Interspecific Aggression in a Hawaiian Pomacentrid: Stegastes Fasciolatus
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Authors
Harrington, Michael
Issue Date
1985
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Field observations were made on interspecific aggression in
the Hawaiian pomacentrid, Stegastes fasciolatus. Included
are 17 species of intruders of which 3 are herbivores, 8 are
carnivores, and 6 are omnivores. For purposes of the
investigation, the resident's territory was divided into
three horizontal and two vertical components. When
an intruder entered a territory, the position of the intruder
was recorded along with whether or not the intruder was chased.
Totals were obtained for each species and converted to a three
dimensional matrix. Various loglinear models were applied to the
matrix to determine the relative significance of each term. It
was determined that the species of intruder, along with its
feeding habits, was the most important factor in eliciting an
aggressive response from the resident.. The horizontal distance
from the algal mat was found to be more important when the
intruder was in close proximity to the substrate and not as
important when distant. Finally, it was determined that
different species violate a territory in different ways, but it
is a reflection of the behavior shown by the resident towards
them. The ecological justifications of such behaviors
are discussed.
Description
v, 40 p.
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo College
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder.