The Inland Fishes of Mississippi

by Ross, Stephen T.

• ISBN13: 9781578062461
• ISBN10: 1578062462
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-04-01
• Publisher: Univ Pr of Mississippi

Summary

The deluxe, comprehensive guide to the native species of MississippiDownload Plain Text versionWhere was the largest bass caught in Mississippi? What streams are sometimes home to the gulf sturgeon? How can an angler tell a grass pickerel from a walleye?InInland Fishes of Mississippi, Stephen T. Ross answers these questions and many more.Mississippi waters are some of the richest inland fish habitats in the United States. In fact, only four states have more native fish than Mississippi's 204. Inland Fishes of Mississippi is for anglers and nature lovers who want to learn more about this thriving diversity.Introductory chapters present the history of the study of fish in Mississippi, the distribution patterns of species, important conservation issues, and valuable information on identifying fish by examining body shape and structure.Following these are illustrated keys to all the families of fish known to inhabit inland waters. Each key is a detailed guide to identifying the specific species within a family of fish. Keys include: color photographs of freshly collected examples meanings of scientific names for fish descriptions of color and physical changes maximum sizes of fish, including records for game fish precise maps of distribution vital information on habitat requirements, feeding, and behavior tips on where to catch a species status of conservation effortsFor both the casual angler and the ichthyologist,Inland Fishes of Mississippiwill prove a constant resource and an irreplaceable asset for identifying, observing, and catching the state's various species.Stephen T. Ross is professor of biological sciences and Curator of Fishes at the University of Southern Mississippi. The editor for ecology and ethology ofCopeia, he has also published articles in numerous journals such asAmerican Naturalist,Environmental Biology of Fishes, andTransactions of the American Fisheries Society.

Author Biography

Stephen T. Ross is professor of biological sciences and Curator of Fishes at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Table of Contents

List of Tables	viii
List of Figures	ix
List of Plates	xii
List of Abbreviations	xvi
Preface	xvii
Acknowledgments	xviii
Introduction	1	(4)
Ichthyology in Mississippi	5	(8)
Distribution	13	(14)
Conservation	27	(6)
Fish Identification	33	(26)
Identifying Fishes	33	(1)
Sample Dichotomous Key	33	(1)
Morphology	34	(2)
Basic Counts and Measurements	36	(2)
Key to Families of Fishes Known to Occur in the Inland Waters of Mississippi	38	(21)
Species Accounts	59	(472)
Petromyzontidae: Lampreys	61	(9)
Acipenseridae: Sturgeons	70	(10)
Polyodontidae: Paddlefishes	80	(4)
Lepisosteidae: Gars	84	(8)
Amiidae: Bowfins	92	(3)
Hiodontidae: Mooneyes	95	(4)
Anguillidae: Freshwater Eels	99	(3)
Clupeidae: Herrings and Shads	102	(11)
Engraulidae: Anchovies	113	(1)
Cyprinidae: Minnows and Carps	113	(140)
Catostomidae: Suckers	253	(39)
Characidae: Characins	292	(4)
Ictaluridae: Bullhead Catfishes	296	(38)
Esocidae: Pikes and Pickerels	334	(4)
Salmonidae: Trouts	338	(3)
Osmeridae: Smelts	341	(2)
Aphredoderidae: Pirate Perches	343	(1)
Mugilidae: Mullets	344	(3)
Belonidae: Needlefishes	347	(2)
Fundulidae: Topminnows	349	(23)
Cyprinodontidae: Pupfishes	372	(2)
Poeciliidae: Poeciliids	374	(8)
Atherinidae: Silversides	382	(4)
Syngnathidae: Pipefishes	386	(4)
Cottidae: Sculpins	390	(2)
Moronidae: Temperate Basses	392	(7)
Centrarchidae: Sunfishes	399	(41)
Elassomatidae: Pygmy Sunfishes	440	(2)
Percidae: Perches and Darters	442	(81)
Sciaenidae: Drums	523	(2)
Paralichthyidae: Lefteye Flounders	525	(3)
Achiridae: American Soles	528	(3)
Glossary	531	(8)
Literature Cited	539	(72)
Systemics Index	611	(6)
General Index	617