TN00309 GILT DARTER PERCINA EVIDES
Physical description: This is a vertically-blotched darter, with the blotches often confluent with the saddles. It is of medium size adults usually 50-60 mm SL. Body form moderate; snout moderately short and blunt frenum wide; Branchiostegal membranes separate to slightly conjoined; caudal fin slightly emarginate. Breeding tubercles of male located on lower caudal rays, most of all anal fin and pelvic rays, lower body scales posterior to pelvic fin; small tubercles on lower head in some specimens. Anal and pelvic fin tubercles form on keratinized ridges; ridge also present on anal spines. Modified midbelly scales with up to 3 tubercles per scale, P. evides being the only Percina with more than 1 per scute. Some females with tubercles on anal and pelvic fins. Female genital papilla moderate in length, triangular to broad, fimbriate distally. Lateral line complete (53)57-67(76); scales above lateral line 7-9(10); scales below lateral line (8)9-11(13); circumpeduncle scales (20)22-25(27). Dorsal spines 11-13(14); dorsal rays (10)11-13; anal spines 11-13(14); dorsal rays (10)11-13; anal spines 2; anal rays (6)8-9(10); pectoral rays (12)13-15(16). Nape usually scaled medially; opercle partly or completely scaled; cheek with small area scaled; breast with central modified scale surrounded by 1-5 smaller scales; 1 intepelvic scute; belly midline usually naked in female, male having incomplete row of 7-13 modified scales, most spines slightly elevated when breeding. Male coloration is the most variable in all Virginia darters; individuals may rapidly and trechantly change aspects of pattern and color. Males during spawning period usually have patches of blue-green iridescence on cheek and opercle; lateral body may change from iridescent blue-green to orange-gold luster. Lateral blotches metallic slate gray, green-black or black. Ground shade, including lower side and belly, brilliant gilt, orange-red or dark burnt orange; breast may be darker. First dorsal fin subdistally to base burnt orange, occasionally with reddish shade. Second dorsal and anal with orange streaks. Female occasionally with slight reddish lower body, having some red specks in pectoral, but more often pale. Caudal base spots yellow to gold. Pectoral base having brassy streaks *4205*. Reproduction: This species spawned in Copper Creek in May, in water temeratures of 17-20 degrees C. In Tennessee they spawned over sand and gravel interspersed with cobble and boulder, 30-60 cm deep in upper parts of riffles. This species is an egg-burier *4205*. Behavior: This species eats immature mayflies, caddisflies, blackflies and midges *4205*. Population parameters: In Minnesota both sexes reach sexual maturity at ca 50 mm SL, 11-13 months for males and 22-23 months for females. A 48 mm SL male and a 42 mm female in Virginia are mature. Females generate 132-347 mature ova per year *4205*. Aquatic terrestrial associations: Gilt darters sometimes school with other blotch-sided darters *4205*.
| Life History |
References for Life History Codes
4205
Comments on Life History Codes