Meeting Abstract
The American lobster (Homarus americanus) is an abundant benthic marine predator along much of the continental shelf of the Northwest Atlantic. Lobsters are generalists that feed on a variety of vertebrate, invertebrate, and macroalgal species. How lobsters interact with food items and conspecifics around food items are key components in understanding the ecological role of lobsters in the nearshore benthic ecosystem. However, previous research on lobster behavior has primarily occurred in laboratory settings, where behaviours may or may not be similar to what occurs in nature. Our goal is to investigate how lobsters move and behave around food sources in the field and compare responses to different prey and bait items. A set of five downward pointing GoPro cameras attached to tripods with prey or bait secured between the feet were used to record foraging lobster behavior in the field in the Northumberland Strait, Gulf of St. Lawrence. Food items tested were herring (Clupea harengus), redfish (Sebastes sp.), rock crab (Cancer irroratus) and mussel (Mytilus edulis). For analysis, we are enumerating lobster appearances in the video, measuring movement directions and speeds relative to water flow directions, and using an ethogram to quantify durations and frequencies of all behaviours recorded in the videos. Collectively, these measures will be used to both describe lobster foraging behaviours and assess the relative attractiveness of different prey and bait items. Our results will improve understanding of lobster foraging, food preferences, and food-related social interactions. Understanding how lobsters forage and what they prefer to forage on may also be useful for improving the efficiency and sustainability of the lobster fishery.
