MEPS

Marine Ecology Progress Series

MEPS is a leading hybrid research journal on all aspects of marine, coastal and estuarine ecology. Priority is given to outstanding research that advances our ecological understanding.

Online: ISSN 1616-1599

Print: ISSN 0171-8630

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps

Impact Factor2.1 (JCR 2025 release)

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Volume contents
Mar Ecol Prog Ser 187:237-250 (1999)

Foraging by mobile predators on a rocky shore: underwater TV observations of movements of blennies Lipophrys pholis and crabs Carcinus maenas

ABSTRACT: The hypothesis was proposed that shore fishes and crabs, predators other than gastropods, may be primarily responsible for depletion of barnacle populations in the vicinity of crevices through thigmotactic behaviour during foraging. To test thishypothesis, movements of mobile predators on barnacle-dominated rock in the lower intertidal zone were observed using a fixed underwater television camera. An area of 0.2 m2 was monitored continuously for 14 d on a vertically oriented butrelatively protected shore on the west coast of Scotland. Infrared lights during nighttime high tides lit the area. Stereo photography was used to determine the topography of the area. The principal species seen by day was the blenny Lipophryspholis (L.) while the shore crab Carcinus maenas (L.) was the most frequent species at night. Scorpion fish Taurulus bubalis (Euphrasen), dogwhelks Nucella lapillus (L.) and a single North Americanmink Mustela vison Schreber were also seen. Movements of crabs, and especially blennies, were concentrated around small-scale concavities in the rock surface of less than 10 cm dimensions, supporting the primary hypothesis. Times spent byLipophrys pholis and Carcinus maenas in 0.001 m2 (10 cm2) areas within the video frame varied by 3 and 2 orders of magnitude, respectively. These 2 species are known to be active predators of barnaclesSemibalanus balanoides and showed behaviour consistent with attacks on barnacles as prey. Observed movements and apparent spatial concentration of attacks, especially around crevices, may be a cause of patchiness in barnacle populations atthis scale.

KEYWORDS

Michael T. Burrows (Co-author)

  • Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, Centre for Coastal Marine Sciences, PO Box 3, Oban PA34 4AD, United Kingdom

Kei Kawai (Co-author)

  • School of Animal Biology, University of Wales, Bangor LL57 2UW, United Kingdom

Roger N. Hughes (Co-author)

  • School of Animal Biology, University of Wales, Bangor LL57 2UW, United Kingdom