#Lepisosteus osseus oxyurus# (Linnaeus): Stations A-1, W-2, W-3, G-2,
G-3, G-4, C-1, C-2, C-3, C-5, C-8.
Of 34 longnose gar taken, 27 were young-of-the-year. The latter were
from shallow isolated pools (bedrock bottom at C-1, C-3, C-4; gravel
bottom at C-6). At station W-1 in moderate flood conditions several
young-of-the-year were found in the most sheltered water next to the
banks.
The longnose gar was found only in the lower parts of the streams
surveyed (but were observed by me in smaller tributaries of these
streams in years when the streams had a greater volume of flow). A
preference for downstream habitat is suggested in several other surveys:
Cross (1950:134, 1954a:307) on the South Fork of the Cottonwood and on
Stillwater Creek; Cross and Moore (1952:401) on the Poteau and Fourche
Maline rivers; Moore and Buck (1953:21) on the Chikaskia River.
#Lepisosteus platostomus# Rafinesque: One shortnose gar (K. U. 3157) has
been taken from the Arkansas River in Cowley County. This gar was taken
by Mr. Richard Rinker on a bank line on April 10, 1955, at station A-3.
#Dorosoma cepedianum# (Le Sueur): Stations W-3, G-4, C-4, C-5, M-1, E-1,
E-4.
In smaller streams such as the Elk and Caney rivers adult gizzard shad
seemed scarce. They were more common in collections made in larger
rivers (Walnut, Verdigris, and Neosho). In impoundments of this region
shad often become extremely abundant. Schoonover (1954:173) found that
shad comprised 97 per cent by number and 83 per cent by weight of fishes
taken in a survey of Fall River Reservoir.
#Carpiodes carpio carpio# (Rafinesque): Stations A-1, A-2, A-3, W-3,
G-1, C-3.
Hubbs and Lagler (1947:50) stated that the river carpsucker was "Mostly
confined to large silty rivers." Of the stations listed above C-3 least
fits this description being a large shallow pool about 1/3 acre in area
having bedrock bottom and slightly turbid water. The other stations
conform to conditions described by Hubbs and Lagler (_loc. cit._).
#Carpiodes velifer# (Rafinesque): SBS. Three specimens of the highfin
carpsucker (K. U. 177-179) were collected on July 11, 1912, from an
unspecified location on Elk River in Elk County.
#Ictiobus bubalus# (Rafinesque): Stations W-3, G-1, G-2, C-1, C-3, C-4,
C-6, E-1, E-2, E-3.
The smallmouth buffalo shared the downstream proclivities of the river
carpsucker. In half of the collections (G-2, C-1, E-1, E-2, E-3) only
large juveniles were taken; in the other half only young-of-the-year
were found. In one pool at station C-1 hundreds of young buffalo and gar
were observed. This large shallow pool was 100 x 150 feet, with an
average depth of 8 inches. The bottom consisted of bedrock. Station C-6
was a small pool with bedrock bottom, eight feet in diameter, with an
average depth of only 4 inches. Station E-3 was also a small isolated
pool with bedrock bottom and an average depth of 6 inches.
#Ictiobus niger# (Rafinesque): Station C-5.
Only two specimens of the black buffalo were taken. An adult was caught
on spinning tackle, with doughballs for bait. The second specimen was a
juvenile taken by seining one mile below Station C-5 on September 22.
#Ictiobus cyprinella# (Valenciennes): Station G-2.
Two juvenal bigmouth buffalo were taken in a shallow pool, along with
several juvenal smallmouth buffalo.
#Moxostoma aureolum pisolabrum# Trautman and #Moxostoma carinatum#
(Cope): SBS.
Two specimens of _Moxostoma aureolum pisolabrum_ (K. U. 242-243) and one
specimen of _Moxostoma carinatum_ (K. U. 223) were taken from an
unspecified locality on Elk River in Elk County on July 11, 1912. There
are no other records for any of these fish in the collection area. _M.
aureolum pisolabrum_ has been taken in recent years in eastern Kansas
(Trautman, 1951:3) and has been found as far west as the Chikaskia
drainage in northern Oklahoma by Moore and Buck (1953:21). That
occasional northern redhorse enter the larger rivers of the area here
reported on seems probable.
_M. carinatum_ has been reported only a few times from Kansas. The only
recent records are from the Verdigris River (Schelske, 1957:39). Elkins
(1954:28) took four specimens of _M. carinatum_ from cutoff pools on
Salt Creek in Osage County, Oklahoma, in 1954. This recent record
suggests that occurrences in southern Kansas are probable.
#Moxostoma erythrurum# (Rafinesque): Stations G-5, G-7, G-10, G-12, C-4,
C-5, C-6, C-8, C-10, C-11, C-12, C-13, C-15, E-1, E-2, E-4 (C-131,
C-133, C-136).
The golden redhorse was common in several of the streams surveyed, and
utilized the upland parts of streams more extensively than any of the
other catostomids occurring in the area. _M. erythrurum_ and _Ictiobus
bubalus_ were taken together at only two stations. In no case was _I.
bubalus_ taken from a tributary of Grouse Creek or of Big Caney River.
In contrast _M. erythrurum_ reached its greatest concentrations in such
habitat, although it was always a minor component of the total fish
population. Stations C-5 and E-2 were the lowermost environments in
which this redhorse was taken.
The largest relative number of golden redhorse was found at station G-12
on Crab Creek where 7.5 per cent of the fishes taken were of this
species. This station consisted of intermittent pools averaging one foot
in depth. Bottoms were bedrock and rubble and the water was clear and
shaded. The fish were consistently taken in the deeper, open part of
the pool where aquatic vegetation, which covered most of the pool, was
absent.
Another station at which _M. erythrurum_ was abundant was C-12 on Cedar
Creek. Here a long, narrow, clear pool was the habitat, with average
depth of 17 inches, and bottom of bedrock.
#Minytrema melanops# (Rafinesque): Stations G-10, C-4, C-12, E-1.
Occurrences of the spotted sucker were scattered. At stations C-4 and
G-10 single specimens were taken. At station E-1 (July 9) one specimen
was taken at the mouth of a small tributary where water was turbid and
quiet. This specimen (K. U. 3708) was the largest (9-3/8 inches total
length) found, and possessed pits of lost tubercles.
