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UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS PUBLICATIONS
MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Volume 11, No. 7, pp. 401-442, 2 plates, 4 figs. in text, 5 tabl.
May 8, 1959
Fishes of the Big Blue River Basin,
Kansas
BY
W. L. MINCKLEY
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
LAWRENCE
1959
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS PUBLICATIONS, MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Editors: E. Raymond Hall, Chairman, Henry S. Fitch, Robert W. Wilson
Volume 11, No. 7, pp. 401-442, 2 plates, 4 figs. in text, 5 tables
Published May 8, 1959
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Lawrence, Kansas
A CONTRIBUTION FROM
THE STATE BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF KANSAS
PRINTED IN
THE STATE PRINTING PLANT
TOPEKA, KANSAS
1959
[Union Label]
27-7080
Fishes of the Big Blue River Basin, Kansas
BY
W. L. MINCKLEY
CONTENTS
PAGE
Introduction 403
Acknowledgments 404
Tuttle Creek Dam and Reservoir 404
Big Blue River Basin 404
Geology of the basin 405
Climate, population, and land-use 406
Physical features of streams 407
Previous records of fishes 410
Methods and materials 410
Collecting stations 412
Annotated list of species 414
Hybrid combinations 431
Relative abundance and discussion of species 431
Creel census 435
Recommendations 437
Summary 438
Literature cited 438
INTRODUCTION
The Big Blue River in northeastern Kansas will soon be impounded by
the Tuttle Creek Dam, located about five miles north of Manhattan,
Kansas. Since the inception of this project by the U. S. Army Corps of
Engineers much argument has arisen as to the values of the dam and
reservoir as opposed to the values of farmland and cultural
establishments to be inundated (Schoewe, 1953; Monfort, 1956; and Van
Orman, 1956). Also, there has been some concern about the possible
effects of impoundment on the fish-resources of the area, which
supports "a catfish fishery that is notable throughout most of the
State of Kansas and in some neighboring states (U. S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 1953:9)." The objectives of my study, conducted from
March 30, 1957, to August 9, 1958, were to record the species of fish
present and their relative abundance in the stream system, and to
obtain a measure of angler success prior to closure of the dam. These
data may be used as a basis for future studies on the fish and fishing
in the Big Blue River Basin, Kansas.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I thank Messrs. J. E. Deacon, D. A. Distler, Wallace Ferrel, D. L.
Hoyt, F. E. Maendele, C. O. Minckley, B. C. Nelson, and J. C. Tash for
assistance in the field and for valuable suggestions. Dr. J. B. Elder,
Kansas State College, arranged for loan of specimens, and Mr. B. C.
Nelson supplied data on _Notropis deliciosus_ (Girard) in Kansas, and
on specimens in the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
I thank the many landowners who allowed me access to streams in the
Big Blue River Basin. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City
District, also allowed access in the reservoir area, and furnished
information and some photographs. Mr. J. C. Tash did chemical
determinations on my water samples.
Dr. Frank B. Cross guided me in this study and in preparation of this
report. Drs. E. Raymond Hall and K. B. Armitage offered valuable
suggestions on the manuscript. Equipment and funds for my study were
furnished by the State Biological Survey of Kansas, and the Kansas
Forestry, Fish and Game Commission granted necessary permits.
TUTTLE CREEK DAM AND RESERVOIR
The data on Tuttle Creek Dam and Reservoir that follow were furnished
by Mr. Donald D. Poole, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City
District. The dam, an earth-fill structure, will be 7,500 feet in
length, with a maximum height of 157 feet above the valley floor.
Release of water will be from beneath the west end of the dam, through
two tunnels 20 feet in diameter that have a capacity of 45,000 cubic
feet per second; however, releases exceeding 25,000 c. f. s. are not
planned. The gated spillway is located at the east end of the dam.
Freeboard will be 23 feet at the top of flood-control pool.
The reservoir will have a maximum pool of 2,280,000 acre-feet
capacity, a 53,500-acre surface area, and 368 miles of shoreline. The
present operational plan provides for a conservation pool having a
surface area of 15,700 acres, a shoreline of 112 miles, and a length
of 20 miles.
BIG BLUE RIVER BASIN
Big Blue River and its tributaries, a sub-basin of the Kansas River
System, drain approximately 9,600 square miles, of which 2,484 miles
are in Kansas (Colby, _et al._, 1956:44). The headwaters of the Big
Blue River are in central Hamilton County, Nebraska, near the Platte
River (Fig. 1). The stream flows generally south and east for 283
miles to its confluence with the Kansas River near Manhattan, Kansas.
Little Blue River, the largest tributary to the Big Blue, rises in
eastern Kearney and western Adams counties, Nebraska, and flows
southeast for 208 miles to join the Big Blue near Blue Rapids, Kansas
(Nebraska State Planning Board, 1936:628). The Big Blue River Basin
varies in width from 129 miles in the northwest, to approximately ten
miles near the mouth (Colby, _et al._, 1956:44).
GEOLOGY OF THE BASIN
In Kansas, outcrops of Pennsylvanian and Cretaceous age occur along
the extreme eastern and western sides of the Big Blue River Basin,
respectively, whereas Permian beds (overlain by Pleistocene deposits)
occur throughout most of the remainder of the watershed (see Moore and
Landes, 1937). The Big Blue and Little Blue rivers and their
tributaries have deeply incised the Permian beds of the Flint Hills in
Kansas, exposing limestones and shales of the Admire, Council Grove,
Chase, and Sumner groups (Wolfcampian and Leonardian series) (Walters,
1954:41-44). Pleistocene deposits in the Big Blue Basin in Kansas
consist of alluvium, glacial till, and glacial outwash from the Kansan
glacial stage, overlain by loess deposits of Wisconsin and Recent
stages (Frye and Leonard, 1952: pl. 1).
[Illustration: FIG. 1. Big Blue River Basin, Kansas and Nebraska.]
The Big Blue River was formed "in part on the till plain surface and
in part by integration of spillway channels," in the latter portion of
the Kansan glaciation (Frye and Leonard, 1952:192). This stream, and
the Republican River to the west, carried waters from the areas that
are now the Platte, Niobrara, and upper Missouri River basins (Lugn,
1935:153). Drainage was southward, through Oklahoma, until
establishment of the east-flowing Kansas River (Frye and Leonard,
1952:189-190). As Kansan ice receded the Blue and Republican rivers
retained what is now the Platte River Basin. The lower Platte River
developed and the surface drainage became distinct in the Iowan
(Tazwellian) portion of the Wisconsin glacial stage (Lugn,
1935:152-153). However, according to Lugn (1935:203) the Platte River
Basin contributes about 300,000 acre-feet of water per year to the Big
Blue and Republican rivers by percolation through sands and gravels
underlying the uplands that now separate the basins.
