| dc.description.abstract | The main objective of this study was to describe several aspects of the life history of the plains minnow, Hybognathus placitus. This fish is small, not particularly attractive, and possesses no economic value, other than its occasional use as a bait fish. Like many other of our native, nongame fishes, it is not well known to the general public (if at all). However, plains minnows are an integral part of many prairie river ecosystems. In many rivers they are (or used to be) an extremely abundant species, providing a large forage base for "game species" and other piscine predators, as well as avian predators. Recently (the last 40 years or so), plains minnows have declined in range and abundance due to man's impact on their environment. Much riverine habitat has been replaced by a relatively new type of ecosystem to Oklahoma, ie., the many reservoirs found throughout the state. Water quality has suffered due to sewage effluent, hazardous chemicals, and feedlot wastes. Introduction of non-native fishes, intentional or not, has also taken its toll. These are some of the problems our native fishes are facing today. This study focuses on only one animal. In order to preserve our native fish fauna, baseline life history studies like this, as well as studies at the community level, are needed before long-term management decisions are made. The more we understand each component of an ecosystem and how the various components interact, the better that ecosystem can be managed to benefit man as well as its original inhabitants. | |
