Synopsis
Many stream fishes lay demersal eggs. Some species simply scatter the eggs across the substrate, but many place the eggs in protected sites such as crevices (e.g., Cyprinidae:Cyprinella). Eggs laid in crevices may experience increased development times or lower embryo survival due to reduced water exchange rates compared to more open egg deposition sites. If so, the presence of an appreciable current near the crevice may be important for insuring water exchange. However, currents that are too strong may prevent complete insemination or prevent the eggs from adhering to the substratum before they are washed from the crevice. Thus, current speed preferences for spawning may be under strong stabilizing selection. Representatives of four populations of a crevice spawning stream fish (blacktail shiner,Cyprinella venusta), representing environments ranging from a swift stream to a lake, were studied in stream tanks to evaluate female spawning current use. The observed frequency of use of spawning currents was significantly different from random in all populations. Low current speeds were generally avoided, and a speed of ca. 30 cm sec−1 was used most often. However, significant differences were observed among populations, and the variation correlated well with the apparent range of current speeds found in the four environments. Although other possible explanations cannot be dismissed, the results are consistent with the hypothesis that the populations have become adapted to their local current regimes.
Similar content being viewed by others
References cited
Arnold, G.P. 1974. Rheotropism in fishes. Biol. Rev. Cambridge Philos. Soc. 49: 515–576.
Balon, E.K. 1994. Patterns in the evolution of reproductive styles in fishes. pp. 35–53.In: G.W. Potts & R.J. Wootton (ed.) Fish Reproduction: Strategies and Tactics, Academic Press, London.
Conner, J.V. & R.D. Suttkus. 1986. Zoogeography of freshwater fishes of the western Gulf slope. pp. 413–456.In: C.H. Hocutt & E.O. Wiley (ed.) The Zoogeography of North American Freshwater Fishes, John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Gale, W.F. 1986. Indeterminate fecundity and spawning behavior of captive red shiners - fractional, crevice spawners. trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 115: 429–437.
Gale, W.F. & C. Gale. 1976. Selection of artificial spawning sites by the spotfin shiner (Notropis spilopterus). J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 33: 1906–1913.
Gibbs, R.H., Jr. 1957. Cyprinid fishes of the subgenusCyprinella ofNotropis. III. Variation and subspecies ofNotropis venustus (Girard). Tulane Stud. Zool. 5: 175–203.
Gilbert, C.R. & G.H. Burgess. 1980.Notropis venustus (Girard), blacktail shiner, p. 321.In: D.S. Lee, C.R. Gilbert, C.H. Hocutt, R.E. Jenkins, D.E. McAllister & J.R. Stauffer, Jr. (ed.) Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes, North Carolina State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh.
Heins, D.C. 1990. Mating behaviors of the blacktail shiner,Cyprinella venusta, from southeastern Mississippi. Southeast. Fish. Council Proc. 21: 5–7.
Heins, D.C. & J.A. Baker. 1987. Analysis of factors associated with intraspecific variation in propagule size of a stream-dwelling fish. pp. 223–231.In: W.J. Matthews & D.C. Heins (ed.) Community and Evolutionary Ecology of North American Stream Fishes, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.
Heins, D.C. & F.G. Rabito, Jr. 1986. Spawning performance in North American minnows: direct evidence of the occurrence of multiple clutches in the genusNotropis. J. Fish. Biol. 28: 343–357.
Hunter, J.R. & A.D. Hasler. 1965. Spawning association of the redfin shiner,Notropis umbratilis, and the green sunfish,Lepomis cyanellus. Copeia 1965: 265–281.
Johnston, C.E. & L.M. Page. 1992. The evolution of complex reproductive strategies in North American minnows (Cyprinidae). pp. 600–621.In: R.L. Mayden (ed.) Systematics, Historical Ecology and North American Stream Fishes, Stanford University Press, Stanford.
Kaya, C.M. 1989. Rheotaxis of young Arctic grayling from populations that spawn in inlet or outlet streams of a lake. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 118: 474–481.
Kelso, B.W., T.G. Northcote & C.F. Wehrhahn. 1981. Genetic and environmental aspects of the response to water current by rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) originating from inlet and outlet streams of a lakes. Can. J. Zool. 59: 2177–2185.
Kramer, R.H. & L.L. Smith, Jr. 1960. Utilization of nests of largemouth bass,Micropterus salmoides, by golden shiners,Notemigonus crysoleucas. Copeia 1960: 73–74.
Mayden, R.L. 1989. Phylogenetic studies of North American minnows, with emphasis on the genusCyprinella (Teleostei: Cypriniformes). Univ. Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist. Misc. Publ. 80: 1–189.
Page, L.M. 1983. Handbook of darters. TFH Publications, Neptune City. 271 pp.
Pflieger, W.F. 1975. The fishes of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, Columbia. 343 pp.
Rabito, F.G., Jr. & D.C. Heins. 1985. Spawning behaviour and sexual dimorphism in the North American cyprinid fishNotropis leedsi, the bannerfin shiner. J. Nat. Hist. 19: 1155–1163.
Raleigh, R.F. & D.W. Chapman. 1971. Genetic control in lakeward migrations of cutthroat trout fry. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 100: 33–40.
Robison, H.W. & T.M. Buchanan. 1988. Fishes of Arkansas. The University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville. 536 pp.
Rombough, P.J. 1988. Respiratory gas exchange, aerobic metabolism, and effects of hypoxia during early life. pp. 59–161.In: W.S. Hoar & D.J. Randall (ed.) Fish Physiology, Vol. 11A, Academic Press, San Diego.
Sokal, R.R. & F.J. Rohlf. 1981. Biometry. W.H. Freeman & Co., New York. 859 pp.
Vives, S.P. 1993. Choice of spawning substrate in red shiner with comments on crevice spawning inCyprinella. Copeia 1993: 229–232.
Webb, P.W. 1975. Hydrodynamics and energetics of fish propulsion. Fish. Res. Board Can. Bull. 190. 158 pp.
Wootton, R.J. 1976. The biology of the sticklebacks. Academic Press, London. 387 pp.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Authorship in order of seniority
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Baker, J.A., Killgore, K.J. & Foster, S.A. Population variation in spawning current speed selection in the blacktail shiner,Cyprinella venusta (Pisces: Cyprinidae). Environ Biol Fish 39, 357–364 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004805
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004805