Some Aspects of Territorial Behavior of the Fantail Darter

Authors

Melvin F. Seifert, Iowa State University

Document Type

Research

Abstract

Striped fantail darters, Etheostoma flabellare lineolatum, were maintained in small aerated aquaria and fed tubificid worms. Darters over 1inch long established and defended territories usually no larger than a nook under rocks. Darters, over 2 inches long, selected covers open on both sides, but medium-sized darters selected smaller, more secluded covers. Dominance in selection of territory was associated with size, although established darters might maintain their covers against larger newcomers. Stone bottom was selected over pebble and pebble over sand. Pigmentation seemed to show an effect in habitat selection.

Publication Date

1963

Journal Title

Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

70

Issue

1

First Page

224

Last Page

227

Copyright

©1963 Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Seifert, Melvin F. (1963) "Some Aspects of Territorial Behavior of the Fantail Darter," Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, 70(1), 224-227.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol70/iss1/45