CLIMATE, POPULATION, AND LAND-USE
Climate of the Big Blue River Basin is of the subhumid continental
type, with an average annual precipitation of 22 inches in the
northwest and 30 inches in the southeast. The mean annual evaporation
from water surfaces exceeds annual precipitation by approximately 30
inches (Colby, _et al._, 1956:32-33).
The average annual temperature for the basin is 53 deg. F. (Flora,
1948:148). According to Kincer (1941:704-705) the average temperature
in July, the warmest month, is 78 deg. F., and the coolest month, January,
averages 28 deg. F. Periods of extreme cold and heat are sometimes of long
duration. Length of the growing season varies from less than 160 days
in the northwest to 180 days in the southeast (Kincer, _loc. cit._).
The human population of the Big Blue Basin varies from about 90
persons per square mile in one Nebraska county in the northwest and
one Kansas county in the southeast, to as few as six persons per
square mile in some northeastern counties. The population is most
dense along the eastern border of the basin, decreasing toward the
west. This decrease in population is correlated with the decrease in
average annual precipitation from east to west (Colby, _et al._,
1956:80).
The principal land-use in the Big Blue Watershed is tilled crops, with
wheat, sorghums, and corn being most important. Beef cattle are
important in some portions of the basin. Colby, _et al._ (1956:24)
reported that in 1954 as much as 55 per cent of the land in some
counties near the mouth of the Big Blue River was in pasture. Only one
Nebraska county had less than 15 per cent in pastureland.
PHYSICAL FEATURES OF STREAMS
Streams of the Big Blue River Basin are of three kinds: turbid,
sandy-bottomed streams, usually 150 to 300 feet in width; relatively
clear, mud-bottomed streams, ten to 60 feet in width; and clear,
deeply incised, gravel-bottomed streams, usually five to 30 feet in
width.
SAND-BOTTOMED STREAMS.--The Big Blue and Little Blue rivers represent
this kind of stream. The bottoms of these rivers consist almost
entirely of fine sand; nevertheless, their channels are primarily deep
and fairly uniform in width, rather than broad, shallow, and braided
as in the larger Kansas and Arkansas rivers in Kansas (Plate 11, Fig.
1). In the Big Blue River, gravel occurs rarely on riffles, and
gravel-rubble bottoms are found below dams (Plate 11, Fig. 2). The Big
Blue flows over a larger proportion of gravelly bottom than does the
Little Blue.
Big Blue River rises at about 1,800 feet above mean sea level and
joins the Kansas River at an elevation of 1,000 feet above m. s. l.
The average gradient is 2.8 feet per mile. Little Blue River,
originating at 2,200 feet, has an average gradient of 5.3 feet per
mile, entering the Big Blue at 1,100 feet above mean sea level
(Nebraska State Planning Board, 1936:628, 637). The Little Blue is the
shallower stream, possibly because of the greater amount of sandy
glacial deposits in its watershed and the swift flow that may cause
lateral cutting, increased movement, and "drifting" of the sandy
bottom.
For approximately a 50-year period, stream-flow in the Big Blue River
at its point of entry into Kansas (Barnston, Nebraska) averaged 603
cubic feet per second, with maximum and minimum instantaneous flows of
57,700 c. f. s. and one c. f. s. The Little Blue River at Waterville,
Kansas, averaged a daily discharge of 601 c. f. s. (maximum 50,400,
minimum 28). Below the confluence of the Big Blue and Little Blue
rivers, at Randolph, Kansas, the average daily discharge was 1,690
c.f.s. (maximum 98,000, minimum 31) (Kansas Water Resources
Fact-finding and Research Committee, 1955:27).
The turbidity of the Big Blue River, as determined by use of a Jackson
turbidimeter, varied from 27 parts per million in winter (January 10,
1958) to as high as 14,000 p.p.m. (July 12, 1958). The Little Blue
River has similar turbidities, with high readings being frequent. In
the summer of 1957, pH ranged from 7.2 to 8.4 in the Big Blue River
Basin--values that correspond closely with those of Canfield and Wiebe
(1931:3) who made 25 determinations ranging from 7.3 to 8.3 in the
streams of the Nebraskan portion of this basin in July, 1930. Surface
temperatures at various stations varied from 38 deg. F. on January 10,
1958, to 90 deg. F. in backwater-areas on July 19, 1957. The average
surface temperature at mid-day in July and August, 1957, was
approximately 86.5 deg. F.
Chemical determinations were made on water-samples from my Station 4-S
on the Big Blue River, and Station 50-S on the Little Blue (Table 1).
These samples were taken from the surface in strong current.
Determinations were made by methods described in _Standard Methods for
the Examination of Water and Sewage_, 10th edition, 1955.
TABLE 1.--CHEMICAL DETERMINATIONS IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER AT FIVE
STATIONS IN THE BIG BLUE RIVER BASIN, KANSAS, 1958.
TABLE LEGEND:
Column A: Phenolphthalein alkalinity
Column B: Methyl-orange alkalinity
Column C: Chlorides
Column D: Sulphates
Column E: Nitrates
Column F: Nitrites
Column G: Ammonia
Column H: Phosphate
==========+=====+=====+=====+=====+=====+=====+=====+=====
STATION | | | | | | | |
AND | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H
DATE | | | | | | | |
----------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----
4-S | | | | | | | |
August 9 | 0.0 | 154 | 16 | 28 | 3.5 |.083 |.250 |.225
| | | | | | | |
50-S | | | | | | | |
August 9 | 0.0 | 125 | 24 | 20 | 2.5 |.669 |.427 |.240
| | | | | | | |
35-M | | | | | | | |
August 9 | 0.0 | 366 | 15 | 108 | 9.4 |.220 |.750 |.080
| | | | | | | |
11-G | | | | | | | |
July 8 | 0.0 | 272 | 15 | 60 | 4.5 |.060 |.625 |.140
| | | | | | | |
18-G | | | | | | | |
July 22 | 0.0 | 183 | 10 | 60 | 1.6 |.938 |.293 |.240
----------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----
The banks of both the Big Blue and Little Blue rivers support narrow
riparian forests comprised primarily of elm, _Ulmus americanus_,
cottonwood, _Populus deltoides_, sycamore, _Platanus occidentalis_,
and willow, _Salix_ spp. Maple, _Acer_ sp., oak, _Quercus_ spp., and
ash, _Fraxinus_ sp. occur where the rivers flow near steep, rocky
hillsides. Many of the hills are virgin bluestem prairies
(_Andropogon_ spp.), but the floodplains are heavily cultivated.
