DESCRIPTION OF AGONISTIC AND COURTSHIP BEHAVIORS OF THE TRICOLOR SHINER, Cyprinella trichroistia, AND THE TALLAPOOSA SHINER, Cyprinella gibbsi, WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THE BLUE SHINER, Cyprinella caerulea

Where little is known about the ecology or behavior of a species, extrapolations from close relatives can provide a basis for conservation strategies. Listed as threatened in 1992, the blue shiner, Cyprinella caerulea, is a candidate for this strategy. As nothing is known about its spawning habits,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society 1998-12, Vol.114 (4), p.209-214
Main Authors: STEPHENS, CHRISTINA M., MAYDEN, RICHARD L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological taxonomies
Conservation biology
Fish
Male animals
Mating behavior
Population ecology
Recommendations
Reproductive behavior
Threatened species
Wildlife conservation
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Summary:Where little is known about the ecology or behavior of a species, extrapolations from close relatives can provide a basis for conservation strategies. Listed as threatened in 1992, the blue shiner, Cyprinella caerulea, is a candidate for this strategy. As nothing is known about its spawning habits, we examined the reproductive behaviors of C. trichroistia and C. gibbsi, its nearest relatives. Video and audio of encounters between individuals were recorded in the laboratory. Field observations were made during summer 1995. Although we observed new behaviors, these two species' reproductive behaviors are similar to those described for other species of the genus. From these observations, we conclude that the blue shiner probably spawns in crevices in bedrock and submerged wood and in accumulated patches of fallen branches. As no sound was recorded for either of these species, blue shiners probably locate mates utilizing vision and/or olfactory cues.
ISSN:0013-6220
2573-1130