LIBR/
.L:,rAKlAl
HTSH A
G\LIFDRNIA
FISH- GAME
"CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE THROUGH EDUCATION'
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Department of Fish and Game
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u
VOLUME 40
OCTOBER, 1954
NUMBER 4
Published Quarterly by fhe
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
SACRAMENTO
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
GOODWIN J. KNIGHT
Governor
FISH AND GAME COMMISSION
WILLIAM J. SILVA, President
Modesto
LEE F. PAYNE, Commissioner CARL F. WENTE, Commissioner
Los Angeles San Francisco
HARLEY E. KNOX, Commissioner WELDON L. OXLEY, Commissioner
San Diego Redding
SETH GORDON
Director of Fish and Game
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Editorial Staff
LEO SHAPOVALOV, Editor-in-Chief Sacramento
JOHN E. FITCH, Editor for Marine Fisheries Terminal island
CAROL M. FERREL, Editor for Game Sacramento
J. B. KIMSEY, Editor for Inland Fisheries ^ Sacramento
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Tlic I'sc of a lllaiikct Xi't in Sampling' I''isli 1 'opiilat ions
• litlix I\Al)(i\ K II and Iv\Kl. I). (Illilis ."{.'):')
A I'oilahic I )cci- 'I'rap and ( 'atcli-Xct Mi:i,\l\ l(. ('i.o\i;k -Un
He'i't'Ul Extension oi' tlu' i\an;4i' nl' Muskrats in (.'alii'uniia
George D. Seymour ■'>!'>
'■p
riic Sage (irousc in Calit'uinia, With S[»rriai Rtdfrcnc*' t(^ Fcjod
Habits Howard R. Leach and Arthik L. Hexsley 385
r\^
The Life History of the Tui Chul), SipJiateles hicolor (Girard),
From Ea<ih' Lake, California J. B. Kimsey 395
A Comparison of Japanese and Hawaiian Specimens of the Black
Skipjack, Euthynnus yaito H. C. Godsil 411
r\^
rhe Effect of Aurofac-Enriclied Diet (Aureomycin and Bjo) Upon
mng King Salmon Earl S. Herald,
Robert P. Dempster, and Howard McCully 415
Jfge and Length Composition of the Sardine Catch Off the Pacific
Coast of the United States and Mexico in 1953-54
Frances E. Felix, Joiix MacGregor. Axita E. Daugherty,
and Daniel J. Miller 423
Notes
A Record-Size Thresher From Southern California
David C. Joseph 433
Ocean Recoveries of SaeranKMito River Tagged Steelhead
Eltox D. Bailey 436
Delayed Decomposition of a Trout Carcass E. R. Germax 436
A Blue Crayfish From California Cadet Haxd 437
Reviews 439
Index to Volume 40 443
( nr.i )
2—1859
THE USE OF A BLANKET NET IN SAMPLING
FISH POPULATIONS'
JOHN RADOVICH and EARL D. GIBBS
AAciriiu? Fisfierios Branch
California Dupartnicnl of Fisfi and Gome
INTRODUCTION
Purpose
For a loiiu' time, tlici'c lias hccii a ii I lor a (jiiick y(>t safe and
officieut luctliod of saiiipliiii; pcla'jic iiiarinc lish populations. Since
1950 the Marine Fisheries lirandi of the California Depai'tment of
Fish and (Jame lias employed small explosive charges to stun fish,
which Avere snbsequently dip iictlcd, while floating at the surface.
This method, although meeting with some success, was dangerous, and
in October, Ido'A, an accident occurred that precipitated experimenta-
tion to discover an alternate method of sampling fish populations. After
approximately seven months it is believed that a sampling method
which is not only safer, l)ut also (juicUcr and more efficient, has evolved.
It also shows considerable promise of heconung a valuable aid in the
capture of live bait, as well as of other commercial species.
A Brief Historical Review
The principle of lift nets and blanket nets is simple and undoubtedly
such nets have been employed in i)rimitive fisheries for centuries.
Although they have been re])laced with more efficient gear in many
industrial regions, today this |)riiiciple is still used in many areas of
the Pacific Ocean. There are a gi-eat many variations in this type of
device and, since similar gear has had such Avide usage, it is difficult
to credit any one country with its origin.
Because of the simplicity of priiu-iple, relatively low cost, and ease
of oi)eration, various techniques have been devised by fishermen un-
aware that their method may have been tried before, or was being
used in some remote area.
Off Southern California many ideas and devices have been re-
originated. The fishery for Pacific mackerel sponsored many such
methods. Hoop lift nets, blanket nets, and other similar types of gear
were tried. Some were used to capture fish attracted to chum, others
were used in conjunction with a night light, and some incorporated
both methods of attracting fish.
The Japanese have been quite successful willi a net of this type in
catching sauries and other fish for bait as well as for food. The Jap-
anese bait net is rectangular, alxuit '-Vl feet long and '21 feet wide.
Submitted for pul>lication Juno, 10r> I.
( n.-.:'. )
35-4 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
The net is set to hang vertically (cnrtaiii-like) from a long bamboo
float -which is kept about 20 feet from the vessel by two bamboo poles.
A night light is then set out to attract fish, which are subsequently
captured by lifting the bottom of the blanket net to the vessel. Although
this net is efficient in catching sauries and certain other small fishes,
some species seem to avoid this curtain of webbing.
In the Philippines, a blanket net, which differs from the Japanese
net in that it is suspended from a pole rigidly secured between two
pilings, is used in shallow water. This net is also pulled by lifting the
bottom edge.
The Division of Fish and Game, Territory of Hawaii, has been ex-
perimenting with the Japanese lift net, with one major modification.
Instead of suspending the net from a float, the net is set from the side
of the vessel and the bottom edge is lifted by two lines, one at each
lower corner, leading through blocks at the ends of two rigid out-
riggers. The advantage of this method lies in the fact that there is no
curtain of webbing in the water while the fish are being attracted to
the light. This net has been further modified, recently, by enlarging
it to 43 by 48 feet (from 32 by 27 feet) and using minnow webbing
extensively. It is used primarily in catching bait, and has been some-
what successful with fish of about 2i inches in length.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BLANKET NET FOR
SAMPLING FISH POPULATIONS
The California Department of Fish and Game has been working
with various devices to sample fish populations since 1949. After ex-
perimental attempts to sample sardines with such types of gear as
beach seines, gill nets, a mid-depth trawl, and dynamite, two standard
routines were inaugurated in 1950. One consisted of scouting for and
locating schools of fish at night, either through the biolumenescence
they created, or by the use of echo-souncling equipment. Upon location
of a school, sampling was accomplished b3^ detonating a light explosive
charge under water and j)icking up the stunned fish with dip nets.
The other routine emploj^ed a 750-watt light suspended above the
surface of the water at regular intervals while the vessel drifted at
night. After a given length of time, any fish that had been attracted
to the light were sampled with an explosive charge.
These methods were dangerous to the person handling the explosives,
3'ielded relativelj^ small samples of fish, and were extremely time con-
suming (often more than 45 minutes were required to maneuver the
vessel to pick up a few fish). Occasionally many more fish were killed
than were needed.
After the occurrence of an unfortunate accident, the result of han-
dling explosives, emphasis was again placed on development of a safer
sampling method.
