FISHES OF THE VERDIGRIS RIVER
IN OKLAHOMA
By
GEORGE HAMS WALLEY
Bachelor of Science
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma
1956
Submitted to the faculty of the Graduate School of
the Oklahoma State University of Agriculture
and Applied Sciences
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
May, 1958
Name: George Hames Wallen
Date of Degree: May 25, 1958
Institution: Oklahoma State University
Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma
Title of Study: FISHES OF THE VERDIGRIS RIVER IN OKLAHOMA
Pages in Study: 57
Candidate for the Degree of Master of Science
Major Field: Zoology
Scope of Study: The Verdigris River
summer of 1956 to determine the
sent and the relative abundance
locations were sampled by using
Drainage was surveyed during the
number of species of fishes preof each species. Eighty-eight
seines, rotenone and gill nets.
Findings and Conclusions: An annotated list was prepared including
ecological data, of fishes collected in the Verdigris River
Drainage in Oklahoma during the summer of 1956 and spring of
1957. A total of 39,649 fish were taken, including 14 families,
32 genera, 68 species and 4 hytrid combinations.
ADVISER'S APPROVAL
FISHES OF THE VERDIGRIS RIVER
IN OKLAHOMA
Thesis Approved:
Thesis Adviser
Dean of the Graduate School
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Chapter
I. INTRODUCTION ...........................................
A.
B.
C.
D.
Review of previous collections and collection sites .
Statement of the problem .......................
Description of the River .......................
Acknowledgements ...............................
1
1
2
2
4
..................................
5
A. Collection ....................................
B. Preservation ..................................
C. Identification ................................
5
6
6
III. OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS ................................
10
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS
A. Annotated list of collecting sites .............. 10
B. Annotated list of species collected .............. 28
C. Hybrid combinations ............................. 50
4
IV. DISCUSSION .............................................
V. BIBILIOGRAPHY
52
.......................................... 55
iii
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure
1. The Verdigris River in Oklahoma ......................... 11
IV
INTRODUCTION
The fishes of the Verdigris River have received little attention
from ichthyologists. Early explorers failed to preserve fishes from
the river, possibly because of transportation difficulties. Some
officers of the United States Army, during., the middle of the 19th
century, did show an interest. Captains W. A. Whipple and R.
Lieutenant H.. B. Molihausen and
Dr. G. G.
B.
Marcy,
Shumard were interested in
the wildlife of .the. Indian Territory, but their activities did not
include the. basin of the Verdigris. In the latter part of the 19th
century and the early years of the 20th century, ichthyologists,
Drs.
S.
E. Meek, D. S. Jordan, and C. H. Gilbert, collected fishes in
some streams of Indian Territory, but they too did not include the
Verdigris River on their itineraries.
The first paper listing species of fishes collected from the
Verdigris River is that of Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b). One collecting site in. the Verdigris River proper and one on Hominy Creek,
a tributary, yielded a total of 19 species.
In addition to the above paper,. Oklahoma fisheries biologists
have mentioned some fishes of the Verdigris River in their population
and age and growth studies in Oklahoma lakes. Jenkins (1949), reported 16 species of fishes, taken by means of rotenone, from Lake
Claremore. Hall (1951) and Thompson and Hutson (1951) each listed
eight species.collected. in Lake PaWhuska. McCoy (1953) studied the
1
2
age and growth of flathead catfish from Lake Pawhuska. There are some
mimeographed reports on fishes of the river written by the personnel of
the Oklahoma Game and Fish Department.
A survey was undertaken during the summer of 1956 to make a more
complete. list and to roughly determine the relative abundance of species
from the Oklahoma. portion of the river.
A related study of the age and
growth of the game fishes of the Verdigris River was made by the
Oklahoma Game. and. Fish Department under the direction of Mt. Robert M.
Jenkins of. the Fisheries Research Laboratory at Norman, Oklahoma. A
comparison of the fish fauna present after the Army Engineers complete
construe-40/1_0f a dam near Oologah, Oklahoma, with that revealed in the
present study, is proposed.
The following data are taken from a report of the U. S. Army
Engineers (Anon. 1931).
The Verdigris River rises in the Flint Hills of east-central
Kansas and flows a total distance of 351 miles, finally emptying into
the Arkansas River 63.3 Miles downstream from Tulsa and 0.9 mile upstream from the mouth of the Grand River. The stream flows generally
south through southeastern Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma, draining
an. area of 8,150 square miles. The drainage basin, which is approximately 46 miles in average width and 175 miles long, forms 5.1 percent of the total drainage area of the Arkansas River. The elevation
of the Verdigris River is 1,375 feet above mean sea level at its
source. and 480 feet above mean sea level at its mouth for an average
fall of 2.6 feet per mile throughout its length. The average gradient in Oklahoma is 1.2 feet per mile.
3
The channel of the Verdigris River is usually well defined between
high,. stable banks. The stream bed is either rock or shale for most of
the distance. In Kansas the course of the river is winding, the height
of the banks varying, from 10 to 14 feet and the width of the channel
from 150 to 500 feet. In Oklahoma the banks are higher than in Kansas.
In Oklahoma, the course of the stream_is a series of wide bends connected by straight segments with a varying width of channel between 200 and
500 feet.
The Verdigris River is subject to uncontrolled flooding. The
range between the maximum high and minimum low-water levels is 46 feet
at the state line, 48 feet at the town of Catoosa (about half way
through its course in Oklahoma) and 42 feet near the mouth.
In general the width of the Verdigris. River valley in Oklahoma is
one and one-half to two miles, however, at a few localities the valley
is three to four miles wide. Most of the valley land is used for
agricultural purposes, although a thriving oil business supports many
people in some areas.
According to a U. S. Geological Survey study (Anon.,1955), the
geologic, formation of the area is of sedimentary origin. Blue shale
and limestone are the principal outcroppings. The alluvial soil, found
in the river and creek bottoms, is a heavy black loam which is resistant to erosion.
The quality of the water in the Verdigris River is rated, by the
Quality of Water Branch, Geological Survey (Anon., 1955), as excellent.
The combined sulphate and chloride concentrations are less than 250 ppm
and dissolved solids less than 500 ppm.
4
The writer is indebted to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and
the Oklahoma Game and Fish Department for financial assistance and
equipment. The assistance of Dr. John S. Mecham, Mr. Milton R. Ourd,
and Mr. Joe C. Finnell in making the collections is appreciated.
The guidance of Dr. George A. Moore in identification of the
fishes and in writing this paper is gratefully acknowledged.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Most of the fishes were collected with a short, bobbinet seine
made from nylon netting cut approximately four feet in length by six
feet in depth and sewn to brailes four feet long. A covered cotton
cord, sewed to the top of the seine, served as a float. A heavy lead
line was used at the bottom of the seine. In addition to the smaller
seine, 10-, 15-, and 25-foot minnow seines were used where stream conditions permitted.
Rotenone, in the form of five percent powdered derris root and
liquid "Pro-Nox-Fish", was used extensively in collecting fishes. The
powder was mixed with water in buckets and spread over the water from
which fishes were desired. The "Pro-Noe-Fish" was mixed at tile rate of
about one part of poison to 25 parts of water and sprayed upon the
collection area with a portable five-gallon sprayer: The liquid
rotenone proved more effective and easier to use that the‘powder. The
fishes killed by rotenone were picked up with fine-mesh and large-mesh
dip_neta.
Seven gill'hets of variable sizes of mesh were used to obtain
samples of the larger fishes. These were Set with one end tied to the
bank. and the other anchored near the middle of the river.
For transportation, the survey crew used a carryall truck, furnished by the Oklahoma Game and Fish Department and a 1/4-ton pickup
5
6
truck furnished by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. For water travel,
a 14-foot round-bottom boat, a small aluminum flat-bottom boat and a
five-horsepower motor were provided.
After collection the fishes were initally preserved in 10 percent
formalin.. Fishes over 10 inches long were cut open along the right
_Bide of the body cavity
In
ardertalacilitate the penetration of
formalin. The fishes were washed in water and preserved in 50 percent
isopropanol. They were then stored in jars in the Oklahoma State
University Museum. of Zoology and later, in large part, transferred to
the University. of Oklahoma Museum of Zoology.
Lengths weights and scales were taken from the larger fishes in
the field.
The fishes were sorted, counted, measured, and the identifications
checked in the laboratory.
PREVIOUS COLLECTORS
Published and unpublished records of the fishes of the Verdigris
River are few. The following is a list of known previous collectors
both from the literature and unpublished records from Oklahoma State
University Museum, Oklahoma Game and Fish. Department and Dr. A. P. Blair
of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The symbols at the left designate the collections for the purpose
of brevity in the annotated list. Parenthetic dates after collector's
_names indicate publications.
Hubbs, Carl L. and A. I. Ortenburger (1929b)
.
Verdigris River, 5 miles west of Claremore, Rogers County,
July 15, 1927.
Hominy Creek, 8 miles west of Skiatook, Osage County, July
16, 1927.
Oklahoma. State University Field Class
FC1
Big. Hominy Creek, near Hominy, Osage County, July 8, 1933.
FC2
Burch Creek, 2 1/2 miles_north of Wynona, Osage County,
April 22, 1934.
McCollom4 G. E. and George A. Moore
MM
Bird Creek, 7 miles north and 5 miles east. of Wynona, Osage
County, April 21-22, 1934.
Moorel George A. and F. M. Baumgartner
MB
Sand Creek, Osage County, April 13, 1940.
7
8
Jacobs, Karl
Panther Creek, 10 miles northeast of Bartlesville, Osage
County, November 29, 1946.
Jacobs, Karl and Earnest Sisney
JS
Panther Creek, 10 miles south of Bartlesville, Osage County,
July 7, 1947.
Blair, A. P.
Bl
Bird Creek Bottoms near Owasso, May 1, 1948.
Collector Unknown 0.A.M.C. FB-1-48
FB
Hominy Lake, Osage County, May 16, 1948.
Hall, G. E. (1951)
Pawhuska Lake, Osage County,. July 26-28, 1948.
