Territoriality, habitat selection, and prior residency in underyearling Stichaeus punctatus (Pisces: Stichaeidae)

Abstract

Laboratory and field experiments showed that underyearling Stichaeus punctatus are territorial, select a particular type of habitat, and exhibit the prior residency effect. Territories are established immediately after settlement from the plankton. Although underyearlings disappeared from the study area in November, laboratory data suggested that S. punctatus are territorial for the first year of their benthic life. It is hypothesized that territoriality in underyearlings could result in selection for early settlement and may account for the relatively short period during which settlement occurs.