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Fecundity estimates of the Gravel Chub, Erimystax x-punctatus
(Pisces: Leuciscidae)
Andrew J. StiteS, JoShuA L. Sherwood And Jeremy S. tiemAnn
Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-
Champaign jtiemann@illinois.edu
Basic natural history information is often lacking for rare aquatic species. This study
aims to address the lack of life history knowledge for the Gravel Chub (Erimystax
x-punctatus). Fecundity of Gravel Chub was assessed by performing egg counts on
vouchered museum specimens. Our results indicate a strong relationship between
fecundity and body size as well as temperature.
Keywords: Life history, reproduction, spawning, imperiled species
trAnSActionS of the KAnSAS
AcAdemy of Science
Vol. 121, no. 3-4
p. 386-390 (2018)
introduction
The Gravel Chub (Erimystax x-punctatus)
is a small (<10 cm) minnow with a disjunct
distribution that includes the northern portion
of the Ohio River basin, the upper Mississippi
River basin, the lower Missouri River basin,
lower Arkansas River basin, and formerly the
Thames River (Page and Burr 2011). Erimystax
x-punctatus inhabits larger streams and is often
collected in deep, swift owing rifes devoid
of silt (Cross 1967; Becker 1983; Mammoliti
2014). The sh has experienced signicant
range reduction during the past century, likely
as a result of siltation (Trautman 1957; Smith
1971), and is now a species of concern in many
midwestern states (Becker 1983; Haslouer et
al. 2005; IESPB 2015).
There are little published data on the life history
of E. x-punctatus, but it is believed to spawn
in early spring (e.g., April and May) as water
temperatures approach 16º C (Cross 1967;
Mammoliti 2014). Based on a study of 12
females from the Caddo River, Clark County,
Arkansas, fecundity varied from about 150 ova to
500 ova for females ranging from approximately
50-80 mm (standard length) and fecundity
increased with body size (Harris 1986). We are
unaware of any other attempts to examine the
fecundity of E. x-punctatus. Therefore, robust
fecundity estimates are lacking, which can hinder
the use of predictive models assessing population
dynamics and potential conservation efforts of
this imperiled species.
methodS / reSuLtS
Our objective was to assess fecundity of E.
x-punctatus by using voucher specimens that
reside in natural history museums. Collections
data were gathered from multiple museum
collection databases accessed through the
FishNet2 portal (www.shnet2.net, accessed
2016-01-04). Our search parameters were
lots with >10 individuals collected from
April to June. We examined specimens from
the Illinois Natural History Survey Fish
Collection, Champaign (INHS); The Ohio
State University, Museum of Biological
Diversity, Museum of Zoology, Fish Division,
Columbus (OSUM); the University of Kansas
Ichthyology Collection, Lawrence (KU);
and the University of Tennessee David A.
Etnier Ichthyological Collection, Knoxville
(UT) (Table 1). Individuals were measured to
standard length, the ovaries were removed,
and the eggs were classied and counted as
mature or immature. Larger, opaque, yellow
colored eggs were considered mature, while
smaller, more translucent, white colored eggs
were considered immature. Only specimens ≥
50 mm standard length (SL) were dissected in
accordance with Harris (1986).
Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science 121(3-4), 2018 387
We examined 48 individuals from seven lots
(Table 1) and found E. x-punctatus fecundity
varied from 0 to 596 mature eggs (mean =
299 +/- 181 SD) (Fig. 1). Total number of
eggs (mature + immature) varied from 322 to
2,195 eggs (mean = 982 +/- 460 SD) (Fig. 2).
