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Article: Spawning Chronology, Nest Site Selection and Nest Success of Smallmouth Bass During Benign Streamflow Conditions
- Article from:
- The American Midland Naturalist
- Article date:
- July 1, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright American Midland Naturalist Jul 2007. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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ABSTRACT.-
We documented the nesting chronology, nest site selection and nest success of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu in an upstream (4th order) and downstream (5th order) reach of Baron Fork Creek, Oklahoma. Males started nesting in mid-Apr. when water temperatures increased to 16.9 C upstream, and in late-Apr. when temperatures increased to 16.2 C downstream. Streamflows were low (77% upstream to 82% downstream of mean Apr. streamflow, and 12 and 18% of mean Jun. streamflow; 47 and 55 y of record), and decreased throughout the spawning period. Larger males nested first upstream, as has been observed in other populations, but not downstream. Upstream, progeny in 62 of 153 nests ...