title: Critical swimming speeds of wild-caught sand-smelt Atherina presbyter larvae.
abstract: Swimming abilities of wild-caught sand-smelt Atherina presbyter larvae were assessed as critical swimming speed (Ucrit ) throughout ontogeny. The mean Ucrit increased with size, ranging from 3·6 to 18·7 cm s(-1) , over the size range of 6·6-21·0 mm LT . This indicates that at hatching A. presbyter larvae, far from being passive floaters, are already capable of active behaviours, which may influence their dispersal patterns.
authors.affiliation: Eco-Ethology Research Unit, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, R. Jardim do Tabaco 34, 1149-041, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D007814:Larva; D036441:Osmeriformes / Q000502:physiology*; D013550:Swimming
keywords: Atherinidae; dispersal; larval swimming behaviour