Dissertation Research: A Novel Approach to Studying Shy-Bold Foraging Behavior in the Field: Experiments with Sunfish

本研究考察了导致鱼类种群（蓝鳃鱼和鲈鱼）觅食行为个体差异的因素，并测量了这些行为对幼鱼生长和生存的影响。利用新技术，研究人员可以在半自然的池塘中监测单个鱼，从而确定野外单独标记的蓝鳃鱼的活动、栖息地使用、生长、饮食和存活情况，并将这些反应与实验室评估的害羞觅食行为进行比较。越来越多的证据表明，由于生长和生存之间的权衡，许多动物物种在行为上表现出个体差异：例如，大胆的个体可能有更高的摄食率和生长速度，但也有更高的死亡率。这项研究将是第一个在自然栖息地测试这种权衡的研究，并通过确定在实验室测量的害羞行为在野外环境中是否相关和一致，来测量基于实验室的行为测量的生态相关性。这项研究具有重要的广泛影响，因为焦点物种（蓝鳃太阳鱼和大口黑鲈）是美国最重要的两种运动鱼类，这项研究的结果将有助于更好地管理这些物种，了解觅食行为的变化如何影响幼鱼的生长、生存和对休闲垂钓的脆弱性。这项工作增加了从事该项目的本科生以及指导该项研究的博士生的研究训练机会。博士生参与两个正在进行的、由美国国家科学基金会资助的K-12项目，将通过在当地学校课堂上开发和使用基于探究的科学模块，更广泛地传播这项研究的成果。

This study examines the factors that drive individual differences in foraging behavior within fish populations (bluegill and bass) and measures the consequences of these behaviors to juvenile growth and survival. Using novel techniques that allow individual fish to be monitored within a semi-natural pond, researchers will be able to determine the activity, habitat use, growth, diet, and survival of individually marked bluegill in the field and compare these responses to measures of shy-bold foraging behavior assessed in the laboratory. There is growing evidence that many species of animals exhibit individual differences in behaviors as a result of a tradeoff between growth and survival: for example, bold individuals may have higher feeding rates and growth rates, but also suffer higher mortality. This study will be among the first to test for this tradeoff in a natural habitat, as well as measure the ecological relevance of laboratory-based behavioral measures by determining whether shy-bold behaviors measured in the laboratory are correlated and consistent through time in a field context. This study has significant broader impacts, as the focal species (bluegill sunfish and largemouth bass) are two of the most important sport fish in the U.S. and the results of this research will help inform the better management of these species with regard to how variation in foraging behaviors impact juvenile growth, survival and vulnerability to recreational angling. The work enhances research training opportunities for undergraduates working on the project as well as the Ph.D. student directing this research. Participation by the Ph.D. student in two ongoing, NSF-funded K-12 projects will more broadly disseminate the results of this research through the development and use of inquiry-based science modules in local school classrooms.