Nocomis Micropogon Research Articles

Reproductive Biology and Fish Hosts of the Tennessee Clubshell Pleurobema oviforme (Mollusca: Unionidae) in Virginia

-The reproductive cycle and fish hosts of the freshwater mussel Pleurobema oviforme were determined during a 14-mo study (1979-1980) in Big Moccasin Creek, southwestern Virginia. Histological sectioning of mussel gonads collected throughout the year showed that gametogenesis for both sexes began in late spring and continued into early autumn; fertilization began in late March. Glochidial development in the outer gills of females required 3-5 wk. Judged by biweekly samples of stream drift, glochidia were released from mid-April through July. Six species of cyprinids, collected between May and September 1979, were naturally infested with amblemine glochidia. Induced infestations of putative fish hosts in the laboratory confirmed five host species: whitetail shiner (Notropis galacturus), common shiner (N. cornutus), river chub (Nocomis micropogon), stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum) and fantail darter (Etheostoma fiabellare).

Status of the River Chub, Nocomis micropogon, in Canada

Status of the River Chub, Nocomis micropogon, in Canada

The Zoogeography of the Fishes of the Youghiogheny River System, Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia

A total of 266 fish collections were made at 172 stations in the Youghiogheny River drainage, the largest tributary to the Monongahela River. Collections were made using seines, electrofishing gear, gill nets and trap nets. A comprehensive literature review yielded 99 species of fishes reported from the Youghiogheny River system. Six species collected during this survey (Amia calva, Carassius auratus, Ericymba buccata, Notropis rubellus, Ictalurus catus and Fundulus diaphanus) established new distributional records for the system, increasing the total to 105 species. Of this total, 78 species were verified either by our collections (57 species), museum records (10) or stocking records (11), whereas 27 could not be verified. Of the 27 unverified species, 21 are expected to occur and six are considered misidentifications or erroneous records. An additional 24 species are expected to have occurred historically in the Youghiogheny or have the potential to do so based on their distribution in the Monongahela or Allegheny rivers. Of the 78 species of fishes confirmed to have occurred in the Youghiogheny River, 57 were collected during this survey, 11 were unsuccessful introductions and nine have probably been extirpated. One species, Esox masquinongy, is considered extant, but was not collected during this study. The ichthyofauna of the Youghiogheny River system was largely derived from Teays River by dispersal up the newly formed Ohio River after the onset of Pleistocene glaciation. Two species, Clinostomus elongatus and Catostomus catostomus, dispersed into the Youghiogheny from the N during the Pleistocene. Rhinichthys atratulus atratulus dispersed into the Youghiogheny from Potomac River via stream capture. Several species, (Jampostoma a. anomalum, Ericymba buccata, Nocomis micropogon, Notropis spilopterus and Etheostoma b. blennioides, may have used Youghiogheny-Potomac stream captures as a dispersal route eastward into the Atlantic slope.

Egg, Larval and Juvenile Development of Longnose Dace, Rhinichthys cataractae, and River Chub, Nocomis micropogon, with Notes on Their Hybridization

Artificially spawned eggs of longnose dace and naturally spawned eggs of river chub were incubated at 21 ? 3 C through hatching and the larvae reared through the juvenile phase. Development was similar in each species but rates differed. Opercles, mouth, heart and blood circulation developed earlier in longnose dace; fin ray and scale development occurred at a faster rate in river chub. Mean total length of longnose dace at hatching ranged from 4.5 to 5.9 mm and differed significantly between two streams: the smaller larvae hatched from significantly smaller eggs produced by smaller females. No significant differences were found in egg size or mean hatching length in river chub which hatched at a mean total length of 5.9 mm. Larval development was complete at 110 days in longnose dace and 57 days in river chub. Collections in river chub nests contained eggs of longnose dace, river chub, common shiner, creek chub and rosyface shiner in various combinations. Longnose dace and river chub eggs occurred together in each stream sampled and hybrid longnose dace x river chub have been reported from three of the five streams sampled. The use of river chub nests by longnose dace for spawning may be due to a lack of spawning habitat for dace elsewhere in the stream or to a preference for stone nests and may be a primary cause for hybridization between longnose dace and river chub.

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

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.