A trap lift net was constructed to the specifications described by
Siebenaler (1953) for one which had been used with some success in
the Gulf of Mexico during 1952 by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
vessel Oregon. This net was essentially a rigid, box-like pipe frame,
8i feet on a side, with a light frame that slid up and down between
a fixed bottom and top. The entire device was submerged with the top
just clear of the surface of the water, and a night light was suspended
BL.WKI-.'I' N'KT SA.\II'I.I\(J 35")
;il)<)\(' the siii-t';i('c of llic wjilcr. Al'tcf llsli \\;\(\ hccii ;itti-;ictc(| the tr;i|)
was spniiiu- hy piilliii'j up \\\r slidiii'j- ri-;iiiic, wliicli ill turn piillnl ;i
Wrill of AvchliiiiL; aloiiu; tlic i'i;^i(l rraiiic, lliiis ciil i-appiii<r llic (isli.
JJef'oi'c coiuplct ion of the initial cniisc to test this '^cnv, it )\H(\ be-
come appai'ciit tlial its nsc in a idiiliiic sainpliiiL;' sur'vcy was liiiiitccl.
The ji'oar, licavy and cniiilx'i-sonic. was soiiicwiial danijci'ons, ('X(:c\>\ in
shellcrcd walci's. Im-cii a sli^^lil roll ol' the vessel eansed enonji'li dis-
turbanee to IVi^bten tbe fish away. Andiovies and smelt wei'(! sampled
inside tlie shelter of the San Pedro Bi-eakwater, but in the open ocean,
outside the breakwater, the motion ol' the franic krpt the fish away
and, tlioULih they could be seen iiiilliiiL:- in a lariic circle aroniid the net,
none could be captured.
Captain Paul D. Petricli, Master of the Department's survey vessel
Yellowfin, conceiY<'<l the idea of a blanket net. The idea seemed
promisino- and a net was constructed of" H-iiich stretched mesh web-
bino' from an old gill net.
Under the supervision of Andrew Felando, Netman-Boatswain of the
Yellowfin, the crew further modfiied and rehung the net several
times during the initial and subsecpient cruises.
The blanket net seems to be a more successful means of sampling
than the former method entailing the use of explosives. It is not only
faster and safer, but results in larger individual samples of fish.
Although the ])riuciple of setting the net is essentially the same as
that developed by the Hawaiian Division of Fish and Game, the idea
occurred independently and the Hawaiian experiments were not known
at the time. The M'eighted bag, over-all size, and method of hanging
make this net somewhat different from other types of blanket nets.
CONSTRUCTION OF GEAR
Blanket Net
Constructed of three sections of cotton twine webbing, the over-all
dimensions of the blanket net are 50 by 66 feet. One section is made of
three-inch stretched mesh and the other two of three-quarter-inch
stretched mesh. These latter two sections are bound on their edges by
a selvage of two-inch stretched mesh, six meshes deep, attached to num-
ber 21 manila line which forms the edges of the net.
For convenience in discussing the blanket net, future reference to
the line forming the perimeter of the net will be given in relation to its
position on the net. The line on the 50-foot side next to the vessel will
he called the inboard line, the line on the opposing side the lead line,
and the two lines on the 66-foot sides the fore and aft sidelines. Three
weighted rib lines sewed in the bag of the net, together with the lead
line, facilitate rapid sinking of the net. Further dimensions and sjiecifi-
cations are shown in Figure 1.
'o '
Rigging
The outriggers were constructed ol' eucalyptus |)oU's cut to 55-foot
lengths, Avith diameters at the butt and tip ai)proxinmtely eight and
three inches, respectively. Each outrigger was secured at its base by
a two-inch chain through the butt and sus])ended by a topping lift.
356
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
THIS SIDE SECURED TO VESSEL
50'
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-87 1/2' OF 3" MESH HUNG TO 50' SIDE-
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■87 1-2' OF 3/4" MESH HUNG TO 50' OF SELVAGE ■
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C/-ErE ^"20 LEADS 5 LEADS-^
SELVAGE — 2" COTTON TWINE MESH 6 MESHES DEEP
20 LEADS'' EYE^
ALL LEADS 4 OUNCES EACH
FIGURE 1. Diagram showing construction of the blanket net.
Each topping lift was rigged as follows : a six-inch double block was
fastened to the mast and a two-inch manila line was reeved from the
double block through two six-inch single blocks. Each single block was
connected by a one-quarter-inch wire ])ennant to a one-quarter-inch
wire bridle which was secured to the outrigger. Each outrigger, thus
suspended by a topping lift, could be raised or lowered as desired. Guy
lines, running fore and aft, were secured to the outboard end of each
outrigger, controlling the horizontal position of each pole.
KL.WKirr NKT SAMI'IJNO
OPERATION OF THE BLANKET NET
Tlw iicl is lowered \rrl ic;il ly iiiln the WJitcr iiiilil it has roaclM'd its
iiiaxiiiiiiiii depth ( H'i^iii'e 'J), liirtiii^- lines, attached to the coniei-s of
the load line, are then j)ulled in through blocks at the end of eaeh out-
ritrc'er. As tlic net is drawn tlu-on-ih the water, the weij,dited rih lines
and the resistanee of tlie net to the water cause a ba^' to form ('Fi'jnre
3).
After the lead line is out of the water, the fore and att sidelines are
shortened until they are also above the surface. The net is then com-
]>letely set (Figure 4). The net then nuiy be brought alongside the
vessel by slackening tlie lifting lines while pulling on the fore and aft
sidelines, keeping all edges above the snrlace of the water (Figure 5j.
FIGURE 2. Net in the wafer prior to pulling on the lifting lines.
358
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
FIGURE 3. Lifting the lead line. The bag is forming as the lifting lines are pulled.
I'.i.ANKii'r .\i:'i' SA \ii'i,i\(i
:'.:)')
FIGURE 4. Net completely set. The bag is about fi/e fathoms below surface of the water.
FIGURE 5. Net being brought alongside the vessel. Lifting lines are
slackened, and sidelines ore taken in.
360
CALIFORXIA FISH AXD GAME
FIGURE 6. Ready for broiling. The bag becomes a pocket as the slock webbing is gathered.
.j^
FIGURE 7. The blanket net set from the survey vessel YELLOWFIN.
Photograph by R. Collyer, February, 1954.
I'.I>\.\Ki:i' XK'I' SA.\II'l,I.\(i ofil
As the lU'l is 1ii-()1il;'1iI ;il(iii^siili' llu' \i'sscl. Ihr excess w rMiin;.'- is
<i-atlu'fi'(l, lv('e|)iii^- iiit;i('t ii \)i\'^ li'din which the (ish may ho liriiih-d ' l''i;_'--
iire 6).
'I'lic ciilii'c opcralion, cxclihliii-i' time f'of ln'iiiliiiu', c;iii hr c(.iiii)li'tc<l
vvilliiii 5 to 10 inimilcs witli li\c or six men.
Some factors that should bo considered for the siic(;essriil operation
of the blanket net are summarized as follows:
1. The vessel should be headed so that it cannot dril'l o\ci- the net.
Under most conditions this can be accomplished by stopping' the
vessel with the net on the windward side.
2. To facilitate its sinking the net should be wetted down thoi-on;^hly
prior to its operation.
3. To avoid bunching, and to allow the bag to form nnifonid.w the
net should be paid out evenly.
4. While the net is being brought alongside the vessel, the excess
folds of webbing should be gathered continonsly, thereby keeping
the fish intact in the bag. This is especially important when the
fish are to be retained for live bait.
RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTAL CRUISES
The %-inch, Cotton Twine, Blanket Net
Throughout four experimental cruises (November 7, 1953 — April
14, 1954) two primary factors were considered : the ability of the net
to capture fish and its efficiency of operation under the various con-
ditions of wind and sea.
Recorded observations on the operation of the blanket net to date
indicate it to be a satisfactory means of sampling fish, as well as of
capturing live bait.
