The nest range of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu):: parental care after swim-up

Male smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) remain in association with their broods for an extended period of time after swim-up. The diurnal pattern of brood dispersion after swim-up consists of expansion during the day and contraction in the evening. We measured the areas occupied by both the broods and parental males after swim-up to determine if males adjust their parental surveillance to the dispersion of the blood. Male nest range, as determined from sonic tracking procedures, was found to be significantly related to the dispersion of the brood and not to the developmental stage (larval versus juvenile) of the offspring. This relationship indicates that parental vigilance after swim-up continues to be non-depreciable in the same manner as parental defense prior to swim-up.