Maturation and Reproduction of the White Sucker (Catostomus Commersoni) in Lake Taneycomo, Missouri
Date of Graduation
Summer 1996
Degree
Master of Science in Biology
Department
Biology
Committee Chair
Daniel Beckman
Abstract
Spawning season of white suckers in Lake Taneycomo, a cold water reservoir, lasted from early April to late May in 1994 and 1995. Evidence suggested that spawning took place in all tributaries of the lake but not in the lake itself. White suckers begain to mature at age 3 and at a length of 275 mm. Males matured at earlier ages and smaller sizes than females, and females lived longer and reached larger sizes. Mortality rates were higher for males, however both sexes exhibited high mortality after age 8. Sex ratio was biased towards females in the upper lake and towards males in Bull Creek, a major tributary. Gonadal Somatic Index (GSI) during the spawning season was around 20% for females and 6% for males. Condition factor data indicated that the population was healthy. Fecundity and gonad weight increased with fish size. Growth slowed dramatically after maturation. Growth rates differed among sample sites.
Subject Categories
Biology
Copyright
© Carl Kent Wakefield
Recommended Citation
Wakefield, Carl Kent, "Maturation and Reproduction of the White Sucker (Catostomus Commersoni) in Lake Taneycomo, Missouri" (1996). MSU Graduate Theses. 50.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/50
Dissertation/Thesis