Thompson, W. H. and Don Hutson (1951)
Pawhuska Lake, 2 1/2 miles southwest of Pawhuska, Osage
County, January 1, 1939, through December 31, 1948.
Blair, A. P.
B2
Verdigris River, a slough near the Highway 66 crossing,
Rogers County, November 8, 1948.
Jenkins, Robert M. (1949)
Claremore City Lake, T21N, R16E, Si, Rogers County, August
22, 1949.
Moore, George A., Daniel Welch, James Husky and Buford Tatum
NWHT1 Bird Creek, 3 miles east of Strohm-Foraker intersection on
Highway 60, T26N, R7E, Osage County, March 24, 1950.
MMHT2 Dog Creek (Caney River. Drainage) T28N, R9E, Osage County,
March 24, 1950.
MMHT3 Sand Creek, 4 miles east of Foraker, Osage County, March
1950.
24,
9
Moore, George A. and party
MPI
Vann's Lake, 8 miles north of Muskogee, Wagoner County,
April 30, 1950.
Hall, G. E.
H2
Vann's Lake, 8 miles north of Muskogee., T16N R18E, June 2,
1950.
Ellis, R. J.
Sand Creek at Osage Hills State Park, May 4, 1952.
Moore, George A. and party
MP2
Verdigris River, TUN RUE 515, June 26, 1952.
McCoy, H. A. (1953)
Palahudka Lake, Osage County, May 15, 1953.
Jerkins, Robert M. (1955)
Palihuska City Lake, Osage County, July 23-August 19, 1954.
COLLECTINGSTATIONS
In the following data the words mile and miles have been omitted
for the purpose of brevity. For example: 1 N, 4 W, means one mile north
and four miles west. The absence of references to aquatic vegetation
indicate that none - was observed. Milton Curd, John Mechem, and Joe
Finnell assisted in making collections .at stations one through 86;
William Heard, Neal Douglas., Robert Sutton, and Alfred Houser dasisted
at stations 87 and 88. The accompanying map (Fig. 1) shows the louttion of collecting stations.
1
Wolf Creek, 1 N, 4 W of Delaware, T27N, R15E, 321, Nowata County,
June 5, 1956. Ulster: clear, in pools 1-3 ft. deep, 3-30 ft.
wide. Shore: steep, muddy, and wooded. Bottom: mud and
gravel. Current: slight. Method: seine.
2
Wolf Creek, 1/2 N, 3 W of Delaware, T27N, R15E, $27 and 28, Nowata
County, June 5, 1956. Water: clear, in pools 1-4 ft. deep,
8-20 ft. wide. Shore: steep muddy and wooded. Bottom: mud,
rocks, and gravel. Current: slight. Method: seine.
3
Wolf Creek, 1 N, 3 W of Delaware, T27N, R15E, 327 and 34, Nowata
County, June 5, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 2-4 ft. deep,
10-25 ft. wide. Shore: steep, muddy, and wooded. Bottom: mud.
Current: none. Method: seine.
4
California Creek, 1 w of Delaware, T26N, R15E, Sl, Nowata County,
June 5, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 1-3 ft. deep, 10-20 ft.
10
11.
THE
VERDIGRIS
RIVER IN
OKLAHOMA
STATION NUMBERS
1-88.
FIGURE
1
12
wide. Shore: steep and muddy. Bottom: rocks and mud. Current:
slight. Method: seine.
5
California Creek, at U. S. Highway 169, 3 N of Nowata, T26N, R16E,
87 and 8, Nowata County, June 5, 1956. Water: clear, pools
1/2-4 ft. deep, 20-30 ft. wide. Shore: steep. Bottom: bedrock,
gravel, mud. Current: slight. Method: seine.
6
California Creek, 2 W of Delaware, T27N, R15E, S26 and 35, Nowata
County, June 6, 1956. Water: clear, turbid after seining, 0-3
ft. deep, 0-15 ft. wide. Shore: high, wooded banks. Bottom:
mud and rocks. Vegetation: filamentous algae. Current: none.
Method: seine.
7
California Creek, 1 1/2 14, 2 N of Delaware, T27N, R15E, 823, Nowata
County, June 6, 1956. Water: turbid, 0-3 ft. deep, 0-20 ft.
wide. Shore: steep and wooded. Bottom: mud and leaves.
Current: slight. Method: seine.
8
California Creek, 3 N, 2 W of Delaware, T27N, R15E, S14, Nowata
County, June 6 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 0-6 ft. deep,
0-30 ft. wide. Shore: steep and wooded. Bottom: rocks and mud.
Vegetation: filamentous algae. Current: none. Method: seine.
9
CAlifornia Creek, 4 El 2 S of Warm, T28N, R15E, S20 and 29, Nowata
County, June 6 x 1956. Water: clear, brown to reddish, surface
temperature varied from 749 to 1009 F. within 1/8 mile, 0-4
ft. deep, 0-20 ft. wide. Shore: steep with large trees.
Bottom.: mud. Current: none. Method: seine.
10
California Creek, 3 1/2 E, 1 S of Wann, T28N, R15E, 5201 Nowata
County, June 6, 1956. Water: Slightly turbid, 1-2 ft. deep,
13
0-30 ft. wide. Shore: steep and wooded. Bottom: rock and
mud. Vegetation: Ceratonhyllum. Current: none. Method: seine.
11
Hickory Creek, 4 N I 1 Wof Lenapah, T28N, R15E, S12, Nowata County,
JUMB
6, 1956. Water: turbid, 0-3 ft. deep, 8 ft. wide. Shore:
high, mud banks. Bottom: mud, trash and leaves. Current:
none. Method: seine.
12
Hickory Creek, 4 N of Lenapah at U. S. Highway 169, T28N, R16E, 318,
Nowata County, June 6, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 0-4 ft.
deep, 0-15 ft. wide. Shore: steep, grassy and wooded. Bottom:
mud and rocks. Vegetation: Ceratonhyllum and filamentous algae.
Current: none. Method: seine.
12B Same location, July 12, 1956. Method: rotenone.
13
Big Creek, 5 E, 2 N of Childers, T27N, R17E, 513 and 24, Nowata
County, June 7, 1956. Water: clear to slightly turbid, 0-3
ft. deep, 2-40 ft. wide. Shore: low, wooded, rocky banks.
Bottom: gravel and mud. Vegetation: _Planthera and filamentous
algae. Current: swift on riffles. Method: seine.
Big Creek, 5 E, 2 N of Childers, T27N, R17E, 323 and 26, Nowata
County, June 70 1956. Water: clear, 0-5 ft. deep, 2-40 ft.
wide. Shore: low, wooded, mud banks. Bottom: bedrock and
gravel. Vegetation: nianthana and filamentous algae. Current:
swift =riffles. Method: seine.
14B Same location, June 21, 1956. Water: dried to pools 0-4 ft. deep,
0-30 ft. wide. Current: none. Method: rotenone.
15
Big Creek, 5 E, 1 N of Childers, T27N, R17E, S35, Nowata County,
June 7, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 0-3 ft. deep, 3-45 ft.
14
wide. Shore: low, wooded banks. Bottom: bedrock, and gravel.
Vegetation: DiAnthera and filAmentous algae. Current: none.
Method: seine.
15B Same location, August 15, 1956. Current: none. Method: rotenone.
16
Salt Creek, 7 E, 4 N of Coody's Bluff, T26N, R16E, Si and 12, Nowata
County, June 8, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 0-2 ft. deep,
0-15 ft. wide. Shore: flat grassland. Bottom: large rocks and
mud. Vegetation: Dianthera and filamentous algae. Current:
none. Method: seine.
17
Salt Creek, 7 El 2 N of Coody's Bluff, T26N, R17E, S12, Nowata
County, June 8, 1956. Water: turbid, 0-2 ft. deep, 0-10 ft.
wide. Bottom: bedrock, covered with mud. Shore: flat grasslands. Vegetation: Dirmthera. Current: none. Method: seine.
18
Salt Creek, 6 E, 1 N of Coody's Bluff, T26N, R17E, 324 and 25, Nowata
County, June 8, 1956. Water: clear 0-3 ft. deep, 0-30 ft. wide.
Bottom: large rocks. Shore: gently sloping grasslands and few
trees. Vegetation; Dianthera and some algae. Current: sluggish.
Method: seine.
19
Salt Creek, 3 El 2 S of Coody's Bluff, T25N, R17E, 34 and 5, Nowata
County, June 8, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 0-3 ft. deep,
1-20 ft. wide. Bottom: mud and bedrock. Shore: gently sloping,
weeds and few trees. Vegetation: Dianthera and some algae.
Current: sluggish. Method: seine.
20
Salt Creek, 2 E, 3 S of Coody's Bluff, T25N, R17E, S8, Nowata County,
June 8, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 0-4 ft. deep, 0-50 ft.
wide. Bottom: rock.
bore: low banks with hardwood trees.
Vegetation: algae. Current: none. Method: seine.
15
20B Same location, July 19, 1956. Method: rotenone.
21 Morman Creek, 2 NI 4 Wof Nowata, T26N, R15E, S15, Nowata County,
June 11, 1956. Water: clear, turbid after seining, 0-2 ft.
deep, 0-20 ft. wide. Bottom: rocks and mud. Shore: low banks,
bedrock, hardwood trees. Current: none. Method: rotenone.
22
Verdigris River at Coody's Bluff, T26N, R16E, 535, Nowata County,
June 12, 1956. Water: turbid, 1-10 ft. deep, 100-150 ft. wide.
Bottom: rocks and mud. Shore: high banks (to 50 ft.), willows,
and weeds. Current: moderate. Method: gill nets.
22B Sams location, June 13, 1956.
22C Sams location, June 14, 1956.
22D Sams location, June 15, 1956.
22E Sams location, June 19, 1956.
22F Same location, June 20, 1956.
22G Same location, June 21, 1956.
22H Sams location, June 22, 1956.
23
Verdigris River at Coody's Bluff (below low-water dam), T26N, R16E,
335, Nowata County, June 12, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 1-4
ft. deep, 150 ft. wide. Bottom: bedrock and gravel. Shores
high banks, mud and rocks. Vegetation: willows at edge.
