Larval Development of Stoneroller, Cutlips Minnow, and River Chub with Diagnostic Keys, Including Four Additional Cyprinids

Abstract

Abstract Development of stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum), cutlips minnow (Exoglossum maxillingua), and river chub (Nocomis micropogon) from newly hatched larvae through juveniles is described and illustrated. Newly hatched larvae of each species had pectoral fin buds, straight urostyles, incomplete mouths, and large bulbous yolk sacs. Total lengths of newly hatched larvae were 5.8 to 6.2 mm average, 5.9 mm) for stoneroller, 5.5 to 5.7 mm (average, 5.6 mm) for cutlips minnow, and 5.8 to 6.5 mm (average, 6.0 mm) for river chub. Preliminary keys useful in separating postlarvae and late postlarvae of these species and blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus), longnose dace (R. cataractae), creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus), and fallfish (S. corporalis) are presented. Prolarvae are not included in the key; however, some characters useful in distinguishing some of the species are presented.