Abstract
The first record of pughead deformity in redear sunfish Lepomis microlophus is presented based on a single specimen captured from a wild population in a small Oklahoma reservoir. The pugheaded specimen was compared to normal fish from the same population. The pugheaded fish had slightly poorer body condition, although total length was comparable to normal individuals of the same age. Poorer condition may have resulted from difficulty feeding due to incomplete mouth closure and restricted gape caused by severe deformity of the anterior neurocranium and upper jaw. Extreme drought conditions leading to deteriorated water quality during early development may have resulted in the deformity of the redear sunfish. The incidence rate of pugheadedness in this redear sunfish population was below 1%, comparable to rates reported in other wild freshwater fish populations.
Published Version
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