The initial trial of the original net was made off Cedros Island, Baja
California, on the afternoon of November 9, 1953, so that its operation
could be observed during daylight liours. The first set yielded 20 black-
smith, 2 halfmoon, and 1 rock wrasse, although the set was made with
no intention of catching fish.
Seven sets were made that night on schools of sardines, mackerel,
and jacksmelt, but because of the large webbing a great percentage of
these fish was either gilled or escaped. The following day the net was
rehung, using smaller three-quarter-inch stretched mesh, and additional
weights were added to aid in sinking the net.
Thirty sets were made with the blanket net on this first cruise
(November 7-17, 1953) and approximately 15,000 fish representing 22
species w^ere taken. Of these, sardines and northern anchovies com-
prised about 55 percent.
In subsequent cruises the net was rehung several times and additional
weights were added, until the present specifications evolved.
A total of 191 sets made with the blanket net during the four cruises
yielded approximately 90,000 fish. These sets were made in seas varying
from calm to moderate and in winds up to 25 miles per hour. Of the
90,000 fish taken, some 50,000 were sardines, which were taken in 99
sets, 20,000 atherinids, and 16,000 northern anchovies. A list of the
species taken is presented by common and scientific name in Table 1.
362
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
TABLE 1
Common and Scientific Names of Species Taken by the Cotton Twine Blanket Net Off the Coast of
Baja California (November 7, 1953, to April 14, 1954)
Common name
Scientific name
Common name
Scientific name
Pacific round herring- _
Etrumeus acuminatus
California barracuda
Sphyraena argentea
Pacific sardine
Sardinops caerulea
Gulf barracuda
Sphyraena sp.
Pacific thread herring. _
Opisthonema libertate
Jack mackerel
Trachurus symmetricus
Northern anchovy
Engraulis mordax
True pompano
Trachinotus paitensis
Slough anchovy
Anchoa delicatissima
California pompano
Palometa simillima
Deepbody anchovy
Anchoa oompressa
Pacific mackerel
Pneumatophorus diego
Pacific saury
Cololabis saira
Hyporhamphus unifas-
ciatum
Strongylura exilis
Cypselurus cali/omicus
Fodiator acutus
Ophichthus zophochir
Atherinopsis californien-
sis
Atherinops affinis
Leuresthes tenuis
California bonito
Sierra
Sarda lineolala
Halfbeak
Scomberomorus sierra
California needlefish
California salema
Queenfish _ _
Xenistius californiensis
Seriphus politus
California flyingfish
Blacksmith
Chromis punctipinnis
Sharpchin flyingfish
E,ock wrasse
Halichoeres semicinctus
Yellow snake-eel
Half moon _
' Medialuna californiensis
Jfif.Wsmelt
Cabezon
Scorpaenichthys marmo-
Topsmelt
Squid
ratus
Loligo opalescens
California grunion
The number of sardines and percentage of sets in which this number
was taken in 99 sets is presented in Table 2. The largest yield of a
single set was approximately 15,000 sardines. On only one occasion
were sauries observed in quantity under the light. At this station, one
set yielded approximately 1,000 sauries, which seemed to be the entire
school. Atherinids were common throughout the area and large numbers
were taken, frequently over 1,000 fish per set.
TABLE 2
Number of Sardines and Percentage of Sets in Which This
Number Was Taken in 99 Trials
Number of sardines
Percentage
1-100 --
55.5
101-500
29.4
.501-1.000 - --- --
5.0
1 001-5 000 - - - - - . -
8.1
Over 5,000 -
2.0
Total
100.0
r.i.wKi;'!' .\i;'i' sa.\ii-i,i.\(j
:{(;:!
^i'able •) coiiipJU'cs the size n\' sjirdiiic s;iiii|ilcs l;ikrti hy d \ii;tiiiitc with
sanil)i('S obtained by I be bijinkct iirl. Tbc dy ii;iiiiiti' d;d;i were taken
from three re^'nbii- siii-\cy crniscs in tbc \';i\\ ol' III.");;, |)rcccdiii<r tlic t'onr
ex))oi"im(Mital cruises. The dynaniile stations i'e|(icsent ;ii)|)i'o.\iinalely
tiio same area, but dilTci- in time ol' yeai'. Allbonj^li lliis eomparison
indicates thai I be blanket net yields lar^'ei' sampb's of sar'dines than
did tbe prcNioiis inetbod, tliis \v;is more di;ini;it ie;dly (b'lnonst r"i1ed in
tlu> bir^c samples of fish that were taken at some stations which, had
dynamite been used, probably would have yielded less than KKJ fish.
Eighty sets were made with tlie blanket net to obtain the 48 samples
shown in Table )! and GT) percent of these samples were taken by siii;j]e
sets. On three occasions sardines were observed nnder the li^'ht, but
were not taken. There was no difficulty in keej)in<i' flu; vessel's bait
tanks supi)lie(l with live bait durin;:i' the cruises. Sardines in excess of
those needed for a sample were kept for live bait and this aided in
the catching of 621 yellowtail (Scriola dorsalis), wliieli were subse-
(piently tagged and released. Tn addition to those fish used for bait
and samples, approximateh' 1,500 live sai'dines were delivered to the
Steinhart >\.(iuariniii in San Francisco for experimental studies.
TABLE 3
A Comparison Between Dynamite and the Blanket Net tor Obtaining Sardine Samples. The Number of
Samples and Percentages Are Shown at Different Sample Sizes Up to 100 Fish Per Sample.
At Some Stations More Than One Set Was Made to Obtain the Sample.
Dynamite
Blanket Net
Number of sardines in sample
Number of
samples
Percentage
Number of
samples
Percentage
1-20
37
4
2
1
6
74.0
8.0
4.0
2.0
12.0
17
4
2
1
24
3.5.4
21-40
41-60
8.3
4.2
61-80, _ __ _
2.1
81-100 .. .
50.0
Totals
50
100.0
48
100.0
Marlon Blanket Net
A new blanket net, essentiallj' the same as the experimental model
but with several minor modifications, was constructed in ]May, in.")4.
The basic changes were the snbstitution of one-half-inch mesh marlon
webbing for the three-quarter-incli mesh cotton webbing, the ratios of
lianging, and the addition and placement of weights.
The dimensions and specifications of the new net are shown in Fig-
ure 8.
The marlon net was used on an t'xperinieiita] cruise, ^fay 24 to .luiu^
11, 1954, off the coast of California by the survey vessel Yef^lowfix.
On this cruise 23 species were taken (Table 4).
The largest number of fish taken from a single set was approximately
100,000 juvenile northern anchovies. One set yielded approximately
50,000 juvenile northern anchovies and 20,000 juvenile Pacific herring.
364
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
THIS SIDE SECURED TO VESSEL
54'
y
94 1/2' OF 3" MESH HUNG TO 54' OF SELVAGE-
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■LEADS SPACED EVERY 6-
13 LEADS-
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SELVAGE 2 1/2 MARLON MESH - M-4-
-3 MESHES DEEP
ALL LEADS — 8 OUNCES EACH
FIGURE 8. Diagram showing construction of the one-half-inch mesh, morion
webbing, blanket net.
Pish as small as 50 mm. in length were taken in the one-half -inch mesh
marlon net without gilling.
At fonr stations between Santa Cruz and Halfmoon Bay a total of
eight juvenile king .salmon was taken, 81 to 130 mm. fork length.
Squid were numerous and catches up to 500 pounds per set were
made. In some locations it was apparent that sets could have yielded
continnonsly between 300 and 500 pounds.
