Importance of reference points in orientation in a current by juvenile mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus)

Recent studies on the dispersal-relevant behavior of marine fish larvae suggest that they possess the behavioral capabilities necessary to directly affect dispersal outcomes. Current research has shifted to determining to what extent larvae and young juveniles can manage their dispersal, as well as...

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Main Authors: Heines, Ryan C, Leonard, Jill
Format: Text
Language:unknown
Published: NMU Commons 2022
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Online Access:https://commons.nmu.edu/celebration_student_scholarship/34
https://commons.nmu.edu/context/celebration_student_scholarship/article/1088/type/native/viewcontent
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spelling ftnorthmichiguni:oai:commons.nmu.edu:celebration_student_scholarship-1088 2023-05-15T17:34:59+02:00 Importance of reference points in orientation in a current by juvenile mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) Heines, Ryan C Leonard, Jill 2022-01-01T08:00:00Z application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.presentationml.presentation https://commons.nmu.edu/celebration_student_scholarship/34 https://commons.nmu.edu/context/celebration_student_scholarship/article/1088/type/native/viewcontent unknown NMU Commons https://commons.nmu.edu/celebration_student_scholarship/34 https://commons.nmu.edu/context/celebration_student_scholarship/article/1088/type/native/viewcontent Celebration of Student Scholarship text 2022 ftnorthmichiguni 2022-05-01T16:32:32Z Recent studies on the dispersal-relevant behavior of marine fish larvae suggest that they possess the behavioral capabilities necessary to directly affect dispersal outcomes. Current research has shifted to determining to what extent larvae and young juveniles can manage their dispersal, as well as what sensory cues they can use for orientation and settlement. There is little contemporary data to suggest that larvae can detect the speed and direction of current without an external reference, which suggests that they lack control over their trajectories and eventual settlement location. The mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) is a species of marine killifish that inhabits and breeds in shorelines and tidal creeks, where juveniles may be subject to both tidal and North Atlantic currents. It is important to determine if an external reference in the form of a fixed visual cue influences ability to hold position in a consistent flow, as this has implications for population demographics and connectivity. Individual juveniles from two different growth stages were each placed into round white trial tanks, one left blank and one with black markings for visual reference. Average middle current speeds for the reference and control tanks were 0.1 and 0.092 m/s respectively. Each tank had a slow current zone above and below the middle current. Time spent per zone was recorded to see if the juveniles chose to orient towards a visual reference. Further analysis using Noldus Ethovision is ongoing; however, preliminary observations suggest that the references are important to the maintenance of position in the chamber. Text North Atlantic Northern Michigan University: The Commons
institution Open Polar
collection Northern Michigan University: The Commons
op_collection_id ftnorthmichiguni
language unknown
description Recent studies on the dispersal-relevant behavior of marine fish larvae suggest that they possess the behavioral capabilities necessary to directly affect dispersal outcomes. Current research has shifted to determining to what extent larvae and young juveniles can manage their dispersal, as well as what sensory cues they can use for orientation and settlement. There is little contemporary data to suggest that larvae can detect the speed and direction of current without an external reference, which suggests that they lack control over their trajectories and eventual settlement location. The mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) is a species of marine killifish that inhabits and breeds in shorelines and tidal creeks, where juveniles may be subject to both tidal and North Atlantic currents. It is important to determine if an external reference in the form of a fixed visual cue influences ability to hold position in a consistent flow, as this has implications for population demographics and connectivity. Individual juveniles from two different growth stages were each placed into round white trial tanks, one left blank and one with black markings for visual reference. Average middle current speeds for the reference and control tanks were 0.1 and 0.092 m/s respectively. Each tank had a slow current zone above and below the middle current. Time spent per zone was recorded to see if the juveniles chose to orient towards a visual reference. Further analysis using Noldus Ethovision is ongoing; however, preliminary observations suggest that the references are important to the maintenance of position in the chamber.
format Text
author Heines, Ryan C
Leonard, Jill
spellingShingle Heines, Ryan C
Leonard, Jill
Importance of reference points in orientation in a current by juvenile mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus)
author_facet Heines, Ryan C
Leonard, Jill
author_sort Heines, Ryan C
title Importance of reference points in orientation in a current by juvenile mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus)
title_short Importance of reference points in orientation in a current by juvenile mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus)
title_full Importance of reference points in orientation in a current by juvenile mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus)
title_fullStr Importance of reference points in orientation in a current by juvenile mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus)
title_full_unstemmed Importance of reference points in orientation in a current by juvenile mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus)
title_sort importance of reference points in orientation in a current by juvenile mummichog (fundulus heteroclitus)
publisher NMU Commons
publishDate 2022
url https://commons.nmu.edu/celebration_student_scholarship/34
https://commons.nmu.edu/context/celebration_student_scholarship/article/1088/type/native/viewcontent
genre North Atlantic
genre_facet North Atlantic
op_source Celebration of Student Scholarship
op_relation https://commons.nmu.edu/celebration_student_scholarship/34
https://commons.nmu.edu/context/celebration_student_scholarship/article/1088/type/native/viewcontent
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