Microhabitat partitioning in a diverse assemblage of darters in the Allegheny River system

Jay R. Stauffer; Jeff M. Boltz; Karen A. Kellogg; Ellen S. Van Snik

doi:10.1007/BF00001696

Microhabitat partitioning in a diverse assemblage of darters in the Allegheny River system

Jay R. Stauffer, Jeff M. Boltz, Karen A. Kellogg, Ellen S. Van Snik

Ecosystem Science and Management

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Habitat partitioning among eleven species of darters (Percidae: Etheostomatini) from the Allegheny River system was studied through underwater observation. Percina caprodes and Percina copelandi showed consistent segregation from Etheostoma by occupying deeper habitats. Substrate size, depth, and water velocity were important variables by which Etheostoma species segregated. Analysis of niche breadth values indicated that species differed widely in their degree of specialization in habitat use; based on the variables measured, Etheostoma zonale was a habitat generalist whereas Etheostoma camurum, Etheostoma tippecanoe, and Percina caprodes tended towards habitat specialization. Habitat segregation appears to be an important mechanism allowing the coexistence of these closely related and ecologically similar species. Microhabitat quantification on a fine scale was important in discovering habitat differences in this diverse system.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	37-44
Number of pages	8
Journal	Environmental Biology of Fishes
Volume	46
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001696
State	Published - Jan 1 1996

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Aquatic Science

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10.1007/BF00001696

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abstract = "Habitat partitioning among eleven species of darters (Percidae: Etheostomatini) from the Allegheny River system was studied through underwater observation. Percina caprodes and Percina copelandi showed consistent segregation from Etheostoma by occupying deeper habitats. Substrate size, depth, and water velocity were important variables by which Etheostoma species segregated. Analysis of niche breadth values indicated that species differed widely in their degree of specialization in habitat use; based on the variables measured, Etheostoma zonale was a habitat generalist whereas Etheostoma camurum, Etheostoma tippecanoe, and Percina caprodes tended towards habitat specialization. Habitat segregation appears to be an important mechanism allowing the coexistence of these closely related and ecologically similar species. Microhabitat quantification on a fine scale was important in discovering habitat differences in this diverse system.",

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AU - Kellogg, Karen A.

AU - Van Snik, Ellen S.

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AB - Habitat partitioning among eleven species of darters (Percidae: Etheostomatini) from the Allegheny River system was studied through underwater observation. Percina caprodes and Percina copelandi showed consistent segregation from Etheostoma by occupying deeper habitats. Substrate size, depth, and water velocity were important variables by which Etheostoma species segregated. Analysis of niche breadth values indicated that species differed widely in their degree of specialization in habitat use; based on the variables measured, Etheostoma zonale was a habitat generalist whereas Etheostoma camurum, Etheostoma tippecanoe, and Percina caprodes tended towards habitat specialization. Habitat segregation appears to be an important mechanism allowing the coexistence of these closely related and ecologically similar species. Microhabitat quantification on a fine scale was important in discovering habitat differences in this diverse system.

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Microhabitat partitioning in a diverse assemblage of darters in the Allegheny River system

Abstract

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