In general, the marlon net proved successful, especially for smaller
sizes of fish.
l!l,.\.\Ki;'r M/l' SA.MI'MXfJ
365
TABLE 4
Common and Scientific Names of Species Taken by the Marlon Blanl<et Net Off tfie
Coast of California (l^ay 24 to June 11, 1954)
( '(MlllllOll IKI lite
Si'ii'iitilir iiaiinr
Common name*
Scientific nairie
Toritnlf} '■aliforn ir.d
Sanliiioiis cucniliit
Queenfiftli
Seriphus polilus
l':icilic saiiiinc
Walleye surfpi'icli
//i/pi;rprosopon argenleum
I'acilic hcrriiin
Noit lirni Miicliovy _
Cluiicii imlld.'ii
EiiOi'iiulis iiiiirildx
Shiner perch
Cyviatofjtister riffgref/ala
Bocaccio__
Sebastodes paucispinis
Ninlit siiH'lt
Spin' II '-h us rstarbai
Yellovvtail rocUfish
Seboitodes flavidua
Surf smell _
Ifi/ix'ntesus pretiosus
Sablefish
Anoplopoma fimbria
Kills; salmon
On ciirhi/n cli us t.iliii nytscha
GroonlinK seatrout
Hexagrammos decagram-
mus
Pipefish _- .
Syngnathus sp.
Lingcod
Ophiodon elongatua
JacUsmolt
.4 til erin opsis calif «rn ie n sis
Cabezon
Scorpaenichthys marmo-
Topsmelt
Atherinops affinis
ratus
California Ki'imii 111
Lt'uresthes tenuis
Blenny-eel
Ulvicola sanctaerosae
Jack niackorol
Trnc.hiirus symmetricus
SQuid _ _-
Loligo opalescens
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
It is ironic indeed that a better sampling technique shoidd be de-
veloped as a result of an accident which occurred while using the old
technique. If a name be given to this net, it seems only proper to call
it the Bevington Net, after Mv. C. L. Bevington, marine biologist of
the California Department of Fish and Game who was critically in-
jured in October, 1953, while working with explosives in sampling fish
populations.
REFERENCES
I\ask, John L.
1947. Japanese fishing gear. U. S. Fish and WiUll. Scrv., Fish. J.cadot 234, 107 i).
C Reproduction of Rept. no. 71, Supreme Commander Allied Powers, Gen.
Ildqts., Nat. Resources Sect.)
Siebenalor, J. B.
1953. Trap lift net for catching tuna bait lislics. U. S. Fish and Wildl. Serv.,
Comm. Fish. Rev., vol. 15, no. S, p. 14-17.
Umali, Agustin F.
1950. Guide to the classification of fishing gear in tlic Pliilippinos. U. S. Fish and
Wildl. Serv., Res. Rept. no. 17, 165 p.
A PORTABLE DEER TRAP AND CATCH-NET'
MELVIN R. CLOVER
Game Management Branch
California Department of Fish and Game
INTRODUCTION
Ti';ippiiii:>- cleer for the purpose of 1;iu<iino- and takiiif;- measurements
is a usel'ul research technique in the study of proper maiiagenient
procedures. Formerl}^ bulky wooden box or corral-type traps were
used in California. These traps had the disadvantages of requiring
numerous ])ersonnel for operation and were difficult to move on winter
ranges \viu>re there is an ever changing deer concentration i)attern.
Further, a problem of deer suffering injuries while confined in wooden
traps was encountered. Because of these difficulties, trapping opera-
tions were limited. With the objective of overcoming these difficulties,
a trap has been designed and used successfully for two trapping sea-
sons. At the time of writing, 115 deer have been handled successfully
with the Clover deer trap, with the loss of only one deer due to injuries.
Prior to actual operations, an experimental trap w^as tested near
Sequoia National Park. Some of the deer trapped were camp ground
habitues and readily captured. The reactions of the deer being trapped
were watched. Some resultant escapes furnished the clues needed to
perfect the trap. It was of interest to note that there was no noticeable
difference between tame deer and Avild deer in their trap-fighting re-
actions when frightened by people or passing animals.
The first trap was constructed of 1^-inch water pipe. Weighing 185
pounds, it hardly met the portability requirement. However, it was
found that i^-inch black pipe had sufficient strength, and the complete
trap weighed 80 pounds. The trap can be constructed of high tensile
strength aluminum tubing to weigh about 35 pounds, but the cost is
doubled.
CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
The Clover deer trap, Figures 1 and 2, is basically a joipe frame-
work box covered with tuna netting, or manila trawl netting witli a
4 0 -inch mesh. To the trade the latter is known as Intermediate Bag-
Trawl Webbing 4^-incli mesh. To meet the requirements for each trap
the following pieces of netting are required : two pieces 17 by 9 meshes,
one piece 17 by 8 meshes, and two pieces 9 by 8 meshes. These are
laced to the pipe framework with ^-iii^'li manila line. Otlu'r materials
required and construction details are shown in Figure 1.
1 Submitted for publication Febrviary, 1954. Financed in part by Federal Aid in Wild-
life Restoration Project California W-41R, "Big Game Studies," and in part by the
Fresno County Sportsmen. Grateful acknowledgment is extended to all personnel of
the U. S. National Park Service and of tlie Department of Fish and Game wlio
aided and encouraged this work.
(367)
3 — 18. 5 9
368
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
J6J
14)
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3/l6"galv.WIRE
LONG WITH EYE
8"
IN ONE END
NUMBER OF ITEMS
REQUIRED PER TRAP
Ik yy^ t t.^ K
/ >V
r
a
^
3/8" HOLES
:^ RING
^/
^
©TO SLIDE FREELY WHEN
ITEM SIX IS IN PLACE
i
.WELD
3/4" ROD
4" LONG
C.E.C.
No.
MATERIAL
I
2
3/4" BLACK PIPE
3/4" BLACK PIPE
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
To"
1/2 BLACK PIPE
1/2 ELBOW
3/4 ROLLED STEEL
1/2" BLACK PIPE
3/4" BLACK PIPE
3/8" BOLT
1/4 ROPE
Igth.
84
44'
36'
48'
30" +
2 1/2"
100
1/4" TUNA NETTING 100 sq.ft.
No.
12
13
MATERIAL
VICTOR RAT TRAP
HEAVY WRAPPING TWINE
15
BLACK NYLON THREAD
10 HEAVY CORD
16
17
18
20
21
1/4" PLAIN galv. WIRE
HANDMADE HOOKS
APPLES OR ALFALFA HAY
CATCH NET HOOK- ONE END
1/4 GATE LIFTING ROPE
1/4 ROPE TOTREEor equiv.
1X2X5 DEADMANTIED
WITH 1/4" ROPE -opp. cor.
FIGURE 1. Diagram showing construction details of the Clover deer trap.
Drawing by Cliffa Corson.
I'div'T AC.i.i; iii:i;i; mcaI'
•.',(>U
FIGURE 2. Photograph of the assembled pipe frame of the Clover deer trap.
Photograph by Homer F. Bryan.
The primavY supports for tlio trap are the side frames. These are
made b.y carefully biitt-Aveldiii,ii- the 7-foot lengths of pipe (1) * to the
44-inch lengths (2). The corner bracing of the f-inch rod requires
sturdy welds to prevent frame distortion. The next step is to make the
spacers (3) -which hold the sides apart. Elbows (4) are fitted to the
three-foot, 4-inch pipes, and short rods (5) threaded and fitted to the
other end of the elbows. The rod ends should then slide into the open
pipe ends of the sides frames. The 4-foot runner bars (6) guide the
drop bars (7) and provide rigidity to the trap.
