Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Abundance and spatial overlap of gobies (Gobiidae) in Lough Hyne, Ireland

  • Published:
Environmental Biology of Fishes Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Synopsis

The densities of gobies (Gobiidae, Pisces) were counted by scuba divers on 13 sublittoral transects in Lough Hyne, southwest Ireland. The characters used for underwater identification are described. Densities ranged up to 6.5 m−2 for Pomatoschistus pictus (Malm), 4.0 m−2 for Gobiusculus flavescens (Fabricius), 0.9 m−2 for Gobius niger L., 0.3 m−2 for G. cruentatus Gmelin, and 0.3 m−2 for Thorogobius ephippiatus (Lowe), while G. paganellus L., G. couchi Miller & El-Tawil and Lesueurigobius friesii Malm were rare on the transects. Gobius cruentatus and T. ephippiatus were largely confined to holes under rocks, while P. pictus and G. niger were most abundant on more open terrain. G. flavescens was hyperbenthic and largely confined to water less than 5 m depth. Significantly less P. pictus, G. flavescens and G. niger were recorded at night, and ‘sleeping’G. flavescens were observed. A working model of the spatial overlap of gobies in Lough Hyne is presented, and the possible roles of diet, predation and temporal activity patterns in interspecific competition are discussed.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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 cited

  • Aneer, G. & S. Nellbring. 1977. A drop-trap investigation of the abundance of fish in very shallow water in the Askö area, northern Baltic proper. pp. 21–30. In: B.F. Keegan, P. O'Ceidigh & P.J.S. Boaden (ed.) Biology of Benthic Organism, Pergamon, Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aneer, G., G. Florell, U. Kautsky, S. Nellbring & L. Sjöstedt. 1983. In situ observations of Baltic herring (Clupea harengus membras) spawning behaviour in the Askö-Landsort area, northern Baltic proper. Mar. Biol. 75: 105–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bracken, J. & M. Kennedy. 1967. Notes of some Irish estuarine and inshore fishes. Ir. Fish. Invest. Ser. B, no. 3. 28 pp.

  • Casabianca, M.-L. de & A. Kiener. 1969. Gobiidés des étangs Corses: Systématique, écologie, régime alimentaire et position dans le chans trophiques. Vie Milieu 20: 611–634.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, C.J. & R.J.A. Atkinson. 1986. Fish behaviour in relation to divers. Prog. Underwat. Sci. 11: 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collins, S.P. 1982a. Littoral and benthic investigations on the west coast of Ireland. XIII. The biology of Gobiusculus flavescens (Fabricius) on the Connemara coast. Proc. R. Ir. Acad. 81B: 63–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collins, S.P. 1982b. Littoral and benthic investigations on the west coast of Ireland. XIV. The biology of the painted goby, Pomatoschistus pictus (Malm) (Teleostei: Gobiidae) on the (Connemara coast). Proc. R. Ir. Acad. 82B: 21–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Costello, M.J. & A.A. Myers. 1987. Amphipod fauna of the sponges Halichondria panicea and Hymeniacidon perleve in Lough Hyne, Ireland. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 41: 115–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Costello, M.J. & A.A. Myers. 1989. Observations on the parasitism of Aora gracilis (Bate) (Amphipoda) by Sphaeronella leuckartii Salensky (Copepoda), with a review of amphipod Sphaeronella associations. J. nat. Hist. 23: 81–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Costello, M.J., J. Edwards & G.W. Potts. 1990. The diet of the two-spot goby, Gobiusculus flavescens, in the Plymouth area. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 70: 329–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doornbos, G. & F. Twisk. 1987. Density, growth and annual food consumption of gobiid fish in the saline Lake Grevelingen, The Netherlands. Neth. J. Sea Res. 21: 45–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunne, J. 1976. Littoral and benthic investigations on the west coast of Ireland. V. A contribution to the biology of the leopard-spotted goby, Thorogobius ephippiatus (Lowe) (Pisces: Teleostei: Gobiidae). Proc. R. Ir. Acad. 76B: 121–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunne, J. 1978. Littoral and benthic investigations on the west coast of Ireland. IX. Section A (faunistic and ecological studies). The biology of the rock-goby, Gobius paganellus L., at Carna. Proc. R. Ir. Acad. 78B: 179–191.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edlund, A.-M. & C. Magnhagen. 1981. Food segregation and consumption suppression in two coexisting fishes, Pomatoschistus minutus and P. microps: an experimental demonstration of competition. Oikos 36: 23–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, S. & B. Tallmark. 1979. A modified drop-net method for sampling mobile epifauna on marine shallow sandy bottoms. Holarct. Ecol. 2: 58–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauch, H.G., Jr. 1984. Multivariate analysis in community ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 298 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, R.N. 1972. The vertical distribution and feeding relationships of intertidal fish on the atlantic coast of France. J. Anim. Ecol. 41: 189–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, R.N. & I.H. Hesthagen. 1981. A comparison of the activity patterns of the sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas) from areas of different tidal range. J. Fish Biol. 18: 669–684.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grossman, G.D., R. Coffin & P.B. Moyle. 1980. Feeding ecology of the bay goby (Pisces: Gobiidae). Effects of behavioral, ontogenetic, and temporal variation on diet. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 44: 47–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamerlynck, O., C. Heip & F. Redant. 1986. Life history, food consumption and resource parititioning in two sympatric gobies Pomatoschistus minutus and P. lozanoi in the Belgian coastal waters. Int. Co. Explor. Sea C.M. 1986/L: 14. 19 pp.

