Ceratopogonidae)

1972 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Linley ◽  
G. M. Adams
Keyword(s):  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Fourth Instar ◽  
Tidal Level ◽  
Sand Surface ◽  
Tide Level ◽  
The Vertical Distribution ◽  
Incoming Tide

The distribution of the larvae and pupae of Culicoides melleus (Coq.) in a natural beach habitat in an inlet on the Florida coast was studied in relation to tidal level and time of day. Larvae and pupae were confined to the intertidal zone and these distributions were unaffected by time of day or tidal level. Distributions of younger larval instars were displaced towards the inferred area of oviposition at higher elevations on the beach. Pupae were associated with the zone at and somewhat below high tide level. Differences in the vertical distribution of larvae between 0 and 2 in. deep between dark (pre-dawn)/low tide, morning/low tide and afternoon/low tide conditions were probably associated with larval response to light and heat.In laboratory experiments with a temperature gradient, second- to fourth-instar larvae preferred the 18–25°C range, but the fourth instars were the least discriminating. Laboratory experiments with a simulated beach showed that pupae flooded on an incoming tide remained in their burrows and immediately buried themselves more deeply when waves were generated in the water; they were able to return to the surface if buried, and survived drowning for four days. Inundated areas were avoided as pupation sites. The orientation of pupae at the sand surface and their formation in burrows was related to negative phototactic responses of the pupating larvae.

The effects of age and length on homing performance in the intertidal cottid, Oligocottus maculosus Girard

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 598-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. S. Craik
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Considerable Variability ◽  
Size Classes ◽  
Homing Behaviour ◽  
Total Length ◽  
Homing Performance ◽  
Oligocottus Maculosus

The intertidal cottid Oligocottus maculosus Girard has been previously reported to demonstrate homing behaviour, that is, to return to its home range (group of tidepools covered in normal travel) and (or) its home pool (pool of first capture) when transplanted to a pool some distance away. Investigation of significant differences in homing behaviour between the three major age groups of O. maculosus showed an improvement in the percentage successfully homing with length, peaking between 5 and 7 cm (total length) (age 2), with considerable variability in smaller size classes and decreasing homing success in larger fish.Juvenile fish (about 2.3 to 2.7 cm) move extensively between tidepools and begin demonstrating home range fidelity and homing behaviour at about 3 cm. It is suggested that during this period of extensive movement, the area is in some way "learned" and "memorized."

Animal–plant interactions

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Anwar Maun
Keyword(s):  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Plant Defence ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Terrestrial Vegetation ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Secondary Plant Metabolites

Population dynamics of plant species of coastal sand dunes is influenced directly, both above and below the soil surface, by a wide variety of organisms. Plants serve as sources of carbon and pathogens including viruses, insects, bacteria, fungi, birds, and mammals of various kinds. Some enhance plant performance while others have deleterious effects. Positive interactions include pollination of flowers by useful insects in return for nectar and pollen, nutrient acquisition from soil by mycorrhizal fungi in exchange for carbon and acquiring nitrogen (N) from N-fixing bacteria. In the history of co-evolution between plants and organisms over one hundred million years plants have developed many mechanisms to defend themselves from pathogens. Morphology may be altered by producing epicuticular waxes, developing trichomes over leaves, producing tough leaves with deposition of celluloses, lignin, suberin and callose, developing thorns on stems and branches or producing secondary plant metabolites that retard development, intoxicate or kill herbivorous insects. Herbivory may induce a plant to produce chemicals that signal to advertise the presence of insects feeding on them and attract parasites to reduce their numbers. Phenological escape is also employed, such as delay of leaf expansion during periods of insect abundance. Some indirect mechanisms of plant defence involve the use of insects such as ants for protection from other phytophagous insects. However, the predators have also evolved the ability to break down the defence mechanisms of the plant. For example, they may use phytochemicals for their own defence or as olfactory clues for feeding. In this chapter a brief account of organisms of the coastal dune communities, including species of the intertidal zone, scavengers of the sea coast, reptiles, birds, insects, mammals and their possible interactions with terrestrial vegetation is presented. For biological organisms of the seashore the intertidal zone is the most important for food and shelter. The sand-dwelling species of the seashore must be able to contend with four limiting factors: (i) rush of water from the approaching or receding high tide and pounding breakers, (ii) low salinity of the top surface of sand (iii) desiccation of surface by high winds and sunshine and (iv) extreme changes in temperature of topsoil.