#Cyprinus carpio# Linnaeus: Stations A-1, W-1, W-2, W-3, W-4, G-3, G-4,
G-6, G-8, C-3, C-5, E-4.
Carp were taken most often in downstream habitat. No carp were taken
above station C-5 on Big Caney River.
The earliest date on which young were taken was July 7, when 46
specimens, approximately 1/2 inch in total length, were taken from the
Walnut River at station W-1. The small carp showed a preference for
small shallow pools; adults were found in deeper pools.
#Hybopsis aestivalis tetranemus# (Gilbert): Station A-3.
Only one specimen of the speckled chub was taken. The species has been
recorded from nearby localities in the Arkansas River and its
tributaries both in Kansas and Oklahoma. Its habitat seems to be shallow
water over clean, fine sand, and it occurs in strong current in
mid-channel in the Arkansas River. Suitable habitat does not occur in
other parts of the area covered by this report.
#Notropis blennius# (Girard): Stations A-1, A-2, A-3.
The river shiner was taken only in the Arkansas River and in small
numbers. In all instances _N. blennius_ was found over sandy bottom in
flowing water. Females were gravid at station A-1 on June 14. To my
knowledge there are no published records of this shiner from the
Arkansas River Basin in Kansas. In Oklahoma this species prefers the
large, sandy streams such as the Arkansas River. Cross and Moore
(1952:403) found it in the Poteau River only near the mouth.
#Notropis boops# Gilbert: Stations G-5, G-7, C-3, C-5, C-8, C-9, C-10,
C-11, C-12, C-15, C-16, E-4, E-5, M-1, M-2.
Widespread occurrence of the bigeye shiner in this area seems
surprising. Except for this area it is known in Kansas only from the
Spring River drainage in the southeastern corner of the state (Cross,
1954b:474). _N. boops_ chose habitats that seemed most nearly like
Ozarkian terrain. The largest relative number of bigeye shiners was
taken at C-11 in a clear stream described in the discussion of _Notropis
rubellus_. At this station _N. boops_ comprised 14.11 per cent, and _N.
boops_ and _N. rubellus_ together comprised 24.78 per cent of all fish
taken.
At station G-7 on Grouse Creek the percentage of _N. boops_ was 7.15.
Here, as at station C-11, water was clear. At both stations
_Myriophyllum heterophyllum_ was abundant and at G-7 _Nelumbo lutea_ was
also common. At G-7 _N. boops_ seemed most abundant in the deeper water,
but at C-11 most shiners were found in the shallower part of a large
pool.
Two other collections in which _N. boops_ were common were from Spring
Creek. It is a small, clear Flint Hills brook running swiftly over clean
gravel and rubble. It had, however, been intermittent or completely dry
in its upper portion throughout the winter of 1955-'56 and until June
22, 1956. In collections at C-15 on June 28, _N. boops_ formed 6.5 per
cent of the fish taken. Farther upstream, at C-16 on July 9, in an area
one mile from the nearest pool of water that existed prior to the rains
of June 22, _N. boops_ made up 7.2 per cent of the fish taken.
In streams heading in the hilly area of western Elk County, the relative
abundance of _Notropis boops_ decreased progressively downstream. On
upper Elk River percentages were lower than on upper Grouse Creek and
upper Big Caney River.
Hubbs and Lagler (1947:66) characterize the habitat of this species as
clear creeks of limestone uplands. There are numerous records of the
bigeye shiner from extreme eastern Oklahoma. It has been reported as far
west as Beaver Creek in Osage County, Oklahoma. Beaver Creek originates
in Cowley County, Kansas, near the origin of Cedar Creek and Crab Creek.
Drought had left a few pools of water in Beaver Creek in Kansas at the
time of my survey. The fish-fauna seemed sparse and _N. boops_ was not
among the species taken. Of interest in considering the somewhat
isolated occurrence of the bigeye shiner in the Flint Hills area of
Kansas is a record of it by Ortenburger and Hubbs (1926:126) from
Panther Creek, Comanche County, Oklahoma, in the Wichita Mountain area
of that state.
#Notropis buchanani# Meek: Stations G-1, E-4 (C-131).
At station G-1 the ghost shiner was taken in small numbers in the
shallow end of a long pool (150 x 40 feet.) The three individuals taken
at station E-4 were in an isolated pool (50 x 510 feet) averaging 1-1/2
feet in depth. Water was turbid, and warm due to lack of shade.
The habitat preferences of this species and of the related species _N.
volucellus_ have been described as follows by Hubbs and Ortenburger
(1929b:68): "It seems probable that _volucellus_ when occurring in the
range of _buchanani_ occupies upland streams, whereas _buchanani_ is
chiefly a form of the large rivers and adjacent creek mouths." The
results of this survey and impressions gained from other collections,
some of which are unpublished, are in agreement with this view. A
collection on the Verdigris River at Independence, Kansas, directly
downstream from the mouth of the Elk River, showed _N. buchanani_ to be
common while _N. volucellus_ was not taken. At station E-5 upstream from
E-4, however, _N. volucellus_ was taken but _N. buchanani_ was not
found.
In the upper Neosho basin, Cross (1954a:310) took _N. volucellus_ but
not _N. buchanani_. Other collections have shown _N. buchanani_ to be
abundant in the lower Neosho River in Kansas. Moore and Paden (1950:85)
observe that _N. buchanani_ was found only near the mouth of the
Illinois River in Oklahoma and was sharply segregated ecologically from
_N. volucellus_ that occupied a niche in the clear main channels in
contrast to the more sluggish waters inhabited by _N. buchanani_.
#Notropis camurus# (Jordan and Meek): Stations C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6, C-7,
C-8, C-9, C-10, C-11, C-12, C-13, E-1, E-5 (C-131).
Highest concentrations of the bluntface shiner were found close to the
mouths of two tributaries of Big Caney River: Rock Creek and Otter
Creek. On Rock Creek (Station C-4) this shiner was abundant in a shallow
pool below a riffle where water was flowing rapidly. Many large males in
breeding condition were taken (June 3). The species formed 20.2 per cent
of the fish taken.
On Otter Creek (Station C-13) the species was common in shallow bedrock
pools below riffles. It formed 12.1 per cent of the fish taken.
