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Burrow morphology and utilization of the goby (Parapocryptes serperaster) in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

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Abstract

Some fish species living in mudflats construct burrows for dwelling and hiding. The goby Parapocryptes serperaster is a burrowing fish in mudflats of many estuaries in South East Asia. This study was carried out in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, to examine burrow morphology and usage by this species. Morphology of the burrows constructed by P. serperaster was investigated by resin castings in situ to obtain the physical structure and configuration of each burrow. Fish from the burrows were caught and measured before burrow casts were made. Fish burrows comprised several openings, a few branching tunnels and multi-bulbous chambers. The surface openings were circular, and the shapes of branching tunnels were nearly round. The burrows had interconnected tunnels and various short cul-de-sac side branches. The burrow structure differed between fish sizes, but burrow dimensions were positively correlated with fish size, indicating that larger fish can make larger and more sophisticated burrow. The burrow structure and dimensions were not different between the dry and wet seasons. Laboratory observations showed that P. serperaster used body movements to dig burrows in the sediment. Burrows could provide a low-tide retreat and protection from predators, but were not used for spawning and feeding for this goby species. This study indicates that the burrowing activity of gobies is an important adaptation for living in shallow and muddy habitats.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Mr. Mien and Mr. Giang in Cu Lao Dung, Soc Trang, staffs and students at the Department of Biology, School of Education, Can Tho University for helping us to complete this study and to AusAID for funding of this PhD project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Australia, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia

    Quang Minh Dinh, Jian G. Qin & Sabine Dittmann

  2. College of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam

    Dinh Dac Tran

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  1. Quang Minh Dinh
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  2. Jian G. Qin
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  3. Sabine Dittmann
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  4. Dinh Dac Tran
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Correspondence to Jian G. Qin.

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Dinh, Q.M., Qin, J.G., Dittmann, S. et al. Burrow morphology and utilization of the goby (Parapocryptes serperaster) in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Ichthyol Res 61, 332–340 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-014-0402-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-014-0402-2

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