Habitat selection behaviour of Pungitius kaibarae (Gasterosteidae) in the presence of the visual predator Anguilla japonica (Anguillidae)

Abstract

Our study deals with how the short nine-spine stickleback Pungitius kaibarae uses visual cues to select among habitats, thereby reducing predation pressure from the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica. We examined the behaviour of P. kaibaraein selecting four habitats (water  weed, sandy, rocky and open water) under the presence/absence of A. japonica. Using video tracking technology, we found that in the presence of A. japonica, sticklebacks preferred specific refuge patches, such as waterweed and rocks, over open water with a sandy bottom. Thus, our investigation demonstrated the importance of habitat structures in evoking escape behaviour. We discuss the importance of this bold behaviour patterns of the prey fish.Keywords: Bold behaviour, Stickleback, Eel, Swimming speed, Video tracking