Timing of juvenile emergence from host mussels in the Japanese rosy bitterling, Rhodeus ocellatus kurumeus

Abstract

The diel rhythm of juvenile emergence from host mussels in the Japanese rosy bitterling, Rhodeus ocellatus kurumeus, was investigated in a small pond in Osaka prefecture, Japan. The emergence of juvenile bitterling from host mussels occurred principally at night, with a peak in the early part of the night. The pattern of juvenile bitterling emergence was discussed in the context of an adaptive response to diurnal predation.