MUD-BOTTOMED STREAMS.--Streams of this kind are present in the
watershed of the Black Vermillion River that enters Big Blue River
from the east. The area east of the Big Blue River and north of the
Black Vermillion River is till plains, where relief seldom exceeds 100
feet (Walters, 1954:12). Streams in this portion of the basin, and
streams entering the Little Blue River from the west (Mill Creek and
Horseshoe Creek systems), tend to have V-shaped channels, fewer
riffles than the Little Blue and Big Blue rivers and in the gravelly
streams (to be described later), and have bottoms of mud or clay, with
few rocks (Plate 12, Fig. 1). However, in the extreme headwaters of
most western tributaries of the Little Blue River (in Washington and
Republic counties) sandy bottoms predominate. The Black Vermillion
River flows on a broad floodplain and is a mud-bottomed, sluggish
stream, with an average gradient of approximately one foot per mile.
Fringe-forests of elm, cottonwood, sycamore, and willow persist along
most of these stream-courses.
Notwithstanding the mud bottoms, the water in this kind of stream in
the Big Blue Basin remains clearer than that of the Big Blue and
Little Blue rivers. Heavy algal blooms were noted in the Black
Vermillion River and Mill Creek, Washington County, in 1957 and 1958.
Temperatures at Stations 45-M and 46-M on Mill Creek, Washington
County, averaged 85.5 deg. F. on July 31, 1957. Chemical characteristics
of a water-sample from Station 35-M, Black Vermillion River, are in
Table 1.
GRAVEL-BOTTOMED STREAMS.--Most streams of this kind are tributary to
the Big Blue River; however, streams entering Black Vermillion River
from the south are also of this type (Plate 12, Fig. 2). The streams
are "characteristically a series of large pools (to 100 feet in length
and more than two feet in depth) connected by short riffles and
smaller pools" (Minckley and Cross, in press). The average gradients
are high: Carnahan Creek, 33 feet per mile; Mill Creek, Riley County,
21 feet; Clear Creek, 16 feet per mile. Stream-flow is usually less
than five cubic feet per second. In summer, these streams may become
intermittent, but springs and subsurface percolation maintain
pool-levels (Minckley and Cross, _loc. cit._).
The average temperatures of these small streams (79.5 deg. to 81.0 deg. F. in
July and August, 1957) were lower than temperatures in stream-types
previously described. Turbidities were usually less than 25 p.p.m. The
chemical properties of water-samples from two of these streams
(Stations 11-G and 18-G) are listed in Table 1.
PREVIOUS RECORDS OF FISHES
The earliest records of fishes from the Big Blue River Basin are those
of Cragin (1885) and Graham (1885) in independently published lists of
the fishes of Kansas. Meek (1895) recorded fishes collected in 1891
"from both branches of the Blue River, a few miles west of Crete,
Nebraska." Evermann and Cox (1896) reported five collections from the
Nebraskan part of the basin. Their collections were made in October,
1892, and August, 1893, and the stations were: in 1892, Big Blue River
at Crete; in 1893, Big Blue River at Seward, Lincoln Creek at Seward
and York, and Beaver Creek at York.
Canfield and Wiebe (1931) obtained fish from 18 localities in Nebraska
in July, 1930; however, their major concern was determination of water
quality. Their stations were: Big Blue River at Stromsburg, Polk Co.;
Surprise and Ulysses, Butler Co.; Staplehurst, Seward, and Milford,
Seward Co.; Crete and Wilber, Saline Co.; Beatrice, Blue Springs, and
Barnston, Gage Co.; Little Blue River at Fairbury, Jefferson Co.;
Hebron, Thayer Co.; Sandy Creek at Alexandria, Thayer Co.; West Fork
of Big Blue River at Stockham, Hamilton Co.; McCool Junction, York
Co.; Beaver Crossing, Seward Co.; and Beaver Creek at York, York Co.
Breukelman (1940) and Jennings (1942) listed fishes from the
University of Kansas Museum of Natural History and the Kansas State
College Museum, respectively, including some specimens collected from
the Big Blue River System in Kansas. Because records in these two
papers pertain to collections that were widely spaced in the basin and
in time, the specific localities are not given herein. One of
Jennings' (_loc. cit.)_ records, _Scaphirhynchus platorynchus_
(Rafinesque), was cited by Bailey and Cross (1954:191). More recently,
Minckley and Cross (in press) recorded several localities, and cited
some papers mentioned above, in a publication dealing with _Notropis
topeka_ (Gilbert) in Kansas.
Information on the fishes of the Nebraskan portion of the Big Blue
River Basin was compiled, and additional localities were reported, in
a doctoral thesis by Dr. Raymond E. Johnson, entitled The Distribution
of Nebraska Fishes, 1942, at the University of Michigan.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
_Collection of Fishes_
The gear and techniques used are listed below:
ENTRAPMENT DEVICES.--Hoop and fyke nets and wire traps were used for
288 trap/net hours in 1957. The nets were not baited, and were set
parallel to the current, with the mouths downstream. Hoop nets were
11/2 to three feet in diameter at the first hoop, with a pot-mesh of
one inch; fyke nets were three feet at the first hoop, pot-mesh of
one inch; wire traps, with an opening at each end, were 21/2 feet in
diameter and covered with one-inch-mesh, galvanized chicken wire.
GILL NETS.--Experimental gill nets were set on three occasions in
areas with little current. These nets were 125 feet in length, with
3/4 to two inch bar-mesh in 25-foot sections.
SEINES.--Seining was used more than other methods. An attempt was made
to seine all habitats at each station. In swift water, seine-hauls
were usually made downstream, but in quiet areas seining was done
randomly. Haul-seines six to 60 feet in length, three to eight feet in
depth, and with meshes of 1/8 to 1/2 inch were used. For collection of
riffle-fishes, the seine was planted below a selected area and the
bottom was kicked violently by one member of the party, while one or
two persons held the seine, raising it when the area had been
thoroughly disturbed. Seining on riffles was done with a four-foot by
four-foot bobbinet seine.