Current: swift over low-water dam. Method: seine.
238 Same location, June 15, 1956.
24
Tributary of Big Creek, at Highway 10,
3 W, 6 N of Centralia,
T28N, R18E, S29, Craig County, June 12, 1956. Water: clear,
6 in. to 2 ft. deep, 1-20 ft. wide. Bottom: mud, rocks and
gravel. Shore: low banks, weeds and hardwoods. Vegetation:
filamentous algae. Current: slight. Method: rotenone.
16
25
Borrow Ditch near Verdigris River at Highway 60 bridge, T26N, R16E,
S25 1 Nowata County, June 13, 1956. Water: slightly turbid,
0-6 ft. deep, 100 ft. vide, 200 ft. long. Bottom: mud. Shore:
mud and weeds. Vegetation: filamentous algae. Current: none.
Method: seine.
26
Salt Creek, 5 1/2 E of Coody's Bluff at Highway 60 bridge, T29N,
R17E, S34 and 27, Nowata County, June 13, 1956. Water: clear,
1-4 ft. deep, 10-40 ft. wide. Bottom: rocks and mud. Shore:
rocks, mud and hardwoods. Vegetation: Dianthera. Current:
none. Method: seine.
27
Stone's Lake, 3 E, 1 S of Delaware, T26N, R16E, S3 and 4, Nowata
County, June 13, 1956. Water: turbid, 2 ft. deep, 200 ft.
wide. Bottom: mud. Shore: mud and willows. Vegetation:
Dianthera, Snirodela, Potamogeton, and algae. Current: none.
Method: seine.
28
Verdigris River, 1 N of Highway 60 bridge at Coody's Bluff, T26N,
R16E) S25, Nowata County, June 14, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 1-4 ft. deep, 3-150 ft. wide. Bottom: mud, bedrock and
gravel. Shore: gentle banks to steep bluffs, rock, mud,
willows, hardwoods.
Vegetations algae. Current: swift on
riffles. Method: seine.
28B
Same location) July 17, 1956. Method: seine and rotenone.
29
Lightning Creek, 5 El 3 S of Coody's Bluff, T25N, R17E, 514, Novato.
County, June 14) 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 0-2 1/2 ft.
deep, 0-15 ft. wide. Bottom: mud and bedrock. Shore: low
banks,willow, elm, hickory. Current: none. Method: rotenone.
17
30
Lightning Creek, 1 El 1 N of Alluwe, T27N, R17E, S19, Nowata County,
June 14, 1956. Water: slightly, turbid, 0-1 ft. deep, 0-12 ft.
wide. Bottom: mud. Shore: gently sloping banks, willows,
hardwoods. Vegetation: Dianthera. Current: none. Method:
rotenone.
31
Opossum Creek, 2 SI 1 W of South Coffeyville, T29N, R15E, S351
Nowata County, June 18, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 0-3
ft. deep, 0-25 ft. wide. Bottom: mud, some gravel. Shore:
mud, steep banks. Current: none. Method: seine.
32
Snow Creek, 2 SI 3 E of South Coffeyville, T29N, R16E, S28, Nowata
County, June 18, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 0-3 ft. deep,
0-50 ft. wide. Bottom: bedrock and mud. Shore: mud and rock,
banks 15 ft. high. Vegetation: Dianthera and filamentous
algae. Current: none. Method: seine.
33
Double Creek, 3 S of Nowata, T25N, R16E, S7 and 8, Nowata County,
June 19, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 0-2 ft. deep, 0-50
ft. wide. Bottom: bedrock. Shore: low banks, grass, and hardwoods. Vegetation: Dianthera. Current: none. Method: rotenone.
34
Tributary of Double Creek, 2 1/2 S, 1 E of Novato., T25N, R16E, S5
and 9, Nowata County, June 19, 1956. Water: turbid, 0-3 ft.
deep, 0-20 ft. wide. Bottom: mud and gravel. Shore: steep
banks with hardwoods. Current: none: Method: rotenone.
35
Tributary of Snow Creek, 1 St 5 1/2 E of South Coffeyville, T26E,
R16E, 322 and 25, Nowita County, June 20, 1956. Water: clear,
0-3 ft. deep, 0-30 ft. wide. Bottom: rocks. Shore: low banks,
rocks and large weeds. Current: none. Vegetation: filamentous
algae and Dianthera. Method: rotenone.
18
36
Big Creek, 12 N of Centralia, T29N, R18E, S21 and 28, Craig County,
June 21, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 1-1 1/2 ft. deep,
0-10 ft. wide. Bottom: mud and rocks. Shore: high soil banks,
hardwoods. Vegetation: filamentous algae. Current: none.
Method: rotenone.
37
Sweetwater Creek, 5 N of Claremore, T22N, R16E, S18, Rogers County,
June 26, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 0-2 ft. deep, 0-15 ft.
wide. Bottom: rocks and mud. Shore: low banks, covered with
weeds and hardwoods. Current: none. Method: rotenone.
38
Verdigris River at Highway 88 bridge, T22N, R15E, S141 Rogers
County, June 26, 1956. Water: turbid, 1-4 ft. deep, 100 ft.
wide. Bottom: rocks and gravel. Shore: high sloping banks.
Current: swift. Method: seine.
38B Same location, July 3, 1956. Water: reduced to small pools and
riffles,
30-40 ft. wide.
38C Same location, July 25, 1956. Method: seine and rotenone.
39
Four Mile Creek, 2 N of Oologah, T23N, R15E, S221 Rogers County,
June 26, 1956. Water: turbid, 0-1 1/2 ft. deep, 0-30 ft.
wide. Bottom: bedrock. Shore: sloping, covered with grass
and hardwoods. Current: none. Method: rotenone.
40
Tributary of Four Mile Creek, 1 NI 1/2 W of Oologah, T23N, R15E,
S21, Rogers County, June 27, 1956. Water: turbid, 0-2 ft.
deep, 0-15 ft. wide. Bottom: bedrock. Shore: low banks,
trash, and hardwoods. Current: none. Method: rotenone.
41
Four Mile Creek, 1 NI 1/4 W of Oologah, T23N, R15E, S211 Rogers
County, June 27, 1956. Water: clear, 0-3 ft. deep, 0-40 ft.
19
wide. Bottom: mud and rocks. Shore: gently sloping, banks,
hardwoods. Vegetation: Dianthera. Current: none. Method:
rotenone.
42
Spencer Creek, 8 E, 1/2 S of Talala, T24N, R16E, S35 and 36,
Rogers County, June 27, 1956. Water: clear, 0-3 1/2 ft. deep,
0-15 ft. wide. Bottom: mud and gravel. Shore: steep banks,
weeds and hardwoods. Current: slight.
Methods rotenone.
42B Same location, July 2, 1956.
43
Dog Creek, 2 S, 1/4 E of Claremore, T21N, R16E, S21, Rogers County,
June 28 1956. Water: turbid, 0-3 ft. deep, 10 ft. wide.
Bottom: mud and gravel. Shore: steep sloping banks covered
with weeds and hardwoods. Vegetation: Dianthera and Polsgonum.
Current: moderate. Method: seine.
44
Tributary of Verdigris River, 2 N o 3 W of Inola, T2ON, R16E, 822
and 23, Rogers County, June 28, 1956. Water: slightly turbid,
0-4 ft. deeps 0-40 ft. wide. Bottom: rocks and mud. Shore:
low banks, grass, elm. Vegetation: Dianthera. Current: none.
Method: rotenone.
45 Talala Creek, 2 E, 2 N of Talala, T24N, R15E, 813 and 14, Rogers
County, June 29) 1956. Water: turbid, 1/2 to 2 ft. deep,
3-10 ft. wide. Bottom: mud, rock and gravel. Shore: sloping
banks, grass, and hardwoods. Vegetation: Dianthera. Current:
slight. Method: seine.
46 Talala Creek, 1 N, 4 1/2 E of Talala, T24N, R16E, 820, Rogers County,
June 29, 1956. Water: turbid, 1/2-3 ft. deep, 2-20 ft. wide.
Bottom: mud and gravel. Shore: high banks, hardwoods. Vegetation: pianthera. Current: slight. Method: seine.
20
47
Lightning Creek, 4 E, 1 N of Alluwe, T25N, R17E, S22, Nowata County)
June 29, 1956. Water: turbid, 0-1 ft. deep, 0-15 ft. wide.
Bottom: mud and gravel. Shore: low banks, hardwoods. Current:
none. Method: rotenone.
48
Lightning Creek, 4 E, 4 N of Alluwe, T25N, R17E, S14, Nowata County,
June 29, 1956. Water: turbid, 0-4 ft. deep, 0-35 ft. wide.
Bottom: mud. Shore: low banks, hardwoods. Current: none.
Method: rotenone.
48B Same location, July 19, 1956.
49 Talala Creek, 2 E, 2 1/2 N of Talala, T24N, R15E, 313, Rogers
County, July 2, 1956.
Water: slightly turbid, 0-2 1/2 ft.
deep, 0-35 ft. wide. Bottom: mud, rocksand gravel. Shore:
low banks, weeds, and hardwoods. Vegetation: Dianthera.
Current: none. Method: rotenone.
50
Verdigris River, 6 W, 3 S of Claremore, T21N, R15E, S32, Rogers
County, July 3, 1956. Water: turbid, 1-3 ft. deep, 20-70 ft.
wide. Bottom: rocks and gravel. Shore: moderately sloping
banks, weeds, and hardwoods. Current: swift on riffles.
Method: seine.
51
Bird Creek, 1 W, 1 N of Catoosa, T2ON, R15E, S18, Rogers County,
July 3, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, foam on the surface,
apparently polluted, 1/2 - 5 ft. deep, 10-30 ft. wide.
Bottom: rocks and mud. Shore: high banks, weeds, rocks and
hardwoods. Vegetation: algae and Spirodela. Current: swift.
Method: seine.
21
52
Verdigris River 5 E, 2 N of Talala, T24N, R16E, S15 0 Rogers County,
July 4, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 1/4 - 3 ft. deep, 40-50
ft. wide. Bottom: bedrock, shale, and mud. Shore: low banks,
weeds, and hardwoods. Vegetation: algae on rocks. Current:
swift on riffles. Method: seine.
