Extra-Territorial Movements of a Perennially Territorial Damselfish, Eupomacentrus Dorsopunicans Poey

Abstract

Abstract1. Dusky damselfish, Eupomacentrus dorsopunicans spend the majority of their time in very small, perennial territories but long forays to other territories are common. 2. Adults living on discrete habitats often forayed to continuous habitats, and were lost more frequently during a six month census. 3. Continuous habitat occupants participated in more courtship activity. 4. Following experimental habitat disruption the number of forays increased prior to the establishment of new territories, thus demonstrating that foraying is associated with territorial reestablishment. 5. Territorial shifts are essential for perennially territorial individuals in inferior habitats, and foraying is apparently a territorial monitoring mechanism. Presumably, forays optimally time territorial shifts and reduce their inherent costs.