The effects of age and length on homing performance in the intertidal cottid, Oligocottus maculosus Girard

Abstract

The intertidal cottid Oligocottus maculosus Girard has been previously reported to demonstrate homing behaviour, that is, to return to its home range (group of tidepools covered in normal travel) and (or) its home pool (pool of first capture) when transplanted to a pool some distance away. Investigation of significant differences in homing behaviour between the three major age groups of O. maculosus showed an improvement in the percentage successfully homing with length, peaking between 5 and 7 cm (total length) (age 2), with considerable variability in smaller size classes and decreasing homing success in larger fish.Juvenile fish (about 2.3 to 2.7 cm) move extensively between tidepools and begin demonstrating home range fidelity and homing behaviour at about 3 cm. It is suggested that during this period of extensive movement, the area is in some way "learned" and "memorized."