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Use of space by Gobius cruentatus and Thorogobius ephippiatus (Teleostei: Gobiidae) in south-west Ireland

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Abstract

The mechanisms of spatial organisation exhibited by two co-existing species of Gobiidae, Gobius cruentatus Gmelin, 1789 and Thorogobius ephippiatus (Lowe, 1839) were examined to determine the nature of, and the factors contributing to, these mechanisms. This study was carried out in Lought Hyne, south-west Ireland, during 1990. Both species were found to occupy territories exclusive to conspecifics, whilst G. cruentatus was also found to maintain a territory exclusive to T. ephippiatus. This and other interspecific differences in the spatial patterns exhibited by these species are suggested to be related to size-based dominance abilities and their differential requirements of space-related resources.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University College, Cork, County Cork, Ireland

    H. K. A. Wilkins & A. A. Myers

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  1. H. K. A. Wilkins
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  2. A. A. Myers
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Communicated by J. Mauchline, Oban

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Wilkins, H.K.A., Myers, A.A. Use of space by Gobius cruentatus and Thorogobius ephippiatus (Teleostei: Gobiidae) in south-west Ireland. Marine Biology 124, 27–34 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00349143

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00349143

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