Prior to belting the runner bars to the spacers, tlie drop bars are
made by welding 2-J-inch rings to each end of the 3()-inch lengths of
f-inch pipe. As these must drop freely along the runner bars, it is
preferable to drill the bolt holes after a free movement is assured by
proper positioning of the runner bars. The measurements of length
and bolt hole si)acing must be made carefully if it is desired to fold
the trap.
The netting ma\- (hen be laced to tlie side frames and toji. These
should be separate pieces, since the top jiiece must be removed in order
to allow the trap to fold. When folcling the trap longitudinally, the
resulting package measures 9^ by 4 feet by 3 inches (Figure 3).
* Numbers in parentheses refer to items in Figure 1.
370
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Several may be loaded ou the bed of a half-ton pickup truck. With
the drop bar in position, thread each side mesh of the netting onto the
runners. The top of the netting is laced to the spacer bar and the
bottom to the drop gate. Thus, the fall of the drop gates closes the
open ends. Plooks (16) are made of soft wire to suspend the drop
gates. Cords tied to the hooks pass through a ring fastened to the top
netting and then to the bar of a rat trap tied about 6 inches below the
top of one of the side panels. A black nylon thread is tied to the rat
trap trip and led through a ring stake across the center of the trap
to an anchor ring stake at the opposite side. These rings are used to
prevent accidental tripping resulting from the trip thread rubbing on
the side net. This is especially j)rone to occur during windy conditions.
Dyeing the netting with green shingle stain was found desirable.
FIGURE 3. Folded Clover deer trap being held by the
author, showing ease of portability. Phofograph by Homer
F. Bryan.
A loose net with a purse line was found to immobilize the trapped
animals, with escapes a negligible factor. A piece of 5-inch mesh cotton
tuna netting is cut into a 7-foot by 7-foot square. A 13-foot length of
-}-inch manila line is woven through alternate meshes on the perimeter
of the net. The ends are tied and a harness snap secured to the tied
ends of the line.
Another method is to construct the catch-net in the shape of a box.
In this case a piece of netting is cut to just fit the trap opening. A piece
of netting 12 feet by 2 feet is tied around the smaller piece, thus form-
ing a box just fitting the end of the trap and extending out 2 feet.
roiri'AHM: i)i';i;i£ rnw :',71
As ill the prcxioiis drsi^n, a l.'J-Foot piirsr line is stniii;.'- arniiiMl the
opening:.
USE OF THE TRAP
The placement of llic ti-ap varied with locjil coriditioiis, hui opcjn
reeding- areas were usually preren-ed. It was ioiiiid that the dccf most
siiscH'pt il)le to trapi)iiiy were those moviiiji- alone or in small 'jr'»iii)S.
Spookiiiess was more apt to be evidenced when dcr]- wi-fe in lar-<,'e
gronps. If one deer Avas frightened hy the trap, its bolting usually
cansed tlie otliers to rnn away.
After tlie trap has been positioned, lie guy wires (15) to t(jp cor-
ners, joining them diagonally across the top. Opposite bottom corners
are tied to deadmen (21) placed in the ground at a niiniinnin depth
of 12 inches. The opposite top corners are tied to whatever is handy
to prevent the trap from upsetting.
A rl-inch line is tied to the center of the drop bar and threaded
through each mesh of the netting to the top and then secured to either
side. This is the lift ro])e (19) used for raising the gate in order to
release the trapped animal. The trap is now ready to set. Lift the gates
and slip the hooks into holding position. Set the rat trap and adjust
the cords (14) for proper length.
It was found that pre-baiting the area with a salt block, followed
by pre-baiting with alfalfa hay a few days prior to setting the trap,
produced the best trapping results. The hay would usually lie un-
touched for two or three nights, unless the deer w^ere accustomed to
this type of food. It was found that good success was obtained if two
traps were set close together. With success in each trap, the removal
was complicated as one deer would fight the trap excessively while the
other was being handled. Therefore it is wise to place the two traps
so that they are separated by some natural sight barrier. Noise and
rapid movements should be avoided when approaching a trapped
animal.
Baiting with alfalfa and cut apples was found to produce excellent
catches. It is important to keep the bait well away from the trip thread,
since the deer should hit the thread with its forelegs. This insures that
the animal will be well within the trap and not block the movement of
the drop-gate.
When a deer is captured, fold and hang the catch-net on the wire
hooks (18) secured to the end of the trap. These hooks must be rigid
enough to support the catch-net, but soft enough to bend when sub-
jected to stress. Snap the purse line to the trap. It is important that the
catch-net be centered over the opening, or the deer might escape to one
side of the catch-net. Pull the drop gate up with the lift rope and
walk around the trap to the other end (Figure -i). The deer normally
bolts for the opposite end, hitting the catch-net. The final position of
the deer is about 10 feet from the trap, neatly pocketed in the catch-net.
If the operation involves ear tagging only, the ears may be pulled
through the netting for this purpose.
If the animal is to be weighed and/ or if body measurements are to
be taken, it is necessary to remove it from the net. Straddle the deer
to hold it down, W'Orking so that the deer's hoofs are kept to the front.
Work the netting carefully from around the legs and hobble securely.
372
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
feL--^/.-^?*SJ^-*^
•»«..
r^r
**.*^»
^il^''
.,^'
FIGURE 4. Clover deer trap in use, showing catch-net in place.
Photograph by Homer F. Bryan'.
As the animal is now helpless, the netting may be removed and the
animal processed.
"When the deer is ready for release, it is good practice to cover its
head with a small piece of canvas before removing the hobbles. Back
away quietly and, if the deer hasn't already departed, break a small
stick or Avhistle. Moving to a safe position is a good precaution if a
buck is being handled during the rutting period.
It is possible that intensive predator control is helpful to successful
operations. An abundance of coyotes apparently made deer difficult
to catch in the San Joaquin River area. The removal of 31 coyotes from
I'oiri'Ai'.M: I)i:i:k 'ikai' '')~'->
(lie area in a sliort pci-ind of liinr was FolldWiMl l)_\ j^ood di'i-r I rapiiiirj'
success.
A lai-jicr sized (Uover trap was const iiidcd which sii<!('(!ssriilly caii^dil
a l)ull tide cllc ((-crvua nannodrs) an lioiir ;\\'\cy tlu; trap was set. A
total ol' sc\rn elk was cauj^'ht and ci-alcd \>\ the aidlioc without assist-
ance, deinoiistratiiif? the ease of eniphiymcnt ol' the ('lover trap.
SUMMARY
Tlie Clover deer trap was designed i'or good trapj)iiij4- charactei'isti<;.s,
ease of operation, tlie use of nnniiiium personnel, ease of poi'tal)ility,
and mininiuni of injury to trapped animals. Tt lias met these objectives
niidei' field tests and gives promise of hciiiii- a piactical device for live-
fra])pin^ many species of animals if constructed in varying sizes.
RECENT EXTENSION OF THE RANGE OF MUSKRATS
IN CALIFORNIA'
GEORGE D. SEYMOUR
Game Management Branch
California Department of Fish and Game
INTRODUCTION
A study ui" llie annual i'ur uateli reports of the lieeused trappers has
revealed an extensive spread of muskrats into Central California in
the last decade. During this period, 1943-52, the muskrat has risen to
the status of the most important fur bearer in the State, both in num-
ber of aniuuils taken and in total value of the raw furs. The most
recent figures available, for the 1952-53 trapping season, show that
91,266 animals, of which 83,053 were muslvrats, were taken by com-
mercial trappers. The estimated value of the 1952-53 fur catch is
placed at $104,500, of which $83,000 or 79 percent derives from
muskrats.
