Publication Abstract

Early ontogenetic ecology of sofie Chondrostoma toxostoma: an integrated approach to organism-environment relationships?

R. Gozlan and G.H. Copp*

We examined the influence of early life development on the swimming capacity of the endangered fish species, sofie Chondrostoma toxostoma, to highlight trends in organism-environment relationships. Knowledge of the ecological interactions during an organism’s early ontogeny is important to quantify how ecological disturbances during this critical period might affect population survivorship. We developed an index to quantify swimming capacity in aquatic organisms and applied it to sofie larvae and juveniles to determine whether development of swimming ability follows a saltatory pattern. We integrated our results into the analysis of habitat shifts during early life history in nature. We found that sudden changes occurred in integrated function and these were most decisive, in particular with respect to habitat use, between the larval and juvenile periods of development. The fact that ‘stabilisation’ of relative growth coincided with dramatic shifts in habitat use (organism needs) as well as in swimming capacity (organism skills) suggests a more ‘decisive’ type of change in organism-to-environment interaction than one purely of form.

Reference:

R. Gozlan and G.H. Copp* (2013) Early ontogenetic ecology of sofie Chondrostoma toxostoma: an integrated approach to organism-environment relationships? Journal of Fish Biology 67 (Suppl. B); 86–99