  • Healev, M.C. 1971. The distribution and abundance of sand gobies, Gobius minutus, in the Ythan estuary. J. Zool. Lond. 163: 177–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Healev, M.C. 1972. On the population ecology of the common goby in the Ythan estuary. J. nat. Hist. 6: 133–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hesthagen, I.H. 1976. Locomotory activity of the black goby, Gobius niger L. (Pisces, Gobiidae), under artificial light conditions, including a false dawn and dusk. Sarsia 62: 9–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jansson, B.-O., G. Aneer & S. Nellbring. 1985. Spatial and temporal distribution of the demersal fish fauna in a Baltic archipelago as estimated by SCUBA census. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 23: 31–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • King, P.A., J.M. Fives & J. Dunne. 1980. Littoral and benthic investigations on the west coast of Ireland. XII. The fishes of Kylesalia Creek, Connemara. Proc. R. Ir. Acad. 80B: 165–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitching, J.A. 1987. Ecological studies at Lough Hyne. Adv. Ecol. Res 17: 115–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitching, J.A. & F.J. Ebling. 1967. Ecological studies at Lough Hyne. Adv. Ecol. Res. 4: 197–291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitching, J.A., F.J. Ebling, J.C. Gamble, R. Hoare, A.Q.R. McLeod & T.A. Norton. 1976. The ecology of Lough Inc. XIX. Seasonal changes in the Western Trough. J. Anim. Ecol. 45: 731–758.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lagler, K.F. 1978. Capture, sampling and examination of fishes. pp. 7–47. In: T. Bagenal (ed.) Methods for Assessment of Fish Production in Fresh Waters, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lincoln Smith, M.P. 1989. Improving multispecies rocky reef fish censuses by counting different groups of species using different procedures. Env. Biol. Fish. 26: 29–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindström, K. 1988. Male-male competition for nest sites in the sand goby, Pomatoschistus minutus. Oikos 53: 67–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maggs, C.A., M.T. Freamhainn & M.D. Guiry. 1983. A study of the marine algae of subtidal cliffs in Lough Hyne (Ine), Co. Cork. Proc. R. Ir. Acad. 83: 251–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magnhagen, C. 1988. Changes in foraging as a response to predation risk in two gobiid fish species, Poinatoschistus minutus and Gobius niger. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 49: 21–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magnhagen, C. & A.-M. Wiederholm. 1982. Habitat and food preferences of Pomatoschistus minutus and P. microps (Gobiidae) when alone and together: an experimental study. Oikos 39: 152–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, P.J. 1963. Studies on the biology and taxonomy of British gobiid fishes. Ph.D. Thesis, Universitv of Liverpool, Liverpool. 213 pp.

  • Miller. P.J. 1969. Systematics and biology of the leopard-spotted goby, Gobius ephippiatus (Teleostei: Gobiidae), with a description of a new genus and notes on the identity of G. macrolepis Kolombatovic. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 49: 831–855.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, P.J. 1972. The identity of Gobius affinis Kolombatovic, with notes on the systematics and biology of Pomatoschistus pictus (Malm) (Pisces: Gobiidae) Ann. Mus. civ. Stor. nat. Giacomo Doria 79: 53–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, P.J. 1986. Gobiidae. pp. 1019–1085, In: P.J.-P. Whitehead, M.-L. Bauchot, J.-C. Hureau, J. Nielsen & F. Tortonese (ed.) Fishes of the Northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. Vol. 2. UNESCO, Paris.

