Life history traits of the mirror shiner, Notropis spectrunculus, in western North Carolina

WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Adric Delray Olson (Creator)
Institution
Western Carolina University (WCU )
Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
Advisor
Thomas Martin

Abstract: I investigated the life history of Notropis spectrunculus (Mirror Shiner) using seven monthly collections at each of four locations in the Tennessee River drainage in western North Carolina (Hominy Creek, Pigeon River, and two sites on the Tuckasegee River). Specimens were collected by seining and examined to identify age, growth, reproductive patterns, and feeding habits. The largest Notropis spectrunculus male collected was 71 mm standard length (SL) and 2.39 g weight. The largest female collected was 77 mm SL and 2.96 g weight. Sexual maturity occurred at approximately one year of age. The oldest specimens collected were age three, and both males and females were collected of this age. Spawning occurred in late spring and early summer with 13-331 mature oocytes (mean = 115.53, SD = 75.36) and male breeding coloration was present in specimens collected in May, June, and July. Gut contents consisted mainly of insect fragments, primarily Coleoptera and Diptera. Fish were found to be inhabiting water 0.5 to 0.75 m deep with sandy substrate, directly below flow-disrupting stream objects.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2012
Keywords
Life History, Mirror Shiner
Subjects
Notropis -- North Carolina, Western
Notropis -- Reintroduction -- North Carolina, Western

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