ROTENONE.--Rotenone was used in pools of smaller streams, mouths of
creeks, borrow-pits, and cut-off areas. Both powdered and emulsifiable
rotenone were used. The rotenone was mixed with water and applied by
hand, or into the backwash of an outboard motor.
ELECTRIC SHOCKER.--The electrical unit used in this study generated
115 volts and 600 to 700 watts, alternating current. The shocking unit
consisted of two booms, each with two electrodes, mounted on and
operated from a slowly moving boat. Fish were recovered in scape nets,
or in many cases were identified as they lay stunned and were not
collected.
_Estimation of Relative Abundance_
Data on relative abundance of fishes were obtained by counts of seine
hauls at 29 of the 59 stations, counts of rotenoned fish at seven
stations, and results with the electric shocker at nine stations.
Counts were usually made in the field; however, in some collections
all fish were preserved and counted in the laboratory. Some fish (or
"swirls" presumed to be fish) observed while shocking were not
identified and are not included in the calculations. However, all fish
positively identified while shocking are included.
_Age and Growth of Fishes_
Fish from selected size-groups were aged in this study. Scales for
age-determinations were removed from positions recommended by Lagler
(1952:108). Scales were placed in water between glass slides and were
read on a standard scale-projection device.
Pectoral spines of catfish were removed from one or both sides,
sectioned, and read by methods described by Marzolf (1955:243-244).
Calculation of length at the last annulus for both scale-fish and
catfish was made by direct proportion. All measurements are of total
length to the nearest tenth of an inch unless specified otherwise.
_Creel Census_
From April 6 to May 28, 1957, a creel census was taken below Turtle
Creek Dam. From June 16 to July 24, 1958, I periodically visited the
main points of access to the Big Blue River, beginning approximately
eight miles downstream from Tuttle Creek Dam and ending six miles
upstream from the maximal extension of the reservoir at capacity
level. Access-points consisted of 11 bridges, two power dams, and
three areas where county roads approached the river. Eleven eight-hour
days were spent in the 1957 census and 22 checks in 15 days were made
in 1958. An equal number of morning (6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon) and
afternoon (12:00 noon to 8:30 p.m.) checks were made.
Fishermen contacted were asked the following questions: home address
(or residence at the time of the fishing trip); time they started
fishing; kind of fish sought; number and kinds of fish in possession;
and baits used. Also, the number of poles and type of fishing (from
the bank, from boat, _etc._) were recorded. Fishes caught were
examined to confirm identifications. About 80 per cent of all
fishermen seen were contacted.
Fish per man-hour, as used in this report, refers to the average
number of fish of all species caught by one fisherman in one hour.
Fisherman-day is the average time spent fishing in one day by one
person. Because some fishermen used more than one pole, the data are
also expressed as catch per pole-hour.
COLLECTING STATIONS
In the list that follows, stations are numbered consecutively from the
mouth of the Big Blue River, listing stations on each tributary as it
is ascended. The letters following station-numbers indicate the
general type of stream: S = sandy; M = muddy; and G = gravelly. The
Big Blue River is the boundary between Riley and Pottawatomie
counties, Kansas, along part of its length. Stations in this area have
been designated Riley County. The legal description of each station is
followed by the date(s) of collection, and each station is plotted in
Figure 2.
[Illustration: FIG. 2. Collection stations in the Big Blue
River Basin, Kansas, 1957 and 1958.]
[Illustration: PLATE 11
FIG. 1. Big Blue River at Station 3-S. U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers photograph No. 563697.
FIG. 2. Big Blue River at Oketo, Marshall County, Kansas. U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, photograph No. 67516.]
[Illustration: PLATE 12
FIG. 1. Black Vermillion River, approximately one mile upstream
from its mouth. Photograph by Robert G. Webb.
FIG. 2. Carnahan Creek at Station 11-G. Photograph by Robert G.
Webb.]
1-S: Pottawatomie Co., mouth of Big Blue River, Sec. 16, T. 10S, R. 8E,
June 20, 1958.
2-S: Riley Co., Big Blue River, Sec. 4, T. 10S, R. 8E, June 6, 12, and
14, 1957.
3-S: Riley Co., Big Blue River, E 1/2, Sec. 30, T. 9S, R. 8E, Mar. 30,
Apr. 6, July 15, 16, 17, Aug. 14, and Dec. 26, 1957; Apr. 26, June
20, and Aug. 5, 1958.
4-S: Riley Co., Big Blue River at Rocky Ford Dam, W 1/2, Sec. 30, T. 9S,
R. 8E, Aug. 14, 1957; and Aug. 5, 1958.
5-G: Pottawatomie Co., McIntire Creek, Sec. 12, T. 9S, R. 7E, July 14,
1958.
6-S: Riley Co., Big Blue River and adjacent borrow-pit, Sec. 24, T. 9S,
R. 7E, July 18 and 19, 1957; and July 11, 1958.
7-G: Riley Co., Tuttle Creek, Sec. 10, T. 9S, R. 7E, Aug. 5, 1958.
8-S: Riley Co., Big Blue River, Sec. 10, T. 9S, R. 7E, Aug. 14, 1957.
9-G: Riley Co., Mill Creek, Sec. 4, T. 9S, R. 7E, July 20 and 25, 1958.
10-G: Riley Co., Mill Creek, Sec. 2, T. 9S, R. 6E, Aug. 13, 1957.
11-G: Pottawatomie Co., Carnahan Creek, Sec. 22, 27, and 34, T. 8S,
R. 7E, Aug. 1, 1957; and July 8, 1958.
12-G: Pottawatomie Co., unnamed tributary to Carnahan Creek, Sec. 15,
T. 8S, R. 7E, Mar. 19, 1956 (collection made before my formal study
was begun).
13-G: Pottawatomie Co., Carnahan Creek, Sec. 36, T. 7S, R. 7E, Aug. 13,
1957.
14-S: Riley Co., Big Blue River, Sec. 18, T. 8S, R. 7E, Mar. 22, 1958.
15-S: Riley Co., Big Blue River, Sec. 7, T. 8S, R. 7E, Apr. 3, and June
12, 1958.
16-G: Riley Co., unnamed creek, Sec. 1, T. 8S, R. 6E, July 10, and Aug.
5, 1958.
17-G: Riley Co., unnamed creek, Sec. 10, T. 8S, R. 6E, June 26, 1958.
18-G: Riley Co., Fancy Creek, Sec. 14, T. 7S, R. 6E, July 29, 1957.
19-G: Riley Co., Walnut Creek, Sec. 20, T. 7S, R. 6E, June 26, 1958.
