标题：Distribution, Habitat Characterization, and Aspects of Reproduction of a Peripheral Population of Bluespotted Sunfish Enneacanthus gloriosus (Holbrook)
摘要：The bluespotted sunfish is native to coastal plain drainages from southeastern New York to Old Ft. Bayou, Mississippi. Little is known about its ecology throughout much of its natural range and particularly at its distribution periphery. We quantified 11 parameters from bluespotted sunfish habitat in 97 sites across coastal Mississippi during July 1993 and 1994 and August 1995, and then characterized it using principal components analysis. Bluespotted sunfish preferred oxbow side-ponds where 91.2% of the 523 individuals were collected. Oxbow side-ponds were characterized by fine substratum, abundant % submersed and emergent vegetation, and slightly acidic waters with high conductivity and low turbidity and velocity. Bluespotted sunfish in coastal Mississippi were smaller (maximum size 44.5 mm SL) and matured at a smaller size (15-18 mm SL) than bluespotted sunfish reported from east-coast populations, which is not atypical of species that have large geographic ranges. Males matured earlier than females, and 50% maturity occurred between 18-19 mm SL.
