Reproductive Ecology and Early Life History of a Lacustrine Sculpin, Cottus extensus (Teleostei, Cottidae)

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Environmental Biology of Fishes

Volume

53

Issue

2

Publisher

Springer Verlag

Publication Date

1998

Keywords

reproductive ecology, early life history, lacustrine sculpin, Cottus extensus

First Page

117

Last Page

127

Abstract

Using a variety of sampling techniques and observations we describe aspects of the reproductive ecology and early life-history of Bear Lake sculpin, Cottus extensus, a species endemic to Bear Lake, Utah-Idaho. Adult sculpin spawned in shallow water (0.5–6.0 m depths) in cavities beneath large cobbles and boulders. During 1993, egg mass densities were highest (> 4.0 m2) at 1.0–2.0 m depths. Electivity indices verified substrate selection and also indicated an avoidance of s and- and gravel-embedded materials. During years of low water elevation, suitable spawning substrates were restricted to one or two limited areas of the lake and comprised < 0.004% of the total benthic area. Disturbance from turbulence, as would be produced by storm-induced waves, appeared to initiate hatching. After hatching, embryos passed through a pelagic interval that lasted for approximately one week. Laboratory experiments confirmed the short duration of this surface-swimming behavior. The pelagic behavior of free embryos appears to aid in dispersal of fish via currents from limited spawning habitats to areas throughout the 282 km2 lake.

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Originally published by Springer Verlag. Publisher's PDF available through remote link.

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