Synopsis
I examined the consequence of territorial behaviour on localized nest spacing by male smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu in Jones Bay, Lake Opeongo, Ontario. I compared observed nest spacing to that predicted from (i) territory size and shape measured using sonic tracking procedures; and (ii) 1000 simulated, randomly established nesting stocks. The observed spacing between nests (17.52 ± 1.46 m; mean ± standard error) was not different from that predicted from measurements of territory size and shape (17.60 ± 3.20 m) but was significantly greater than that predicted for randomly established nests (9.53 ± 0.06 m). Parental care-associated territorial behaviour influences the spacing between smallmouth bass nests.
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Scott, R.J. The influence of parental care behaviour on localized nest spacing in smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu . Environ Biol Fish 46, 103–107 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001702
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001702