Effects of Sewage Outfalls on Intertidal Ecosystems in Kuwait

1986 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 35-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Literathy ◽  
L. Nasser Ali ◽  
M. A. Zarba ◽  
K. Puskas
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Organic Load ◽  
Intertidal Sediment ◽  
Water Characteristics ◽  
Photosynthetic Productivity ◽  
Close Relationship

Kuwait City has an impact on the nearshore marine environment by discharging sewage randomly through short emergency outfalls into the intertidal zone. The effect of the discharged sewage on the biological activity and the chemical characteristics of the relevant intertidal areas, which are controlled by a dry, tropical climate, was studied. Pore water, tidal water characteristics and nutrient release and transport from the intertidal zone during tidal flushing were investigated in polluted and unpolluted areas. The accumulation of particulate organic matter in the upper, middle and lower intertidal zones was characterized. It was concluded that in addition to settling, a great deal of particulate organic matter entered into the upper tidal sediment by infiltration during high tide and was filtered out by the sediment and migrated toward the low tide zone during the falling tide. The rate of the release of the substances associated with inorganic particulates was controlled by the overall organic load and the microbial activity. Sediment core samples were taken for multistage carbon dioxide treatment, and the results showed a decrease in carbonate-bound phosphates with depth. Photosynthetic productivity observed during the spring showed a close relationship with the sewage discharges and were also controlled by the tidal current. Based on the determination of dissolved nutrients, it was concluded that the limiting nutrient for photosynthesis was nitrogen rather than phosphorous. The release of some heavy metals from the sewage-polluted intertidal sediment was significant, and beachrock development also related to the discharges. The intertidal fauna was impoverished because of the organic sludge.

Seaweeds and the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S. Stekoll ◽  
Lawrence Deysher ◽  
Thomas A. Dean
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Algal Species ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Prince William Sound ◽  
Cook Inlet ◽  
Exxon Valdez ◽  
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill ◽  
Upper Intertidal

ABSTRACT A three-year study, initiated in 1989, has evaluated the response of subtidal and intertidal seaweed communities to the Exxon Valdez oil spill and subsequent cleanup activities. The project was part of the coastal habitat injury assessment research sanctioned under the natural resource damage assessment program. A stratified random design was used to select oiled sites for the study. Paired control (unoiled) sites were then matched to the oiled sites. The most consistent effect found in subtidal populations in Prince William Sound was the higher relative abundance of small-size classes of kelps at the oiled sites, indicating the prior disappearance of larger plants. This disappearance was possibly caused by activities associated with the cleanup operations. Intertidal populations of algae were affected by the spill and cleanup in all three major areas studied: Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet-Kenai, and Kodiak-Alaskan Peninsula. The most obvious effect was a significant removal of the dominant intertidal plant Fucus gardneri from the mid and upper intertidal zones. The limited dispersal of this plant combined with the relatively harsh conditions of the upper intertidal will cause a slow recovery of the upper intertidal zone in the affected areas. Effects of the spill extended to other algal species. Species such as Cladophora, Myelophycus, Odonthalia, Palmaria, and Polysiphonia showed decreases in their percent cover at oiled sites. Only Gloiopeltis populations appeared to increase in percent cover in oiled areas. In both the Cook Inlet-Kenai and the Kodiak-Alaskan Peninsula areas Fucus populations appeared to be enhanced in the lower intertidal zone—between 2 and 3 meters below the high-tide mark—in 1991.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document