Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Locomotory activity and behaviour of the Antarctic teleostNotothenia coriiceps

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The activity and behaviour of a free-living Antarctic fish,Notothenia coriiceps Richardson (formerlyN. neglecta), was investigated using a high-sensitivity, underwater TV camera at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands. Detailed observations of the 33 cm TL (total length) fish were made over a period of 6 d in austral summer (February 1992), for a total 69.5 h. Natural light at 2.5 m depth allowed viewing from 1 h before sunrise to 1 h after sunset. The fish stayed in a territory within 3 m of a small cave for >98% of the time, and made between 1 to 148 swims d-1, of which 92.5% were brief (<15 s) feeding attempts. On average, 1.7% of each day was engaged in locomotion, including 1.2% swimming and 0.5% manoeuvring. Swimming was generally slow, at <2 body lengths s-1, and labriform and subcarangiform modes were used alternately or in combination. Activity level (swims or displays per hour) was unaffected by tide, but was lower for 3 d when a wind speed >16 knots prevailed indicating that large waves reduced activity. A suspected diurnal activity rhythm was not statistically significant. The fish is an ambush-predator, and it took most of its prey from the water column but some off macroalgae or the seabed. Ventilation rate was slightly higher after activity, and peaked after an encounter with anotherN. coriiceps.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andriashev AP (1987) A general review of the Antarctic fish bottom fauna. In: Kullander SO, Fernholm B (eds) Proceedings of the Fifth Congress of European Ichthyologists, Stockholm 1985. Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, pp 357–372

    Google Scholar 

  • Archer SD, Johnston IA (1989) Kinematics of labriform and subcarangiform swimming in the Antarctic fishNotothenia neglecta. J exp Biol 143: 195–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Baerends GP (1971) The ethological analysis of fish behaviour. In: Hoar WS, Randall DJ, Brett JR (eds) Fish physiology. VI. Environmental relations and behaviour. Academic Press, New York, pp 279–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnes DKA, Clarke A (1994) Seasonal variation in the feeding activity of four Antarctic bryozoans in relation to environmental factors. J exp mar Biol Ecol 181: 117–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Boisclair D, Tang M (1993) Empirical analysis of the influence of swimming pattern on the net energetic cost of swimming in fishes. J Fish Biol 42: 169–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Bregazzi PK (1972) Life cycles and seasonal movements ofCheirimedon femoratus (Pfeffer) andTryphosella kergueleni (Miers) (Crustacea: Amphipoda). Br Antarct Surv Bull 30: 1–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Casaux RJ, Mazzota AS, Barrera-Oro ER (1990) Seasonal aspects of the biology and diet of nearshore nototheniid fish at Potter Cove, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Polar Biol 11: 63–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke A, Holmes LJ, White MG (1988) The annual cycle of temperature, chlorophyll and major nutrients at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands, 1969–1982. Br Antarct Surv Bull 80: 65–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Coggan RA (1993) Trophodynamics of the Antarctic fishNotothenia coriiceps Richardson. Ph.D. thesis. Open University, UK (unpublished)

    Google Scholar 

  • Daniels RA (1982) Feeding ecology of some fishes of the Antarctic Peninsula. Fish Bull US 80: 575–588

    Google Scholar 

  • Davison W, Forster ME, Franklin CE, Taylor HH (1988) Recovery from exhausting exercise in an Antarctic fish,Pagothenia borchgrevinki. Polar Biol 8: 167–171

    Google Scholar 

  • DeWitt HH (1971) Coastal and deep-water benthic fishes of the Antarctic. Antarctic Map Folio Ser (Folio Am geogr Soc) 15: 1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • DeWitt HH, Heemstra PC, Gon O (1990) Nototheniidae. In: Gon O, Heemstra PC (eds) Fishes of the Southern Ocean. JLB Institute of Ichthyology, Grahamstown, pp 279–331

    Google Scholar 

  • Eastman JT (1991) Evolution and diversification of Antarctic notothenioid fishes. Am Zool 31: 93–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Eastman JT, DeVries AL (1982) Buoyancy studies of notothenioid fishes in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Copeia 1982: 385–393

    Google Scholar 

  • Eastman JT, DeVries AL (1986) Antarctic fishes. Scient Am 255: 96–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekau W, Gutt J (1991) Notothenioid fishes from the Weddell Sea and their habitat, observed by underwater photography and television. Proc natn Inst polar Res (NIPR) Symp polar Biol 4: 36–49 (National Institute of Polar Research, Tokyo)

