Factors affecting the outcome of territorial contests between hatchery and naturally reared coho salmon parr in the laboratory

J. S. Rhodes, T. P. Quinn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In aquarium experiments using coho salmon as a model species, prior residents dominated intruders of the same size but intruders with a 6% length advantage were equally matched against prior residents. Prior winning experience (distinct from individual recognition) also strongly influenced competitive success and overcame a prior residence effect. Coho salmon reared in a hatchery dominated size-matched fish from the same parental population reared in a stream. Hatchery-reared salmon also dominated naturally spawned salmon, even when the wild salmon were prior residents. Thus the combined effects of greater size and rearing experience of hatchery-produced salmon were sufficient to overcome a wild salmon's advantage of prior residence. Efforts to rehabilitate salmonid populations must consider such behavioural interactions if displacement of wild fish is to be prevented.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1220-1230
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Fish Biology
Volume53
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1998
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Coho salmon
  • Competition
  • Experience
  • Hatchery
  • Prior residence
  • Size asymmetry

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Aquatic Science

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