Abstract
The energetic efficiency of the observed migratory behaviors of the anadromous American shad in fresh and salt water was examined. Swimming behavior in fresh water is inefficient, relative to the optimum strategy, and appears to be regulated by optimotor rather than energy constraints. Near the salt-fresh water interface, immediately following entry into fresh water, swimming behavior approaches the optimum energetic strategy. This shift in behavior appears to result from energy constraints related to osmoregulation.
The mean swimming speeds of shad in both salt and fresh water are near the optimum. The population consequences of these behavior patterns are discussed.
Contribution to the program of GIROQ (Groupe Interuniversitaire de Recherches Oceanographiques du Quebec).
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© 1978 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Leggett, W.C., Trump, C.L. (1978). Energetics of Migration in American Shad. In: Schmidt-Koenig, K., Keeton, W.T. (eds) Animal Migration, Navigation, and Homing. Proceedings in Life Sciences. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-11147-5_37
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-11147-5_37
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