A quantitative study of intertidepool movement of the wooly sculpin Clinocottus analis

Abstract

Movements of the wooly sculpin Clinocottus analis between all pools in a designated area of a southern California (USA) intertidal zone were studied. Fish were captured during low tides, finclipped or bead-tagged, and released in the pool of capture. Percent recaptured in pool of first capture declined from 30 after 2 weeks to about 5 after 20 weeks. Percent recaptured in any pool in the study area declined from 50 after 2 weeks to 20 after 8 weeks, but remained at 20 through 16 weeks. A higher fidelity to an area of the intertidal zone than to a specific pool was suggested. Large fish exhibited higher probability of recapture than smaller individuals, indicating they become more sedentary with age. Changes in pool topography influenced percent recurrence in a pool, most likely as a consequence of changes in quality and quantity of cover available. Such responses to changes in specific pools and fidelity to intertidal areas containing several pools appear to be advantageous behavioral patterns in an environment where topographic change is frequent and often massive.