Date of Award
2010
Publication Type
Master Thesis
Degree Name
M.Sc.
Department
Biological Sciences
Keywords
Ecology.
Supervisor
Corkum, Lynda (Biological Sciences)
Rights
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Abstract
There are several modalities through which fish can communicate, but oftentimes they rely primarily on chemical and visual signaling. The Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) is a prolific invader of the Laurentian Great Lakes. My goal was to examine the behavioural responses of this species to signals from conspecifics. Using behavioural assays, I found that visual signals (i.e. nuptial colouration) rather than chemical signals (i.e. urine) from males were attractive to reproductive females. I also examine the attraction of juveniles to eggs odours; individuals significantly preferred conspecific to heterospecific odours. Lastly, I compare the allometric relationships between pectoral fins and body length in males and females, which may contribute to the reproductive success of an individual. My research improves our understanding of the behavioural ecology of an invasive species of fish.
Recommended Citation
Yavno, Stan, "Behavioural responses of the Round Goby, Neogobius melanostomus, to signals from conspecifics" (2010). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 302.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/etd/302