52B Same location, July 18, 1956. Method: rotenone and seine.
53
Verdigris River, 2 E, 1/4 S of Alluwe, T25N, R16E, 534 and 35,
Nowata County, July 9, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 1/2 - 3
ft. deep, 50-70 ft. wide. Bottom: rock and mud. Shore: high
sloping banks, weeds and hardwoods. Vegetation: willows in
water, Dianthera. Current: moderate. Method: seine.
53B Same location, July 16, 1956.
54
Verdigris River, 2 E, 1/4 S of Alluwe, T25N, R16E, 334 and 35,
July 10, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 1-5 ft. deep, 50-70
ft. wide. Bottom: rocks and mud. Shore: high sloping banks,
weeds and hardwoods. Vegetations willows in water, some
Dianthera. Current: moderate. Method: gill nets.
54B Same location, July 11, 1956.
54C Same location, July 12, 1956.
54D Same location, July 13, 1956.
54E Same location, July 17, 1956.
54? Same location, July 18, 1956.
54G Same location, July 19, 1956.
54H Same location, July 20, 1956.
541 Same location, July 21, 1956.
55
Cedar Creek, 4 1/2 E.of Lenapah, T27N, R16E, Sl, Nowata County,
July 10, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 0-1 ft. deep, 0-10 ft.
22
wide. Bottom: silt, gravel and rocks. Shore: steep sloping
banks. Vegetation: willow trees. Current: none. Method:
rotenone.
56
Curl Creek, 7 E, 1 N of Ochelata, T25N, R14E, S29 and 30, Washington
County, July 23, 1956. Water: turbid 0-3 ft. deep, 0-25 ft.
wide. Bottom: mud, rocks, and gravel. Shore: high mud banks,
weeds, and hardwoods. Vegetation: algae. Current: none.
Method: seine.
57 Comodore Creek, 3 W of Inola, T19N, R16E, Si and 12, Rogers County,
July 24, 1956. Water: turbid, 0-2 1/2 ft. deep, 0-15 ft. wide.
Bottom: mud and gravel. Shore: low banks, weeds and hardwoods.
Vegetation: Dianthera. Current: none. Method: rotenone.
58
Verdigris River, 3 W, 1/2 S of Inola, T19N, R16E, S14, Rogers
County, July 24, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 1/4 - 4 ft.
deep, 75-150 ft. wide. Bottom: rocks, gravel and mud. Shore:
high, steep banks; weeds, and hardwoods. Vegetation: algae on
rocks. Current: moderate. Method: seine.
59
Pea Creek, 2 S of Inola, T19N, R17E, S21, Rogers County, July 24,
1956. Water: turbid, 2 in. to 4 ft. deep, 1-12 ft. wide.
Bottom: rocks, mud, and gravel. Shore: low banks, grass, and
hardwoods. Vegetation: Dianthera. Current: moderate.
Method: seine.
60
Verdigris River 4 S, 2 1/2 W of Inola, T19N, R16E, 3361 Rogers
County, July 24, 1956. Water: clear, 1/2 - 2 ft. deep, 75-100
ft. wide. Bottom: rocks and gravel. Shore: high banks, weeds
and hardwoods. Vegetation: filamentous algae. Current: swift
on riffles. Method: seine.
23
61
Blue Creek, 5 E, 1 N of Oologah, T23N, R16E, S201 Rogers County,
July 25, 1956. Water: turbid, 0-2 ft. deep, 0-20 ft. wide.
Bottom: bedrock. Shore: low banks, weeds, and hardwoods.
Vegetation: algae. Current: none. Method: rotenone.
62
Coal Creek, 6 N, 4 E of Coweta, T18N, H16F, S14, Wagoner County,
July 25, 1956. Water: very turbid, 0-2 ft. deep, 0-10 ft.
wide. Bottom: mud 1-2 ft. deep. Shore: steep soil banks,
elms and cottonwoods. Vegetation: some algae. Current:
none. Method: rotenone.
63
Adams Creek, 5 E, 4 1/2 S of Highway Junction 33 and 66, T19N,
R15E, S25, Wagoner County, July 26, 1956. Water: clear, 0-2
ft. deep, 0-15 ft. wide. Bottom: mud. Shore: low steep
banks, weeds and hardwoods. Vegetation: Dianthera. Current:
none. Method: rotenone.
64
Adams Creek, 3 E, 6 S of Junction Highways 33 and 66, T18N, R15E,
S3, Wagoner County, July 26, 1956. Water: turbid, 0-2 ft.
deep, 0-15 ft. wide. Bottom: mud. Shore: steep, mud banks;
weeds and hardwoods. Current: none. Method: rotenone.
65
Gar Creek, 5 E of Coweta, T17N, R16E, 312 1 Wagoner County, July 26,
1956. Water: turbid, 0-2 1/2 ft. deep, 0-20 ft. wide. Bottom:
mud and rocks. Shore: high banks, weeds and hardwoods. Vegetation: Dianthera and Polygonum.
Current: none. Method:
rotenone.
66
Verdigris River, 6 W of Wagoner, T17N, R17E, S16, Wagoner County,
July 26, 1956. Water: clear, 1-3 ft. deep, 150 ft. wide.
24
Bottom: bedrock. Shore: low sloping banks. Vegetation:
filamentous algae. Current: moderate. Method: seine.
67 Hulah Reservoir, T29N, R12E, S10, Osage County, July 31, 1956.
Water: slightly turbid. Bottom: mud and rocks. Shore: gently sloping, weeds and grass. Vegetation: some algae.
Current: none. Method: rotenone.
68
Mission Creek, 4 S of Hulah, T28N, R12E, 328, Osage County, July 31,
1956. Water: turbid, 0-3 ft. deep, 0-10 ft. wide. Bottom:
mud. Shore: steep, mud banks. Current: none. Method: seine.
69
East Fork of Caney River, 4 N, 1 1/2 W of Dewey, T27N, R13 E, 36,
Washington County, July 31, 1956. Water: turbid, 1-2 ft.
deep, 8-15 ft. wide. Bottoms mud. Shore: gently sloping banks;
weeds and hardwoods. Current: moderate. Method: seine.
70
Postoak Creek, 2 1/2 N of Dewey at Highway 75 bridge, T27N, R13E,
89, Washington County, July 31, 1956. Water: clear, 1-3 ft.
deep, 1-20 ft. wide. Bottoms rock. Shore: high banks; weeds
and hardwoods. Currents slight. Method: seine.
71
Verdigris River, 1 1/2 8 of Coody's Bluff, T25N, R16E, 86, Nowata
County, August 2, 1956. Water: clear, 3-8 ft. deep, 100-150
ft. wide. Bottom: bedrock, rocks, and gravel. Shore: gently
sloping banks; weeds and hardwoods. Vegetation: some algae,
willows at edge. Current: moderate. Methods rotenone.
71B Same location, August 9, 1956.
72
Stith Pond, 1 W of Nowata, T26N, R15E, 824, Nowata County, August 6,
1956. Water: turbid, about one acre. Bottom: mud. Shore:
mud, a few willows. Current: none. Vegetation: CeratophYllum,
submerged plants. Method: rotenone.
25
73 Snedden Pond, 3 1/2 1.4 1/4 N of Centralia, T27N, R18E, 517, Craig
County, August 7, 1956. Water: clear. Bottom: rock and mud.
Shore: gently sloping; grass and weeds. Vegetation: many
aquatic plants. Current: none. Method: rotenone.
74
Verdigris River at Highway 28 Bridge, T26N, R16E, S5, Nowata County,
August 10, 1956. Water: clear, 1/2 - 4 ft. deep, 50-100 ft.
wide. Bottom: mud and rocks. Shore: high rocky banks, weeds,
and hardwoods. Vegetation: algae. Current: slight. Method:
rotenone.
75
Verdigris River at Highway 10 bridge, 3 E of Lenapah, T27N, R16E,
33, Nowata County, August 10, 1956. Water: slightly turbid,
1/2 - 6 ft. deep, 20-75 ft. wide. Bottom: mud and gravel
over bedrock. Shore: high banks, covered with weeds and hardwoods. Vegetation: algae. Current: alight. Method: rotenone.
76
Caney River, 7 Sp 2 E of Bartlesville, T25N, R13E, S20, Washington
County, August 10, 1956. Water: clear, 1/2 - 3 ft. deep, 10-30
ft. wide. Bottom: bedrock. Shore: rock banks, weeds and hardwoods. Vegetation: algae. Current: moderate. Method: rotenone.
77
Caney River, 1 SI 4 E of Ramona, T23N, R14E, 35, Washington County,
August 10, 1956. Water: clear, 1 1/2 - 2 ft. deep, 15-25 ft.
wide. Bottom: gravel. Shore: steep shale banks; willows.
Current: moderate. Method: seine.
78
Caney River, 2 E of Vera, T23N, R14E, S20, Washington County, August
10, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 1/2 - 3 ft. deep, 30-50 ft.
wide. Bottom: bedrock, shale. Shore: steep shale banks;
willows, oaks and weeds. Vegetation: floating algae. Current:
slight. Method: seine.
26
79
Hominy Creek, 10 W of Skiatook, T2214, R10E, 3131 Osage County,
August 10, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 0-4 ft. deep, 0-15
ft. wide. Bottom: sandy. Shore: low banks, willows. Current:
none. Method: seine. Approximately the same location as
Hubbs and Ortenburger's station 59.
80
Snow Creek, 2 S, 3 E of South Coffeyville, T29N, R16E, S33, Nowata
County, August 13, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 0-4 ft. deep,
0-50 ft. wide. Bottom: bedrock and mud. Shore: high banks;
weeds and hardwoods. Vegetation: aquatic plants present.
Current: none. Method: rotenone.
81
Verdigris River, 2 1/2 S of Coody's Bluff, T25N, R16E, S11, Nowata
County, August 14, 1956. Water: clear, standing in pools, 0-2
ft. deep, 6-20 ft. wide. Bottom: gravel and rocks. Shore:
gravel and rocks. Vegetation: some algae. Current: slight.