At station C-5, _N. camurus_ was characteristically found in an area of
shallow pools and riffles. At station C-10 it was found in clear flowing
water over rubble bottom and in small coves over mud bottom. At C-11
(July 26) _N. camurus_ was taken only in one small pool with rapidly
flowing water below a riffle. In this pool _N. camurus_ was the dominant
fish. At station C-12, on April 2, _N. camurus_ was abundant in the
stream, which was then clear and flowing. On August 24, it was not taken
from the same pool, which was then turbid and drying.
The frequent occurrence of this species in clear, flowing water seems
significant. Cross (1954a:309) notes that the bluntface shiner prefers
moderately fast, clear water. Hall (1952:57) found _N. camurus_ only in
upland tributaries east of Grand River and not in lowland tributaries
west of the river. Moore and Buck (1953:22) took this species in the
Chikaskia River, which was at that time a clear, flowing stream. They
noted that in Oklahoma it seems to be found only in relatively clear
water.
_N. camurus_ did not seem to ascend the smaller tributaries of Big Caney
River as did _N. rubellus_ and _N. boops_ even when these tributaries
were flowing.
#Notropis deliciosus missuriensis# (Cope): Stations A-1, A-2, A-3, W-1,
W-2, W-3 (C-136).
Sand shiners seemed to be abundant in the Arkansas River, rare in the
Walnut River and absent from other streams surveyed. This shiner was
most abundant in shallow, flowing water in the Arkansas River; in
backwaters, where _Gambusia affinis_ prevailed, _N. deliciosus_ formed
only a small percentage of the fish population.
#Notropis girardi# Hubbs and Ortenburger: Stations A-2 and A-3.
At station A-2 the Arkansas River shiner made up 14.6 per cent of all
fish taken. At A-2, it was found only in rapidly-flowing water over
clean sand in the main channels. It was absent from the shallow,
slowly-flowing water where _N. deliciosus missuriensis_ was abundant. At
A-3 _N. girardi_ made up 22 per cent of the total catch, and again
preferred the deeper, faster water over clean-swept sand. Failure to
find _N. girardi_ at station A-1 is not understood.
Females were gravid in both collections (August 25 and 27). In neither
collection were young-of-the-year taken. Moore (1944:210) has suggested
that _N. girardi_ requires periods of high water and turbidity to spawn.
Additional collecting was done at station A-3 on December 22, 1957. A
few adults were taken in flowing water but no young were found.
In this area, _N. girardi_ showed no tendency to ascend tributaries of
the Arkansas River. Not far to the west, however, this pattern changes
as shown by Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929a:32) who took this fish at seven
of ten stations on the Cimarron, Canadian, and Salt Fork of the
Arkansas. _N. girardi_ was taken only in the lowermost stations on both
Stillwater Creek (Cross, 1950:136) and the Chikaskia River (Moore and
Buck, 1953:22). In the next major stream west of the Chikaskia, the
Medicine River, _N. girardi_ seems to occur farther upstream than in the
Chikaskia. (Collection C-5-51 by Dr. A. B. Leonard and Dr. Frank B.
Cross on Elm Creek near Medicine Lodge on July 20, 1951.)
#Notropis lutrensis# (Baird and Girard): Stations A-1, A-2, W-1, W-2,
W-3, W-4, G-1, G-2, G-4, G-5, G-8, G-9, G-10, G-11, G-12, G-13, G-14,
G-15, G-16, B-1, B-2, B-3, C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6, C-9, C-10,
C-11, C-12, C-13, C-14, M-1, E-1, E-2, E-4, E-7 (E&F, C-131, C-133,
C-136).
The red shiner was taken in every stream surveyed. The relative
abundance seemed to be greatest in two types of habitat which were
separated geographically. The first habitat was in large rivers such as
the Arkansas and Walnut. In the Arkansas River the red shiner
consistently made up 20 per cent to 25 per cent of the catch. On the
Walnut River percentages ranged from 10 per cent (station W-3) to 45 per
cent (station W-2).
The second habitat in which numbers of _N. lutrensis_ reached high
proportions was in the upper parts of the most intermittent tributaries.
At the uppermost station in Silver Creek this species formed 30 per cent
of the fish taken. In Crab Creek the following percentages were taken in
six collections from mouth to source: 20.6%, 26.1%, 25%, 85%, 14.6%, and
1%. In the mainstream of Grouse Creek the highest percentage taken was
19.27 near the mouth at station G-1. In middle sections of Grouse Creek
this species was either absent or made up less than 2 per cent of the
fish taken.
At no station on Big Caney River was the red shiner abundant. The
smallest relative numbers were found at upstream stations, in contrast
to collections made on tributaries of Grouse Creek. This distributional
pattern possibly may be explained by the severe conditions under which
fish have been forced to live in the upper tributaries of Grouse Creek.
Water was more turbid, and pools were smaller than in Big Caney. These
factors possibly decimate numbers of the less hardy species permitting
expansion by more adaptable species, among which seems to be _N.
lutrensis_. In the upper tributaries of Big Caney River conditions have
not been so severe due to greater flow from springs and less cultivation
of the watershed in most places. Under such conditions _N. lutrensis_
seems to remain a minor faunal constituent.
#Notropis percobromus# (Cope): Stations A-1, A-2, W-1, W-2, W-3, G-1.
At station W-1 the plains shiner constituted 20 per cent of the fish
taken. The river was flowing rapidly with large volume at the time of
this collection, and all specimens were taken near the bank in
comparatively quiet water over gravel bottom. At station W-3, below
Tunnel Mill Dam at Winfield, _N. percobromus_ comprised 18.7 per cent of
the fish taken, second only to _Lepomis humilis_ in relative abundance.
Immediately below the west end of the dam, plains shiners were so
concentrated that fifty or more were taken in one haul of a four-foot
nylon net. The amount of water overflowing the dam at this point was
slight. Water was shallow (8-12 inches) and the bottom consisted of the
pitted apron or of fine gravel. At the east end of the dam where water
was deeper (1-3 feet) and the flow over the dam greater, large numbers
of _Lepomis humilis_ were taken while _N. percobromus_ was rare.
In the Arkansas River smaller relative numbers of this shiner were
obtained. At station A-2, it formed 4.68 per cent of the total. At this
station _N. percobromus_ was taken with _N. lutrensis_ in water about 18
inches deep next to a bank where the current was sluggish and tangled
roots and detritus offered some shelter.