Status and Distribution of the Hybrid Nocomis micropogon X Rhinichthys cataractae, with a Discussion of Hybridization as a Viable Mode of Vertebrate Speciation

The hybrid Nocomis micropogon X Rhinichthys cataractae has been known to occur in the upper Monongahela River system from 1899 to present. A comparison of the hybrid with its putative parents in 16 morphometric and meristic characteristics by a hybrid index indicates it is intermediate in six characters, closer to R. cataractae in three, and closer to N. micropogon in two; five characters are extreme, or outside the range of the means of the parents. Nocomis micropogon X R. cataractae is unquestionably of hybrid origin; however, it fulfills the characteristics of a morphological species: a definite homogeneous range, clear consistency of characters and success in nature. Hybridization as a mode of speciation in fishes is discussed. Introduction Goldsborough and Clark (1908) described Rhinichthys bower si from the type taken from Dry Fork at Harman, W. Va., and from cotypes taken from Shavers Fork of Cheat River at Cheat Bridge, W. Va. Raney (1940) collected four specimens of this form below Cheat Bridge in 1935 and redescribed it as a hybrid Nocomis micropogon X Rhinichthys cataractae. An additional 15 specimens were taken from Shavers Fork in 1975-1976, by members of the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. The reoccurrence of this hybrid prompted a study to verify its systematic status, range and relative abundance in the upper Monongahela River system. Other objectives of this paper are to provide a morphometric, meristic and descriptive analysis of this hybrid. Additionally, the role of hybridization as a possible mode of sympatric speciation is discussed. Methods and Materials Data on previous records of the hybrid were collected via personal communication (R. E. Jenkins, E. L. Cooper), literature review and museum visits. In an attempt to learn more about the present distribution of the hybrid, collections were made at several localities in the Monongahela River system. Fishes were collected by seines and electroshocker, preserved in 10% formalin and placed in 40% isopropanol for permanent storage in the Appalachian Environmental Laboratory Fish Museum. Fifty specimens of Nocomis micropogon and Rhinichthys cataractae were collected and compared with 42 hybrids collected prior to 1977. Morphometric characters were measured to the nearest 0.1 mm with dial calipers, using methods given in Hubbs and Lagler (1958) and Raney and Suttkus (1964). A hybrid index was calculated following Hubbs, Hubbs, and Johnson (1943) : H = [(XH U!)/(u2 Ul)] ? 100 where H = hybrid index, XH = hybrid value, Uj. = value for N. micropogon and u2 = value for R. cataractae. Dentition was examined in six hybrid specimens. An index value of 50 denotes exact intermediacy; over 50 indicates that the particular character is closer to N. micropogon, and less than 50 indicates a closer affinity with R. cataractae.

Interspecific and seasonal differences in the temperature tolerance of stream fish

1. 1.|Interspecific differences are reported in the temperature tolerance (CTM) of 13 species of stream fish acclimated to 15.0°C with a photoperiod of LD 12:12. 2. 2.| Notropis stramineus had the highest CTM (33.1°C) while Hypentelium nigricans (30.8°C), Cottus bairdi (30.9°C) and Nocomis micropogon (30.9°C) had the lowest CTM's. 3. 3.| Noropis stramineus, N. cornutus and Etheostoma nigrum acclimated for 4 weeks to constant laboratory conditions had statistically significant seasonal differenes in their CTM's.

