Rachel's Black Darter Thesis Abstract

This is the abstract for Rachel Bedingfield's thesis, just completed...

Title: Reproductive Development in the Blacksided Snubnose Darter, Etheostoma duryi, in North Alabama.

Reproductive development in Etheostoma duryi was studied in two North Alabama populations. Sites chosen for comparison were: urban Town Creek, near downtown Athens, and rural Limestone Creek, in Madison County. Microscopic and macroscopic methods were utilized to study gonadal development and investment in male and female fish. Town Creek fish were a larger size than Limestone Creek fish. Reproductive investment, as measured by gonadosomatic index, relative gonad mass and the proportionality coefficient, increased in both sites (and for both sexes) toward the peak spawning. However, there were no significant differences between the sites in reproductive output for either sex. Total number of oocytes differed significantly between populations, possibly attributable to differing body sizes. Clutch size and mass were not significantly different between sites. Reproductive maturation occurs from January until the peak in late March and April at both sites.

We hope to boil down Rachel's thesis into a journal article for American Midland Naturalist. I know we have some solid data.