Publication Date

8-1934

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

M.C. Ford, L.Y. Lancaster, Lee Jones

Degree Program

Department of Biology

Degree Type

Master of Arts

Abstract

The specimens studied during this investigation were taken incidentally during a general faunal survey of certain peculiar streams flowing from underground channels. On casual examination it was evident that they belonged to the cave fish group but were not the well known almost colorless blind variety. After checking the descriptions in various vertebrate manuals it appeared that they were probably a new species.

There are three groups of cave fishes, the non-blind, the semi-blind and the blind. Chologaster, or the Rice Field Minnows of South Carolina, are members of the non-blind group. Forbesichthys of southern Illinois and Kentucky is an example of the semi-blind group, and Typhlichthys, the true blind cave fish, found in the caves of Kentucky and Tennessee, is an example of the blind group. It appeared probably that they belonged in the intermediate group, and a check of the literature disclosed the fact that no intensive studies had been made on the group to which these forms appeared to belong, and very little is known concerning their food and general habits. It was therefore thought worthwhile to make a comprehensive study of these fishes.

One hundred or more specimens were collected, some being immediately preserved while others were placed in an aquarium and kept alive for the study of behavior and general environmental relations.

This investigation was then attempted for the purpose of determining more definitely some important facts concerning this species, such as the type of food that makes up the diet of the fish, to establish a few facts concerning the general habits, including behavior and general environmental relations, and to further clarify the matter of the description.

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries | Biology | Life Sciences

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