Diel changes of larval drift among amphidromous gobies in Japan, especially <i>Rhinogobius brunneus</i>

Abstract

Larvae of amphidromous gobies migrate to the sea as passive drift. In order to identify the diel drift pattern (DDP) of each species, we conducted 24 hour collections in different sections ofthree rivers. The DDPs ofdifferent species at each sampling station were almost identical, but the DDP of each species varied among stations, depending on the topographical features of water‐courses. Downstream migration occurred throughout the day in steep water‐courses while it was nocturnal with a peak in number soon after sunset in gentle gradients in the plain and was also nocturnal with a small amount of day time drifting between the two gradients. It is suggested that the larvae drifting from the upper parts of the river in daytime halted their migration in a pool with low flow rate until twilight.