Year: 2017
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Trapping is used to control a variety of invasive species, including the Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Trapping success for Sea Lamprey is currently lower than desired for control purposes. One hypothesis to explain low trapping success is that individual differences in boldness and activity influence susceptibility to trapping. I examined whether adult migrating Sea Lamprey behaviour (i) differ consistently and (ii) differed based on capture method or when they were caught during the migration. Sea Lamprey were collected from two Lake Ontario tributaries and their behaviour was assayed in the laboratory. I determined that Sea Lamprey exhibit consistent individual differences in behavioural measures of boldness and activity, and that there was no evidence for a relationship between behaviour and collection method, or migratory timing. The control program needs to invest in other avenues to explore low trapping success of Sea Lamprey in the Great Lakes.
Author: Emelia Myles-Gonzalez
Language: English
Subfield: Nature and Landscape Conservation
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2591122722