Date of Award
2013
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biological Sciences
Committee Chair
Bruce Stallsmith
Committee Member
R. O. Lawton
Committee Member
Yong Wang
Subject(s)
Cyprinidae--Reproduction, Fishes--Flint River--Reproduction, Flint River (Tenn. and Ala.)
Abstract
Important details of the reproductive ecology of many freshwater fishes of the species-rich southeastern USA are still poorly known. One such species is the Blotched Chub, Erimystax insignis, which is found in northern Alabama. To determine timing and patterns of reproductive effort, collections were made of as many as 40 individuals monthly from August 2011 through July 2012. The collection site was a 10 km stretch of the Flint River in Madison County Alabama. Female gonadosomatic index (GSI) data averages for each collection indicate that the species peaks in reproductive activity in March. Fish had reproductively competent female GSI values as late as June. Ripe and mature eggs were only found in fish from March through June. Mature ovaries were only found in March and April. Evidence points to a spawning season from March through June. Blotched Chubs are multiple spawners and are not sexually dimorphic.
Recommended Citation
Allen, Candice, "Reproductive timing of the blotched chub (Erimystax Insignis) in the Flint River system of northern Alabama" (2013). Theses. 5.
https://louis.uah.edu/uah-theses/5