Method: rotenone.
82
Sand Creek, 1 1/2 S of Bartlesville at Highway 23 bridge, T26N,
R12E, 3221 Osage County, August 16, 1956. Water: slightly turbid, 0-4 ft. deep, 0-15 ft. wide. Bottom: sand, rocks and
trash. Shore: high banks with rocks; elm, and cottonwood roots
exposed. Current: none. Method: seine.
83
Sand Creek, 4 SW of Bartlesville, T26N, R12E, S18, Osage County,
August 16, 1956. Water: clear, 0-2 ft. deep, 0-10 ft. wide.
Bottom: sand and rock. Shore: gently sloping banks; weeds and
hardwoods. Current: none. Method: rotenone.
84
Sand Creek, 1 S, 4 E of Bartlesville, T26N, R11E, 314, Osage County,
August 160 1956. Water: clear, 0-4 ft. deep, 0-40 ft. wide.
27
Bottom: sand, a few rocks. Shore: high soil banks; grass and
hardwoods. Vegetation: filamentous algae. Current: none.
Method: seine.
85
Sand Creek, 1 W of Osage Hills State Park, T26N, R10E, S15, Osage
County, August 16, 1956.
Water: clear, 0-6 ft. deep, 0-40 ft.
wide. Bottom: sand and rocks. Shore: soil banks and hardwoods.
Current: none. Method: seine.
86
Bird Creek, 1 1/2 NW of Pawhuska, T26N, R19E, 332, Osage County,
August 16, 1956.
Water: slightly turbid, 0-4 ft. deep, 0-10
ft. wide. Bottom: mud and leaves, a few rocks. Shore: high
soil banks; weeds and small hardwoods. Current: none. Method:
rotenone.
87
Verdigris River, near Highway bridge S of Okay, T16N, R19E, 319 1
Wagoner County, March 2, 1956.
Water: clear, 0-2 1/2 ft.
deep, 200-300 ft. wide. Bottom: rocks. Shore: high rocky banks,
hardwoods. Vegetation: algae. Current: swift on riffles.
Method: seine.
88
Verdigris River, at confluence with Arkansas River, T15N, R19E, 85,
Muskogee County, March 2, 1957.
Water: slightly turbid, 0-3
ft. deep, 200-300 ft. wide. Bottom: sand. Shore: mud banks,
sand, hardwoods. Vegetation: algae. Current: slight.
Method: seine.
ANNOTATED LIST OF SPECIES
In the following list the scientific name is followed by the
common name, literature references, symbols of collections made by
others, station numbers of this survey and pertinent notes in that order.
When the citation Shelske (1957) appears below the species name,
it indicates that the species was collected in the Kansas portion of
the drainage. Station numbers such as 4-9 are inclusive. The fish
lengths recorded are standard lengths.
LEFISOSTEIDAE
1. Lepisosteus Lacepede
1. Lepisosteus spatula (Lachede).
Alligator gar.
Although none of this species was collected, a picture of
a 165—pound alligator gar, taken by Mt. Elbert M. Woodrum on
January 16, 1957, from the Verdigris River, three miles east
and eight miles north of Covets, was given me by Mt. Alfred
Houser, of the Oklahoma Game and Fish Department, who stated
that the species is believed to cause considerable damage to the
gill nets of commercial fishermen on the river. A 160—pound
fish of this species was taken in a gill net near the town of
Okay in 1953, (Anon., 1953).
2. pepisopteus platostomus Rafinesque. Shortnose gar.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b), Jenkins (1949), MK, 51, and 52.
Stations 52 and 54.
28
29
Ten specimens were taken in one week by means of a gill
net at station 54. One specimen was seined at station 52.
3. Lapisosteus productus (Cope). Spotted gar.
Bl and B2. Stations 54 and 80.
One young and one adult were taken.
4. Lepisosteus osseus (Linnaeus). Longnose gar.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b), Schelske (1957). Stations 13,
14, 18, 19, 22, 23, 26-28, 38, 52-54, and 80.
There were 175 specimens collected ranging from 45 to 273
mm. in length. The larger individuals were taken in the main
river, small specimens from the headwaters of some tributaries.
CLUPEIDAE
2. Dorosoma Rafinesque
5. Dorosoma cepedianum (LeSueur). Gizzard shad.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b), Jenkins (1949), Schelske (1957).
Stations 5, 12-16, 20, 23, 25, 27, 28, 32, 33, 38, 39, 41, 4446, 49, 50, 52-54, 56, 58, 61, 63-65, 67, 71, 73, 80, 87 and 88.
This very abundant fish (975 individuals collected) could
be a valuable forage fish for the future impoundment. Ranging
from 17 to 207 mm. in length, this species is an important link
in the food chain.
HIODONTIDAE
3. Hiodon LeSueur
6. Hiodon alosoides (Rafinesque). Goldeye.
Station
54.
30
Four large fish of this species were taken from gill 'nets
in a deep hole in the river. Although the nets were set in the
same hole for 10 days, all four fish were taken from one net on
the seventh day.
CATOSTOMIDAE r
4.
Ictiobus Rafinesque
7. Ictiobus cyprinellus (Valenciennes).
Bigmouth buffalofish.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b) as Megastomatobus cyprinellus,
Jenkins (1949), Schelake (1957), H2.
Stations
4, 12-15, 37,
46, 54, 55, 61, 80.
This species was taken readily from gill nets set in the
deeper pools, occasionally with rotenone in the tributaries and
rarely with the small seines.
There were 96 individuals collect-
ed ranging from 18 to 115 mm. in length.
8. Ictiobus niper, (Rafinesque). Black buffalofish.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b). Stations 12-15, 38, 50, 52755,
58, 60, 61, 65, 80 and 81.
Found usually with I. morinellus, this species was apparently more abundant. The 168 specimens, taken mainly from the
river proper, ranged in size from 21 mm. in length to 25 pounds.
One large pond yielded many large fish.
9. Ictiobus bubalus (gtfinesque).
SmaUmouth buffalofish.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b) and Schelske (1957). Stations 15,
22, 37, 43, 54, 67 and 80.
Apparently not as abundant as the black buffalofish, only
11 specimens from, 92- ito -t10 mm. in length- mere-placed in this
31
taxon. It was found to be difficult to determine differences
which would separate the amallmouth buffalofish from the black.
Many of the fish fell in the range of measurements for both
species. Mr. Bill Heard, graduate student at Oklahoma State
University, plans to study the specimens further and attempt to
find a better method of separation of the species.
5. Carpiodes Rafinesque
10. Carpiodes carpio (Rafinesque). River carpsucker.
Schelske (1957).
Stations 12, 14, 22, 23, 35, 38, 42, 54, 63,
65 and 88.
The 194 individuals (24-261 mm. in length) collected were
taken mainly from gill nets set in deeper pools in the river.
Small specimens were taken with a seine.
6. Moxostoma Rafinesque
11. Moxostoma duouesnei (LeSueur).
Black redhorse.
MWHT2 and MWHT3.
This species was taken in 1950 from the Osage Hills Area.
Some sites in this area were visited during the survey, but no
specimens of M. cluauesnei were taken. The streams visited,
during this survey, showed evidence of pollution possibly caused
by the expanding human population and industry of the area.
Apparently this species has become very rare because of its
lack of tolerance of these conditions.
12. Moxostoma erythrurum (Rafinesque).
Golden redhorse.
Schelske (1957) and 14M1. Station 13-15, 22, 24, 32, 35, 36,
38, 42, 48 and 80.
32
Seventy-five individuals were collected, ranging from 22 to
315 mm. in length. Many large suckers were taken in gill nets
at station 22.
7. Minytrema Jordan
13. Ninytrema melanops (Rafinesque). Spotted sucker.
Thompson and Hutson (1951). Stations 13-15, 20, 24, 35, 48, 80.
The spotted sucker was fairly abundant; 225 individuals
were collected, ranging from 14 to 214 mm. in length.
CYPRINIDAE
8. Cyprinus Linnaeus
14. Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus. Carp.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b), Jenkins (1949), Schelske (1957).
Stations 12, 14-16, 18, 22, 35, 38, 42, 54, 59, 63 and 80.
There were 60 specimens collected, ranging in size from 24
to 170 mm. in length. Although not abundant, carp were taken
ocfasionally in all parts of the drainage.
9. Notemigonus Rafinesque
15. Notemigonus crysoleucas (Nitchip). Golden shiner.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b), Schelske (1957), MWHT1. Stations
3, 6-10, 14-16, 18, 21, 26, 29-31, 33, 36, 37, 39, 41, 44-46,
48, 49 56, 57, 59, 61, 63-65, 72 and 86.
The golden shiner, (415 fish, 12 to 117 mm. long), was
found usually in the more turbid tributaries of the west side
of the drainage.
33
10. Hybopsis Agassiz
16. Hybopsis storeriana (Kirtland). Silver chub.
Station 23
One large specimen, 83 mm. in length, was collected at
this station.
17. Hybopsis x—punctata Hubbs and Crowe. Gravel chub.
One specimen of this species was collected by Dr. A. P.
Blair, of the University of Tulsa, near the survey station 38.
11. Notropis Rafinesque
18. Notropis atherinoides Rafinesque. Emerald shiner.
Station 87.
One specimen, 45 mm. in length, was taken at this station.
19. Notropis percobromus (Cope). Plains shiner.
MP2. Stations 23, 38, 52, 60, 66, 71, 87 and 88.
There were 45 specimens collected, ranging from 21 to 55
mm. in length. This minnow was taken only from swiftly flowing
water in the river proper.
20. Notropis umbratilis (Girard). Redfin shiner.
Schelske (1957), JS, MUBT21 MWHT3, FC1. Stations 3, 15, 18, 21,
23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 32, 33, 35, 36, 48, 56, 65, 74, 75, 79, 80,
84 and 85.
This shiner was represented by 214 individuals, ranging
from 16 to 59 mm. in length. Well distributed throughout the
drainage, this species was never abundant at any location. It
occurred usually in turbid water.
