33 



Discussion 



Three sculpin species were present in the study area based on the sampling methods 

 employed in this study. The distribution of each species varied greatly. Slimy sculpins 

 were the most widespread species in the study area. This species was present throughout 

 most of the watershed network both geographically and longitudinally. It appeal's that 

 slimy sculpins are adapted to a broad range of habitat conditions. In the Kootenai 

 drainage, slimy sculpins appear to be displaced longitudinally by torrent sculpins in areas in 

 close proximity to the main river. 



Torrent sculpins had a more restricted range in the study area, typically found in 

 u'ibutary streams of the Kootenai River drainage in close proximity to the main river. 

 However, on Tobacco River tributaries, torrent sculpins were found far from the main 

 river. These sites were uncharacteristic of typical low order streams which normally have 

 steeper gradients, coarser substrates, and cooler temperatures relative to 4th and 5th order 

 streams where torrents are generally present. Sites in the Tobacco watershed with typical 

 low-order stream characteristics did not contain sculpins. Those sites in the Tobacco 

 containing torrent sculpins had low gradients and brackish water typically signifying 

 swampy conditions upstream and warmer stream temperatures. The atypical conditions of 

 these sites might explain the abnormal longitudinal location far from the main river for 

 torrents. 



Shorthead distribution appears somewhat confusing. Shorthead sculpins were 

 abundant in the St. Regis River watershed and appeared to exist in allopatry throughout the 

 basin. Adjacent Clark Fork River uibutaries contained slimy sculpins in what appeared to 

 be allopatry in the field. However, after laboratory identification, four sites, one on a Clark 

 Fork River tributary and three on the Yaak River system, contained slimy and shorthead 



