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The implications of group-size choice and post-settlement movement on the behavior and population dynamics of the damselfish dascyllus albisella

Martinez, Felix A
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1069794378

Abstract Details

2004, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology.
Simple optimality processes and decisions can lead to complex temporal variability and variability among individuals. We pursued this question in relation to coral reef fish settlement decisions and their implications on social group dynamics. We developed a model of optimal "choice" rather than optimal group size. The optimality model assumed a cost to settling fish and no post-settlement movement. The model predicted that settling DASCYLLUS ALBISELLA should show no preference for particular group sizes early in the season, but favor smaller groups later to maximize growth. Field data revealed that individuals preferred settling in larger groups where safe but sometimes relocated to other social groups. Our assumptions of a cost to settling fish and of no post-settlement movement did not hold. We decided subsequently to incorporate empirically derived functions of group-size choice and movement in a simulation model to distinguish between pre- and post-settlement processes as factors determining size and structure in a population. Results demonstrated that pre- and post-settlement processes did not act in isolation. Processes influencing the number of new individuals coming into a population determined the size and number of social groups of that population; post-settlement growth determined the make-up of social groups and how many individuals within the population reached maturity within a given year. We also explored a potential mechanism triggering movement between social groups. Individuals exposed to cortisol moved more within experimental aquaria than controls. Results suggest a potential link between inter-renal activation and movement behavior. In this study, we demonstrated how focusing on decision processes rather than outcomes of fitness trade-offs (e.g., optimal group size) recreate variability in behavior observed in nature. The optimality model revealed that variation in group size can arise on a single day from otherwise identical individuals, allowing initial variation in group sizes to persist. Incorporating individual choice, and the flexibility of movement to relocate between groups, in a simulation model, increased model realism and allow investigators to discern the impact of pre- and post-settlement processes on population size and structure.
Elizabeth Marschall (Advisor)
153 p.
settlement; post-settlement movement; damselfishes; group size choice; social group size; individual based model

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Martinez, F. A. (2004). The implications of group-size choice and post-settlement movement on the behavior and population dynamics of the damselfish dascyllus albisella [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1069794378

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Martinez, Felix. The implications of group-size choice and post-settlement movement on the behavior and population dynamics of the damselfish dascyllus albisella. 2004. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1069794378.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Martinez, Felix. "The implications of group-size choice and post-settlement movement on the behavior and population dynamics of the damselfish dascyllus albisella." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1069794378

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2004, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.