The behavior of fundulus, with especial reference to overland escape from tide-pools and locomotion on land.

Abstract

Reports experimental observations made of the behavior of Fundulus, a common minnows, with focus on its overland escape from tide-pools and locomotion on land. The fish were placed in a tide-pool for observation. The fundulus is frequently found in temporary tide-pools, but rarely after the water is very low. If the pool outlet was closed while the tide was falling, the fish swam about rapidly in various directions and then came out of the water and traveled overland to the sea. Fundulus nearly always left the pools on the sea side near the original outlet. On land, they never travelled in the wrong direction for a considerable distance. Finally, locomotion on land was brought about by successive leaps due to rapid bending of the body. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)