34
21. Notropis blennius (Girard). River shiner.
Stations 87 and 88.
Only 38 individuals were collected, ranging from 29 to 56
mm. in length.
22. Notropis lutrensis (Baird and Girard). Red shiner.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b), Jenkins (1949) Hall (1951),
Schelske (1957), MP2. Stations 1-5, 7, 12-16, 18-20, 23-25,
28, 29, 31-33, 35-39, 42, 43, 45, 46, 48-53, 55-61, 63, 64,
66-69, 71, 72, 74, 75, 77, 79-81, 83, 84, 87 and 88.
The 9670 individuals collected ranged, in length, from 8
to 75 mm. This was by far the most abundant fish of the
drainage, being found at almost every station. Several spawn-
ings were indicated by the abundance of smaller fish throughout
the summer.
23. Notropis girardi Hubbs and Ortenburger. Arkansas shiner.
Station 87.
The Arkansas shiner, common only in major streams in the
Arkansas Basin, may be regarded as a member of the Verdigris
fauna only on the basis of occasional wanderers from the
Arkansas River. Only five specimens, 25 to 43 mm. in length
were taken.
24. Notropis ortenburgeri Hubbs. Kiamichi shiner.
MB.
Along with Moxostoma duouesnei this species seems to be
disappearing from the Osage Hills because of the increased
industrialization. It has not been taken since .1940. There
35
is the possibility that the Kiamichi shiner may not be a part of
the Verdigris fauna. The specimens collected by Moore and
Baumgartner may have been transported by way of bait bucket to
the river system.
25. Notropis deliciosus (Girard). Sand shiner.
MMHT1.
Station 87 and 88.
All the 488 specimens collected, ranging in size from 28
to 50 mm. in length, were taken near the river's mouth. The
sand shiner is usually found in shallow streams with a sandy
bottom. The abundance of the species at stations 87 and 88
reflects the influence of the main river.
There exists, though unpublished, good reason for the invalidity of the name Notronis deliciosus (Girard), as presently applied to this species. This evidence was presented by
Dr. Royal D. Suttkus at the 1957 annual meeting of the
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists held at
New Orleans, Louisiana. According to Suttkus, the types of
Moniana deliciosa Girard, 1856, do not represent the species
currently called N. deliciosus. However, the name used above
is employed pending publication of Dr. Suttkus' evidence.
26. Notronis volucellus (Cope). Mimic shiner.
Schelske (1957), MP2.
Stations 13, 23, 28, 38, 52,
53, 61,
66, 71, 74, 75, 80 and 87.
The 252 individuals collected, ranging from 15 to 38 mm.
in length, were found principally in the Main channels of the
river and larger tributaries. The fish in this collection
36
agree with those described by Bailey (1951). N. volucellus
from the Verdigris has a well-developed infraorbital canal
which extends around the lower half of the orbit and ends near
the nostril. N. buchanani has no infraorbital canal.
27. Notropis buchanani Meek. Ghost shiner.
Schelske (1957). Stations 12, 20, 23, 28, 32, 37, 38 48, 5053, 56, 58, 60, 71, 75, 79-81 and 87.
There were 6425 individuals collected, varying in size
from 16 to 39 mm. in length.
This species was separated from N. volucellus, as indicated above, using the characters described by Bailey (1951).
An additional character was also used to distinguish between
the two species. In most of the Verdigris specimens of N.
buchanani there was a ring of melanophores around the lower
part of the orbit. In the fish from clear water, which were
heavily pigmented, this character was prominent, but less so
in specimens collected from more turbid waters.
12. Phenacobius Cope
28. Phenacobius mirabilis (Girard). Suckermouth minnow.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b), Schelske (1957). Stations 13-15,
19, 23, 24, 28, 36-38, 42, 46, 50-53, 60, 61, 66, 71, 74, 75,
81 and 87.
Most of the 538 individuals collected were taken from the
river proper in the section between Coffeyville and above the
confluence with Bird Creek. This fish seemed to prefer clear,
relatively swift water. The size collected ranged from 21 to
89 mm. in length.
37
13. Hybognathus Agassiz
29. Hybognathus nuchalis Agassiz. 'Silvery minnow.
MP2. Stations 23, 52 and 87.
The taxonomy of this species has not been completely
established. According to Bailey (1956), Hybognathus nuchalis
and H. pladita are conspecific; H. nuchalis having a larger
eye and larger scales and H. placita having a smaller eye and
smaller scales. The differences between the two fishes may
be caused by temperature and turbidity.
The 32 individuals collected (40-69 mm. in length) from
the Verdigris River were of the
2119111 type.
14. Pimephales Rafinesque
In addition to the long-recognized methods of separating
the four species of
unaphalm, the
caudal spot was Used to
separate the fishes of this genus from the Verdigris River.
P. promelas has no caudal spot and can be separated very
easily from the other three specie6 on this basis.
The shape of the caudal spot can be used to separate the
three remaining species. The caudal spot of P. tenellua is a
vertical bar at the end of the caudal peduncle.
E. notatus
has a redtangular caudal spot and in P. vigilax it is triangular. The apex of the triangle in P. vigilax is anterior;
the base being parallel with the base of the caudal fin.
30. Pimephales promelas Rafinesque. Fathead minnow.
FC1. Stations 1, 12, 14, 15, 21, 24, 29, 31, 37-39, 41, 42,
45, 52, 56, 59, 61, 64, and 69.
38
The fish (876 individuals collected) ranged from 10 to 60
mm. in length.
31. Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). Bluntnose minnow.
Jenkins (1949), Hall (1951), Schelske (1957), MWHT31 MWHT1,
NM, JS as Hvborhynchus notatus. Stations 4, 5, 7, 10, 12-15,
18-20, 23, 24-26, 28-31, 33, 35-39, 41, 42, 45, 48, 49, 52,
53, 56, 60, 61, 68, 71, 74 and 80.
Abundant (1022 individuals, 13 to 74 mm , in length) throughout the drainage, this species seemed to have little habitat
preference. It should be a valuable forage fish for the future
impoundment.
32. Pimephales vigilax (Baird and Girard). Parrot minnow.
Schelske (1957). Stations 12, 15, 23, 25, 27, 33, 37, 38, 52, 53,
58, 60, 66, 67, 71, 74, 75, 79, 87 and 88.
This species was found usually along with P. notatus in
the Verdigris Drainage. It did seem to prefer, however, clearer
water. This fish (505 individuals, 15-61 mm. in length) had a
wide distribution within the drainage but -was not numerous at
any one station.
33. Pimephales tenellus (Girard). Slim minnow.
Schelske (1957). Stations 12-15, 20, 23, 28, 32, 33, 35, 38,
42, 50, 52, 53, 66, 67, 71, 74, 75, 80 and 81.
There were 311 individuals collected ranging from 15 to
52 mm. in length.
39
15. Campostoma Agassiz
34. Campostoma anomalum (Rafinesque). Stoneroller.
Schelske
(1957),
MWHT1, MWHT3, Stations 2, 4, 13-15, 18-20,
23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 36-38, 42, 48-50, 52, 53, 55, 61, 64, 71,
74 and 81.
This species was very abundant (1442 collected, 18-88 mm.),
It was found throughout the drainage in both turbid and clear
water; the higher concentrations being in clear water near
riffles.
ICTALURIDAE
16. Ictalurus Rafinesque
35. Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque).
Channel catfish.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b), Jenkins (1949), as
lacustris,
Thompson and Hutson (1951), Jenkins (1955), Schelske (1957).
Stations 14, 16, 22, 23, 28, 38, 42, 50, 52, 54, 58, 60, 65-67,
71, 80, 81, 83 and 87.
There were 459 individuals collected ranging from 20 to
145 mm. in length.
36. Ictalurus melAS (Rafinesque).
Black bullhead.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b) as Ameiurus melas, Jenkins (1949),
Thompson and Hutson (1951), as bullheads, Schelske (1957), W.
Stations 1, 11...15, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 3033, 35, 36, 39-46,
48, 49, 55, 59, 61, 63, 64, 78, 79, 80, 82 and 86.
The 2725 black bullheads collected, ranging from 10 to 173
mm. in length, were found throughout the drainage in pools, but
rarely found in swift water. It was found in a few cases, in
very stagnant or polluted water.
40
37. Ictalurus natalis (LeSueur). Yellow bullhead.
Jenkins (1949). Stations 15, 28, 35, 36, 41, 42, 44, 45, 48,
63 and 65.
Yellow bullheads seem to prefer clearer water than the
black. They were not abundant in the drainage (28 individuals
collected, 26-180 mm.).
17. Pylodictis Rafinesque
38. Pylodictis olivaris (Rafinesque). Flathead catfish.
Jenkins (1949), McCoy (1953), Jenkins (195), Schelske (1957).
Stations 15, 22, 28, 35, 50, 52, 54, 58, 60, 67, 71 and 81.
There were 210 individuals collected ranging from 20 to
248 mm. in length. Many young-of-the-year flatheads were
collected in the river bed with the small seine and with
rotenone later in the summer when the river had dried to pools.
The young, distinguished by the splash of white on the upper
part of the caudal fin, seemed to be trapped in the small pools.
18. Noturua Rafinesque
39. Noturus flavus Rafinesque. Stonecat.
Schelske (1957). Stations 23, 28, 38, 71 and 80.
Thirty individuals were collected ranging from 25 to 115
mm. in length.
19. Schilbeodes Bleeker
Taylor (1954) has indicated that this genus should be
merged with Noturus Rafinesque. The name Schilbeodes is here
retained because of the absence of a published statement of
reasons for the merger.
41
40. Schilbeodes nocturnus (Jordan and Gilbert). Freckled madtom.
Schelske (1957). Stations 14, 28, 38, 52, 71 and 81.
The 73 individuals collected ranged from 21 to 89 mm.
in length.
41. Schilbeodes miurus (Jordan). Brindled madtom.
Schelske (1957). Station 13-15.
The seven specimens collected ranged in size from 25 to
58 mm. They were taken only from Big Creek, a clear tributary
on the eastern side of the drainage.
