Synopsis
Fantail darters,Etheostoma flabellare, have larger eggs with greater yolk volume than johnny darters,E. nigrum, and have a longer embryo period. This longer embryo period is associated with accelerated finfold differentiation, producing a larger, better formed individual at the onset of exogenous feeding. Developmental differences among these two species and the rainbow darter,Etheostoma caeruleum, primarily in timing of ontogenetic events, are described in detail. These differences in timing are considered largely early developmental phenomena as they affect embryos, larvae, and aievins but apparently not juveniles or adults. Demographic aspects of early life history were assessed using data from studies of Ontario streams. Differences in early survival among species appear to play an important role in recruitment of mature females, but cannot be attributed to parental care or egg size differences.
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Paine, M.D., Balon, E.K. Early development of johnny darter,Etheostoma nigrum, and fantail darter,E. flabellare, with a discussion of its ecological and evolutionary aspects. Environ Biol Fish 15, 191–220 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00002994
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00002994