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Title: Feeding behavior of red hake and tautog, and responses to oil-tainted food. [Urophysis chuss; Tautoga onitis]

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:5000156

Sensory reliance and search accuracy during feeding behavior were quantified for the red hake (Urophysis chuss), and the tautog (Tautoga onitis). The behavioral investigations were complemented by examination of external brain morphology and a scanning electron microscopic study of the olfactory receptors of both species. Results of the studies indicate that the red hake is highly oriented towards chemical stimuli while the tautog is visually oriented. A second study was designed to examine the response of these two species to food tainted with No. 2 fuel oil, and to determine whether such responses were related to sensory reliance. Results of behavioral studies indicated that neither species would significantly alter feeding responses towards normal prey contaminated with petroleum, but would increase rejection of less-preferred prey items following oil contamination. Intake of contaminated prey may increase the potential for food web transfer of undesirable metabolites, and may increase susceptibility to disease in localized fish populations.

Research Organization:
Rhode Island Univ., Kingston (USA)
OSTI ID:
5000156
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English