At station G-1 on Grouse Creek the plains shiner made up 7.68 per cent
of the fish taken. The habitat consisted of intermittent pools with
rubble bottoms at this station, which was four miles upstream from the
mouth of the creek. The plains shiner seems rarely to ascend the upland
streams of the area.
#Notropis rubellus# (Agassiz): Stations C-3, C-5, C-6, C-7, C-8, C-10,
C-11, C-12, C-13, C-14 (J&J).
No fish in these collections showed a more persistent preference than
_Notropis rubellus_ for clear, cool streams. All collections of the
rosyface shiner were in the Big Caney River system, but at only four
stations in this system was it common. At station C-11 the highest
relative numbers (10.6 per cent) were obtained. This site possessed the
most limpid water of any station on the mainstream of Big Caney. Aquatic
plants (_Myriophyllum heterophyllum_ and _Potamogeton nodosus_) were
common. Other fishes that flourished at this station were _N. boops_,
_N. camurus_, _Campostoma anomalum_, and _Etheostoma spectabile_. The
water temperature was 86 deg. at surface and 80 deg. at bottom whereas air
temperature was 97 deg..
_N. rubellus_ was common at all stations in Otter Creek, the clear,
upland character of which has been discussed. In May and June only
adults were found. On September 1, examination of several pools in upper
Otter Creek revealed numerous young-of-the-year in small spring-fed
pools.
Literature is scarce concerning this shiner in Kansas. Cross (1954a:308)
stated that it was abundant in the South Fork of the Cottonwood River
and was one of those fishes primarily associated with the Ozarkian
fauna, rather than with the fauna of the plains. Elliott (1947) found
_N. rubellus_ in Spring Creek, a tributary of Fall River which seems
similar to Otter Creek in physical features. Between the Fall River and
Big Caney River systems is the Elk River, from which there is no record
of the rosyface shiner. Perhaps its absence is related to the
intermittent condition of this stream at present. The Elk River is poor
in spring-fed tributaries, which seem to be favorite environs of the
rosyface shiner.
_N. rubellus_ was taken by Minna Jewell and Frank Jobes in Silver Creek
on June 30, 1925 (UMMZ 67818). The shiner was not found in any stream
west of the Big Caney system in my collections.
In Oklahoma, Hall (1952:57) found _N. rubellus_ in upland tributaries on
the east side of Grand River and not in the lowland tributaries on the
west side. Martin and Campbell (1953:51) characterize _N. rubellus_ as
preferring riffle channels in moderate to fast current in the Black
River, Missouri. It is the only species so characterized by them which
was taken in my collections. Moore and Paden (1950:84) state "_Notropis
rubellus_ is one of the most abundant fishes of the Illinois River,
being found in all habitats but showing a distinct preference for fast
water...."
#Notropis topeka# (Gilbert): Two specimens (formerly Indiana University
4605) of the Topeka shiner labeled "Winfield, Kansas" are now at the
University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Collector and other data are
not given. Evermann and Fordice (1886:185) noted that two specimens of
_N. topeka_ were taken from Sand Creek near Newton in Harvey County, but
do not list it from Cowley County near Winfield. They deposited their
fish in the museum of Indiana University.
#Notropis umbratilis# (Girard): Stations G-1, G-3, G-4, G-7, G-8, G-9,
G-12, G-14, B-2, B-3, C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6, C-7, C-8, C-9, C-10,
C-11, C-12, C-13, C-14, C-15, C-16, E-1, E-2, E-4, E-5, M-1, M-2 (J&J,
C-131, C-132).
The redfin shiner flourished in all the streams surveyed except the
Arkansas and Walnut Rivers. _N. umbratilis_ has been found in upland
tributaries of the Walnut River, some of which originate in terrain
similar to that in which Elk River, Big Caney River, and Grouse Creek
originate. (Collection C-26-51 by Cross on Durechon Creek, October 7,
1951.) This suggests downstream reduction in relative numbers of this
species, a tendency which also seemed to exist on both Big Caney River
and Grouse Creek. _N. umbratilis_ was the most abundant species in Big
Caney River except at the lowermost stations where it was surpassed in
relative abundance by _N. lutrensis_ and _Gambusia affinis_.
_N. umbratilis_ was a pool-dweller, becoming more concentrated in the
deeper pools as summer advanced. In May and early June, large
concentrations of adult _N. umbratilis_ were common in the shallow ends
of pools together with _N. rubellus_, _N. boops_, _Pimephales notatus_,
and _Pimephales tenellus_. By July and August, only young of the year
were taken in shallow water, and adults were scarcely in evidence.
#Notropis volucellus# (Cope): Stations G-5, G-8, C-3, C-5, C-7, C-8,
C-9, C-10, M-1, E-4, E-5.
The mimic shiner was a minor element in the fauna, 2.02 per cent at
station C-5 being the largest percentage taken. In the Big Caney River
system _N. volucellus_ was taken only in the main stream. In the Grouse
Creek drainage it was found at two stations in the upper part of the
watershed, where water is clearer, gradient greater, and pools
well-shaded and cool.
In the Elk River the mimic shiner was taken only in the upper part of
the main stream. The dominant shiner in situations where _N. volucellus_
was taken was, in all cases, _N. umbratilis_. Elliott (1947) found _N.
volucellus_ in Spring Creek, a tributary of Fall River. Farther north in
the Flint Hills region, _N. volucellus_ was reported by Cross
(1954a:310).
#Notemigonus crysoleucas# (Mitchell): Station W-5.
This isolated record for the golden shiner consisted of nine specimens
collected on June 6 in Timber Creek, a tributary of the Walnut River.
Most of the creek was dry. _N. crysoleucas_ was taken in one pool with
dimensions of 8 feet by 4 feet with an average depth of 4 inches. This
creek is sluggish and silt-laden, even under conditions of favorable
precipitation. Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b:89) observed that the golden
shiner prefers sluggish water. Hall (1952:58) took the golden shiner
only in the lowland tributaries west of Grand River and not east of the
river in upland tributaries.
#Phenacobius mirabilis# Girard: Stations W-3, C-3.