A range extension of Nocomis micropogon, the river chub, into eastern Ontario

A range extension of Nocomis micropogon, the river chub, into eastern Ontario

New and Previously Known Dactylogyrus spp. from Southern Ontario Fishes

Six new and 15 previously described species of Dactylogyrus are reported: Dactylogyrus cernyi sp. n. and D. micropogoni sp. n. from Nocomis micropogon (Cope); D. chrosomi sp. n. and D. eos sp. n. from Phoxinus eos (Cope); D. hankinsoni sp. n. from Hybognathus hankinsoni Hubbs; D. heterolepis sp. n. from Notropis heterolepis Eigenmann and Eigenmann; and D. apos Mueller, 1938; D. atratuli Hanek and Fernando, 1972; D. attenuatus Mizelle and Klucka, 1953; D. banghami Mizelle and Donahue, 1944; D. bifurcatus Mizelle, 1937; D. bulbus Mueller, 1938; D. bychowskyi Mizelle, 1937; D. cornutus Mueller, 1938; D. dubius Mizelle and Klucka, 1953; D. eucalius Mizelle and Regensberger, 1945; D. lachneri Chien, 1971; D. luxili Rogers, 1967; D. microphallus Mueller, 1938; D. reciprocus Rogers, 1967; and D. rubellus Mueller, 1938. D. dubius is redescribed, and the vagina of D. luxili is figured. Studies on Dactylogyrus Diesing, 1850, in Canada have been made by Bangham (1955), Bangham and Adams (1954), Dechtiar (1972), Hanek and Fernando (1972), Mizelle and Donahue (1944), Monaco and Mizelle (1955), and Price and Arai (1967). From April to October 1973 we undertook intensive parasitological investigation of fishes from southern Ontario. Six new and 15 previously described species of Dactylogyrus were collected and are reported herein. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fish hosts were collected by seine and immediately segregated by species, transported to the laboratory alive, and examined. The hosts were identified using the keys of Hubbs and Lagler (1964), while systematic assignment of the species follows that proposed by the American Fisheries Society (1970). All dactylogyrids were collected from the gills and fixed in a mixture of glycerol and formalin (9:1) with a few drops of ammonium picrate. Measurements are in micrometers; those of holotypes are given first with ranges in parentheses. Observations were made with a phasecontrast microscope and illustrations were prepared with the aid of a camera lucida. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Dactylogyrus cernyi sp. n. (Figs. 1a-b, d-f) Type host and locality: Nocomis micropogon (Cope); Conestogo River, Waterloo. Specimens studied: 2. Received for publication 14 January 1974. *Present address: Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Nassau, N.P., Bahamas. t On leave from Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary. 421 Type specimens: Holotype, USNM Helm. Coll. No. 73150; paratype No. 73151.

Review of the Mackerel Genera Scomber and Rastrelliger with Description of a New Species of Rastrelliger

X Nocomis micropogon. Copeia 1940(4):270271. 1940b. Reproductive activities of a hybrid minnow, Notropis cornutus X Notropis rubellus. Zoologica 25(3):361-367. 1947. Nocomis nests used by other breeding cyprinid fishes in Virginia. Zoologica 32(3):125-132. . 1957. Natural hybrids between two species of pickerel (Esox) in Stearns Pond, Massachusetts. Supplement, Fish. Rept. for some central, eastern, and western Massachusetts lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, 1951-52. (1955). Div. Fish and Game, Commonwealth of Mass. Pp. 1-15. RICKER, W. E. 1948. Hybrid sunfish for stocking small ponds. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 75: 84-96.

Western Atlantic Fishes of the Family Priacanthidae

ARONSON, L. R. 1957. Reproductive and parental behavior, p. 271-304. In The physiology of fishes. Edited by M. Brown, Academic Press, New York. FORBES, S. A. AND R. E. RICHARDSON. 1909. The fishes of Illinois. State of Ill. Dept. Regist. & Educ. Div. Nat. Hist. Survey 3:1-357. GREELEY, J. R. 1927. Fishes of the Genessee region with annotated list, p. 47-66. In A biological survey of the Genessee River system. Suppl. 16th Ann. Rept. N. Y. Conserv. Dept. 1926. HANKINSON, T. L. 1919. Observations on the breeding behavior and habits of fishes in southern Michigan. Pap. Mich. Acad. Sci. Arts & Letters 15:411-25. HARRINGER, R. W. 1959. Photoperiodism in fishes in relation to the annual sexual cycle, p. 651-67. In Photoperiodism and related phenomena in plants and animals. Am. Assoc. Adv. Sci. Washington, D. C. KRAATZ, W. C. 1923. A study of the food of the minnow Campostoma anomalum. Ohio J. Sci. 23:265-83. 1924. The intestine of the minnow Campostoma anomalum (Rafinesque), with special reference to the development of its coiling. Ohio J. Sci. 24(6):265-98. LENNON, R. E. AND P. S. PARKER. 1960. The stoneroller, Campostoma anomalum (Rafinesque), in Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 89(3):263-70. MOORE, G. A. AND J. M. PADEN. 1950. The fishes of the Illinois River in Oklahoma and r. William C. Dilger, Dr. Howard E. vans, and Mr. John Whitaker kindly read nd criticized the manuscript. Special thanks re due my wife, Hel n, for assistance during he study and i reviewing the manuscript. Arkansas. Am. Midland Nat. 44(1):76-95. MORRIS, D. 1957. Typical intensity and its relationship to the problem of ritualization. Behavior 11:1-13. NOBLE, G. K. 1938. Sexual selection among fishes. Biol. Rev. 13:133-58. 1939. The role of dominance in the life of birds. Auk 56:263. PFEIFFER, R. A. 1955. Studies on the life history of the rosyface shiner, Notropis rubellus. Copeia 2:95-104. RANEY, E. C. 1940a. The breeding behavior of the common shiner, Notropis cornutus (Mitc ill). Zoologica 25(1):1-14. 1940b. Nests under the water. Bull. N. Y. Zool. Soc. 43(4):127-35. 1947. Nocomis nests used by other breeding cyprinid fishes in Virginia. Zoologica 32(3):125-32. REIGHARD, J. 1903. The function of the pearl organs of the Cyprinidae. Science, N. S. 17: 531. . 1910. Methods of studying the habits of fishes, with an account of the breeding habits of the horned dace. Bull. U. S. Bur. Fish. 28(1908):1113-36. 1943. The breeding habits of the river c ub, Nocomis micropogon (Cope). Pap. Mich. Acad. Sci. 28:397-423. Ross, R. D. 1958. Races of the cyprinid fish Campostoma anomalum pullum (Agassiz) in eastern United States. Va. Poly. Inst. Tech. Bull. 136:1-20. SMITH, O. R. 1935. The breeding habits of the stoneroller minnow (Campostoma anomalum Ra ine que). Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 65:14851.

