Individual Variation in Movement Behavior of Stream-Resident Mediterranean Brown Trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i> Complex)

Understanding individual movement patterns in stream-resident salmonids is critical for conservation and river management, particularly in Mediterranean streams characterized by high environmental variability. We tagged 997 Mediterranean brown trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i> complex) and cond...

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Main Authors: Enric Aparicio, Rafel Rocaspana, Antoni Palau-Ibars, Neus Oromí, Dolors Vinyoles, Carles Alcaraz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Fishes
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/10/7/308
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author Enric Aparicio
Rafel Rocaspana
Antoni Palau-Ibars
Neus Oromí
Dolors Vinyoles
Carles Alcaraz
author_facet Enric Aparicio
Rafel Rocaspana
Antoni Palau-Ibars
Neus Oromí
Dolors Vinyoles
Carles Alcaraz
author_sort Enric Aparicio
collection DOAJ
description Understanding individual movement patterns in stream-resident salmonids is critical for conservation and river management, particularly in Mediterranean streams characterized by high environmental variability. We tagged 997 Mediterranean brown trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i> complex) and conducted an 11-month mark–recapture study using Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) technology to assess movement behavior in the Flamisell River (Ebro Basin, northeastern Iberian Peninsula). Movements followed a leptokurtic distribution, with 81.8% of the individuals classified as sedentary (median movement = 24.9 m) and 18.2% as mobile (median movement = 376.2 m). Generalized linear models revealed distinct drivers of fish movement for each group. In sedentary trout, movement was mainly influenced by mesohabitat type, season, sex, and body size, with males and larger individuals moving farther. In mobile trout, mesohabitat type, density, and body size were key predictors. Movement patterns were repeatable over time, indicating consistent behavioral tendencies. These results support a bimodal movement strategy and highlight the importance of individual variation. Conservation planning should account for both sedentary and mobile groups to preserve functional and genetic connectivity and improve resilience of Mediterranean streams.
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spelling doaj-art-e0a594fc7ca442e79f6af147b5b8e4d92025-08-20T03:08:05ZengMDPI AGFishes2410-38882025-06-0110730810.3390/fishes10070308Individual Variation in Movement Behavior of Stream-Resident Mediterranean Brown Trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i> Complex)Enric Aparicio0Rafel Rocaspana1Antoni Palau-Ibars2Neus Oromí3Dolors Vinyoles4Carles Alcaraz5GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, E-17071 Girona, Catalonia, SpainGesna Estudis Ambientals, S.L., E-25240 Linyola, Catalonia, SpainDepartment of Chemistry, Physics, Environment and Soil Sciences, University of Lleida, E-25003 Lleida, Catalonia, SpainDepartment of Animal Science, ETSEA, University of Lleida, E-25003 Lleida, Catalonia, SpainDepartment of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, E-08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, SpainIRTA, Marine and Continental Waters, Carretera Poble Nou Km 5.5, E-43540 La Ràpita, Catalonia, SpainUnderstanding individual movement patterns in stream-resident salmonids is critical for conservation and river management, particularly in Mediterranean streams characterized by high environmental variability. We tagged 997 Mediterranean brown trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i> complex) and conducted an 11-month mark–recapture study using Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) technology to assess movement behavior in the Flamisell River (Ebro Basin, northeastern Iberian Peninsula). Movements followed a leptokurtic distribution, with 81.8% of the individuals classified as sedentary (median movement = 24.9 m) and 18.2% as mobile (median movement = 376.2 m). Generalized linear models revealed distinct drivers of fish movement for each group. In sedentary trout, movement was mainly influenced by mesohabitat type, season, sex, and body size, with males and larger individuals moving farther. In mobile trout, mesohabitat type, density, and body size were key predictors. Movement patterns were repeatable over time, indicating consistent behavioral tendencies. These results support a bimodal movement strategy and highlight the importance of individual variation. Conservation planning should account for both sedentary and mobile groups to preserve functional and genetic connectivity and improve resilience of Mediterranean streams.https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/10/7/308movement ecologyPIT telemetrysedentary vs. mobile strategymesohabitat influencerepeatability of behavior
spellingShingle Enric Aparicio
Rafel Rocaspana
Antoni Palau-Ibars
Neus Oromí
Dolors Vinyoles
Carles Alcaraz
Individual Variation in Movement Behavior of Stream-Resident Mediterranean Brown Trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i> Complex)
Fishes
movement ecology
PIT telemetry
sedentary vs. mobile strategy
mesohabitat influence
repeatability of behavior
title Individual Variation in Movement Behavior of Stream-Resident Mediterranean Brown Trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i> Complex)
title_full Individual Variation in Movement Behavior of Stream-Resident Mediterranean Brown Trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i> Complex)
title_fullStr Individual Variation in Movement Behavior of Stream-Resident Mediterranean Brown Trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i> Complex)
title_full_unstemmed Individual Variation in Movement Behavior of Stream-Resident Mediterranean Brown Trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i> Complex)
title_short Individual Variation in Movement Behavior of Stream-Resident Mediterranean Brown Trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i> Complex)
title_sort individual variation in movement behavior of stream resident mediterranean brown trout i salmo trutta i complex
topic movement ecology
PIT telemetry
sedentary vs. mobile strategy
mesohabitat influence
repeatability of behavior
url https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/10/7/308
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