BREEDING TUBERCLES IN FISHES — COLLETTE 



589 



and Black, 1940, pi. 2, fig. 1). The tips of the pelvic elements are 

 more swollen in males in CU 8226 than in females. The genital 

 papillae of females are elongate tubes. The pelvic and anal fins of 

 females are only slightly pigmented while those of breeding males are 

 completely black, except for white fleshy tips on the anterior elements 

 in both fins. The pectoral fins of females are banded, while in breed- 

 ing males they are completely black. The breast and belly of females 

 are nearly immaculate, while those of males are completely covered 

 with melanophores. Both dorsal fins of males are more heavily 

 pigmented than those of females. Lachner, Westlake, and Handwerk 

 (1950) reported that males of E. variatum were larger, brighter, and 

 more highly pigmented, and that they had larger pelvic and dorsal 

 fins than females. 



Figure 5. — Male of Etheostoma {Etheostoma) variatum showing the distribution of breeding 

 tubercles (CU 8226, Pennsylvania, Shenango River, April 20, 72 mm. SL). 



Males of E. tetrazonum taken in Missouri March 16 to April 6 (CU 

 32879, 37380, 37354; KU 7537) have tubercles on all the breast scales, 

 on 3-5 rows of scales per side just anterior to the genital papilla; 1 row 

 above the anal fin ; and a total of 7 ventral caudal peduncle rows. The 

 tubercles are best developed on the largest males but are obvious on 

 other males down to 47 mm. standard length. Females have lower 

 and much less prominent tubercles on 6 rows of midventral scales. 

 Males are much darker than females, with the second dorsal, pelvic, 

 and anal fins almost black. Bands on the pectoral, second dorsal, 

 and caudal fins of females are completely obscured by dark pigment in 

 males. The head, breast, and belly of males are also much darker 

 than in females. 



Tubercles are present on E. euzonum taken April 4 (CU 32900, 

 Missouri, White R.), April 7 (KU 7634, Missouri, Current R.), and 

 April 30 (TU 10175, Arkansas, White R.). In males they are present 

 on the breast scales, on about 7 scale rows per side just anterior to the 



