Life History of the Ozark Minnow, Dionda Nubila

Date of Graduation

Spring 1978

Degree

Master of Science in Biology

Department

Biology

Committee Chair

Charles Taber

Abstract

Habitat preference, age and growth, sex ratio, reproduction, fecundity, length-weight relationships, and associated species of the Ozark minnow, Dionda nubila (Forbes), were studied. Monthly samples from the James River in Greene County, Missouri, were taken from July 22, 1976 through September 23, 1977, and weekly samples were taken from April 5 through May 31, 1977. Adults were most commonly collected in the flowing water of the main channel, while juveniles were most commonly found in a small side pool. Young of year were hatched in May and lived for approximately 25 months. 61% of the adults collected were female. Spawning began in late April and continued for approximately six weeks. Sexual maturity was not reached in females until age II. A mean number of 370 mature ova found on April 26, just prior to the spawning period. Although females attain a larger size, males are heavier than females at a given length, and adults gain weight faster than juveniles. The most abundant fish species collected in association with Ozark minnows were Notropis pilsbryi and N. chrysocephalus. A search of the literature revealed no previous life history information for this species.

Subject Categories

Biology

Copyright

© Jeffrey R Glazier

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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