The role of individual behavioral traits on fishway passage attempt behavior

Variations in behavioral traits are widely recognized to drive animal behaviors exhibited within a population. However, information on how behavior influence anthropogenically modified habitats is lacking. Many have become highly fragmented as result of human processes. To mitigate this and improve habitat connectivity, wildlife passes increasingly employed, with the aim enabling animals move freely between habitats. (e.g., fishways) not always effective achieving passage it remains uncertain what factors play role an individual's likelihood passing successfully. This study measured three (boldness, exploration, activity) juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta; n = 78) under field conditions river tested whether these influenced both success during upstream fishway attempts. Although were found collapsed into two trait dimensions, had low repeatability so did contribute personality spectrum. Boldness was negatively number attempts carried out by individual positively success, bolder individuals carrying fewer having increased probability success. No be related other metrics (passage Time until First Attempt, Passage Duration) first passage. But all significantly changes at consecutive, successful attempts, bolder, more exploratory active through quicker second than first. suggests that may perform better particularly rivers where multiple barriers movement exist.