Abstract
In Coweeta Creek, North Carolina, mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi) co-occurred seasonally with a potential predator, rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris). We conducted experiments to determine whether rock bass affected microhabitat use by sculpin in an artificial stream. The general behavior and microhabitat use of both species in the artificial stream resembled those observed in Coweeta Creek. When all microhabitat observations were pooled, there was little evidence of predator-induced shifts by sculpin. However, at night in trials without predators, sculpin generally occurred farther from shelter, over greater amounts of gravel and lower quantities of erosional substrata. When we added predators, however, this response was obviated. Nonetheless, the lack of strong responses by sculpin to rock bass, coupled with their co-occurrence only during seasons of low metabolic activity, lead us to suspect that rock bass do not produce strong shifts in microhabitat use by most sculpin in the Coweeta drainage.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
