EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE, PHOTOPERIOD, AND SUBSTRATE ON THE MATURATION AND REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR OF THE TOPEKA SHINER (NOTROPIS TOPEKA) _______________________________________ A Thesis presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School at the University of Missouri-Columbia _______________________________________________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science _____________________________________________________ by CHRISTOPHER C. WITTE Dr. Douglas B. Noltie, Thesis Supervisor DECEMBER 2008 © Copyright by Christopher C. Witte 2008 All Rights Reserved The undersigned, appointed by the dean of the Graduate School, have examined the thesis entitled EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE, PHOTOPERIOD, AND SUBSTRATE ON THE MATURATION AND REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR OF THE TOPEKA SHINER (NOTROPIS TOPEKA) presented by Christopher C. Witte, a candidate for the degree of Master of Science and hereby certify that, in their opinion, it is worthy of acceptance. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, I would like to thank my committee members, Dr. Douglas B. Noltie of the University of Missouri, Dr. Mark L. Wildhaber of the U.S. Geological Survey – Columbia Environmental Research Center, Dr. Charles F. Rabeni of the University of Missouri, and Dr. Raymond D. Semlitsch of the University of Missouri for their guidance. Their repeated refinement of my study plans, analyses, and writings drastically improved not just this thesis, but myself as a researcher. I would also like to thank all of the other University of Missouri professors who taught classes I attended as a graduate student, who pushed me to develop my ability to critically examine previous scientific works and how these relate to general ecological principles. I thank the following US Geological Survey – Columbia Environmental Research Center employees for their ideas and assistance in constructing my laboratory, analyzing my results, and general assistance along the way: Aaron Delonay, Diana Papoulias, Mandy Annis, Vanessa Valez, Eric Brunson, James Candrl, Dave Whites, Lynne Johnson, Tom Bonnot, Janice Bryan, and Ali Arab. Thanks to Tamsyn Jones for constant encouragement, and for giving me the perspective to enjoy the graduate student experience. I give a special thanks to Ann and Alan Allert, Steve Olson, and Jim Fairchild for being good friends, role models in all aspects of life, and the biggest source of inspiration. Finally, I want to thank my mom and dad for always being positive and reminding me of where I came from. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ……....……………………………………………………....……ii List of figures ……….…………………………………………………………...…….vii List of tables ……...………………………………………………………………..….xv Academic abstract …....………..………………………………………….........…..xvi Chapter 1 Life History of the Topeka Shiner ………….....………………………...…….1 Description Distribution Nomenclature and systematic Decline and Status Habitat Reproduction Age and growth Species associates Diet Disease / parasites Literature Cited .………………………………………………………………………16 Figures .………………………………………………………………………………..25 Tables .…………………………………………………………………………………27 iii TABLE OF CONTENTS continued Chapter 2 Effects of Temperature and Photoperiod on the Reproductive Maturation and Behavior of the Topeka Shiner (Notropis topeka) ……………………………………………………………..28 Abstract ………………………………………………………………………..29 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………31 Methods and Materials ………………………………………………………34 Pre-experiment Fish Rearing Fish Preparation Experimental Apparatus Experiments Fish Measurements Gonad Histology Behavior Results ………………………………………………………………………...46 Total Length Total Weight Gonadosomatic Index Ovary Stage Classification Behavior Discussion …………………………………………………………………….60 Total Length and Total Weight Gonadosomatic Index Ovary Stage Classification Behavior Literature Cited ……………………………………………………………….69 Figures ………………………………………………………………………...75 Tables ………………………………………………………………………..103 iv TABLE OF CONTENTS continued Chapter 3 Substrate Preference of Territorial Male Topeka Shiners (Notropis topeka) in the Absence of Sunfish (Lepomis sp.) …………....104 Abstract ………………………………………………………………………105 Introduction ………………………………………………………………….106 Materials and Methods ……………………………………………………..110 Fish Maintenance Substrates Experiment Setup Fish Observations Data Analysis Results ……………………………………………………………………….121 Fish Attributes Factors Associated with Substrate Use Behavior Occurrences Discussion ………………………………………………………………….127 Substrate Use Behavioral Responses Fish Attributes Application Literature Cited ………………………………………………………...