Human Predation Affects Grunion Spawning Events
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Department
Biology
Major
Biology (BS)
Abstract
The California Grunion, Leuresthes tenuis, spawns out of water on the beaches of Southern California. When the fish leaves the water, terrestrial predators await it. It is common to see birds, on the beach, picking up fish one by one. However, a larger, more threatening predator lurks these beaches and threatens the existence of the Grunion. Humans collect grunion by the handful and basketful for bait, food, sport, and fun. Data collected from a group of citizen scientists, The Grunion Greeters, suggests that Grunion populations are falling. A decrease in large Grunion runs over the years suggests a declining population. Along with run size, Grunion Greeters collect data on human activity on the beach. This study examined the relationship between human hunting activity and the decline in Grunion run size; it was found that hunting has a negative effect on spawning events. With the increasing human population in Southern California, L. tenuis face challenges greater than birds and the predators of the sea.
Faculty Mentor
Karen Martin
Funding Source or Research Program
Summer Undergraduate Research in Biology
Presentation Session
Session C
Location
Rockwell Academic Center 170
Start Date
3-4-2015 4:45 PM
End Date
3-4-2015 5:00 PM
Human Predation Affects Grunion Spawning Events
Rockwell Academic Center 170
The California Grunion, Leuresthes tenuis, spawns out of water on the beaches of Southern California. When the fish leaves the water, terrestrial predators await it. It is common to see birds, on the beach, picking up fish one by one. However, a larger, more threatening predator lurks these beaches and threatens the existence of the Grunion. Humans collect grunion by the handful and basketful for bait, food, sport, and fun. Data collected from a group of citizen scientists, The Grunion Greeters, suggests that Grunion populations are falling. A decrease in large Grunion runs over the years suggests a declining population. Along with run size, Grunion Greeters collect data on human activity on the beach. This study examined the relationship between human hunting activity and the decline in Grunion run size; it was found that hunting has a negative effect on spawning events. With the increasing human population in Southern California, L. tenuis face challenges greater than birds and the predators of the sea.