An experimental study of benthic habitat selection in yellow-phase American eels (Anguilla rostrata)
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
In a laboratory experiment, we quantified microhabitat use of small yellow-phase American eels (Anguilla rostrata, n = 130, 224–338 mm TL) conditional on five benthic substrate types common to rivers within their geographic range. During nine, 4-day trials replicated with three aquaria, American eels were given a choice to burrow into five equally available benthic substrates: cobble (90–256 mm), gravel (4–16 mm), sand (0.125–1 mm), silt/clay (< 0.0625 mm), and leaf pack. Five American eels were used per aquarium for each trial, and individuals were used one time only. All eels were injected with PIT tags prior to the study, which allowed for determination of lengths and otolith-based ages of each individual following each trial. Leaf pack was selected with a significantly higher probability than other substrates (63 of 130 individuals). However, other substrates were also used (cobble, 21 of 130; silt/clay, 18 of 130; gravel, 16 of 130; and sand, 12 of 130). Length and age covariates were not associated with substrate selection. Selection of leaf pack habitat supports the importance of forested riparian zones and terrestrial organic material to yellow-phase American eels in riverine systems.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | An experimental study of benthic habitat selection in yellow-phase American eels (Anguilla rostrata) |
| Series title | Environmental Biology of Fishes |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10641-024-01544-z |
| Volume | 107 |
| Year Published | 2024 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Springer Link |
| Contributing office(s) | Coop Res Unit Leetown |
| Description | 10 p. |
| First page | 513 |
| Last page | 522 |
| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| Other Geospatial | Millville hydroelectric dam, Shenandoah River |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |