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

这项研究考察了在鱼类种群(蓝鳍金枪鱼和鲈鱼)中导致个体觅食行为差异的因素，并测量了这些行为对幼体生长和生存的影响。使用允许在半自然池塘中监测个体鱼的新技术，研究人员将能够确定野外单独标记的蓝鳍金枪鱼的活动、栖息地利用、生长、饮食和存活，并将这些反应与实验室评估的害羞-大胆觅食行为的措施进行比较。越来越多的证据表明，由于生长和生存之间的权衡，许多物种的行为表现出个体差异：例如，胆大的个体可能有更高的摄食率和生长率，但也会遭受更高的死亡率。这项研究将是第一批在自然栖息地测试这种权衡的研究之一，并通过确定在实验室测量的害羞-大胆行为在现场环境中是否随着时间的推移而相关和一致来衡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更广泛的影响，因为重点物种(蓝鳍太阳鱼和大口石斑鱼)是美国最重要的两种运动鱼，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。这项工作为参与该项目的本科生以及指导这项研究的博士生提供了更多的研究培训机会。博士生参与两个正在进行的、由NSF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来更广泛地传播这项研究的结果。

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.