Rocky mountain sculpin swimming activity in a three-chambered flume
Data files
Apr 15, 2025 version files 170.55 KB
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README.md
1.94 KB
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RMS-database_2025_-_Dryad.xlsx
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Abstract
Rocky Mountain Sculpins are an imperiled species endemic to a restricted geographic distribution between Montana and Alberta. They occupy rivers with distinct seasonal flow regimes: one is relatively fast (St. Mary), one is relatively slow (Lee Creek), and one is intermediate (N. Milk River). Sculpins from St. Mary and Lee Cr. were endemic; those from N. Milk were likely introduced. We caught fishes from each location, transported them back to the University of Alberta, and acclimated them to holding conditions. We then tested their swimming behaviour in a three-chambered flume (details of the flume can be found in https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-011-9867-2). The flume consisted of upstream and downstream boxes connected by a 1 m swim tunnel. Upstream and downstream place preference was recorded over 24 hours, and flow speed within the flume was increased in 15 cm/s steps over the course of a day. The willingness of the sculpins to move, as well as to travel in the swim tunnel, were recorded. All time spent moving (active) and stationary were noted throughout. The three subpopulations differed in time spent in the upstream and downstream locales, indicating behavioral adaptation to the different flow regimes. There was also evidence of individual fish that were highly exploratory, suggesting the presence of unique phenotypes within the species. The data suggest that sculpins have behavioral differences that likely reflect life in their unique riverine habitats.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.vhhmgqp5c
Description of the data and file structure
These data will be part of a publication of the same topic. All detail will be provided within.
Files and variables
File: RMS-database_2025_-_Dryad.xlsx
Description: Data consists of time spent in the upstream and downstream flume locations, as well as in the 1 m swim tunnel that connects the upstream and downstream locations. Swimming effort in the upstream and downstream boxes would be low to absent, when sedentary. Fish were sampled from three sites in Alberta, Canada: Lee Creek, St. Mary River, and North Milk River.
Site | Latitude | Longitude |
---|---|---|
Lee Creek | 49.1699222 | -113.3460486 |
St. Mary River | 49.1766219 | -113.1933305 |
North Milk River | 49.0935689 | -112.777953 |
Variables
A) Locale
LC = fish from Lee Creek
NM = fish from North Milk River
SM = fish from St. Mary River
B) Fish#
Fish ID from specific locale
C) Location
DS = downstream box in flume, IS = instream connector tube, US = upstream box.
D) Active
S = sedentary (stationary) A = active (movement observable).
E) Start time
Start time = time fish placed in the flume and time that any behavioural change was noted for activity (e.g. a switch from sedentary to active, or a switch in location).
F) Stop time
Stop time = end of the behaviour.
G) Velocity
Velocity = cm/s flow in the instream flume section
H) Day/Night
Day/Night = lights on/lights off
I) Trip
A value of ‘1’ indicates that the fish completed a full trip either up or down the central connecting swim tunnel.
Code/software
NA
Access information
Other publicly accessible locations of the data:
- NA
Data was derived from the following sources:
- NA