Differential Use of Stream Habitat by Spawning Catostomids

Abstract

Spawning patterns of suckers (Catostomidae) in Deer Creek, Indiana, revealed differential use by species and age-size groups. In spring, white suckers (Catostomus commersoni) dominated headwaters, while redhorse (Moxostoma spp.) were more abundant downstream. Shorthead redhorse (M. macrolepidotum) were present only in main stem Deer Creek during spawning. Spawning groups of golden redhorse (M. erythrurum) and black redhorse (M. duquesnei) near the mouth of Deer Creek were significantly older and larger than those upstream in a first-order tributary. Spawning was not observed until water temperatures stayed above or near 10 C and until water levels were 20-60 cm deep over spawning shoals. Golden redhorse, shorthead redhorse and northern hog sucker (Hypentelium nigricans) spawned over medium gravel in riffles 30-60 cm deep with velocities of 0.4-0.9 m/sec. White sucker spawned over medium gravel at depths of 20-25 cm where velocity ranged from 0.50-0.59 m/sec. Creek chubsucker (Erimyzon oblongus) selected fine gravel in areas 50-75 cm deep having much slower velocity (0.10-0.24 m/sec). INTRODUCTION River tributaries serve as spawning and nursery areas for suckers (Catostomidae), but the effect of tributary spawning on maintaining river populations downstream is just beginning to be investigated. Previous reports (Thompson and Hunt, 1930; Trautman, 1957; Bowman, 1970; Larimore and Smith, 1963; Karr, 1975; Burr and Morris, 1977; Smith, 1977; Lake and Morrison, 1977) indicate that catostomids inhabiting rivers ascend smaller streams for spring spawning. The extent of upstream movements by adults and the degree to which resident and migrant suckers compete for stream spawning sites are unclear. Lack of specific information on the seasonal use of river tributaries hampers management efforts and an understanding of the potential impact of stream alteration on catostomid populations. Studies on catostomid spawning have shown some interspecific differences in the use of river tributaries. Black redhorse (Moxostoma duquesnei) and golden redhorse (M. erythrurum) in the streams and smaller rivers of Missouri and Ohio apparently move short distances for spawning (Bowman, 1970; Smith, 1977). Meyer (1962) found no evidence for the movement of golden redhorse, shorthead redhorse (M. macrolepidotum) or silver redhorse (M. anisurum) adults into a tributary of the Des Moines River, Iowa, during the spawning season. However, the abundance of adult silver redhorse and quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus) in a tributary of the Hocking River, Ohio, increased during spring, suggesting upstream movement into the tributary for spawning (Smith, 1977). Some specific measurements of spawning site characteristics for catostomids have been reported in recent literature. Black redhorse in Missouri spawn on riffles of rubble and gravel in 15-60 cm of water (Bowman, 1970). Spotted suckers spawn over course rubble in riffles 0.3-0.5 m deep with flow rates of 1.4 m3/sec and surface velocities of 1 Journal Paper no. 9585, Purdue Agricultural Experiment Station. 2 Present address: 120 Riverglade, Amherst, MA 01002.