In no case was the suckermouth minnow common; it never comprised more
than 1 per cent of the fish population.
#Pimephales notatus# (Rafinesque): Stations W-4, G-5, G-7, G-9, G-12,
G-13, B-3, C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6, C-7, C-8, C-9, C-10, C-11,
C-12, C-13, C-14, C-15, C-16, C-17, C-18, M-1, M-2, E-1, E-2, E-4, E-5,
E-7 (J&J, C-131, C-132, C-133).
This was much the most abundant of the four species of _Pimephales_ in
this area. It was taken at 33 stations as compared with 10 for _P.
tenellus_, 8 for _P. promelas_, and 3 for _P. vigilax_.
The bluntnose minnow was taken almost everywhere except in the main
stream of the Arkansas and Walnut rivers and in lower Grouse Creek. _P.
notatus_ seemed to prefer clearer streams of the Flint Hills part of my
area. There was a marked increase in percentages taken in the upland
tributaries of both Caney River and Grouse Creek. In the Elk River, too,
higher concentrations were found upstream.
The highest relative numbers of bluntnose minnows were taken at station
G-12 on Crab Creek, station C-12 on Cedar Creek and station C-16 on
Spring Creek. At G-12, this minnow was abundant in the deeper isolated
pools. Males in breeding condition were taken on June 9. In Cedar Creek
the population of bluntnose minnows was observed periodically in one
pool in which they were dominant. This pool was 100 feet by 50 feet,
shallow, and with bedrock bottom. At its upper end, however, there was a
small area of heavily-shaded deeper water. Throughout the spring
bluntnose minnows were found in large schools in the shallow area. As
the summer progressed they were no longer there, but seining revealed
their presence in the deeper, upper end.
At station C-16 on Spring Creek on July 9 male _P. notatus_ were taken
in extreme breeding condition, being light brick-red in color and with
large tubercles.
#Pimephales tenellus# (Girard): Stations G-1, C-2, C-3, C-5, C-6, C-7,
C-8, M-1, E-2, E-4 (C-131 C-133).
The mountain minnow was never taken far from the mainstream of Big
Caney, Middle Caney, or Elk River. In this respect it differed from _P.
notatus_, which reached large concentrations in the small upland
tributaries. On the other hand, _P. tenellus_ was not so abundant as _P.
vigilax_ in the silty larger streams. In no collection was the mountain
minnow common. The highest percentages were 2.4 per cent (Station C-5),
and 2.1 per cent (Station C-7) on Big Caney River. These stations
consisted of clear, flowing water over rubble bottoms. Males at C-7
(June 16) were in breeding condition.
Moore and Buck (1953:23) reported finding this species among rocks in
very fast water rather than in the quiet backwaters frequented by _P.
vigilax_. Other records of the mountain minnow from the Flint Hills
indicate that it seeks areas of maximum gradient and flow; in this
distributional respect it is like _Notropis camurus_. The two species
are recorded together from other streams in this region such as the
Chikaskia (Moore and Buck, 1953:23), Cottonwood (Cross, 1954a:310), and
Spring Creek, tributary of Fall River (Elliott, 1947). It is conceivable
that a preference for flowing water might explain its restriction to
the medium-sized, less intermittent streams in this area. The only
tributary which the species seemed to ascend to any extent was Otter
Creek, which is seldom intermittent downstream.
#Pimephales vigilax perspicuus# (Girard): Stations A-3, C-1, C-4.
The parrot minnow was found only in downstream habitats. Collection C-4
(June 3) on Rock Creek was made about 1/2 mile from the mouth of this
tributary of Big Caney and the creek here had almost the same character
as the river proper. The presence of other channel fishes such as
_Ictiobus bubalus_ indicates the downstream nature of the creek. Some
males of _P. vigilax_ in breeding condition were taken in this
collection.
At C-1, only one specimen was found in a turbid, isolated pool with
bedrock bottom. At A-1 only one parrot minnow was taken; it was in deep,
fairly quiet water near the bank.
Other collections outside the three-county area revealed the following:
In the Neosho River, several parrot minnows were found in quiet
backwaters and in shallow pools. In the Verdigris River three were taken
directly under water spilling over the dam at this station, while others
were found, together with _P. promelas_, in the mouth of a small creek
that provided a backwater habitat with mud bottom.
Cross and Moore (1952:405) found this species only at stations in the
lower portion of the Poteau River. Farther west the minnow may ascend
the smaller sandy streams to greater distances. Moore and Buck (1953:23)
took parrot minnows at six of 15 stations on the Chikaskia River and
found the species as far upstream as Drury, Kansas. Elliott (1947), in
comparing the South Ninnescah and Spring Creek fish faunas, found only
_P. vigilax_ and _P. promelas_ on the sandy, "flatter" Ninnescah and
only _P. notatus_ and _P. tenellus_ on Spring Creek, an upland, Flint
Hills stream in Greenwood County.
#Pimephales promelas# Rafinesque: Stations A-2, A-3, W-3, W-4, G-9, B-1,
M-1, E-4 (E&F, C-136).
Occurrences of the fathead minnow were scattered, but included all
streams sampled except Big Caney.
Three of the collections were in small intermittent streams where
conditions were generally unfavorable for fishes and in one instance
extremely foul. Two of these stations had turbid water and all suffered
from siltation.
In Middle Caney Creek the species was rare but in the Elk River (June
28) more than 100 specimens, predominantly young, were taken. This
station consisted of a large isolated pool with a variety of bottom
types. Water was turbid and the surface temperature was high (93 deg. F.).
In different parts of the pool the following numbers of specimens were
taken in single seine-hauls: 15 over shallow bedrock; 35 over gravel
(1-1/2 feet deep); 50 over mud bottom (1 foot deep).
_P. promelas_ was found also in the large, flowing rivers: Arkansas,
Walnut, Verdigris, and Neosho. The species was scarce in the Arkansas
River, and was found principally in muddy coves. In the Walnut (W-3),
this minnow comprised 7.65 per cent of the fish taken and was common in
quiet pools.
#Campostoma anomalum# Rafinesque: Stations W-4, G-4, C-1, C-3, C-5, C-6,
C-7, C-8, C-9, C-10, C-11, C-12, C-13, C-14, C-15, C-16, C-17, C-18, B-3
(E&F, C-131, C-136).