20-G: Riley Co., Fancy Creek, Sec. 2, T. 7S, R. 5E, Mar. 13, 1957; and
June 26, 1958.
21-G: Riley Co., Schoolhouse Branch, Sec. 35, T. 6S, R. 5E, July 22,
1958.
22-G: Riley Co., Fancy Creek, Sec. 33, T. 6S, R. 5E, June 1, 1957.
23-G: Riley Co., West Branch Fancy Creek, Sec. 32 and 33, T. 6S, R. 5E,
June 1 and 3, 1957.
24-G: Clay Co., West Branch Fancy Creek, Sec. 32 and 33, T. 6S, R. 4E,
July 22, 1958.
25-S: Riley Co., Big Blue River, Sec. 5, T. 7S, R. 7E, Aug. 7, 1958.
26-G: Riley Co., Swede Creek, Sec. 21, T. 6S, R. 7E, Mar. 22, 1958.
27-G: Pottawatomie Co., unnamed creek, Sec. 14, T. 6S, R. 7E, Sept. 10,
1957.
28-G: Pottawatomie Co., Bluff Creek, Sec. 6, T. 6S, R. 8E, Oct. 6,
1957.
29-G: Pottawatomie Co., Bluff Creek, Sec. 15, T. 6S, R. 8E, June 29,
1958.
30-M: Marshall Co., Black Vermillion River, Sec. 9, T. 5S, R. 8E, Mar.
5, 1958.
31-G: Pottawatomie Co., Clear Creek, Sec. 3, T. 6S, R. 9E, July 14,
1958.
32-G: Pottawatomie Co., unnamed creek, Sec. 14, T. 6S, R. 9E, July 14,
1958.
33-M: Marshall Co., Robidoux Creek, Sec. 20, T. 2S, R. 9E, July 23,
1958.
34-M: Marshall Co., Little Timber Creek, Sec. 10, T. 4S, R. 9E, Oct. 6,
1957.
35-M: Marshall Co., Black Vermillion River, Sec. 15, T. 4S, R. 9E, Aug.
9, 1958.
36-M: Marshall Co., unnamed creek, Sec. 8, T. 4S, R. 9E, Oct. 6, 1957.
37-M: Marshall Co., Black Vermillion River, Sec. 11, T. 4S, R. 10E,
Oct. 6, 1957.
38-S: Marshall Co., Big Blue River, Sec. 18, T. 5S, R. 8E, Aug. 8,
1958.
39-S: Marshall Co., Big Blue River, Sec. 20, T. 4S, R. 7E, May 29,
1958.
40-M: Washington Co., Coon Creek, Sec. 27, T. 4S, R. 4E, July 22, 1958.
41-S: Marshall Co., Little Blue River, Sec. 9, 16, and 17, T. 4S, R.
6E, June 27, 1958.
42-S: Washington Co., Little Blue River, Sec. 21, T. 3S, R. 5E, Aug. 8,
1958.
43-S: Washington Co., Little Blue River, Sec. 5 and 8, T. 3S, R. 5E,
July 30, 1957.
44-S: Washington Co., Little Blue River, Sec. 36, T. 1S, R. 4E, July
31, 1957.
45-M: Washington Co., Mill Creek, Sec. 35 and 36, T. 1S, R. 4E, July
31, 1957.
46-M: Washington Co., Mill Creek, Sec. 4, T. 2S, R. 4E, July 31, 1957.
47-M: Washington Co., Spring Creek, Sec. 11 and 12, T. 2S, R. 3E, June
19, 1958.
48-M: Washington Co., Mill Creek, Sec. 28, T. 2S, R. 2E, June 19, 1958.
49-M: Republic Co., Mill Creek, Sec. 8 and 17, T. 2S, R. 1W, July 23,
1958.
50-S: Washington Co., Little Blue River, Sec. 5, T. 1S, R. 4E, Aug. 9,
1958.
51-M: Republic Co., Rose Creek, Sec. 20, T. 1S, R. 2W, July 23, 1958.
52-S: Marshall Co., Big Blue River, Sec. 6, T. 4S, R. 7E, Aug. 6, 1958.
53-S: Marshall Co., Big Blue River, Sec. 18, T. 3S, R. 7E, July 29 and
30, 1957; May 28, and Aug. 6, 1958.
54-G: Marshall Co., Hop Creek, Sec. 13 and 18, T. 3S, R. 7E, May 28,
1958.
55-M: Marshall Co., Spring Creek, Sec. 29, T. 2S, R. 8E, July 9, 1958.
56-S: Marshall Co., Big Blue River at Marysville Dam, Sec. 20, T. 2S,
R. 7E, June 16, 1958.
57-M: Marshall Co., Horseshoe Creek, Sec. 6, T. 2S, R. 7E, July 1,
1958.
58-G: Marshall Co., unnamed creek, Sec. 2, T. 1S, R. 7E, July 1, 1958.
59-G: Marshall Co., Mission Creek, Sec. 3, T. 1S, R. 8E, Nov. 30, 1957.
ANNOTATED LIST OF SPECIES
Forty-eight species were obtained in this survey and five others
have been recorded in literature or are deposited in museums: KSC =
Kansas State College Museum; and UMMZ = University of Michigan
Museum of Zoology. Specimens, unless designated otherwise, are in
the University of Kansas Museum of Natural History (KU).
In this list, the scientific name of each species is followed by the
common name, citations of previous records, and the stations where
the species was obtained. I follow Bailey (1956:328-329) in treating
_Lepisosteus osseus_ (Linnaeus), _Catostomus commersonnii_
(Lacepede), _Semotilus atromaculatus_ (Mitchill), _Notropis
lutrensis_ (Baird and Girard), _Pimephales promelas_ Rafinesque,
_Ictalurus melas_ (Rafinesque), _Ictalurus punctatus_ (Rafinesque),
and _Lepomis macrochirus_ Rafinesque, in binomial form only.
=Scaphirhynchus platorynchus= (Rafinesque), shovelnose sturgeon:
Jennings (1942:364) as _Scaphirhynchus platorhynchus_ (Rafinesque);
Bailey and Cross (1954:191). Stations 3-S and 4-S.
