Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology 

About: Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology is an academic journal published by Taylor & Francis. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Crayfish & Shrimp. It has an ISSN identifier of 1023-6244. Over the lifetime, 753 publications have been published receiving 12935 citations.

Visual feeding of fish in a turbid environment: Physical and behavioural aspects

Abstract: Turbidity has both positive and negative effects on prey detection, by increasing or diminishing the contrast between prey and background due to the scattering of light. The positive effect of turbidity on prey contrast depends on the optical properties, scattering properties of suspended particles and the visual sensitivity of the predator. The positive effect of turbidity is pronounced for larval fish, given that their visual field is short, leaving fewer particles between them and their prey to scatter light and interfere with detection. This relationship, together with a decreased risk of predation, makes turbid environments more optimal for some species and size groups of fish (planktivores and fish larvae) and less so for others (adult piscivore fish). Thus, turbidity might have a structuring effect on a fish community. Recently it has been demonstrated that UV light might have positive effects on prey detection and consumption. How UV light might interact with different kinds of particles producing...

Crayfish invading Europe: the case study of Procambarus clarkii

Abstract: The red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, native to northeastern Mexico and southcentral USA, is today the dominant macroinvertebrate in several European countries. While the first introduction of this species into Spain is well-documented, little is known about its pathways of invasion and the reason for its rapid spread in several European countries. Study of the biology of the species has revealed a number of properties that makes this crayfish a successful invader. Procambarus clarkii exhibits properties characteristic of an r-selected species, including early maturity at small body size, rapid growth rates, large numbers of offspring at a given parental size, and relatively short life spans. It is also plastic in its life cycle, able to disperse widely in the habitat and to tolerate environmental extremes. It displays generalist and opportunistic feeding habits, consuming macrophytes and preying on amphibians. Procambarus clarkii can also replace indigenous crayfish by a combination of mechanisms,...

Nutrition of cephalopods: Fueling the system

Abstract: Cephalopods offer a unique model for studying animal nutrition due to the predominance of their amino acid metabolism. Since cephalopods grow at rapid rates for most of their life cycle (3–10% body weight d‐1), the demands on protein synthesis are high. As a result, cephalopod body composition ranges between 75–85% protein on a dry weight basis and they are efficient at assimilating proteins (apparent protein digestibility >85%). Furthermore, the protein/energy ratio required for optimum growth (>50 g protein MJ energy‐1) appears to be significantly greater than for other aquatic invertebrates or fishes (20–30 g protein MJ energy‐1). This high protein/energy ratio indicates that protein should not be considered separately from energy in cephalopods. Attempts to supply high levels of protein (>35% of diet on a wet weight basis) to cuttlefishes with moist prepared diets (pellets and surimi) have been successful in terms of palatability (feeding rates ≈ 8% body weight d‐1) but growth rates (0.7–1.0% body wei...

Influences of man‐made noise and other human actions on cetacean behaviour

Abstract: Behavioral reactions of cetaceans to man‐made noises are highly variable, ranging from attraction (e.g. bow riding by dolphins) or no response through short‐term changes in behaviour to short‐ or long‐term displacement. Noise can also mask important natural sounds or (if strong enough) cause hearing impairment or perhaps stress. This review summarizes the observed behavioral reactions of cetaceans to noise and other stimuli from aircraft, boats, tourism, marine industrial activities, seismic exploration, sonars, explosions, and ocean acoustics studies. Specific response thresholds have been determined for only a few combinations of species and noise type, and they tend to be quite variable even within species. In general, response thresholds are often low for variable or increasing sounds, e.g. approaching boat; intermediate for steady sounds, e.g. offshore drilling noise; and high for pulsed sounds, e.g. seismic survey pulses. With repeated exposure, many cetaceans habituate at least partially. However, ...

Agonistic behaviour and significance of sounds in vocalizing fish

Abstract: Vocalization during agonistic behaviour is widespread in fishes and has been described in representatives of about 30 families. Many species utter sounds when disturbed or caught, probably to startle predators. During aggressive intraspecific encounters fishes mainly vocalize while attacking or fighting, and only rarely in defense situations or when fleeing. Acoustic signals are typically accompanied by visual displays which complicates analysis of sound function. Sounds are mostly short and composed of a series of low frequency pulses. Different types of agonistic acoustic signals as in Polypterus are rare. Males are often more vocal than females but in some species e.g. cottids and gouramis sexual differences in agonistic calls are small. Agonistic vocalizations may affect outcome of contests, defense of territories, and inhibit or increase aggression. Correlation between several sound characteristics and outcome of encounters in Trichopsis vittata indicates that sound parameters are used for assessing ...