We monitored fish populations at three sites in a southern Appalachian stream system during a 40-mo study. Assemblages at two sites, consisting of four and five resident species, were persistent in terms of relative species abundances and production. This persistence was related to low variation in abundance of the two numerically dominant fishes, mottled sculpins (Cottus bairdi) and longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae). Less abundant residents, rosyside dace (Clinostomus funduloides), rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), and greenside darters (Etheostoma blennioides), displayed lower levels of persistence. We also observed pronounced annual variation in either young-of-the-year recruitment and/or subsequent year-class strength of four resident species, possibly resulting from a severe drought during the third year of study. Abundance and production of rosyside dace and trout were greatly affected by fluctuations in recruitment and year-class strength, suggesting that environmental variability strongly infl...

Fish Assemblage Stability in a Southern Appalachian Stream

Darter reproductive seasons

Habitat partitioning among eleven species of darters (Percidae: Etheostomatini) from the Allegheny River system was studied through underwater observation. Percina caprodes and Percina copelandi showed consistent segregation from Etheostoma by occupying deeper habitats. Substrate size, depth, and water velocity were important variables by which Etheostoma species segregated. Analysis of niche breadth values indicated that species differed widely in their degree of specialization in habitat use; based on the variables measured, Etheostoma zonale was a habitat generalist whereas Etheostoma camurum, Etheostoma tippecanoe, and Percina caprodes tended towards habitat specialization. Habitat segregation appears to be an important mechanism allowing the coexistence of these closely related and ecologically similar species. Microhabitat quantification on a fine scale was important in discovering habitat differences in this diverse system.

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Microhabitat partitioning in a diverse assemblage of darters in the Allegheny River system

Early autumn movements of johnny (Etheostoma nigrurri) and fantail (E. flabellare) darters were examined in a pool-riffle system. Of the 340 johnny darters marked during the study, only 3.24% (10) of recaptured fish (N = 309) moved. Three hundred and forty-one fantail darters were marked, and 12.78% (17) of recaptured fish (N = 133) moved. Over 75% of all movements were in an upstream direction. Chi- square analyses indicated that movements were restricted to areas near the point of initial capture. Density estimates of the pool-dwelling johnny darter (0.80/m2) were lower than those of the riffle-dwelling fantail darter (5.59/m2). These results suggest that population density and habitat quality may influence the seasonal movements of stream fishes.

Early autumn movements and densities of johnny (Etheostoma nigrum) and fantail (E. flabellare) darters in a southwestern Ohio stream

We compared the diets among members of the diverse darter community of French Creek, Pennsylvania, in relation to seasonal prey availability, feeding ontogeny, and sex. Prey taxa and size attributes were characterized for nine syntopic darter species; taxon, size, and availability of macroinvertebrate prey were also analyzed from Surber samples. In general, darters fed opportunistically on immature insects; few taxa were consumed in greater proportions than they were found in the environment. Some variation in diet composition was expressed, however, among different life stages and species. Juvenile darters consumed smaller prey and more chironomids than did adults. Etheostoma blennioides and E. zonale consumed the fewest taxa (2–3), whereas E. maculatum, E. variatum, and Percina evides had the most diverse diets (7–10 taxa). Etheostoma maculatum, E. flabellare, E. variatum, and P. evides consumed larger prey (1–13 mm in standard length), whereas E. blennioides, E. caeruleum, E. camurum, E. tippe...

Food Resource Partitioning by Nine Sympatric Darter Species

Within recent years considerable work has been concentrated upon the study of the life histories of our larger percid fishes that provide both sport and food for man. The life histories of most of our smaller Percidae, the darters, are still not completely known. Several studies have revealed some of their spawning habits, such as those of Adams and Hankinson (1928), Atz (1940), Hankinson (1932), Jaffa (1917), Lake (1936), J. J. Petravicz (1936), W. P. Petravicz (1938), Reeves (1907), Reighard (1913) and Seal (1892). In this study we have attempted to make known several of the main features of the life history of three species of darters, mainly by scale analysis. These species, the variegated darter, Poecilichthys variatus (Kirtland), the eastern banded darter, Poecilichthys zonalis zonalis Cope, and the northern grecnside darter, Etieostoma blennoides blennoides Rafinesque, are quite common in the upper Allegheny River system of western Pennsylvania. Their ranges are given by Hubbs and Black (1940: 7) and Hubbs and Lagler (1947: 88, 89). These darters have remained in such obscurity that even brief generalizations of their life histories are not available. Such discussions of blennoides by Evermann and Clark (1920: 440-442, colored plate) and Forbes and Richardson (1920: 292-294, colored plate) and of zonalis by Forbes and Richardson (1920: 304306, fig. 73) are mainly descriptional. Their habitat and associates, abundance and density, sexual dimorphism, sex ratio, longevity and comparative rates of growth are discussed and tabulated, herein.

Edward F. Westlake

Papers

Studies on the Biology of Some Percid Fishes from Western Pennsylvania