Individual variation in phenotypes, while understudied and often overlooked, is common in aquatic species. We investigated individual variation in four spatial behavioural traits in the undulate skate, Raja undulata, in Galicia, Spain. Using acoustic telemetry, we tracked 133 individuals across three years. Using a mixed modelling framework, we assigned a philopatry pattern to individuals and investigated the existence of consistent variation and plasticity in depth position, activity and activity space. We found around one third of individuals to be resident to the area, and a majority of the population to visit during aggregation seasons only (~68%). Individuals consistently varied in their average depth position, activity and activity space. Furthermore, individuals exhibited behavioural plasticity in depth position, activity and activity space in response to temperature and over the course of hours/days/weeks. Repeatability ranged between 0.24 and 0.71. Our results suggest that individual behaviour, also referred to as animal personality, is common in aquatic species. To protect the resilience and of R. undulata, the conservation of different behavioural phenotypes should be considered and taken into account in the design and management of marine protected areas.
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