Although the stoneroller was found in most streams surveyed, it was
taken most often in the Big Caney system, where it occurred at 16 of the
18 stations. In contrast, it was represented at only one of 17 stations
on Grouse Creek. High percentages were found in three creeks--Cedar,
Otter, and Spring. As noted above, these streams are normally clear,
swift and have steep gradients and many rubble and gravel riffles. On
these riffles young stonerollers abounded. Station C-16 on Spring Creek
typifies the habitat in which this species was most abundant. The stream
has an average width of 10 feet and depth of a few inches. The volume of
flow was less than 1 cubic foot per second but turbulence was great.
Water was clear and the bottom was gravel and rubble. Following rains in
June, stonerollers quickly occupied parts of Spring Creek (upstream from
C-16) that had been dry throughout the previous winter.
On April 2 many _C. anomalum_ and _Etheostoma spectabile_ were taken in
shallow pools and riffles in an extensive bedrock-riffle area on Cedar
Creek near station C-12. Most of the females were gravid and the males
were in breeding condition. On June 6 these pools were revisited. Flow
had ceased and the pools were drying up. Young-of-the-year of the two
species were abundant, but only a few mature stonerollers were taken. On
August 24, prolonged drought had drastically altered the stream and all
areas from which stonerollers and darters had been taken were dry.
Seining of other pools which were almost dry revealed no stonerollers.
Collections on May 31, June 15, and June 16 in Otter Creek revealed
large numbers of stonerollers. They were found in riffle areas, in
aquatic vegetation, and especially in detritus alongside banks. Most of
the specimens were young-of-the-year.
#Anguilla bostoniensis# (Le Sueur): An American eel was caught by me in
Grouse Creek in 1949.
#Gambusia affinis# (Baird and Girard): Stations A-1, A-2, A-3, W-1, W-2,
W-3, W-4, W-5, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-9, C-1, C-2, C-3,
C-4, C-6, C-15, E-1.
Mosquitofish occurred widely but in varied abundance. Huge populations
were in the shallow sandy backwaters and cut-off pools of the Arkansas
River. In the shallow pools of several intermittent streams such as
station G-8 on Silver Creek this fish also flourished.
_G. affinis_ was taken at every station in the Arkansas, Walnut and
Grouse systems except those stations on two upland tributaries of Grouse
Creek (Crab Creek and Grand Summit Creek). The mosquitofish was not
observed in the clear upland tributaries of Big Caney, nor on upper Big
Caney River itself in May, June, and July. On September 3, however,
_Gambusia_ were taken at station C-15 on Otter Creek and others were
seen at station C-14 on the same date.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b:99) and Cross and Moore (1952:407) observed
that _G. affinis_ usually was absent from small upland tributaries, even
though it was abundant in lower parts of the same river systems.
#Fundulus kansae# (Garman): Stations A-2, A-3, Evermann and Fordice as
_Fundulus zebrinus_.
At station A-2, seven plains killifish were taken together with a great
many _Notropis deliciosus_ and _Gambusia affinis_ in a shallow,
algae-covered channel with slight flow and sand bottom. At station A-3
many young killifish were taken in small shallow pools on December 22.
_Fundulus kansae_ has been found in the lower part of the Walnut River
Basin, especially where petroleum pollution was evident. Eastward from
the Walnut River plains killifish have not been taken.
#Fundulus notatus# (Rafinesque): Stations B-1, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5,
G-7, G-8, G-10, G-11, G-14, C-1, M-1, E-1, Evermann and Fordice as
_Zygonectes notatus_.
The black-banded topminnow was not taken in the Arkansas River but was
common in the Walnut and Grouse systems. It was common also in Middle
Caney, but in Big Caney and Elk River it was taken only at the lowermost
stations.
This species did not seem to ascend far into smaller tributaries of
Grouse Creek. In Crab Creek it was taken at the lower two of six
stations and in Grand Summit Creek at the lower of two stations.
The highest relative numbers were taken at stations G-3 (17.5 per cent),
G-4 (24 per cent), G-10 (25.75 per cent) and G-11 (41.52 per
cent), on Crab Creek and Grouse Creek. Both upstream and downstream from
these stations, which were within five miles of each other, the relative
abundance dropped off sharply. The bottoms at these stations were mostly
rubble and mud, and water was turbid at three of the stations. At G-10
(June 24) and G-11 (July 16) young-of-the-year were abundant.
#Ictalurus melas# (Girard): Stations W-2, W-3, W-4, W-5, B-1, B-2, B-3,
G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5, G-8, G-9, G-11, G-12, G-13, G-14, G-17, C-1,
C-9, C-11, C-12, C-14, C-15, C-17, C-18, E-1, E-2, E-4, E-5, E-6, N-1,
Evermann and Fordice as _Ameiurus melas_ (C-133).
The black bullhead was taken at slightly more than half of the stations,
and probably was present at others. Larger numbers were taken in Grouse
Creek than in any other stream system. In many small, shallow pools in
the Grouse Creek system young black bullheads shared dominance with
_Gambusia affinis_ in the late summer. _I. melas_ was also abundant in
isolated pools at the extreme upper ends of Crab Creek, Beaver Creek and
Grand Summit Creek. _I. melas_ was most common in areas with silty
bottoms. The species seemed scarce in the main stream of Big Caney River
but was common in some of its tributaries.
#Pylodictis olivaris# (Rafinesque): Stations A-3, G-1, C-5.
Flathead catfish were taken by angling at stations A-3 and C-5. At
station G-1 (September 5) a flathead catfish five inches long was taken
in the four-foot nylon net.
#Ictalurus punctatus# (Rafinesque): Stations A-3, W-2, W-3, G-2, C-5,
E-4.
Channel catfish from stations W-3, A-3, and C-5 were taken on hook and
line. At station G-2 (August 29) twenty young-of-the-year were seined
from the shallow narrow end of a large pool. All collections of both _I.
punctatus_ and _P. olivaris_ were in the larger streams surveyed.
#Ictalurus natalis# (LeSueur): Stations G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-8, G-11,
C-12, C-14, C-15.