Shovelnose sturgeon were found only in the lower portion of the Big
Blue River. On April 20, 1957, many were seen in fishermen's creels
at Stations 3-S and 4-S. One male and two females that I examined on
that date were ripe or nearly so; eggs seemed well developed and
milt flowed freely from the male. After April, 1957, none was
collected or observed until April 26, 1958, when one specimen was
obtained while shocking. Forbes and Richardson (1920:27) reported
that shovelnose sturgeon spawn in Illinois between April and June,
and Eddy and Surber (1947:80) reported spawning in May and early
June in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
=Lepisosteus platostomus= Rafinesque, shortnose gar: Jennings
(1942:364). Stations 3-S and 4-S.
I saw shortnose gar at various times in 1956 and 1957 at Rocky Ford
Dam on the Big Blue River (Station 4-S). One was seen while shocking
at Station 3-S on December 26, 1957.
=Lepisosteus osseus= (Linnaeus), longnose gar: Jennings (1942:364)
as _Lepisosteus osseus oxyurus_ Rafinesque. Stations 1-S, 2-S, 3-S,
4-S, 6-S, 8-S, 9-G, 15-S, 18-G, 25-S, 41-S, 44-S, 52-S, and 53-S.
Longnose gar were abundant in the mainstream of the Big Blue River
but usually evaded capture. This species, and the shortnose gar,
resided in the larger rivers, with _L. osseus_ being taken in only
two creeks near their mouths. In periods of high water, gar moved
into the flooded creeks, but returned to the river as stream-levels
subsided.
Young-of-the-year _L. osseus_, averaging 21.5 mm. in total length
(range 13 to 30 mm.), were taken on June 14, 1957, and larger young
(estimated 60 to 70 mm. total length) were taken on June 27, 1958.
=Dorosoma cepedianum= (LeSueur), gizzard shad: Jennings (1942:364).
Stations 1-S, 3-S, 4-S, 6-S, 8-S, 44-S, 45-M, and 53-S.
Most gizzard shad were young-of-the-year, taken on July 16 and 17,
1957, at Stations 3-S and 4-S. Twenty specimens from Station 6-S
that were in their second summer of life were from 3.8 to 5.9 inches
total length at the last annulus (average 4.3). This species was
usually found in quiet water and was most abundant near the mouth of
the Big Blue River.
=Hiodon alosoides= (Rafinesque), goldeye. Stations 3-S, 4-S, and
53-S.
I caught five specimens of _H. alosoides_ from the Big Blue River,
and another specimen, obtained by Dr. R. B. Moorman in 1954, is at
Kansas State College (KSC 4984).
One goldeye that I caught on April 20, 1956, prior to the beginning
of my study, was a ripe female measuring 15.5 inches total
length. The fish was beginning its seventh summer of life.
=Cycleptus elongatus= LeSueur, blue sucker. The blue sucker is
included on the basis of a single specimen (KSC 2917) collected
by I. D. Graham and labeled "Blue River." No other data are with
the specimen; however, most fishes deposited at Kansas State College
by Graham are dated "1885" or "1886" and were caught near
"Manhattan" (Riley County).
=Ictiobus cyprinella= (Valenciennes), bigmouth buffalo. Stations
3-S, 6-S, and 30-M.
Bigmouth buffalo were rare, and were taken only in quiet parts of
larger streams, and in the borrow-pit at Station 6-S.
=Ictiobus niger= (Rafinesque), black buffalo. Stations 3-S, 41-S,
and 53-S.
Only four individuals of _I. niger_ were taken. All were large
adults (more than 20 inches in total length), and all were shocked
in the deeper, swifter areas, where the channel narrowed.
=Ictiobus bubalus= (Rafinesque), smallmouth buffalo. Stations 1-S,
3-S, 6-S, 7-G, 18-G, 38-S, 41-S, 43-S, 46-M, and 53-S.
This species was found in relatively quiet waters in the main
channel, in cut-off areas, and in creek-mouths. The ages and total
lengths of 30 individuals obtained at Station 6-S were (average
followed by number of fish in parentheses): I, 2.4 (11); II, 4.4
(14); and III, 6.6 (5).
Canfield and Wiebe (1931:6-7, 10) recorded "buffalo-fish" and
"buffalo" from the Big Blue Basin in Nebraska; however, no specific
designation was given.
=Carpiodes forbesi= Hubbs, plains carpsucker. Station 3-S.
This represents the first record known to me of the plains
carpsucker from Kansas. The specimen (KU 4180), 430 mm. in standard
length, has the following characters: lower lip without a median,
nipple-like projection; dorsal fin-rays, 25; lateral-line scales,
38; diameter of orbit into distance from anterior nostril to tip of
snout, 1.1; body-depth into standard length, 3.3; and head-length
into standard length, 3.9. The specimen was taken while shocking a
wide, shallow channel, over sand bottom.
=Carpiodes carpio carpio= (Rafinesque), river carpsucker: Jennings
(1942:364). Stations 1-S, 2-S, 3-S, 4-S, 5-G, 6-S, 7-G, 8-S, 9-G,
11-G, 14-S, 15-S, 18-G, 19-G, 23-G, 25-S, 27-G, 28-G, 30-M, 38-S,
39-S, 41-S, 42-S, 43-S, 44-S, 45-M, 50-S, 52-S, and 53-S.
The river carpsucker occurred at most stations on the larger
streams, and in many of the smaller tributaries. In smaller streams
_C. c. carpio_ frequented the largest pools, in or near the
floodplains of larger streams. A marked preference for still water,
soft, silty bottoms, and areas with drift or other cover was
apparent; however, the species also occurred in open waters with
moderate to swift currents.
The sizes attained by the river carpsucker at different ages were
(averages followed by number of fish in parentheses): I, 1.9 (10);
II, 3.9 (5); III, 5.3 (8); IV, 7.7 (5); V, 11.9 (2); VI, 11.6 (7);
VII, 12.8 (6); VIII, 13.1 (1); IX, 14.9 (2); X, 15.8 (8); and XI,
17.6 (1). These averages are significantly less than those reported
by Buchholz (1957:594) for the river carpsucker in the Des Moines
River, Iowa.
Examination of the gonads of river carpsucker in summer, 1957,
indicated that spawning occurred in late July. Young-of-the-year,
averaging 21 mm. in total length, first appeared in my collections
on July 30, 1957.
=Carpiodes velifer= (Rafinesque), highfin carpsucker: Meek
(1895:135); Evermann and Cox (1896:389).