ANGUILLIDAE
20. Anguilla Shaw
42. Anguilla rostrata (LeSueur). American eel.
Station 73.
One eel was taken with rotenone from a pond in the eastern
drainage.
CYPRINODONTIDAE
21. FUndulus LackplIde
43. FunduIus notatus (Rafinesque). Blackband topminnow.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b), Jenkins (1949), Schelske (1957).
Stations 9, 10, 12-15, 20, 26, 29, 310 35, 36, 41, 44, 48, 65,
73, 79, 80, 82, 84 and 85.
The 227 individuals collected ranged from 14 to 62 mm.
in length.
44. Fundulus kanome Garman. Plains killifish.
No specimens were taken during the survey, but Dr. A. P.
Blair (personal communication) has taken this species from .a
small tributary of Bird Creek near Tulsa.
POECILIIDAE
22. Gambusia Poey
45. Gambusia affinis (Baird and Girard). Gambusia.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b)as G. patruelis, Schelske (1957),
NP2. Stations 2-7, 12-16, 18-20, 23, 24, 26-29, 32-39, 41-46,
48-53, 55-66, 6971, 7442 and 84.
This species was abundant (2441 specimens, 8-49 mm. in
length) throughout the drainage in all habitats. G. affinis
seemed particularly tolerant of adverse conditions and was found,
occasionally in the absence of other species, in some heavily
polluted waters.
ATHERINIDAE
23. Labidesthes Cope
46. Labidesthes sicculus (Cope). Brook silversides.
Jenkins (1949), Schelske (1957), NWHT3. Stations 5, 12-15, 18-20,
23, 25, 26, 28, 32, 33, 35, 36, 38, 451 4953, 56, 67, 68, 71,
73, 74, 79, 80 And 85.
Individuals, numbering 231 and ranging from 8 to 76 mm. in
length, were collected.
SERRANIDAE
24. Roccus Nit chill
47. Roccus Chrysops (Rafinesque). White bass.
Stations 51 and 67.
Three specimens were taken during the survey, two from
Hulah Reservoir and one from Bird Creek. These were from 54
to 88 mm. in length.
43
This species, although found in both streams and lakes,
becomes much more abundant in lakes. It will probably be able
to establish itself in any future impoundment of the Verdigris
system.
25. Morone Nitchill
48. Morone interrupta Gill. Yellow bass.
H2.
The yellow bass has been reported only at two locations in
Oklahoma. One of these localities is a small oxbow lake (Vann's
Lake) near the Verdigris. It is not known how the fish reached
this lake, but it is doubtful if it occurs in the drainage at
this time. Vann's Lake was completely dry during the summer of
1954 and 1955.
According to Dr. C. D. Riggs (personal communication) the
yellow bass occurs also in oxbows of the Red River in McCurtain
County.
CENTRARCHEDAE
26. Micropterus Lacepede
49. Micronterus punctulatus (Rafinesque). Spotted bass.
Thompson and Hutson (1951), Jenkins (1955), Schelske (1957).
Stations 13-15, 26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 50, 52, 71 and 80.
Although not abundant in the drainage, the spotted bass
was well distributed throughout the clearer waters. Most of
the 51 individuals (23 to 192 mm.) taken during the survey
were young-of-the-year.
50. Micropterus salmoides (Lacepede). Largemouth bass.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b) as Anlites salmoides, Jenkins
(1949), Hall (1951), Thompson and Hutson (1951) as bass,
Jenkins (1955), MM, NWHT1, FB. Stations 5-7, 9, 12-16, 18-20,
22, 23, 26, 28-30, 32, 33) 35, 37...'39, 41) 44,
-46, 48.-.50 ) 53)
56, 61, 63, 64, 67, 71, 730 79, 80, 85 and 86.
This game species was abundant throughout the drainage
(305 collected, 18-171 mm. in length). Because of the somewhat selective sampling techniques no large bass were taken,
but young-of-the-year were common at most of the statIons.
Jenkins (1957), on the basis of this survey, estimated there
were 30 bass per acre.
27. Chaenobryttus Gill
51. Chaenobryttus coronarius (Bartram). Warmouth.
Jenkins (1955). Stations 12-15, 20, 22, 27, 28, 37, 41, 4446,
48, 52, 56, 59, 62, 65, 71-73, 80, 84 and 86.
One hundred three individuals were collected ranging from
19 to 145 mm. in length.
Although Bailey (1956) reverted to the name Chaenobryttus
gulosus (Cuvier), he stated that "final action is still pending".
C. coronarius (Bertram) is retained here rather than to anticipate this possible change.
28. Lepomis Rafinesque
52. LeDomis uanellus Rafinesque. Green sunfish.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b) as Apomotus cyanellus, Jenkins
(1949), Hall (1951), Thompson and Hutson (1951), Jenkins (1955),
45
Schelske (1957), NM, FC1, MWHT3. Stations 1, 2, 4, 6-10, 12-24,
26-42, 44-53, 55-57, 59, 61-65, 67-72, 74, 75 and 77-86.
Taken at 73 stations, this fish can certainly be expected to
frequent all the waters of the drainage. In all, 1905 individuals, ranging from 56 to 122 mm. in length, were collected during
the three-month survey.
53. 4DOMiS, microlonhus (GUnther).
Redear sunfish.
Jenkins (1949), Thompson and Hutson (1951), Jenkins (1955).
Stations 72 and 80.
The redear has been introduced into the drainage by the
Oklahoma Game and Fish Department in their extensive stocking
program. Five specimens (56 to 122 mm. in length) were taken
during 1956. Four fish were from a small pond near Nowata;
one specimen, taken by means of rotenone, was from Snow Creek.
54. Lepomis meaalotis (Rafinesque). Longear sunfish.
Jenkins (1949), Hall (1951), Thompson and Hutson (1951),
Jenkins (1955), Schellske (1957), MWHT3, FC1. Stations 3-5,
7-10, 12-15, 19, 20, 22-24, 26, 28, 31, 33, 35-38, 41, 42, 44,
45, 48-53, 56, 58-61, 63-67, 71, 73-75, 78-81, and 83-87.
This sunfish was also abundant (617 collected, 20 to 118
mm. in length) in the drainage. Taken from a variety of habitats
it was more numerous in the clearer waters.
55. PODOMie humllis (Girard).
Orangespotted sunfish.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b) as Allotis humilis, Thompson and
Hutson (1951), Schelske (1957), FB, FC1. Stations 1, 3-8, 10,
12-16, 18-200 23, 24, 26-29, 31-33, 35-38, 41, 42, 44, 45,
48-53, 56, 58-61, 63-67, 71, 73-75, 78-81, 83-87.
46
This fish occurred in all locations in large numbers
(2158 collected, from 16 to 77 mm. in length). It seemed to
thrive in the somewhat turbid waters of the drainage. An
impressive number of the fish collected possessed a noteworthy
anomaly. The lateral-line system, especially on the head,
often lacked a covering. Some fish had only a small part of
the lateral-line system uncovered, whereas in others it was
almost wholly open. Mr. Milton R. Curd of the Oklahoma State
University Zoology Department plans to study this anomaly further in an effort to determine its extent and cause.
56. Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque. Bluegill.
Jenkins (1949), Hall (1951), Thompson and Hutson (1951),
Jenkins (1955), Schelske (1957), NWHT1, FB. Stations 5-7,
12-15, 19, 20, 22, 25-28, 32, 33) 35-37) 38) 41, 42, 44) 48,
50-53 ) 55 ) 56) 61-65, 67-69, 71, 72-75, 79, 80 and 83-86.
The bluegill was collected throughout the river system.
It was not as abundant as the other sunfishes; 335 fish, 17
to 131 mm. in length were taken.
29. Pomoxis Rafinesque
57. Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque. White crappie.
Hubbs and Ortenburger (1929b), Jenkins (1949), Hall (1951),
Thompson and Hutson (1951), Jenkins (1955), Schelske (1957),
FC1. Stations 7, 12-15, 18-20, 23, 25...33 ) 3739, 42) 44-46 )
48) 50) 52-54) 56) 59, 62, 65, 67, 68, 72, 73, 79, 80, and 86.
There were 553 white crappie ranging from 16 to 156 mm.
in length in the collections.
47
58. Pomoxis nigromaculatus LeSueur. Black crappie.
Hall (1949), Thompson and Hutson (1951), Jenkins (1955).
Stations 18, 20, 26-28, 31, 38, 49, 52, 71 and 79.
Black crappie are represented by 22 specimens (25 to 113
mm. in length) from the Verdigris Drainage.
PERCIDAE
30. Perca Linnaeus
59. Perca flavescens (Mitchill). Yellow perch.
Thompson and Hutson (1951), Jenkins (1955).
The yellow perch was first introduced into Lake Pawhuska
sometime before 1939 (Thompson and Hutson 1951). During
their ten-year creel census (1939-1948) of the lake, 190 individuals were taken.
Jenkins (1955) captured 38 during the summer of 1954.
31. Percina Haldeman
60. Percina maculate (Girard). Blackside darter.
Station 15.
One specimen, 38 mm. in length, was collected.
61. Percina phoxocenhala (Nelson). Slenderhead darter.
Schelske (1957), E as Hadropterus phoxocephalus. Stations 15,
20, 23, 28, 38, 50, 52, 53, 58, 60, 67, 71, 75, 80 and 81.
This darter was found most frequently in deep swift water
of the river channel below riffles and on sandy bottom. One
notable exception to the above statement was its presence in
the rocky, wave washed, east shore of Hulah Reservoir at station
67. It was collected in relatively large numbers (732 individuals, 20 to 40 mm. in length).
48
62. Percina copelandi (Jordan). Channel darter.
Schelske (1957), E as Hadropterus copelandi. Stations 13-15,
52 and 80.
The channel darter was represented by 15 specimens ranging from 30 to 40 mm. in length.
63. Percina caprodes (Rafinesque). Logperch.
Jenkins
(1949),
Schelske (1957). Stations 13-15, 19, 20, 26,
29, 35-38, 48, 50-52, 67, 71, 73, 74, and 80.
There were 273 individuals collected ranging from 19 to
94 mm. in length.