The origin and distribution of muskrats has been reported in detail
by Storer (1938) and by Twining and Ilensley (1943). According to
Storer two varieties of native muskrats were found in California: the
Nevada muskrat {Ondatra zihcthica mergens) of that portion of Cali-
fornia east of the Cascade-Sierra divide, and the Colorado River musk-
rat, commonly known as the sandrat (0. z. hernardi), of the Colorado
River.
EXTENSION OF THE MUSKRAT RANGE
Imperial Valley Area
The first major extension of muskrats from their native range in
California was recorded by Dixon (1922). The completion of the Inter-
national Canal from the Colorado River to the Imperial Valley in 1901
opened the entire Imperial Valley area to the establishment of sand-
rats along irrigation ditches and drainage canals. The animals quickly
took advantage of these num-made watercourses to spread into new
territor.y. The muskrats thrived so well that an estimated 25.000 pelts
were sold from the Imperial Valley area in 1919. By this time the
farmers in the valley were beginning to suffer damage to ditch banks
and levees caused by the burrowing activities of the auinuds. In order
to alleviate the damage, a program of muskrat control was initiated.
This consisted of destroying the muskrat habitat by cleaning the ditch
banks of vegetation, mainly by sprajdng heavily with oil. The success
of this procedure is attested by the fact that the number of animals
reported taken by trappers has gradually decreased in Imperial County
1 Submitted for publication April, 1954.
( 37". )
376
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
to a present reported take of around two to three thousand per year.
Actnally, at present there is little trapping in the Imperial Valley due
to the clean, vegetation free condition of the ditches. The trapping that
is now available in the county is mostly along the Alamo and Colorado
Rivers.
Early Extension of Range in Northern California
The high prices offered the trappers for muskrat pelts in the 1920 's
stimulated trapping and general interest in the animals. Trappers
began to plant muskrats in suitable habitat where they were not present
naturally. In addition, muskrat farming was started. For this purpose,
animals were imported from the northern and eastern states, since the
furs from these areas were of better quality than the native varieties.
Y///\ NATIVE MUSKRAT RANGE
MUSKRAT RANGE UP TO 1943
MUSKRAT RANGE UP TO 1953
O KNOWN PLANTING SITE
F FORMER LOCATION OF MUSKRAT FARMS
FIGURE 1. Distribution of muskrats in California up to 1953, based on trapping records and
field observations. Drawing by Cliffa Corson.
MUSKKATS IN (AMI'OKX lA '-U I
The \('\ii(l;i iiiuskrat is (Uily ;i\(M-;i^'(' in si/c mid (|iiality and the saiid-
rat iioniially l)riii^s only onc-tliifd the pi-icc oT a ^ood nuft lit'rn pi'lt.
Muskrat rannin<i' was of two main tyjx's. Sonn'tiini's a |)fiini'd larm
was set \\\) I'oi' the animals, lint nioi'c ol'lcn Ihc animals wed' mrfrjy
Inrncd loose in ponds and iiiarslics to I'imkI for t licnisclvcs. hi lliis
maiuicr, most of the suital)le Iial)i1at in Modoc, Siskiyou, Trinity, and
Shasta Counties became well stoeke(l with miiski-ats.
Restrictive Legislation
Tiu' muskrat com[)laints registi'red by the Imperial X'allcy I riaj^-ation
District brought into focus the damage problems in Imperial Valley,
and on ]\[ay 15, 1929, the Department of Fish and Game (then the
Division of Fish and Game), at the suggestion of the State Depart-
ment of Agriculture, gave notice that no more muskrat farming would
be allowed w^est of the Cascade-Sierra moinitain svstem. In VJ'S'-i, legis-
lative action incorporated the 1929 commission regulations into the
Fish and (iame Code. However, these restrictive measnres came too
late to prevent the sj^read of miiskrats into the Central Valley, for by
this time fur farms in the upper reaches of the Sacramento River
system in Shasta and Butte Counties had opened the entire Sacramento
River drainage system to muskrat colonization. The earliest trapping
record for the Sacramento Valley was for three muskrats caught near
Oroville in 1929 by II. S. Anderson. They were probably the result of
plants or escaped animals from some of the early fur farming efforts
in Butte County.
Present Distribution
Figure 1 gives the present range of muskrats in California and shows
the extension of the range to 1953. The period 1943-52 has been char-
acterized by a marked increase in the muskrat catch in the Central
Valley area. Figures 2 and 3 compare the catch records in 1940 with
1952.
It is of interest to note that the recent spread of muskrats in the
Central Valley has occurred simultaneously with the increase in rice
culture and irrigated pastures in the area. Rice acreage has risen from
237,000 acres in 1943 to 429,000 acres in 1953, an increase of 81 per-
cent. Rice culture, especially, creates favorable habitat for muskrats.
An abundance of water with resulting weed filled drainage ditches
provides excellent habitat for the animals. Figure 4 shows a typical
drainage ditch in the rice-growing districts. Once the animals entered
the Central Valley, it was an easy matter for them to spread in the
irrigation systems and along stream courses.
CATCH RECORDS
The catch of muskrats in California since 1939, when county catch
figures were first recorded, is shown in Table 1. A further breakdo\\Ti
of the catch is shown in Table 2. This table shows the catch in the Cen-
tral Valley area only, and points up the recent rapid extension south-
ward in this area. As noted from Table 2, such counties as Contra
Costa, Solano, and San Joaquin have been major muskrat producers
only since 1950 and 1951.
378
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
) ^>J^ ;'••..■
J> I 1 • • • 1
EACH
DOT REPRESENTS
( i /-/-.'.^^^i '^"
300 ANIMALS
I ^ \ \ ^
1 ^s '' \r-^^—i.
1 1 >-J ^1 J J_- ^
\ 7 ^ , \ \ ( j^ j>
\ j;M-Vi-/-w-^
I
Vaj;^^'-'^''' ^^ ^^\ \^
^v}f^t v,/ :io\
0^' 1 .-' >r'">v . \
"X
\
\
\- j1^ I
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1 .... \
i . • • • \
V-V.-__.
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S 1 \
i . . .V
\ -^
> ' -/
•^0^=^ ^-<-N
rl, .-^T-r-r^ (
x> • ]
\ l.ij- • ••)
\^^ VJX-^^-^
FIGURE 2. The muskrat catch as reported by commercial trappers for the 1940-41
trapping season. Uro-^'mg by Cliffa Corson.
MISKKATS IN ( A 1 ,1 1 i )lt \ I A
:57!'
"•/^■~"^
'U •
EACH DOT REPRESENTS
300 ANIMALS
'•_ I
^•••••••Vr-' '" 1
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s
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FIGURE 3. The muskrat catch as reported by commercial trappers for the 1952-53
trapping season. Dta^\nQ by Cliffa Corson.
380
CALIFORXIA FISH AND GAME
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MISKKA'I'S IN CAIJI'ftKNIA
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382
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
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O
MUSKllA'I'S IN CAfilKOItNIA
383
FIGURE 4. Drainage canal in rice-growing area which is typical muskrat habitat. The domi-
nant vegetation is the common cattail, which furnishes a major portion of the food of the ani-
mals. Pbofograph taken November, 1948, in Yolo County, California, by George Metcalfe.
Value of the Catch
The value of the state-wide catch the last 10 years is shown in
Table 3. Over this period, 1943 to 1952, muskrats have provided in-
come of over three-quarters of a million dollars. The lowest yearly
income in the period was $29,300 in 1949, and the best year was 1943,
when nearly $114,000 was realized. The past three years (1950-52),
over 500 trappers per year have reported selling pelts.
