Comparative Ecology of Two Sympatric Species of Dace (Rhinichthys) in the Fraser River System, British Columbia
- 1 January 1963
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Canadian Science Publishing in Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
- Vol. 20 (1) , 105-118
- https://doi.org/10.1139/f63-010
Abstract
Age, growth and food habits of leopard dace (Rhinichthys falcatus) in the lower Fraser River are described. Although recently emerged leopard dace and longnose dace (R. cata-ractae) occur together in regions of slow or no current along the river margin, older longnose dace soon begin to occupy regions of higher water velocity. Yearling and older leopard dace remain predominantly in areas of little current. Laboratory experiments in a stream tank demonstrate a strong current preference in longnose dace fry, yearlings and adults. Leopard dace of comparable size show no preference to water current. The swimbladder volume of yearling and adult longnose dace is much lower than that of leopard dace, possibly an adaptation of the former species to occupation of riffle habitat. Temporary coexistence of the two closely related species in the same niche is discussed briefly.This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit:
- Migratory Behaviour of Juvenile Rainbow Trout, Salmo gairdneri, in Outlet and Inlet Streams of Loon Lake, British ColumbiaJournal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada, 1962
- An Ecological Study of the Feeding Habits of the English TitmiceJournal of Animal Ecology, 1953
- Competition for Food by Birds of PreyJournal of Animal Ecology, 1946