Yoke Darter

Breeding pairs were observed on gravel patches behind rocks in 30-60 cm of water. The following account of mating behaviour comes from (Ref. 36980): 'In a typical behavior pattern, 5-10 males were observed following a gravid female..Once the female had selected a suitable spawning site, she would dig head first into the gravel with violent thrashing movements. After two or three attempts, females usually became half buried in the gravel with only head and pectoral fins exposed. During this activity attending males began making rapid darting movements around the female. The attending males moved closer to the buried female until one male, usually the largest, positioned himself beside or over her. Occasionally an even larger male would enter an area and replace the attendant male. After a male had remained with a buried female for a few minutes, he began to aggressively defend a territory. Other males that came within about 20 cm of the female were quickly chased away. In the absence of other males, the attendant male began courtship behavior by darting rapidly around the female, nudging her with his snout and perching along side or on top of her. Courtship lasted up to 30 min. Then the female began a series of rapid quivering movements followed by, or concurrent with, trembling movements by the male. It was assumed that the rapid vibrating movements of the female and male, lasting about 5 sec., indicated deposition of eggs and release of sperm. A female remained buried in the same spot during a series of 3-5 quiverings over a period of nearly 5 min. About 10 min after spawning, both fish moved away from the nest and egg guarding was not observed by either sex.' Eggs are buried under small gravel and pebbles (Ref. 36980).

Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 12; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 7 - 8; Vertebrae: 35 - 36

Occur in clear, fast, rocky riffles of creeks and small to medium rivers (Ref. 5723). Spawn in batches (Ref. 36980). Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 36980).

The yoke darter (Etheostoma juliae) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to the eastern United States, where it occurs in the White River drainage in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. It inhabits clear, fast, rocky riffles of creeks and small to medium rivers. This species can reach a length of 7.8 cm (3.1 in). The specific name honors Mrs Julia Hughes Gilbert, the wife of the American ichthyologist Charles Henry Gilbert (1859-1928).