……136 Figures ……………………………………………………………………….141 Tables ………………………………………………………………………..145 v TABLE OF CONTENTS continued Chapter 4 The Influence of Temperature, Photoperiod, and Substrate Size on the Reproductive Development and Behavior of the Topeka Shiner (Notropis topeka): Applications and Avenues for Future Research ………………………...147 Literature Cited ……………………………………………………………...153 vi List of Figures Figure Page Chapter 1 1. Two male Topeka shiners in nuptial coloration engaged in territorial behavior while a female observes from above (aquarium heater in background).……………………………………………………………………25 2. Current (in green) and historical (in red) range of the Topeka shiner (NatureServe 2007). …………………………………………………………..26 Chapter 2 1. Still image of experimental tank design used in Experiment 1 (8 treatments; 4 temperatures and 2 photoperiods). Shown are the plexiglas false floor and the egg-collection dish in the rear-middle of the tank.……………………………………………………………………………..75 2. Still image captured from time-lapse surveillance videography displaying the tank design in Experiment 2 (4 temperature/photoperiod treatments). Shown is the plastic mesh false floor design……………………………….76 3. Previtellogenic ovary from a Topeka shiner female from Experiment 2. The relatively small previtellogenic ova lack large yolky globules and take up the vast majority of area in this cross section. …………………………77 4. Vitellogenic ovary from a Topeka shiner from Experiment 2. The majority of follicles present in this cross section contain vitellogenic ova, which are identified by the presence of yolky granular globules within the cell.…….78 vii 5. An example of atretic follicles from a Topeka shiner from Experiment 2. Atresia is occurring in the follicles at the center, right of center, and top of the photo. Atresia involves reabsorption; consequently, the yolk globules within the ova appear to be “melting”...……………………………………...79 6. Ovary classified as empty from a Topeka shiner from Experiment 2, containing a few interspersed previtellogenic oocytes, and one vitellogenic oocyte (far right). An empty follicle is identifiable by the presence of collapsed groups of follicular cells that no longer surround an ovum……80 7. Illustration of the male total length results from Experiment 1. Numbers next to lines represent treatment temperatures. Solid lines represent long photoperiod treatment (15 h), and dashed lines represent short photoperiod (12 h). Total length generally decreased over time………...81 8. Illustration of the female total length results from Experiment 1. Numbers next to lines represent treatment temperatures. Solid lines represent long photoperiod treatment (15 h), and dashed lines represent short photoperiod (12 h). The longer photoperiod treatment yielded greater female total length. Total length generally increased by experiment’s end. …………………………………………………………………………………...82 9. Illustration of the male total length results from Experiment 2. Numbers next to lines represent treatment temperatures. Solid lines represent long photoperiod treatment (15 h), and dashed lines represent short photoperiod (12 h). Total length generally decreased over time.…….….83 viii 10. Illustration of the female total length results from experiment 2. Numbers next to lines represent treatment temperatures. Solid lines represent long photoperiod treatment (15 h), and dashed lines represent short photoperiod (12 h). Total length generally increased over time…….……84 11. Illustration of the male total length results from combined experiment analysis. Numbers next to lines represent treatment temperatures. Solid lines represent long photoperiod treatment (15 h), and dashed lines represent short photoperiod (12 h). Total length generally decreased over time.………………………………………………………………………….….85 12. Illustration of the female total length results from combined experiment analysis. Numbers next to lines represent treatment temperatures. Solid lines represent long photoperiod treatment (15 h), and dashed lines represent short photoperiod (12 h). Total length generally increased over time.……………………….…………………………………………………….86 13. Illustration of the male total weight results from Experiment 1. Numbers next to lines represent treatment temperatures. Solid lines represent long photoperiod treatment (15 h), and dashed lines represent short photoperiod (12 h). Total weight generally decreased over time…….….87 14. Illustration of the female total weight results from Experiment 1. Numbers next to lines represent treatment temperatures. Solid lines represent long photoperiod treatment (15 h), and dashed lines represent short photoperiod (12 h). Long photoperiod treatments tended to yield greater total weight, and total weight generally increased over time.……………..88 ix 15. Illustration of the male total weight results from Experiment 2. Numbers next to lines represent treatment temperatures. Solid lines represent long photoperiod treatment (15 h), and dashed lines represent short photoperiod (12 h). Total weight generally decreased