Low Richard M
Ecology. 1971 Jul;52(4):648-654. doi: 10.2307/1934153.
Field observations on territorial behavior of the fish P. flavicauda were made for a total of 200 hours at Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef. Specimens 6 cm or more in length restricted their movements to areas of approximately 2 m over at least a 5-month period. Distribution of the fish was highly correlated (r = 0.89) with the amount of interface between sand and dead coral. Such areas provided algae in close proximity to shelter. Observations of agonistic behavior showed that P. flavicauda usually responded agonistically to 38 species of 12 families, but not to 16 other species of 6 families. Apparently competitors for algae elicit an agonistic response from P. flavicauda, while carnivores do not. Maps locating the positions of agosnistic encounters indicate that the entire home range is defended as a territory. The effectiveness of the agonistic behavior was indicated when, following the removal of 6 specimens of P. flavicauda, there was an increase in algal-feeding fishes seen within their territories. Implications, of these results for out understanding of interspecific territoriality are discussed.
在大堡礁的赫伦岛，对黄尾拟雀鲷的领地行为进行了共计200小时的实地观察。体长6厘米及以上的标本在至少5个月的时间里将活动范围限制在约2米的区域内。这种鱼的分布与沙质和死珊瑚之间的界面面积高度相关（r = 0.89）。这些区域在靠近庇护所的地方提供了藻类。对攻击行为的观察表明，黄尾拟雀鲷通常对12个科的38个物种有攻击反应，但对6个科的其他16个物种没有反应。显然，藻类竞争者会引发黄尾拟雀鲷的攻击反应，而食肉动物则不会。定位攻击遭遇位置的地图表明，整个活动范围都作为一个领地受到保护。当移除6条黄尾拟雀鲷标本后，在其领地内出现的以藻类为食的鱼类数量增加，这表明了攻击行为的有效性。讨论了这些结果对我们理解种间领地性的意义。