32. Etheostoma Rafinesque
64. Etheostoma chlorosomum (Hay). Bluntnose darter.
Station 44.
The four individuals collected (26 to 39 mm. in length)
were taken from a turbid tributary by means of rotenone.
65. Etheostoma whipplei (Girard). Redfin darter.
BM, J, MWHT3 as Poecilichthys whipplii. Stations 13-15, 20,
28, 35, 56, 71, 80 and 81.
The 90 individuals collected ranged from 19 to 59 mm.
in length.
66. Etheostoma spectabile (Agassiz). Orangethroat darter.
Schelske (1957), MWHT31 NWHT2 as Poecilichthys spectabile, and
E. Stations 7, 13-15, 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 28, 32, 35-38, 42,
48, 50, 52, 53, 55, 61, 71, 74, 80,81 and 86.
This was the most abundant darter of the drainage (1637
collected, 13 to 43 ram. in length), occuring at almost all
stations.
49
67. Etheostoma gracile (Girard). Slough darter.
Stations 39, 41, 45, 49, 62-65
and 68.
There were 33 individuals, ranging from 22 to 41 mm. in
length, in the collections.
SCIAENIDAE
33. Aplodinotus Rafinesque
68. Aplodinotus grunniens Rafinesque. Freshwater drum.
Jenkins (1949)- Stations 22, 38, 52, 54, 67, 71 and 81.
Thirty-one freshwater drum (40-112 mm. in length) were
preserved and studied from the Verdigris drainage. Because of
the selective sampling methods employed, this figure does not
represent an accurate estimate of relative abundance. At two
stations, 67 and 71, a large number of this species was
poisoned.
HYBRID COMBINATIONS
1.
Lepomis cyanellus
Leoomis megalotis.
Station 14, 44 and 83.
Five fish collected, were intermediate in character between L. cyanellus and L. megalotis in the depth of the body,
the length of the pectoral fins, the length of the maxillary
bone and the number of scales along the lateral line. This
combination Was recognized by HUbbs and Ortenburger (1929b) and
has since been found to be a fairly common hybrid.
2.
Leoomis cyanellus X Leoomis humilis.
Stations 13 and 15.
Hubbs and Ortenburger(1929b) recognized this hybrid in
their survey of Oklahoma fishes. The two fish collected during
this survey were largerthan L. humilis, but had the characteristic large sensory cavities in the head. They resaiabled L.
cyanellus in the stiffness and shape of the opercle, the shape
of the fins and the shape of the head.
3.
Lepomis megalotis XIeoomis macrochirus.
Stations 44 and 83.
This hybrid combination was also recognized by Hubbs and
Ortenburger (1929b). Three fish collected, were intermediate
50
51
between L. megalotis and L. macrochirus on the basis of the
length of the pectoral fins and opercular flap and in the size
of the mouth.
4.
Etheostoma spectabile
X
Etheostoma whipplei.
Linder (1955), E, PIMBT3 as Poecilichtys spectabile
P. whipplei.
Station 14.
Two fish collected during the survey, closely resembled the
hybrid between E. spectabile and E. whipplei as described by
Linder (1955) and were considered hybrids on this basis.
DISCUSSION
The Verdigris River system offers a wide variety of habitats along
the main channel and its many miles of tributaries. The habitats range
from clear streams, more typical of the eastern drainage, to the muddy
sluggish tributaries found more often on the west. The river itself
changes from a large swift stream, in the spring months to a suscession
of small disconnected pools in late summer. During the spring period
of high flow the turbidity is very high.
During the period of low flow,
in the summer, the stream takes on a green hue because of the algae
present.
Immediately south of the Kansas-Oklahoma state line, the stream is
highly polluted with industrial and municipal wastes. Farther downstream these effects dissipate and the stream is reasonably clear.
Darters were collected in this section between the northern area of
pollution and the point of entry of Bird Creek which, like the Caney
River, seemed to bear a large amount of organic wastes. Few darters
were collected below their entrance into the stream proper.
Despite these somewhat adverse conditions, the drainage abounds
with fishes. Although the fauna is much poorer in number of species
than in the clearer eastern Oklahoma streams, great numbers of sunfish,
suckers, minnows and catfish were present. In all,
39,649
fishes were
sorted and identified during the study. Many additional fishes were
discarded after length, weight, and scales were taken.
52
53
The species numbers and composition follows the trend revealed in
other river surveys made in the state. The clearer streams that lie
east of the Verdigris, such as the Neosho, Poteau (Cross and Moore
1952), Illinois (Moore and Paden 1950), and Little (Reeves 1953) Rivers
in Oklahoma, have all yielded a greater variety of species. The more
turbid streams to the west, such as the Chikaskia River (Moore and Buck
1953), have yielded fewer species. This trend was further Shown in the
drainage of the Verdigris. The eastern tributaries were more productive,
species wise, than the western. This could possibly be influenced by the
fact that, in general, more waste products are allowed to enter the
western drainage.
During this study, 68 species, belonging to 32 genera and 14
families, were found to occur in the drainage. However, it is possible
that additional species may occur in the drainage. "Natives" of the
area stated that the sauger, Stizostedion canadense (Smith) and the
Paddlefish, Polyodon spathula (Walbaum), occur at times. Some fishes,
once collected in the drainage, may now be absent. Yellow bass, Morons
interrupts, black redhorse, Moxostoma duauesnei, and the Kiamichi shiner,
Notropis ortenberaeri have not been collected from the drainage for
some time. The higher industrialization of the area may have eliminated some of the habitats or created intolerable conditions for these
fishes.
Schelske (1957) studied the fishes of the Verdigris and Fall Rivers
In two counties of southern Kansas. His study revealed 42 species in
the river at four stations during 12 months. Thirty-eight of these
species were collected during the Oklahoma survey. The species which
54
occur both in Kansas and Oklahoma are noted in the annotated list.
Five species occur in the Kansas segment of the river, but not in the
Oklahoma portion. These species are: Moxostoma aureolum pisolabrum
Trautman and Martin,
MOXOSTOMA
carinatum (Cope), Notropie camurus
(Jordan and Meek), Schilbeodes exilis (Nelson), and Etheostoma zonale
arcansanum Jordan and Gilbert. These species may occur also in the
Oklahoma drainage.
Three additional species have been collected in the Kansas drain.age of the Verdigris River system by other collectors. These also,
possibly work their way into Oklahoma at one time or another.
Schoonover and Thompson (1954) reported the walleye, Stizostedion
YITREUTN
vitreum (MITCHILL), from Fall River Reservoir during a post-
impoundment survey. Breukelman (1940) reported Carviodes velifer
(Rafinesque) and Notropis cornutus frontalis (Agassiz) from the Verdigris
Drainage. The latter specimens are in the University of Kansas Museum
of Natural History.
Because of the impoundment-to be located on the river near Oologah,
another survey to be made after impoundment to determine the change in
species composition of the river is suggested. If stabilised flow can
be established below the dam, one could expect considerable change in
the fish fauna below the reservoir.
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Anonymous. 1936. Arkansas River and Tributaries. House Boo. 308, 1st
session, (74th Cong.) 3:1343-1450.
Anonymous. 1953. Gar Fish Grow Big. Okla. Game and Fish News. 9(4):11.
Anonymous. 1955. Arkansas-White-Red River Basins. A report on the
conservation and development of the water and land resources.
Prepared by Federal and State Agencies under authorization of Section 205 of the Flood Control Act of 1950. Part 1:viii-F 252 pp.
Bailey, Reeve M. 1951. A Check-list of the fishes of Iowa, with Keys
for identification. In: Iowa Fish and Fishing, by James R. Harlan
and Evertt B. Speaker. State of Iowa. 186-257.
Bailey, Reeve M. 1956. A Revised list of the fishes of Iowa, with keys
for identification. In: Iowa Fish and Fishing, by James R. Harlan
and Evertt B. Speaker. State of Iowa. 327-377.
Blair, W. Frank et al. 1956. Vertebrates of-I-the United States. New
York: McGraw-Hill Book Company Inc. viii
819 PP.
Breukelman, John. 1940. A Collection of Kansas fishes in the State
University Museum. Trans. Kansas Acad. Sci. 43:377-384.
Cross, Frank Bernard and George A. Moore. 1952. The fishes of the
Poteau River, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Amer. Midl. Nat. 47(2):
296-412.
Elkin, Ronald E. 1956. The fish population of two cut-off pools in
Salt Creek, Osage County, Oklahoma. Proc. Okla. Acad. Sol. 35
(1954): 25-29.
gall, G. A. 1951. A preliminary list of the fishes of eleven Oklahoma
lakes. Proc. Okla. Acad. Sci. 30(1949):36-40.
Hubbs, C. L. and A. I. Ortenburger. 1929a. Further notes on the fishes
of Oklahoma with descriptions of new species of CyPrinidae. Pub.
Univ. Okla. Biol. Surv. 1(2):17-46.
•
Hubbs, C. L. and A. I. Ortenburger. 1929b. Fishes collected in
Oklahoma and Arkansas in 1927. Pub, Univ. Okla. Biol. Surv. 1(3):
47-112.
56
Hubbs, Carl L. and John D. Black. 1947. Revision of Ceraticthys, a
genus of American cyprinid fishes. Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool., Univ.
Mich. 66:50 pp.
Hubbs, Carl L. and Karl F. Lagler. 1947. Fishes of the Great Lakes
Region. Bull. Cranbrook Inst. Sc!. 26:186 pp.
Jenkins Robert M. 1951. A fish population study of Claremore City
Lake
. Proc. Okla. Acad. Sc!. 20(1949):84-93.
Jenkins, Robert M. 1955. A summaiy of fish population studies conducted during 1954 at Ardmore City Lake, Stringtown Sub-prison
Lake, Fairfax City Lake, and Pawhuska City Lake. Okla. Fish,
Res. Lab. Rep. 48:31 pp. mimeo.
Jenkins, Robert M. 1957. The fishery resources of the Verdigris
River in Oklahoma. Okla. Fish. Res. Lab. Rep. 59:46 pp. mimeo.
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