North Mississippi Bluegill Variants

Here is a display of Bluegill from three different lakes in the Yocona watershed of North MS. They were caught over the last week. Please correct me if any do not belong in the bluegill file.

All look like bluegills to me, true on the wide variation there. Common with many species in different areas caught in the same body of water.

HEY IRATE!!! I finally don't think any of these pictures are hybrids.

Some of those sure could change peoples minds who think bluegills are colorless boring and ordinary for sure.

All look like bluegills to me, true on the wide variation there. Common with many species in different areas caught in the same body of water.

HEY IRATE!!! I finally don't think any of these pictures are hybrids.

Some of those sure could change peoples minds who think bluegills are colorless boring and ordinary for sure.

All look like NORTHERN bluegill.

Some of them boys got some serious breast "humps". I'd agree - definitely a lot of variance among them fish.

I was hoping that the "H" word would get thrown around. Confident that these are all 100% Bluegill it amazes me the difference in everything from coloring to operculum size and shape as well as difference in the "breast hump" (what is that called?). The three lakes these came from are all within 25 miles of each other with no difference in surrounding geology. The lakes have also not been stocked or maintained since they were created from dammed small streams in the 30's CCC & WPA projects.

Is it this great genetic diversity that has ensured the Bluegills overwhelming populations?
How can such idependently similar differences exist?
Are there any Macrochirus Ssp.s'?
What are your all thoughts on Mr. Bream?

Bluegill are the most amazing Lepomis to me for these questions ... besides - They're Tasty.

HEY IRATE!!! I finally don't think any of these pictures are hybrids.

Now we just have to get Bob on board - no sooner did he join the forum than he was tossing the dreaded "H" word around!

I was hoping that the "H" word would get thrown around. Confident that these are all 100% Bluegill it amazes me the difference in everything from coloring to operculum size and shape as well as difference in the "breast hump" (what is that called?). The three lakes these came from are all within 25 miles of each other with no difference in surrounding geology. The lakes have also not been stocked or maintained since they were created from dammed small streams in the 30's CCC & WPA projects.

Is it this great genetic diversity that has ensured the Bluegills overwhelming populations?
How can such idependently similar differences exist?
Are there any Macrochirus Ssp.s'?
What are your all thoughts on Mr. Bream?

Bluegill are the most amazing Lepomis to me for these questions ... besides - They're Tasty.

To make a a short story long.

Some the variation evident in photographs looks largely due to gender if patterns of my northern bluegill populations hold. Fish in images 3, 5 and 8 typical of females (coloration and genital opening evident even from lateral aspect).

Some of the remaining variation within males due to reproductive status or reproductive strategy. Fish like those in images 1, 6, 7. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are consistent with high ranking, nest building, brood tending males (bull, burgeous, primary). Fish in images 2, 4, and 14 are like males that give me fits for use as breeders. Many seem reluctant to build nest (interesting stories with this) and when they do have a hard time picking up chicks. Many of the reluctant nest building males will cuckold on the nest builders in the tanks. I do not like that! Some of the fish in images 2, 4 and 14 could simply be low ranking males on a trajectory to be nest builders but have not yet acquired the social standing with badges of large "ear-tabs" and spots on nape.

2 macrochirus subspecies for sure if you use sub-species concept. Northern and coppernose. I can even distinguish between some populations of coppernose. Looks like differencess will hold up even in tank raised animals. A third subspecies may or may not exist in southern Texas and northern Mexico. Genetic works did not support third subspecies but a great deal of stocking of other two subspecies on top may have washed out the native stocks by time of study. Methods of genetics paper not supporting seemed to get most if not all samples from bodies of water with a history of stocking by state. Old timer bait traders catching bluegill for bait tha t I have communicated with indicated that most bluegill in streams before (~50 years ago) serious stocking got under ran very small. I have a some bluegill from a couple streams in Texas where oversocking with northern and coppernose bluegill likely less. They definantly run small and are mean. Many more bars than northern and coppernose I am familiar with. Size difference holding up in tanks. Will breed some "Texas runts" soon.


All definantly tasty, that is why I grow them.

Thank you centrarchid - just the information I was hoping for. Do the color varieties hold for coppernose or is the only difference the number of soft anal rays?

Thank you centrarchid - just the information I was hoping for. Do the color varieties hold for coppernose or is the only difference the number of soft anal rays?

I ommitted reference to a third male morph (sneaker / tertiary). Looks like juveniles (no color and small ears tabs) but with big eyes and very big testes.

I have live samples from throughout the bluegill's natural range. Bluegill of the Mississippi and Mobile river drainages generally very similar in range to images you have. Mobile river fish bit different but I do not think evidence of intergrade zone with the other wide ranging form (coppernose). Most adults throughout the coppernose range can acquire or drop the band of copper around the head to various degrees. Males have more pronounced band and can not drop it completely. The soft anal ray character works pretty good except on east coast when getting into the Carolinas. Anal ray count may drop as going north but I do not think evidence of intergredation with northern bluegill, at least not entirely do to intergredation.

Color patterns of mature females holds across entire range I have seen any numbers of individuals, at least when breeding. Critter in Texas / Mexico maybe different.

Definantly more than one male morph with coppernose but cuckoldry may not be only alternative option to nest building.

Coppernose much more variable (morphology and coloration) between drainages even with lab reared animals.

Will be generating images soon.

Not enough time elaborate here.