Behavioural and physiological adaptations to a burrowing lifestyle in the snake blenny, Lumpenus lampretaeformis, and the red band‐fish, Cepola rubescens

Abstract

Observations have been made on the mode of burrow construction in the snake blenny, Lumpenus lampretaeformis, under laboratory conditions. It appears that head probing and lateral oscillations of the body are principally responsible for the excavation of the burrow which is completed within 24 h. The burrow structure has been analysed in detail, showing a mean depth of 7.2 cm with a maximum observed length of 73 cm, with most systems between 20 and 35 cm in length. Initially linear burrows with two openings are usually provided with a small side tunnel, giving the system a characteristic Y‐shape.Burrow irrigation was investigated for the first time in L. lampretaeformis. The mean duration of burrow irrigation, by flexions of the tail of the fish, was 21 s with over 13 min h−1 spent in irrigating the burrow. The mean water displacement per irrigation period was 3.1 ml. The PO2 and PCO2 were measured in both surface water and within the burrow system of L. lampretaeformis. Surface water values for PO2 were high (> 150 Torr) and PCO2 low (<0.4 Torr). Hypoxic and hypercapnic conditions were measured in the burrow system itself, with PO2 values ranging between 57 and 129 Torr and PCO2 rising to > 1.3 Torr in some burrows.A comparative study of Cepola rubescens burrows indicated similar surface water PO2 and PCO2 values as in L. lampretaeformis. Burrow water PO2 values ranged between 60 and 94 Torr, with PCO2 values as high as 1.5 Torr being recorded. These results are discussed in relation to the adaptation of both species to a burrowing lifestyle.