Bettoli, P.W., and C. Goldsworthy. 2011. Larval fish collections using lighted traps in spring pools in the Barrens Plateau of middle Tennessee. Southeastern Naturalist 10(1):145-154.
Abstract
Abstract - We used lighted larval traps to assess reproduction by fi shes inhabiting nine
spring pools in the Barrens Plateau region of middle Tennessee between May and September
2004. The traps (n = 162 deployments) captured the larval or juvenile forms of
Etheostoma crossopterum (Fringed Darter) (n = 188), Gambusia affi nis (Western Mosquitofi
sh) (n = 139), Hemitremia fl ammea (Flame Chub) (n = 55), the imperiled Fundulus
julisia (Barrens Topminnow) (n = 10), and Forbesichthys agassizii (Spring Cavefi sh)
(n = 1). The larval forms of four other species (Families Centrarchidae, Cyprinidae, and
Cottidae) were not collected, despite the presence of adults. Larval Barrens Topminnow
hatched over a protracted period (early June through late September); in contrast, hatching
intervals were much shorter for Fringed Darter (mid-May through early June). Flame
Chub hatching began before our fi rst samples in early May and concluded by late-May.
Juvenile Western Mosquitofi sh were collected between early June and late August. Our
sampling revealed that at least two species (Flame Chub and Fringed Darter) were able
to reproduce and recruit in habitats harboring the invasive Western Mosquitofi sh, while
Barrens Topminnow could not.