Fig. 2— The study area. Dismal Creek on the cast side of tl 



September, 35; October, 38; November. 33: and De- 

 cember, 3. 



Supjjlemenlal collections made in nearby creeks, par- 

 ticularly during AjMil, May, and June in an efTort to 

 determine time of spawning, brought the nvmiber <)! 

 slough darters examined to a])proximately 400 speci- 

 mens. 



Before spawning time, air and water temperatures 

 were recorded and the stream condition was noted on 

 each visit. Pools over a rather long stretch ot creek 



57 bridge (above) and on the west side (below). 



were sampled with a minnow seine imtil an adequate 

 sample (10—15 adults i and specimens of various associ- 

 ated species were obtained. Care was exercised to a\oid 

 de])leting the darter population. Specimens were dropped 

 directly into 10-percent formalin. 



As breeding time ai)proached, color photographs were 

 taken of both sexes a day or two after eacii trip to re- 

 cord color dexelopment. .\ few living pairs were 

 liiduuht to the laboratory in March. April, and May 

 so that their behavior in tanks could be observed. 