The yellow bullhead was taken at only 9 stations, compared with 33
stations for the black bullhead. _I. natalis_ was represented in 7 of
17 stations in the Grouse Creek system but in only 3 of 18 stations in
the Big Caney system. Of the seven records from Grouse Creek four were
from the main stream. At every station where yellow bullheads were
taken, black bullheads were found also and were abundant, usually
several times more abundant than _I. natalis_.
At G-11 on Crab Creek (July 16), _I. natalis_ made up 3.8 per cent of
the fish taken. All were young-of-the-year, existing in a tiny, gravelly
pool containing not more than five gallons of water, and were the only
fish present. Young yellow bullheads were also found in small pools with
gravel bottoms at station G-4 on September 7.
#Labidesthes sicculus# (Cope): Stations G-1, G-2, G-3, G-7, G-10, B-2,
C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, C-12, E-1, E-2, E-3, E-7, M-1 (E&F, C-131).
The brook silversides was taken, sometimes abundantly, in all stream
systems except the Walnut and Arkansas. At station G-7 on July 8, 41.8
per cent of the fish taken were of this species. _L. sicculus_ was most
abundant in large pools where the bottom was predominantly bedrock and
gravel. The highest concentrations were in the mainstreams of Big Caney,
Grouse, and Elk Rivers. Brook silversides were taken rarely in the
smaller tributaries of these streams.
#Percina phoxocephala# (Nelson): Stations C-2, C-3, C-5, G-1 (C-133).
Slenderhead darters were scarce, and were found only over gravel
bottoms. Specimens were taken from flowing and quiet water, and from
both shallow and deep water.
Larger numbers of _P. phoxocephala_ were taken by the writer in other
collections made during 1956 on the Neosho and Verdigris Rivers over
bottoms of rubble or gravel. Restriction of this darter to the larger
streams follows a pattern observed by Cross (1954a:313) who noted it was
absent from smaller riffles in minor tributaries. Elliott (1947),
however, took one specimen of _P. phoxocephala_ in Spring Creek, a
tributary of Fall River.
#Percina caprodes carbonaria# (Baird and Girard): Stations G-3, G-4,
G-7, G-12, C-5, C-6, C-7, C-9, C-12, C-13, C-14 (J&J, C-131, C-133).
The logperch was generally distributed in the Caney, Elk, and Grouse
systems. This species usually comprised less than 1 per cent of the fish
taken; however, at station G-12 it formed 3.76 per cent of the total.
In many instances the logperch was taken over submerged gravel bars,
often along the edges of the larger pools. At 8 of 13 stations where the
logperch was taken, the golden redhorse was also found. At every station
where logperch were found, _Notropis umbratilis_ was taken and
_Pimephales notatus_ also occurred at all but three of these stations.
#Percina copelandi# (Jordan): Stations C-4, C-5, C-6, C-8, G-1 (C-131,
C-133, J&J).
Channel darters were collected over bottoms of rubble or gravel, both in
flowing streams and in isolated pools. Although _P. copelandi_ was found
only in Big Caney River and at the lowermost station on Grouse Creek
(G-1) in this survey, this species has been taken previously from Elk
River (K. U. 3463 and K. U. 3197) and from Silver Creek. _Notropis
camurus_ occurred everywhere that _H. copelandi_ was found. In several
instances the two species were taken in the same seine-haul.
#Etheostoma spectabile pulchellum# (Girard): Stations W-4, G-1, G-4,
G-5, C-6, C-9, C-11, C-12, C-13, C-14, C-15, C-16, C-17, C-18, E-1, E-5.
Evermann and Fordice as _Etheostoma coeruleum_ (C-131, C-132).
The habitat preferences of the orangethroat darter seemed similar to
those of _Campostoma anomalum_. There were sixteen stations at which
both species were taken, seven where only _E. spectabile pulchellum_ was
taken and six where only _C. anomalum_ was taken. The largest relative
numbers of both species were found in the same small, clear upland
tributaries of Big Caney River. On May 31, collections from riffles at
station C-15 (upper Otter Creek) consisted almost entirely of these two
species. On September 1 at this station the stream was intermittent, but
even the tiniest pools abounded with young darters and stonerollers.
Gravid females and males in breeding condition were taken in riffles in
Cedar Creek on April 2. During June numerous young and adult
orangethroat darters were taken in Cedar Creek, in partly decayed leaves
which lined the banks. On June 15 in Otter Creek young darters were
abundant in streamside detritus and in clear, shallow, rubble riffles.
At station C-11 a few darters were taken on rubble riffles; however,
large numbers were found inhabiting thick mats of _Potamogeton foliosus_
Raf., which grew in shallow water. Many darters (_Etheostoma spectabile
pulchellum_ and _Percina phoxocephala_) were taken in September along
gravelly banks at stations C-2 and C-3 by disturbing small rocks and
leaf-litter along the shores. Young orangethroat darters seemed to
seek out sheltered areas and in some cases were found in sluggish, even
foul, water (Stations W-4, B-1 and G-12). Moore and Buck (1953:26) note
that the orangethroat darter is able to thrive in Oklahoma in rather
sluggish and even intermittent waters which reach quite high summer
temperatures.
Unlike other darters taken in this survey, the orangethroat darter was
common to abundant at several stations and was found at a great many
more stations than any other darter. The comparatively great tolerance
of this species to varying habitats, suggested by this survey, is also
reflected by its widespread distribution in Kansas.
#Micropterus salmoides salmoides# (Lacepede): Stations B-1, G-4, G-5,
G-7, G-12, C-1, C-3, E-1, E-2, E-3.
Most of the largemouth bass taken were young-of-the-year. In Big Caney
River this species seemed rare, being found at only two downstream
stations compared with eight stations at which _M. punctulatus_ was
taken.
Many ponds in the Flint Hills have been stocked with largemouth bass. At
present largemouth bass are frequently caught by hook and line in Crab
Creek (Station G-12); however, Mr. A. C. Metcalf, who has fished this
stream for approximately 45 years, states that he took no bass in the
creek prior to the building and stocking of large ponds on nearby
ranches.
#Micropterus punctulatus# (Rafinesque): Stations C-4, C-5, C-6, C-7,
C-8, C-10, C-14, C-15, E-2, E-5 (C-133).