TABLE 3
Numbers of Muskrats Reported Caught From 1943 to 1952 and Average Prices Paid
Season of
catch
No. of
trappers
reporting
No. of
muskrats
caught
Average
price paid
ToT.\LS
1943-44 .
1,152
1,101
1,116
1,113
843
649
625
555
572
517
57,209
56,425
49,800
46,247
49,084
50,513
38,581
50,661
71,553
83,053
SI. 99
1.65
2.05
1.30
2.00
1.20
0.76
1.53
1.08
1.00
SI 13 800
1944-45
93,100
1945-46 ---
102.100
1946-47 --
60,100
1947-48
98,200
194S-49 -
60,600
1949-50
29,300
1950-51
77,500
1951-52 ---
77,300
1952-53
83,100
Totals
553,126
—
S795,100
4—1859
384 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
DISCUSSION
]\Iiiskrats are now the number ojie fiij- pi-odiicer in California, both
in total number of animals eanglit and in total value of the furs, and
as such, are a valuable resource. They provide income for over 500
individuals a year at the present time. Unfortunately, under certain
circumstances, they can cause damage to farm irrigation systems. In
areas of light or sandy loam soils, such as the Imperial Valley, musk-
rats have caused considerable damage to small levees and canal banks
by their burrowing activities. Water seeps through the burrows and
caving in of the burrows further aggravates the damage. Where heavy
clay soils are prevalent, as in the Sacramento Valley, this type of dam-
age is proportionately small. In the Sacramento Valley, investigations
have indicated that such damage as honeycombed check levees and.
gnawed headgates, blamed on muskrats, has actually been done by
Norway rats {Rattus norvegiciis) .
The author believes that w^here muskrats have been proved to be
causing extensive damage, control measures should be taken to reduce
their numbers. However, in manj^ situations the animals can live com-
patibly with agricultural practices. Muskrats have not been a problem
with respect to feeding on agricultural crops in California. In fact,
their main item of food is the roots and tender shoots of the common
cattail {Typlia latifolia), a troublesome weed of ditches and waterways.
Where muskrats achieve sizable numbers, trappers readily take off
most of the annual increase of the animals.
LITERATURE CITED
Dixon, Joseph
1922. Rodents and reclamation in the Imperial Valley. Jour. Mammalogy, vol. 3,
no. 3, p. 136-146.
Storer, Tracy I.
1938. The muskrat as native and alien : a chapter in the history of animal
acclimatization. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 24, no. 2, p. 159-175.
Twining, Howard, and Arthur L. Hensley
1943. The distribution of muskrats in California. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 29,
no. 2, p. 64-78.
THE SAGE GROUSE IN CALIFORNIA, WITH SPECIAL
REFERENCE TO FOOD HABITS'
HOWARD R. LEACH and ARTHUR L. HENSLEY
Game Management Branch
California Department of Fish and Game
INTRODUCTION
The sage grouse or sagehen (Centrocerctis iiroplnisidinis } . altliDii^li
llic largest native upland game bii'd in Calit'oniia, is one of the least
known to the sportsman. Tlie sage gronse by nature of its habitat is
resli'ieted to the semiarid sagebrusli ranges of eastern Califoi-nia, and
as a result is far removed from the metropolitan areas. Gi'iiiin'll and
Miller (1944) list the sage grouse in California as occurring from tlie
Nevada line west througli Modoc County to the west side of Lower
Klamath Lake in eastern Siskij'ou County; and south along the east
side of the Sierra Nevada, as far as the vicinity of Big Tine in Owens
Valley, Inyo County (Figure 1). The altitudinal range is from 3,500
feet near the Pit River, in extreme northeastern Shasta County, to
12,000 feet in the White Mountains of ]\Iono County.
HISTORY OF THE SAGE GROUSE REGULATIONS
The first legal protection aflforded the sage grouse in California was
in 1901, when a closed season was enacted, making it unlawful to
l^ossess them betw'een February 1 and October 1. At the same time the
sale of sage grouse was prohibited and the shipment of more than 25
by any one person in one day was made illegal. Li 1903, the closed
season extended from February 15 to September 1. In 1911, a bag
limit of four per daj^ and eight per week was put into effect, and the
open season reduced to the period from September 1 to December 1.
In 1918 the open season was further reduced to the period from August
15 to September 30.
Despite the enactment of this early legislatioii governing the take
of sage grouse, they rapidly diminislied in nnnd)ers. The Lnited States
Forest Service report on game conditions in California for 1921 stated
that the birds were so reduced in Mono and Inyo Counties that a closed
season there was recommended (Anon., 1922). On the basis of this
report, District 4^ (Inyo and Mono Counties) was closed to sage
grouse hunting in 1921. Courtright (1923) reported that the birds
1 Submitted for publication May, 1954. This study was made possible with funds of
Federal Aid in "Wildlife Restoration, California Project '\V-25-R, "Food Habits
Invpstiffations." The authors wisli to express their appreciation to Messrs. Ri'ssell
M. Bushey, Sr., W. M. Pollard, Fred Jones, Hugo Hermann, Gene Gerdes, A'erne
Fowler, and otiier workers of the department who assisted in collectinjr data for
this report. Thanks also are due to the many sportsmen who cooperated at the
checking- stations. ]Mr. C. M. Ferrel, former leader of Project W-25-R, made a
number of the stomach analyses.
( 385 )
386
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
FIGURE 1. The range of sage grouse in California (shaded area). Drawing by Cliffa Corson.
were almost extinct in Modoc County. In 1925 all counties were opened
to hunting for a 15-day period from August 1 to 15. The State Legis-
lature set aside Game Refuge IQ in Lassen County as a sage grouse
and antelope refuge in 1928. A 15-day season with a bag limit of four
per day and eight per season was held from 1925 to 1931, at which
time the season was closed state-wide. In 1944, the season was opened
for three days. It was not opened again until 1950, when a two-day
season, September 1-2, with a two-bird season bag limit, was authorized
in ]\Iono County. This season continued in effect the following year.
In 1952 a one-day season (September 1) with a three-bird bag limit
was held in Mono County, and a similar season with a two-bird bag
limit in Modoc and I asscn counties. This report is based on data
gathered from the 1950, 1951, and 1952 sage grouse seasons.
SAGE OROUSE IN CAT.TFORNIA
387
HUNTER SUCCESS
( 'lu'ckiii^ slat ions were set up in .Muno ( 'unnt^ dnrinii' tlic ID.")!}, lljol,
and 1952 seasons, pi-iiiiaril\ to clicck tlh' Imntin^'- prcssuro and to de-
termine tlie ai)proxiniate kill of biids. Snccossful hunters wore rc-
qnestod 1o fill out a quostirmiiaii-r. In addition, liiiidcrs wore clieeked
in the held. No attempt was made to determine liie total numher of
hunters ])articipating in the hunts. Table 1 is a comparison of the
hunter success over the three years, as compiled Irom checking station
records.
TABLE 1
Comparison of Hunter Success, Mono County, Seasons of
1950, 1951, and
1952
1950
1951
1952
Niinibor of hunters checlted ... -
893
750
84
1,026
1.2
1.34
2.33
984
598
60
971
1.01
1.62
3.40
1,760
Number of succes-sfu! Ininters checked
Percentage of .successful hunters-
849
48
Number of birds checked .
1 665
Average number of birds checked per hunter
Average number of birds per successful hunter.
Average number of hunter hours to bag a bird.
0.96
1.96
4.60
The trend over the three years was one of increase in huntinrr pres-
sure and a decrease in the percentage of successful hunters. In IDoO.
a total of 893 hunters was checked, of whom 84 percent was successful,
bagging 1,026 birds. The 1951 hunting check listed 984 hunters, of
whom only 60 percent were successful, taking 971 birds. In 1952, of
the 1,760 hunters checked, only 48 percent bagged the 1,665 sage grouse
taken.
