Publication Date

5-1983

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Robert Hoyt, Frank Toman, Herbert Shadowen

Degree Program

Department of Biology

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

Larval fish were studied on the Middle Fork of Drake's Creek from 18 March 1982 to 9 September 1982. A total of 6,057 individuals representing 28 species and six unidentified cyprinids was collected. Micropterus sp. was the dominant species representing 33% of the total. Most of the remaining taxa were,generally,equally represented. Juvenile banded sculpins were the first larvae observed -- followed by darters, suckers, minnows, and sunfishes. The percid species, logperch, greenside darter, and Etheostoma (Ulocentra), illustrated the longest spawning periods, their larvae being taken from 24 March to 8 July. Maximum species occurrence was observed from 7 July to 15 July when over 20 species of larvae were collected. Larvae avoided the stream current, selecting for low-flow shoreline habitat areas, with few larvae being taken in stream drift. Two-way analyses of variance showed significant differences in habitat selection by nine species of larvae. The two habitats having the highest larval abundance were an emergent vegetation shoreline area and a limestone rock outcrop.

Disciplines

Animal Sciences | Aquaculture and Fisheries | Biology | Life Sciences

Download

Share

COinS