Our specimens ranged in size from 51-92 mm
in standard length, and as reported by Harris
(1986), larger females contained more eggs
(Fig. 3). After correcting for standard length
(number of mature eggs/standard length; eggs/
mm), we found a strong relationship between
the number of mature eggs per mm SL and
the mean daily temperature averaged for
Table 1. (RIGHT) A list of E. x-punctatus
specimens used to assess fecundity. Data
include museum, catalogue number (Cat
#), locality where specimens originated,
when collected, and the number of females
examined. The list of museums includes
the Illinois Natural History Survey Fish
Collection, Champaign (INHS); The Ohio
State University, Museum of Biological
Diversity, Museum of Zoology, Fish
Division, Columbus (OSUM); the University
of Kansas Ichthyology Collection,
Lawrence (KU); and the University of
Tennessee David A. Etnier Ichthyological
Collection, Knoxville (UT). OSUM 1-4
refers to the labeling of each lot in Figures
1 and 2.
Figure 1. Range of the total number of mature eggs found within each lot of E. x-punctatus specimens
analyzed. Refer to Table 1 for sample sizes and collection abbreviations. The whiskers and points
represent the minimum and maximum egg counts for each collection. Boxes represent the upper and
lower quartiles of the data, with the horizontal line in the middle representing the mean.
388 Stites, Sherwood and Tiemann
30 days prior to collection recorded by the
nearest weather station (weather.org: Accessed
2018-4-18) (Fig. 4). This relationship agrees
with previous accounts (e.g., Cross 1967;
Mammoliti 2014), suggesting peak fecundity
of E. x-punctatus occurs when monthly air
temperatures average between 16-17° C.
The discovery of mature eggs in the Turtle
Creek specimens (INHS 26864) collected
at the end of June 1976 (Table 1) suggests
the reproductive period of E. x-punctatus is
longer than previously reported (e.g., Cross
Figure 2. Range of the total number of mature and immature eggs found within each lot of E.
x-punctatus specimens analyzed. Refer to Table 1 for sample sizes and collection abbreviations.
The whiskers and points represent the minimum and maximum egg counts for each collection.
Boxes represent the upper and lower quartiles of the data, with the horizontal line in the middle
representing the mean.
Figure 3. Comparison of total number of eggs versus standard length of all (N = 48) specimen examined.
Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science 121(3-4), 2018 389
1967; Mammoliti 2014), with some years
extending into late spring / early summer.
We examined two lots collected in mid to
late June (e.g., INHS 48391 [Rock River, 25
June 1998] and INHS 22312 [Rock River,
17 June 1964]) containing specimens with
spent ovaries. Similarly, one lot collected in
early spring (KU 2907 [Neosho River, 9 April
1953]) had several specimens becoming gravid
but lacked mature eggs. As is often the case
with minnows (Gotelli and Pyron 1991), the
reproductive period of E. x-punctatus appears
to vary spatiotemporally and is likely affected
by various abiotic and biotic factors.
diScuSSion
Our results should be interpreted with caution
because of the low sample size. Very few large
(>10 specimens) lots of E. x-punctatus collected
in spring exist in natural history museums. We
feel the reason is twofold. First, small benthic
sh species in deep, fast owing habitats
are often overlooked by traditional sampling
methods (Herzog et al. 2009). Secondly, the
rare, threatened, or endangered status of this sh
in many areas across its range places limitations
(either regulatory or moral) on the number of
specimens vouchered. As a result, E. x-punctatus
might be underrepresented in studies and natural
history collections.
This research sheds light on basic information
previously unavailable for a rare species. Better
understanding the reproductive period will help
with conservation plans, such as restrictions
on instream work during construction projects.
These data will allow natural resource agencies to
better understand the basic biological needs of E.
x-punctatus, which will in turn aid in mitigation
and conservation planning in the future.
AcKnowLedgmentS
The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority
and the Illinois Department of Transportation
provided partial funding. C. Taylor and D.
Wylie (INHS), A. Bently and L. Smith (KU),
M. Daly and M. Kibbey (OSUM), and D.A.
Etnier and J. Joice (UT) provided access to
specimens from their respective collections.
J.L. Harris shared his experiences and offered
encouragement for this project.
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Figure 4. Comparison of the average number of mature eggs per millimeter of standard length for
each museum lot (circles) and the average mean daily temperature (line) averaged for 30 days prior to
collection measured from the nearest weather recording station (weather.org: Accessed 2018-4-18).
390 Stites, Sherwood and Tiemann
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