Bowfin Acoustic Telemetry: Insight into the Ecology of a Living Fossil

Little is known about the spatial ecology and behaviour of Bowfin (Amia calva). In the summer of 2013, we surgically implanted 10 Bowfin captured in Toronto Harbour with acoustic telemetry tags. Using a stationary acoustic telemetry array that covered most of the 15 km² harbour, the residency and movement patterns of Bowfin were tracked from their release until November 2014. Bowfin showed high site fidelity with most fish detections concentrated in embayments and within the Toronto Islands, which are areas characterized by relatively high water temperatures and submerged vegetative cover. Statistical modelling found that Bowfin residency was significantly affected by season, body size, site-specific estimates of vegetative cover, and an interaction between body size and season. Bowfin residency increased with vegetative cover and was highest for large fish during the winter and fall months. Despite the overall high site fidelity exhibited by individuals, several Bowfin were mobile and over the spring and summer months and moved 5.2-12.9 km among telemetry receivers in the inner and outer Harbour. The results of this study provide a first look at the seasonal habitat preference, home range and activity level of this ecologically important fish.