The highfin carpsucker was not taken in my survey. Meek (1895:135)
reported "this small sucker [_C. velifer_] ... common in Blue River
at Crete," characterizing the specimens as having "Dorsal rays, 24
to 30; scales in the lateral-line, 36 to 41; head 31/2 to 4; and
depth 21/2 to 3." The ranges in the number of dorsal rays and the
number of scales in the lateral-line are higher than usual in _C.
velifer_, or in _C. c. carpio_, which is now common in the Big Blue
River Basin. Both species normally have 33 to 37 lateral-line scales
and 27 or fewer dorsal rays (Bailey, 1956:352-353; Moore, 1957:79;
and Trautman, 1957:81-82). The other characters listed by Meek would
fit the young and some adults of either species, or possibly a
composite including _C. forbesi_.
Graham (1885:72) and Cragin (1885:107) reported _Ictiobus velifer_
(= _Carpiodes velifer_) from "Eureka Lake," Riley County, Kansas.
This lake, which no longer exists, was in the Kansas River Valley,
about ten miles upstream from the mouth of the Big Blue River.
Other, more recent records from the Kansas River Basin, in the
vicinity of the Big Blue River, are: Maple Leaf Lake, Riley Co.,
Oct. 4, 1925; Deep Creek, Riley Co., no date; Wildcat Creek, Riley
Co., Sept. 7, 1923; and Wildcat Creek, Riley Co., Sept. 29, 1925
(UMMZ 122187-90). Most of the collections were made by Minna E.
Jewell (Nelson, personal communication).
=Moxostoma aureolum= (LeSueur), northern redhorse: Cragin (1885:108)
as _Moxostoma macrolepidotum_ LeSueur; Meek (1895:136) as _Moxostoma
macrolepidotum duquesnei_ (LeSueur); Evermann and Cox (1896:394-395);
and Jennings (1942:364) as _Moxostoma erythrurum_ (Rafinesque).
Stations 41-S, 43-S, 44-S, and 53-S.
I collected three northern redhorse from the Big Blue River Basin, and
another specimen was seined in the mouth of Mill Creek, Riley County
(my present Station 9-G) by the Kansas State College class in
fisheries management in 1954 (KSC 5068). I reidentify as _M. aureolum_
the two specimens recorded by Jennings (_loc. cit._) as _M.
erythrurum_.
The subspecific status of _M. aureolum_ in the Kansas River Basin is
to be the subject of another paper.
=Catostomus commersonnii= (Lacepede), white sucker: Canfield and Wiebe
(1931:8) as "common suckers"; and Breukelman (1940:380). Stations 7-G,
11-G, 12-G, 13-G, 16-G, 18-G, 19-G, 23-G, 29-G, 31-G, 53-S, 57-M, and
58-G.
The white sucker occurred primarily in upland streams of the Flint
Hills, with one occurrence in muddy habitat, and one in the main
stream of the Big Blue River. Young _C. commersonnii_ were often
taken in riffles, but adults were in the larger, deeper pools. The
ages and total lengths at the last annulus for 12 white suckers
were: I, 2.8 (4); II, 3.9 (6); III, 8.2 (1); and IV, 9.2 (1).
=Cyprinus carpio= Linnaeus, carp: Canfield and Wiebe (1931:5-8, 10)
as "carp." Stations 1-S, 2-S, 3-S, 4-S, 6-S, 7-G, 8-S, 15-S, 16-G,
18-G, 23-G, 24-G, 25-S, 27-G, 30-M, 35-M, 38-S, 41-S, 42-S, 43-S,
44-S, 45-M, 52-S, 53-S, and 56-S.
Carp occurred throughout the basin. The habitat of this species
closely approximated that of the river carpsucker; however, carp
were more often taken in moderate to swift water than were _C. c.
carpio_.
The ages and average lengths at the last annulus for 40 carp from
the Big Blue River Basin were: I, 2.3 (4); II, 4.7 (10); III, 7.0
(10); IV, 9.0 (3); V, 11.3 (4); VI, 18.6 (1); VII, 18.9 (3); VIII,
no fish; IX, 20.6 (3); X, 19.1 (2); XI, 21.1 (1); XII, 22.0 (1); and
XIII, 24.1 (2).
=Carassius auratus= (Linnaeus), goldfish. Station 4-S.
I saw goldfish seined from Station 4-S by anglers obtaining bait on
April 20, 1957. Goldfish were commonly used for bait at Stations 4-S
and 54-S.
=Semotilus atromaculatus= (Mitchill), creek chub: Evermann and Cox
(1896:399); and Jennings (1942:364) as _Semotilus atromaculatus
atromaculatus_ (Mitchill). Stations 5-G, 7-G, 10-G, 11-G, 12-G,
13-G, 16-G, 17-G, 18-G, 23-G, 24-G, 27-G, 28-G, 29-G, 31-G, 32-G,
33-M, 34-M, 36-M, 37-M, 40-M, 46-M, 47-M, 48-M, 49-M, 50-S, 53-S,
54-G, 55-M, 56-S, 57-M, 58-G, and 59-G.
Creek chubs were found in all habitats in the Big Blue River Basin,
but were abundant only in the headwaters of muddy streams and in
clear upland creeks.
=Chrosomus erythrogaster= (Rafinesque), southern redbelly dace:
Jennings (1942:365). Stations 11-G, 12-G, 13-G, 16-G, 27-G, 29-G,
and 53-S.
This colorful species occupied the headwaters of the clear,
spring-fed creeks where it was abundant. Only one specimen was taken
in muddy or sandy habitat (at the mouth of a small creek at Station
53-S), where it may have been washed by floods just prior to my
collecting.
=Hybopsis storeriana= (Kirtland), silver chub. Station 3-S.
One specimen of _H. storeriana_ (KU 3810) was seined in swift water
near a sandbar on April 6, 1957, and another was taken at the same
locality on April 26, 1958.
=Hybopsis aestivalis= (Girard), speckled chub: Meek (1895:137); and
Evermann and Cox (1896:409), both as _Hybopsis hyostomus_ Gilbert.
Stations 3-S, 4-S, 14-S, 25-S, 38-S, 39-S, 50-S, and 56-S.
This species was restricted to wide, swift parts of the Big Blue and
Little Blue rivers, and was found over clean, sometimes shifting,
sand bottoms. On May 29, 1958, three males in breeding condition
were collected and on June 16, 1958, a large series of both male and
female _H. aestivalis_, all with well-developed gonads, was
collected. The water temperature was 77.0 deg.F. Hubbs and Ortenburger
(1929:25-26) reported that _Extrarius tetranemus_ (Gilbert) (=
_Hybopsis aestivalis tetranemus_) spawns in summer especially in
early July. Cross (1950:135) reported a single pair of _H. a.
tetranemus_ that he considered in breeding condition on June 9,
1948.
