The comparative ecology and evidence for resource partitioning in two pholidid fishes (Pisces: Pholididae) from southern British Columbia eelgrass beds

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Abstract
A comparative analysis of the ecology of sympatrically occurring Pholis laeta and Pholis ornata was conducted in Saanich Inlet, British Columbia. Summer microhabitat use of eelgrass bed depths, intertidal habitat use, prey type, and characteristic location of prey taken differed in fish older than 1 year and may have facilitated the coexistence of these morphologically similar species. Prey sizes and activity patterns were similar between species. Winter segregation of the species during the breeding season may have reduced the possibility of hybridization. Competition for breeding habitats and differences in trophic apparatus may partly explain the observed patterns of resource use.