We investigated the life history of Notropis spectrunculus (Mirror Shiner) at 4 locations in the Tennessee River drainage in western North Carolina that we sampled monthly over 7 months. Specimens were collected by seining and examined to identify age, growth, reproductive patterns, and feeding habits. Sexual maturity occurred at approximately 1 year of age. Spawning occurred from April to July with 13–331 mature oocytes (mean = 115.53, SD = 75.36), and male breeding coloration was present in specimens collected in May, June, and July. Gut contents consisted mainly of insect fragments, primarily Coleoptera and Diptera. Fish were found to inhabit water 0.5–0.75 m deep with sandy substrate, directly below flow-disrupting objects.
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1 March 2016
Life History Traits of the Mirror Shiner, Notropis spectrunculus, in Western North Carolina
Adric D. Olson,
Thomas H. Martin
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Southeastern Naturalist
Vol. 15 • No. 1
March 2016
Vol. 15 • No. 1
March 2016