Behavioural Ecology of Teleost Fishes

Teleost (bony) fishes represent the most abundant taxonomic group of vertebrates. They are found in all conceivable types of aquatic environment and are extremely diverse behaviourally. Their evolutionary success as a taxonomic group is partly due to their striking behavioural plasticity. As such they are also extremely useful organisms on which to test mechanistic and functional models of behaviour. Considerable progress has been made over the past decade in understanding how behaviour, ecology, and genetics interact to determine individual survival and reproductive success in fishes, and thus the evolution of their behaviour. This text reviews the latest advances in behavioural adaptations for survival and reproduction in fishes, and proposes new directions and approaches for future research. The book focuses on behavioural strategies and tactics of habitat selection and space use, foraging, predator avoidance and evasion, and reproduction. It also considers how the behaviour of individuals affects ecological processes at population and community levels.