| Abstract: | Evolutionary theory predicts that some aquatic organisms may adapt by directional selection to limiting physical environmental conditions, yet empirical data are conflicting. We sought to test the assumption that sculpins (family Cottidae) inhabiting thermally stable springs of the southeastern United States differ in temperature tolerance and metabolism from populations inhabiting more thermally labile stream habitats. Spring populations of pygmy sculpins (Coitus pygmaeus) and Ozark sculpins (C. hypselurus) differed interspecifically in thermal tolerance from populations of stream-dwelling mottled (C. bairdi) and Tallapoosa sculpins (C. tallapoosae), and both stream and spring populations of banded sculpins (C. carolinae). No intra- or interspecific differences in thermal tolerance were found among populations of C. bairdi, C. tallapoosae, or C. carolinae. Coitus pygmaeus acclimated to 15??C differed intraspecifically in routine metabolism from fish acclimated to 20?? and 25??C. Cottus pygmaeus and stream-dwelling C. bairdi and C. carolinae acclimated to temperatures of 20?? and 25??C showed no interspecific differences in routine metabolism. Our results suggest that some spring-adapted populations or species may be more stenothermal than stream-dwelling congeners, but a greater understanding of the interactions of other physical and biological factors is required to better explain micro- and macrohabitat distributions of eastern North American sculpins. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70019885 |
| Citation Author: | Walsh, S. J.; Haney, D. C.; Timmerman, C. M. |
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| Citation End Page: | 94 |
| Citation Issue: | 2 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Ecology of Freshwater Fish |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 11 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Variation in thermal tolerance and routine metabolism among spring- and stream-dwelling freshwater sculpins (Teleostei: Cottidae) of the southeastern United States; 1997; Article; Journal; Ecology of Freshwater Fish; Walsh, S. J.; Haney, D. C.; Timmerman, C. M. |
| Citation Start Page: | 84 |
| Citation Volume: | 6 |
| Citation Year: | 1997 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Variation in thermal tolerance and routine metabolism among spring- and stream-dwelling freshwater sculpins (Teleostei: Cottidae) of the southeastern United States; 1997; Article; Journal; Ecology of Freshwater Fish; Walsh, S. J.; Haney, D. C.; Timmerman, C. M. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Wed, 1 Jan 1997 00:00 -0600 |
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