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IOWA'S LONGEAR SUNFISH MYSTERY SOLVED


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#1 centrarchid

centrarchid
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Posted 30 October 2016 - 09:39 AM

The article in the July 2016 issue of American Currents caught my eye when statement was made that genetic examination did not show species level differences between Northern Sunfish and Longear Sunfish.  Is it possible that the "Longear Sunfish" used in comparison was not a single grouping itself?  Fish depicted in Figure 1 appears to be the lowland / Mississippi Embayment form which is easy to distinguish from those occurring over karst related drainages of Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.  I, and others,  have been out seeing both of the forms for some time.  Areas I have looked show an abrupt change from one form to the other.  Other differences are evident when under culture.  It looks like all three forms may come together in some locations, or at least come close.


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#2 Evan P

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  • Knoxville, TN

Posted 30 October 2016 - 09:56 AM

I have talked with Konrad about this several times, he thinks that the genetic examination was just too limited. With today's technology and understanding of genetic, compared even to a few years ago, he is positive we would be able to find the difference.


3,000-4,000 Gallon Pond Full of all sorts of spawning fishes! http://forum.nanfa.org/index.php/topic/13811-3560-gallon-native-fish-pond/page-3 
 

#3 centrarchid

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Posted 30 October 2016 - 01:44 PM

I agree.  And just for giggles I would include Pumpkinseed in the analysis as well.  I would not rule out a past hybridization event playing role in the Northern's development.  More than red ear tab makes me think that.


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#4 olaf

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Posted 02 November 2016 - 07:34 AM

I smell a follow-up article in a future AC...
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#5 NateTessler13

NateTessler13
  • NANFA Member
  • Nortwestern Ohio (Bowling Green)

Posted 15 December 2016 - 11:33 AM

During some exploration of the upper Kankakee River system near the Illinois/Indiana border, I kept coming across odd looking Lepomis that looked like they could be peltastesmegalotis hybrids...

http://gallery.nanfa...10-9-7.jpg.html

 

^ just one example - unfortunately, I doubt I still have the series of photos I took from those sites (harddrive crashed around that time - not backed up).


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Environmental Scientist

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