Breukelman (1940:380) recorded speckled chubs in the Kansas River
Basin as _Extrarius_ (= _Hybopsis_) _aestivalis_: _sesquialis_ x
_tetranemus_; however, the name _sesquialis_ is a _nomen nudum_,
and the status of this species in the Kansas River Basin is yet to
be elucidated.
=Phenacobius mirabilis= (Girard), plains suckermouth minnow: Meek
(1895:136); and Evermann and Cox (1896:408). Stations 2-S, 3-S, 4-S,
5-G, 6-S, 7-G, 8-S, 9-G, 11-G, 16-G, 18-G, 25-S, 26-G, 27-G, 35-M,
38-S, 39-S, 40-M, 42-S, 47-M, 50-S, 52-S, 53-S, 54-G, and 56-S.
_Phenacobius mirabilis_ was widespread in the basin, occurring most
frequently on riffles over bottoms of clean sand or gravel.
Young-of-the-year were usually taken in backwaters.
=Notropis percobromus= (Cope), plains shiner. Stations 3-S and 4-S.
The plains shiner occurred only in the lower part of the main stream
of the Big Blue River.
=Notropis rubellus= (Agassiz), rosyface shiner. Station 5-G.
One rosyface shiner (KU 4195) was taken. This species was previously
reported from only two localities in the Kansas River Basin: in the
Mill Creek Watershed, Wabaunsee County, and Blacksmith Creek,
Shawnee County as _Notropis rubrifrons_ (Cope) (Gilbert, 1886:208).
Mill Creek and Blacksmith Creek are northward-flowing tributaries of
the Kansas River that arise in the Flint Hills. Graham (1885:73)
also recorded _N. rubellus_ (as _N. rubrifrons_) from the "Kansas
and Missouri Rivers"; however, I suspect that his specimens were
_Notropis percobromus_, a species not generally recognized in
Graham's time (see Hubbs, 1945:16-17). _Notropis rubellus_ is now
abundant in the Mill Creek Watershed (Wabaunsee County), but, except
for my specimen No. 4195, has not been taken recently in other
streams in the Kansas River Basin.
=Notropis umbratilis umbratilis= (Girard), redfin shiner. Station
3-S.
One specimen of _N. u. umbratilis_ was captured near a sandbar on
March 26, 1958. The absence of this species in Flint Hills streams
of the Big Blue River Basin is unexplained; redfin shiners occur
commonly in southern tributaries of the Kansas River both upstream
and downstream from the mouth of the Big Blue River. In Kansas this
species is usually associated with the larger pools of clear, upland
streams.
Canfield and Wiebe (1931:6-8) may have referred to this species in
recording "black-fin minnows" from the Nebraskan portion of the Big
Blue River Basin.
=Notropis cornutus frontalis= (Agassiz), common shiner. Stations
4-S, 5-G, 7-G, 10-G, 11-G, 12-G, 13-G, 18-G, 22-G, 26-G, 27-G, 28-G,
29-G, 31-G, 32-G, and 59-G.
Common shiners were most abundant in middle sections of the clear,
gravelly creeks.
=Notropis lutrensis= (Baird and Girard), red shiner: Meek
(1895:136); and Evermann and Cox (1896:404-405). All stations
excepting 1-S, 17-G, 30-M, and 51-M.
Red shiners were the most widespread species taken in my survey,
occurring in all habitats, and in all kinds of streams. On two
occasions I observed what apparently was spawning behavior of this
species. Both times the specimens collected were in the height of
breeding condition, stripping in the hand easily, and often without
pressure. At the first locality (Station 29-G) no attempt was made
to obtain eggs, but by disturbing the bottom at the second (55-M) I
found eggs that were thought to be those of red shiners. The eggs
were slightly adhesive, clinging to the hand and to the bobbinet
seine.
On June 29, 1958, at Station 29-G, red shiners appeared to be
spawning in an open-water area measuring about 15 by 15 feet, over
nests of _Lepomis cyanellus_ Rafinesque and _L. humilis_ (Girard).
No interspecific activity was noted between the sunfish and the red
shiners. Water temperature at this station was 73.4 deg.F., and the
bottom was gravel, sand, and mud. Observations were made from a high
cut-bank, by naked eye and by use of 7-X binoculars.
The red shiners moved rapidly at the surface of the water, with one
male (rarely two or more) following one female. The male followed
closely, passing the female and causing her to change direction. At
the moment of the female's hesitation, prior to her turn, the male
would erect his fins in display, at the side and a little in front
of the female. After brief display, usually less than two seconds,
the male resumed the chase, swimming behind and around the female in
a spiral fashion. After a chase of two to three feet, the female
would sometimes allow the male to approach closely on her left side.
The male nudged the female on the caudal peduncle and in the anal
region, moving alongside with his head near the lower edge of the
left operculum of the female, thus placing his genital pore about a
head-length behind and below that of the female. At this time
spawning must have occurred; however, possibly because of the speed
of the chase, I observed no vibration of the fish as described for
other species of _Notropis_ at the culmination of spawning
(Pfeiffer, 1955:98; Raney, 1947:106; and others). While the spawning
act presumably occurred the pair was in forward motion in a straight
course, for three to five feet, at the end of which the male moved
rapidly away, gyrating to the side and down. The female then swam
away at a slower rate. In instances when the female failed to allow
the male to move alongside, the male sometimes increased his speed,
striking the female, and often causing her to jump from the water.
Some conflict between males was observed, usually when two or more
followed one female. The males would leave the female, swerve to one
side, and stop, facing each other or side by side. At this moment
the fins were greatly elevated in display. There was usually a rush
on the part of one male, resulting in the flight of the other, and
the aggressive male would pursue for about two feet. Many times the
pursued male jumped from the water.
At Station 55-M, on July 9, 1958, activity similar to that described
above was observed in a small pool near a mass of debris. At this
station I watched from the bank, three feet from the spawning
shiners. Water temperature was not recorded.
The minnows performed the same types of chase and display, all in
open water, as described for Station 29-G, However, at Station 55-M,
much activity of males occurred near the small deposit of debris. It
seemed that conflict was taking place, with males behaving as
described above, and milling violently about. Examination of the
area revealed nests of _L. cyanellus_ near the debris, and some of
the activity by the shiners may have been raids on nests of the
sunfish. However, females nearing the group of males were
immediately chased by one to four individual males, with one usually
continuing pursuit after a short chase by the group. The male again
moved into position at the lower left edge of the operculum of the
female as at Station 29-G.