Synopsis
We provided 93 experimental spawning covers for the waccamaw darter. We grouped the covers (3 sizes of slate and one of concave tile) in three arrangements at six Lake Waccamaw locations to separate the variables of water depth, distance from shore, cover density and cover type. Tag returns of marked males suggest low fidelity for nest sites. Egg production under the 3 different sizes of slate was not significantly different. Egg production under the tile was significantly less than that under the slates. Egg production was significantly higher off the undeveloped southeastern shore in 2 m of water and lowest at the shallowest location with the highest experimental cover density. The number of eggs in nest is positively correlated with male size. We conclude that medium size slate covers placed in a linear arrangement in 2 m of water on a mixed sand bottom result in the highest egg production for the waccamaw darter.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References cited
Bailey, J.R. 1977. Freshwater fishes. pp. 265–98. In: J.E. Cooper, S.S. Robinson & J.B. Funderburg (ed.) Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals of North Carolina N.C. State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh.
Constantz, G.D. 1979. Social dynamics and parental care in the tessellated darter (Pisces: Percidae). Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 131: 131–138.
Downhower, J.F. & L. Brown. 1977. A sampling technique for benthic fish populations. Copeia 1977: 403–406.
Hubbs, C. L. & E. C. Raney. 1946. Endemic fish fauna of Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina. Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Mich. 65: 1–20.
Lindquist, D.G., J.R. Shute & P.W. Shute. 1981. Spawning and nesting behavior of the waccamaw darter, Etheostoma perlongum. Env. Biol. Fish. 6: 177–191.
Page, L.M. 1983. Handbook of darters. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City. 271 pp.
Page, L. M. & B. M. Burr. 1976. The life history of the slabrock darter, Etheostoma smithi, in Ferguson Creek, Kentucky. Illinois Nat. Hist. Surv. Biol. Notes 99: 1–11.
Page, L.M., W.L. Keller & L.E. Cordes. 1981. Etheostoma (Boleosoma) longimanum and E. (Catonotus) obeyense, two more darters confirmed as egg-clusterers. Trans. Ky. Acad. Sci. 42: 35–36.
Page, L.M., M.E. Retzer & R.A. Stiles. 1982. Spawning behavior in seven species of darters (Pisces: Percidae). Brimleyana 8: 135–143.
Shute, P.W., J.R. Shute & D.G. Lindquist. 1982. Age, growth and early life history of the Waccamaw darter. Etheostoma perlongum. Copeia 1982: 561–567.
Speare, E.P. 1965. Fecundity and egg survival of the central johnny darter (Etheostoma nigrum nigrum) in southern Michigan. Copeia 1965: 308–314.
Thresher, R.E & A.M. Gronnel. 1978. Subcutaneous tagging of small reef fishes. Copeia 1978: 352–353.
Winn, H. E. 1956. Egg site selection by three species of darters. Anim. Behav. 5: 25–28.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lindquist, D.G., Shute, J.R., Shute, P.W. et al. Selection of sites for egg deposition and spawning dynamics in the waccamaw darter. Environ Biol Fish 11, 107–112 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00002259
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00002259