Studies of the Biology of the Cyprinid Fishes of the Chub Genus Nocomis of Northeastern United States

The life histories of only a few North American Cyprinidae are well understood. Atthough their economic importanc1e as food or game fishes is of little value, many do serve as important forage fishes and others are used as bait by sportsmen seeking game fishes. Certain species exhibit interesting breeding behavior patterns and interrelationships and provide much scientific interest. The many species vary in distribution, growth, food habits, and mode of reproduction. Pertinent knowledge acquired from life history studies leads to intelligent mianagement of populations of forage fishes and their effective utilization and maintenance. This study concerns three species of Nocomis found in the waters of northeastern United States, namely the hornyhead chub, Nocomis biguttatus (Kirtland), the river chub, N. micropogon (Cope), and the eastern Piedmont chub, N. leptocephalus (Girard). The salient characters differentiating these species have been presented by Lachner (1946).

The American Cyprinid Fish Notropis germanus Hay Interpreted as an Intergeneric Hybrid

The systematization of our knowledge of the immense fresh-water fish faura of eastern North America is being advanced not only by the discovery of new forms and the reclassification of previously known species, but also by the elimination from the system of nominal species known only from the original accounts. Some particularly troublesome forms are eliminated through being interpreted as interspecific hybrids, as was done when Raney (1940) demonstrated that Rhinichthys bowersi Evermann and Goldsborough was based on a hybrid between Rhinichthys cataractae (Valenciennes) and Nocomis micropogon (Cope). Such action, when taken on reliable grounds, not only clarifies the systematics, but also contributes to the rapidly growing body of facts and interpretations regarding hybridization in nature between fish species. The present study clears the nominal species Notropis germanus Hay (1887: 252-253) from the system and adds a new interspecific hybrid, Hybognathus hankinsoni X Notropis beterolepis. A somewhat similar combination, H. placita X N. girardi, has just been recorded by Cross (1950: 128, 141). A nomenclatorial complexity may arise from the circumstance that NOtropis germanus was proposed prior to the naming either of Hybognathus hankinsoni Hubbs (in Jordan, 1929: 88) or of the still unnamed southern subspecies of Notropis heterolepis Eigenmann and Eigenmann that is characterized by the complete or nearly complete lateral line and that may be involved in the hybrid combination. There is apparently no rule or recommendation in regard to the availability of a name regularly proposed for a nominal species that is later interpreted as an interspecific hybrid. It might be argued that the name was based on a complex and should be associated with the element of the complex to be selected by the first author who recognizes the situation and unequivocally makes the selection. Such action has been taken in respect to names based on subspecific intergrades and the distinction between these and interspecific hybrids is often subjective and tenuous (Hubbs, 1943). On the other hand, names based on interspecific hybrids are not applicable to true populations and the type specimens would not be representative. More doubt, confusion and instability would arise from accepting than from rejecting names interpreted as based on interspecific hybrids. It is therefore recommended that these names be regarded as unavailable for either parental species. Such apparently has been the practice in both botany and zoology.