Reproductive Isolation Between Two Species of Topminnow, Fundulus Olivaceus and F
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Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses Graduate School 1998 Reproductive Isolation Between Two Species of Topminnow, Fundulus Olivaceus and F. Euryzonus. Thomas Allen Blanchard Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses Recommended Citation Blanchard, Thomas Allen, "Reproductive Isolation Between Two Species of Topminnow, Fundulus Olivaceus and F. Euryzonus." (1998). LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses. 6617. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/6617 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 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Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. REPRODUCTIVE ISOLATION BETWEEN TWO SPECIES OF TOPMINNOW, FUNDULUS OLIVACEUS AND F. EURYZONUS A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Department of Biological Sciences by Thomas A. Blanchard B.S., Augusta College, 1988 M.S., Southeastern Louisiana University, 1993 May 1998 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 9824474 UMI Microform 9824474 Copyright 1998, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This project would not have been possible without the efforts of many individuals. I am greatly indebted to my major professor, Dr. Mike Fitzsimons who provided endless support throughout the course of my graduate studies at LSU. His enthusiasm for my research as well as his willingness to include me in his own, served as a tremendous source of encouragement during times when things were not going well. His friendship and outlook on life made my experience at LSU one I will fondly remember for many years. Drs. Don Baltz, Made Hafner, Robert Hastings, Doug Rossman, and Fahri Al-Bagdadi greatly improved this dissertation through their careful readings and thoughtful comments and suggestions. Thanks are also extended to Dr. David Good who served on my doctoral committee before leaving LSU. I would like to express gratitude to the Department of Biological Sciences and the Museum of Natural Science for financial support and access to laboratory facilities. Additional funding was provided by the National Chapter of Sigma Xi and the American Museum of Natural History's Theodore Roosevelt Fund. The family of David Wilkinson provided unlimited access to my field site. Their uncommon kindness and genuine hospitality were greatly appreciated. Under the prevailing conditions of a less then cordial relationship between scientists and some land owners, their interest in my research provided insight into the potential for scientists and ordinary citizens to work together on sensitive issues. Several people helped me extensively in the field and in the laboratory. I would like to extend special thanks to Riccardo Fiorillo for his assistance in the field throughout much of this project. In addition to his knowledge of fishes and insight into current research issues, his company on many field trips provided an element of fun that is seldom mentioned in scientific works. B. G. Granier also assisted greatly in the collection of many of the animals that were used in laboratory studies. His expertise in ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. the captive maintenance and breeding of native fishes, and his willingness to share it with me, were extremely helpfuL Much of the work described in this dissertation would not have been possible without his input. For this, I am deeply indebted. HeikoL. Schoenfuss provided countless hours of assistance in computer graphics and the production of photographic images. In addition to his expertise in these areas, our many conversations on a variety of issues added a great deal to my educational experience at LSU. Many other individuals provided much needed support during my graduate studies. Melanie Bebler, Lori Benson, and Jim Parham served as a refreshing source of new ideas and opinions into the “fish group”. There baby-sitting services during the final stages of this project were also greatly appreciated. The friendship and support of Clare and Kevin Jones, and Diana and Larry Reynolds were especially appreciated, especially during the several weeks after the arrival of my son. Without their help, the completion of this project would have been extremely difficult if not impossible. I want to thank my family, especially my parents, Jerry and Erika Blanchard, for there never-ending support and encouragement throughout my graduate career. I also want to express my gratitude to my two “children”. Laney the labrador provided hours of entertainment and a reason to spend too much time playing. My son Connor, although he had no idea of his effect on me, gave me a perspective on life that is unlike anything I could have imagined before he came along. His mere presence has added a great deal to my personal, as well as, professional life. Finally, I want to thank my wife. Dr. Carol Blanchard, for her support during the completion of this project Her unfaltering love and understanding allowed me to accomplish many things that otherwise would have remained undone. The stresses encountered in graduate school can be varied and sometimes overwhelming. Because of her, those stresses remained easily bearable. iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.................................................................................................. n USTOFTABLES...............................................................................................................v LIST OF FIG U RES...........................................................................................................vi ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................................vii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................ 1 2 A COMPARISON OF THE COURTSHIP AND SPAWNING BEHAVIOR OF FUNDULUS OLIVACEUS AND E. EURYZQNUS..................................................................................... 10 Materials and Methods .................................................................. 11 Results.......................................................................................... 12 D iscussion....................................................................................22 3 LABORATORY HYBRIDIZATION BETWEEN FUNDULUS OLIVACEUS AND F. EURYZQNUS. AND AN ANALYSIS OF THE GROWTH OF HYBRID OFFSPRING 27 Materials and Methods. ................................................................ 28 Results...........................................................................................34 D iscussion....................................................................................44 4 THE INFLUENCE OF CURRENT VELOCITY ON THE SELECTION OF SPAWNING SITES IN FUNDULUS OLIVACEUS AND F. EURYZQNUS....................................................56 Materials and Methods ..................................................................59 Results.........................................................................................