C. Faria et V. Almada, Microhabitat segregation in three rocky intertidal fish species in Portugal: does it reflect interspecific competition?, J FISH BIOL, 58(1), 2001, pp. 145-159
Recruits of Lipophrys pholis, Coryphoblennius galerita and Gobius cobitis s
pend the low tide under water in pools, and in the case of G. cobitis also
in channels. The pools used by the two blenniids show greater similarity th
an those used by G. cobitis. Larger juveniles and adults of C. galerita con
tinue to use the same type of pools, which are temporarily abandoned by the
males during the breeding season when they use emersed holes and crevices
as nests. The much faster growing L. pholis and G. cobitis leave the pools
in their first autumn, when they are c. 7 cm long. Whereas G, cobitis >7 cm
move to channels and large upper pools, with a smooth substratum sand and
boulders. L. pholis begin to use emersed crevices where they spend low tide
often in large groups, When L. pholis or C. galerita were added or removed
selectively from pools, their numbers returned to pre-experimental levels
after 2 weeks, suggesting that. although intraspecific competition may be s
trong, interspecific competition was unlikely to explain these results full
y. (C) 2001 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.