  • Miller, P.J. & M.Y. El-Tawil. 1974. A multidiscipliwiry approach to a new species of Gobius (Teleostei: Gobiidea) from southern Cornwall. J. Zool. Lond. 174: 539–574.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, P.J., A.L. Rice & A.D.F. Johnstone. 1973. A western Scottish population of the leopard-spotted goby, Thorogobius ephippiatus (Lowe) (Teleostei: Gobioidea) J. Fish Biol. 5: 233–239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minchin, D. 1987. Fishes of the Lough Hyne marine reserve. J. Fish Biol. 31: 343–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minchin, D. 1988. Couch's goby, Gobius couchi (Teleostei: Gobiidae), from Irish waters. J. Fish Biol. 33: 821–822.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nash, R.D.M. 1982. The biology of Fries' goby, Lesueurigobius friesii (Malm), in the Firth of Clyde. Scotland. and a comparison with other stocks. J. Fish Biol. 21: 69–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nash, R.D.M. 1984. Aspects of the biology of the black goby, Gobius niger L., in Oslofjorden, Norway. Sarsia 69: 55–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nash, R.D.M. 1988. The effects of disturbance and severe seasonal fluctuations in environmental conditions on north temperate shallow-water fish assemblages. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 26: 123–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nash, R.D.M. & R.N. Gibson. 1982. Seasonal fluctuations and compositions of two populations of small demersal fishes on the west coast of Scotland. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 15: 485–495.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nellbring, S. 1985. Abundance, biomass, and seasonal variation of fish on shallow soft bottoms in the Askö area, northern Baltic proper. Sarsia 70: 217–225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nellbring, S. 1986. A quantitative and experimental study of goby (Pomatoschistus spp.) nests on a shallow soft bottom, northern Baltic proper. Ophelia 25: 15–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nellbring, S. 1988. Quantitative and qualitative studies of fish in shallow water, northern Baltic proper. Doctoral Thesis, University of Stockholm, Stockholm. 98 pp.

  • Phil, L. & R. Rosenberg. 1982. Production, abundance, and biomass of mobile epibenthic marine fauna in shallow waters, western Sweden. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 57: 273–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phil Baden, S. & L. Phil. 1984. Abundance, biomass and production of mobile epibenthic fauna in Zostera marina (L.) meadows, western Sweden. Ophelia 23: 65–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tallmark, B. & S. Evans. 1986. Substrate-related differences in antipredator behaviour of to gobiid fish species and the brown shrimp, and their adaptive value. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 29: 217–222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorman, S. 1982. Niche dynamics and resource partitioning in a fish guild inhabiting a shallow estuary on the Swedish west coast. Oikos 39: 32–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorman, S. & A.-M. Wiederholm. 1984. Species composition and dietary relationships in a brackish shallow water fish assemblages in the Bothnian sea, Sweden. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 19: 359–371.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thrush, S.F. 1986a. The sublittoral macrobenthic community structure of an Irish sea-lough: effect of decomposing accumulations of seaweed. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 96: 199–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thrush, S.F. 1986b. Community structure on the floor of a sea-lough: are large epibenthic predators important? J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 104: 171–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thrush, S.F. 1986c. Spatial heterogeneity in subtidal gravel generated by the pit-digging activities of Cancer pagurus. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 30: 221–227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thrush, S.F. 1988. Behavioural observations on subtidal populations of starfish in Lough Hyne. Ir. Nat. J. 22: 430–436.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thrush, S.F. & C.R. Townsend. 1986. The subtidal macrobenthic community composition of Lough Hyne, Ireland. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 23: 551–574.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaas, K.F., A.G. Vlasblom & P. de Koeijer. 1975. Studies on the black goby (Gobius niger, Gobiidae, Pisces) in the Veerse Meer, S W Netherlands. Neth. J. Sea Res. 9: 56–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vesey, G. & T.E. Langford. 1985. The biology of the black goby, Gobius niger L., in an English south-coast bay. J. Fish Biol. 27: 417–429.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler, A. 1978. Key to the fishes of Northern Europe. Frederick Warne Ltd, London. 380 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, K. 1984. A bibliography of Lough Hyne (Ine) 1687–1982. J. Life Sci., R. Dubl. Soc. 5: 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Youngs, W.D. & D.S. Robson. 1978. Estimation of population number and mortality rates. pp. 137–164. In: Bagenal T. (ed.) methods for Assesment of Firsh Production in Fresh Waters, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin, 2, Ireland

    Mark J. Costello

Authors
  1. Mark J. Costello
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Costello, M.J. Abundance and spatial overlap of gobies (Gobiidae) in Lough Hyne, Ireland. Environ Biol Fish 33, 239–248 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00005868

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00005868

Key words

Search

Navigation