    Google Scholar 

  • Everson I (1970a) The ecology of the inshore fish of Signy Island. Ph.D. thesis. University of London, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Everson I (1970b) The population dynamics and energy budget ofNotothenia neglecta Nybelin at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands. Br Antarct Surv Bull 23: 25–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Everson I (1994) Timescale of ovarian maturation inNotothenia coriiceps; evidence for a prolonged adolescent phase. J Fish Biol 44: 997–1004

    Google Scholar 

  • Fanta E, Meyer AA, Grötzner SR, Luvizotto MF (1994) Comparative study of feeding strategy and activity patterns of two Antarctic fish:Trematomus newnesi Boulenger, 1902 andGobionotothen gibberifrons (Lönnberg, 1905) (Pisces, Nototheniidae) under different light conditions. Antarctic Rec 38: 13–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Forster ME, Franklin CE, Taylor HH, Davison W (1987) The aerobic scope of an Antarctic fish,Pagothenia borchgrevinki and its significance for metabolic cold adaptation. Polar Biol 8: 155–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster BA, Montgomery JC (1993) Planktivory in benthic nototheniid fish in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Envir Biol Fish 36: 313–318

    Google Scholar 

  • Gon O, Heemstra PC (eds) (1990) Fishes of the Southern Ocean. J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Grahamstown

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison P, Colin JM, Johnston IA (1987) Gross morphology, fibre composition and mechanical properties of pectoral fin muscles in the antarctic teleostNotothenia neglecta Nybelin. In: Kullander SO, Fernholm B (eds) Proceedings of the Fifth Congress of Eurpean Ichthyologists, Stockholm 1985. Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, pp 459–465

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoshai T (1980) Feeding behaviour related to tidal rhythm in the youngTrematomus borchgrevinki Boulenger. Polskie Archwm Hydrobiol 27: 285–290

    Google Scholar 

  • Hubold G (1991) Ecology of notothenioid fish in the Weddell Sea. In: di Prisco G, Maresca B, Tota B (eds) Biology of Antarctic fish. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp 3–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Hureau J-C (1970) Biologie compareé de quelque poissons antarctiques (Nototheniidae). Bull Inst océanogr Monaco 68: 1–244

    Google Scholar 

  • Janssen J, Sideleva V, Montgomery J (1991) Under-ice observations of fish behavior at McMurdo Sound. Antarctic J US 26: 174–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston IA (1989) Antarctic fish muscles-structure, function and physiology. antarctic Sci 1: 97–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston IA, Battram J (1993) Feeding energetics and metabolism in demersal fish species from Antarctic, temperate and tropical environments. Mar Biol 115: 7–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston IA, Clarke A, Ward P (1991) Temperature and metabolic rate in sedentary fish from the Antarctic, North Sea and Indo-West Pacific Ocean. Mar Biol 109: 191–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston IA, Johnson TP, Battram JC (1990) Low temperature limits burst swimming performance in Antarctic fish. In: di Prisco G, Maresca B, Tota B (eds) Biology of Antarctic fish. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp 179–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Keenleyside MHA (1979) Diversity and adaptation in fish behaviour. Springer-Verlag, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Luxmoore RA (1981) The ecology of Antarctic serolid isopods. Ph.D. thesis. Council for National Academic Awards, UK (unpublished)

    Google Scholar 

  • Macdonald JA, Montgomery JC, Wells RMG (1987) Comparative physiology of Antarctic fishes. Adv mar Biol 24: 321–388

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackay D (1991) Choosing an underwater TV system. Underwat Systems Des 13: 13–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery JC, Macdonald JA (1984) Performance of motor systems in Antarctic fishes. J comp Physiol (Sect A) 154: 241–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Permitin Yu E (1970) The consumption of krill by Antarctic fishes. In: Holdgate MW (ed). Antarctic ecology. 1. Academic Press, London and New York, pp 177–182

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson MG (1975) The dietary composition of some Antarctic fish. Br Antarct Surv Bull 41, 42: 113–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan BF, Joiner BL, Ryan TA (1985) Minitab handbook. PWS-Kent Publishing Company, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Snedecor GW, Cochran WG (1980) Statistical methods. 7th edn. Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa

    Google Scholar 

  • Targett TE (1981) Trophic ecology and structure of coastal Antarctic fish communities. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 4: 243–263

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb PW (1991) composition and mechanics of routine swimming of rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss. Can J Fish aquat Sciences 48: 583–590

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams JCC (1969) Simple photogrammetry. Academic Press, London and New York

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, CB3 OET, Cambridge, England

    A. W. North

Authors
  1. A. W. North
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by J. P. Thorpe, Port Erin

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

North, A.W. Locomotory activity and behaviour of the Antarctic teleostNotothenia coriiceps . Mar. Biol. 126, 125–132 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00571384

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00571384

Keywords

Search

Navigation