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Life history of the least madtom Noturus hildebrandi (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae) with comparisons to related species
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Life history of the least madtom Noturus hildebrandi (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae) with comparisons to related species

R L Mayden and Stephen J Walsh
American Midland Naturalist, Vol.112(2), pp.349-368
1984
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http://www.jstor.org/stable/80000296View
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Abstract

Environmental Sciences Biological Sciences
Aspects of reproduction, age, growth, development and food habits of 403 specimens of Noturus hildebrandi were studied from collections made in the North Fork Obion River, Tennessee. The least madtom lived a maximum of 18 months and reached a maximum SL of 52 mm; 12-month-old individuals averaged 39 mm. Individuals grew at a decreasing rate in SL and at a constant rate in body weight. Growth rates were highest from hatching to the 1st month and decreased steadily to only 1 % during the reproductive season. Both sexes matured at ca. 35 mm SL and spawned in June and Jul\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ of their second summer. Females produced 17-38 (x = 29.9) mature oocytes (2.3 mm diam) and had a mean relative fecundity (30.0 oocytes/g adjusted body weight) higher than most other ictalurids. Large females spawned earlier than smaller females and produced more oocvtes. Six clutches of captive-spawned embryos averaged 19.2; chorionic diam ranged from 3.1-3.8 mm (x = 3.4) and yolk diam ranged from 2.6-3.2 mm (x = 2.9). Mesolarvae hatched in 193-209 hr at 25 C and averaged 6.3 mm TL (range 5.6-6.6 mm). Principal food items were larvae of midges, caddisflies, stoneflies and mayflies. Least madtoms were parasitized by nematodes and flukes.

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