Selected aspects of the life history of desert suckers were examined in four southeastern Arizona streams. Diet, age class structure, reproduction, and habitat use were analyzed from field data obtained from April 1987 through October 1988. Adults fed primarily on plant matter, while fry fed almost exclusively on diatoms. Aging of suckers by scales was not possible and length frequencies were too evenly distributed to determine age class structure. In 1988, ovary and teste development occurred from late January through April, with spawning commencing in May. Suckers primarily used pools with high water flow and significant (∼80%) cover formed by tree limbs, branches, leaves, and other debris. Deterioration or loss of suitable habitat is reducing the range of the sucker due to reductions in and manipulations of surface waters.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/276993 |
| Date | January 1989 |
| Creators | Ivanyi, Craig Stephen, 1960- |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Thesis-Reproduction (electronic) |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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