| Abstract: | Several Pterygoplichthys species, members of the Neotropical catfish family Loricariidae, have been widely introduced outside their native ranges. In this paper, I present observations on the diel activity pattern of non-native Pterygoplichthys, tentatively identified as P. disjunctivus, with respect to their attachment and grazing on endangered Florida manatees, Trichechus manatus latirostris. The study was conducted in December 2009 at Volusia Blue Spring, an artesianal spring system in the St. Johns River basin, Florida (USA). Supplemented by information gathered during previous visits to the spring site, this study revealed that adult Pterygoplichthys are active throughout the diel period (day, twilight and night). However, juvenile Pterygoplichthys were largely nocturnal and only at night did they consistently join adults in attaching to manatees. The juveniles generally remain hidden during the day, probably responding to presence of diurnal predators, mainly birds. Differences in diel behaviors among different Pterygoplichthys size classes in Florida are consistent with published observations on loricariids inhabiting clearwater streams within their native ranges. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70003804 |
| Citation Author: | Nico, Leo G. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | Southeast Ecological Science Center |
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| Citation End Page: | 898 |
| Citation Issue: | 4 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Neotropical Ichthyology |
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| Citation Phsyical Description: | 6 p. |
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| Citation Publisher: | Sociedade Brasileira de Ictiologia |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Nocturnal and diurnal activity of armored suckermouth catfish (Loricariidae: Pterygoplichthys) associated with wintering Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris); 2010; Article; Journal; Neotropical Ichthyology; Nico, Leo G. |
| Citation Start Page: | 893 |
| Citation Volume: | 8 |
| Citation Year: | 2010 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Nocturnal and diurnal activity of armored suckermouth catfish (Loricariidae: Pterygoplichthys) associated with wintering Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris); 2010; Article; Journal; Neotropical Ichthyology; Nico, Leo G. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (DOCUMENT): | http://www.scielo.br/pdf/ni/v8n4/aop1610.pdf |
| Date Other: | Fri, 9 Sep 2011 00:00 -0500 |
| Publisher: | Sociedade Brasileira de Ictiologia |
