Aspects of the Ecology of the Duskystripe Shiner, Notropis pilsbryi (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae), in an Ozark Stream

Abstract

The food habits, population structure and distribution of N. pilsbryi were studied in Piney Creek, Izard County, Arkansas [USA]. Food items commonly used included larval aquatic insects and drift items of terrestrial origin. Many of the stomachs also contained algae. Stomachs were relatively full from 0600-2400 h; no bimodal peak of feeding was noted. Populations were dominated by age 0 and I fish, but some individuals were in their 4th yr. The duskystripe shiner was most common at downstream stations in the watershed; numbers of individuals and percent of N. pilsbryi per collection were correlated very significantly with stream order. Mean weight of individuals exhibited a negative correlation with stream order.