Habitat Segregation Between Cottus bairdi and Cottus girardi: An Example of Complex Inter- and Intraspecific Resource Partitioning

Abstract

Habitat segregation was documented for populations of Cottus bairdi and C. girardi in Naked Creek, Virginia. Habitat partitioning was most obvious in terms of current velocity and substrate type. Two groups could be defined: male and immature C. girardi preferred slow current and silty substrates or beds of aquatic vascular plants, while female and immature C. bairdi preferred faster current and larger substrate particle sizes or algal beds. Male C. bairdi and female C. girardi were somewhat intermediate between these two groups in habitat preference. The possibility of interactive segregation between these two species is discussed.