The spotted bass was taken only in tributaries of the Verdigris River,
where it seemed more numerous than the preceding species. It has been
reported from other Verdigris tributaries such as Fall River (Elliott,
1947) and is common eastward from the Verdigris Basin. A spotted bass
(K. U. 3467) was taken by Cross on the Little Walnut River in Butler
County on April 5, 1955. This seems to be the only record of this
species from the Walnut River Basin at the present time.
#Pomoxis annularis# (Rafinesque): Stations W-3, W-5, G-1, G-2, G-5,
G-10, G-11, G-12, C-1, C-2, C-4, C-5, C-6, M-1, E-1, E-2, E-4, E-5
(C-136).
White crappie were found in almost all habitats and were taken in all
rivers except the Arkansas. The relative abundance of this species was
greater at downstream than at upstream stations on Grouse Creek, Big
Caney, and Elk River. Schools of young crappie were frequently found and
the factor of chance in taking or failing to take a school of crappie
prevented confident appraisal of abundance. White crappie usually sought
quiet waters. Often they were found in backwaters and many times
schools were taken over bottoms where mud and detritus had been
deposited. It was not uncommon to take _Pomoxis annularis_ and
_Ictalurus melas_ in the same seine-haul in such areas.
#Pomoxis nigromaculatus# (LeSueur): Station C-1.
Black crappie were taken in Otter Creek on May 29 and September 3.
Several ponds in eastern Cowley County are stocked with black crappie,
but none was taken from streams into which these ponds drain.
#Lepomis cyanellus# (Rafinesque): Stations W-3, W-4, W-5, B-1, B-2, B-3,
G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5, G-8, G-9, G-10, G-12, G-13, G-14, G-15, G-16,
G-17, C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6, C-7, C-8, C-9, C-10, C-11, C-12,
C-13, C-14, C-16, C-17, C-18, E-1, E-4, E-5, E-6, E-7, M-2 (C-131,
C-132, C-133, C-136, E&F).
The green sunfish was taken at 45 of 60 stations, which is the greatest
number recorded for one species. The only stream from which it was not
obtained was the Arkansas River. Green sunfish constituted a minor but
consistent part of the fauna in Big Caney River except for some
intermittent pools on small tributaries, where it was high in relative
abundance. It usually comprised approximately 4 per cent of the fish
taken at stations on Grouse Creek. In some intermittent tributaries of
Grouse Creek and Elk River percentages also were high.
Funk and Campbell (1953:74) observed that _L. cyanellus_ held a definite
but minor place in all collections made on the Black River in Missouri.
This pattern was also observed by the writer in collections made on the
Neosho and Spring Rivers in southeastern Kansas. This seems to indicate
that the Big Caney River populations (exclusive of the upstream stations
in intermittent streams) follow a pattern commonly found in southeastern
Kansas and probably in the Ozark region.
#Lepomis humilis# (Girard): Stations A-3, W-2, W-3, W-4, W-5, G-1, G-2,
G-3, G-4, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-9, G-10, G-11, G-12, G-14, G-15, C-1, C-2,
C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6, C-7, C-8, C-9, C-10, C-11, C-12, C-13, C-16, C-17,
B-2, B-3, E-1, E-2, E-4, E-5, E-6, E-7, M-1. (C-131, C-132, C-133,
C-136, J&J, E&F.)
The orangespotted sunfish was found in every stream surveyed, although
only one specimen was taken from the Arkansas River.
The largest relative number of this species (44.6) was taken at station
G-1. Percentages at other stations on Grouse Creek and its tributaries
progressively declined in an upstream direction.
In Big Caney River representation of _L. humilis_ in collections varied
from 1.56 per cent at station C-1 to 23.47 per cent at station
C-7. This sunfish was usually the dominant species in collections made
from the Elk River, where the relative abundance ranged from 10 to 30
per cent.
The orangespotted sunfish is widespread in Kansas and seems to be a
diagnostic constituent of the Plains Fauna. Moore and Buck (1953:26)
found it "very common" in the Chikaskia River in Kansas and Oklahoma.
Cross (1950:140) noted that in Stillwater Creek it seemed to be the most
tolerant and consequently the most abundant of the stream's cent
rarchids. Moore and Paden (1950:91) note that _L. humilis_ is most
common in muddy waters and found in overflow pools, backwaters, and
oxbow lakes. This species is frequently found in farm ponds in the area
surveyed, which further suggests a wide range of habitat tolerance.
#Lepomis megalotis breviceps# (Baird and Girard): Stations W-3, W-4,
W-5, B-1, B-2, G-1, G-4, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-9, G-10, G-11, G-12, G-13 (all
Big Caney River stations except C-18), E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4, E-5, E-6,
M-1, M-2 (C-131, C-132, C-133, J&J, E&F).
In Big Caney River the longear sunfish shared dominance with the redfin
shiner (_Notropis umbratilis_) at almost every station. The average of
its relative abundance at all stations in the Big Caney system was 16.5
per cent. It was also abundant at several stations on Grouse Creek and
made up 43.25 per cent of all fish taken at station G-4.
Cross (1950:140) observed that _L. megalotis breviceps_ increased in
Stillwater Creek probably as a result of clearer water and stabilized
water level.
In collections made west of the area treated here (Moore and Buck,
1953:26; Elliott, 1947) the longear sunfish is less abundant than in Big
Caney River and Grouse Creek.
#Lepomis macrochirus# (Rafinesque): Stations W-3, G-3, G-4, G-5, C-3,
C-5, E-1, E-2 (C-131, C-132, C-133).
The bluegill was, in all cases, a minor constituent in the fish fauna.
No clear pattern of habitat preference can be deduced. In the Verdigris
River at Independence (collection AM-53, August 22, 1956) bluegills were
common in quiet pools and coves below a low-water dam. Moore and Paden
(1950:91) note that _L. macrochirus_ prefers quiet waters and Hubbs and
Lagler (1947:94) state that it is "generally restricted to the quieter
pools."
The bluegill is widely-stocked in impoundments of the area treated
here.
#Aplodinotus grunniens# (Rafinesque): Stations C-4, E-2.
The dearth of stations from which the freshwater drum is reported may
indicate difficulty in taking this species with seines, rather than
scarcity. Both collections were at downstream stations. At station C-4
three half-grown drum were taken. Fishermen take "drum" at least as far
upstream as station C-5 on Big Caney River. In the Elk River one
specimen was taken in a 20-foot seine below a dam at Elk Falls.