The percentages of hunters by counties of origin are shown in Table
2. It is evident from these figures that over 50 percent of the hunters
seeking sage grouse in Mono County were from other counties. Los
Angeles County contributed the most hunters of any one county.
TABLE 2
Residence of Hunters Checked, in Percentages
County
1950
1951
1952
Los Angeles
37
26
21
16
39
26
15
20
33
Inyo _. __ __
24
Mono
12
Other ...
31
BIOLOGICAL DATA
Age Ratios
An age classification to determine the ratio of adult to young was
made of birds checked through the clieeking stations. The characters
used in age classification were as follows :
388
CALIFORNIA PISH AND GAME
1. Size of Bird. Especially the head and feet of adults are larger
than those of immature birds.
2. Differential Plumage. Juvenile birds of both sexes have a tri-
angular patch of finely streaked feathers on the upper portion of
the breast and in general have a softer plumage than adult birds.
3. Coloration of Toes. Toes of juvenile birds are colored light green,
in contrast to the dark colored toes of adult birds.
4. Flexibility of MandiMe. The lower bill of juveniles is more flexi-
ble than that of adults.
Table 3 is the composition of the ratio of adult to young birds over
the three years.
The ratios of adult birds to young birds indicate a relatively poor
liatch or brood survival in 1951, but an excellent one in 1952. The pre-
season sample brood count made in June and July of 1952 gave a ratio
of one adult hen to 4.4 young.
TABLE 3
Age Ratios of Birds Inspected
Year
Ratio
Birds checked
1950
100 adults to 284 young
100 adults to 131 young
100 adults to 304 young
1,026
1951 . - --_
971
1952 ..
1,665
Weights
Weights were taken of a small sample of birds by means of a spring
scale. The weights of two adult males were 4 pounds and 4 pounds 12
ounces. Of the three adult females weighed, one w^as 2 pounds 8 ounces
and two were 2 pounds 12 ounces. The weights of 70 juvenile birds
varied from 1 pound 3 ounces to 2 pounds 7 ounces, the average juve-
nile weight being 1 pound 15 ounces.
Patterson (1952) in his study of the sage grouse in Wyoming found
that, unlike many other upland game birds, sage grouse of both sexes
attain their maximum weights not in the fall, but in the early spring.
Weights of mature males during the strutting season varied from 5
pounds 2 ounces to 7 pounds. Weights of females during the breeding
season were found to average slightly over 3 pounds. The weight of
('alifornia sage grouse as given by Dawson (1923) is 4 to 8 pounds
for the males and '■'> to .") jjounds for females.
Food Habits
Patterson (1952; speaks of the sage grouse as representing a true
climax inhabitant of a climax vegetative type. Although the original
range of the sage grouse extended over much of the western states as
far east as Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakotas, and northward to south-
western Canada, its distribution coincided with that of the geographi-
cal range of sagebrush (Artemesia spp.). Unlike most upland game
birds, which are primarily granivorous, the sage grouse depends in
.SA<iK (Jiiorsr; i.\
Ai.ii()i;\ lA
:J8!J
liir<^c pari iipdii llic lc;ira<i(' of sa^chi-iisli for its siislcnaiico. Tliis in
effect may aecounl for tlie lack of flie hard iiiiisciilar' '/\/./.i\nl so ty[)i<'al
of llie other ^alliiiaceoiis l)ii'(ls. Dawson (]!)2."!j went to the oxtoiit (W
sayiiiji' that tho shrc grouse has so \i)u<r deixMuled iij)on Ww. loavos and
tender shoots of the sa^ehnish and lii-easewood for subsistence that it
is inaeapahle of (1i<i'est in<:' ^rain. Ilowevei', I'atterson ()>' definition
classified the stomach of the sa^c ^^I'onse as bein;^- a ^i/zard. It is iike|\-
that sncli an or^'an is capabh' of di^'est ini;- many of the softer sheUed
seeds or aehenes identided in the stomachs of thi' ITo sa'je ^'rouse
herein reported. Bi«>'liteen s])ecies of seeds were ich'ntified.
A total of 22 sage grouse stomachs Avas collected from hunter kills in
INIono County in lO-lO and an additional 113 stomachs were collected
in lOf)!. The results of the analysis of these stomachs are shown in
TABLE 4
Food Items Eaten by 135 Sage Grouse Collected in Mono County, California
September, 1950-51
Scientific name
Common name
Parts eaten
Volume
(percentage)
Frequency
of
occurrence
(percentage)
Plant Food
Artemisia tridentata
Tri/olium sp
Juncus sp
Forbs
Symhoricarpos rotundifoliiis
Taraxacum vulgare
Tetradymia spinosa
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus
Gramineae
Chrysothamnus sp
Artemisia carta
Perideridia sp.*
Rihes sp
Bryophy ta
Equisetum sp
Hordeum sp
Cyperaceae
Carex sp
Liliaceae
Eriogonum sp
Rumex sp
Cleomella parvi flora
Cruciferae
Rosa sp
Astragalus sp
Lupinus sp
Phlox sp
Convolvulus sp
ScrophuJariaceae
Achillea m illefolium
Chrysothamn us nauseosus
Compositae
Animal Food
Formicidae
( )ther Insecta
Common sagebrush.
Clover
Rush
Unidentified
Sno wberry
DandeUon
Cottonthorn
Rabbitbrusb
Grass family
Rabbitbrusb
Hoary sagebrush
Yampah
Gooseberry
Moss.-
Horsetail
Wild barley
Sedge family
Sedge
Lily family
Buckwheat
Dock
Cleomella
Mustard family
Wild rose
Rattle-weed
Lupine
Phlox.
Morning glory
Figwort family
Yarrow
Rabbitbrusb
Unidentified
.A.u(s...
Insects.
I>eafage, flowers
Leafage
Leafage
Leafage
Leafage, fruits. .
Leafage, flowers.
Leafage, flowers
Leafage
Leafage
Leafage
Leafage
Seeds
Seeds
Leafage
Stems
Florets
Leafage
Seeds
Seeds
Leafage, seeds...
Seeds
Seeds..
Seeds
Seeds
Leafage
Leafage
Leafage
Leafage
Seed pods
Leafage
Leafage
Flowers, seeds...
63.9
8.0
7.6
6.7
4.6
2.3
1.8
1 . I
I .1
0.9
0.7
0.1
0. I
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
1.1
trace
91.1
35.6
43.0
45.9
28.9
8.9
2.2
27.4
19.3
8.9
0.7
3.7
5.9
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
1 .4
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
3.7
1.4
1.4
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
2.9
69.6
32.6
I'erideridia = Kiilnphus of Jcpson.
A ti.ice of t!rit was fimiul In lint 7
I iii'iccnl (if I lie .sldiiKiclis.
390
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
TABLE 5
Food Items Eaten by 40 Sage Grouse Collected in Lassen County, California
September, 1952
Scientific name
Common name
Parts eaten
Volume
(percentage)
Frequency
of
occurrence
(percentage)
Plant Food
Artemuia tridentata
Lactuca scariola
Eriophyllum lanaium
Helianthus annuus
Forbs
Cleome platycarpa
Gramineae
Cruciferae
Eriogonum sp
Bromxis teclorum
Ribes sp
Agoseris sp
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus-
Ch rysothamnus nauseosus _ _
Compositae '.
Plant galls
Common sagebrush.
Prickly lettuce
Woolly sunflower
Common sunflower-
Unidentified
Stink-clover
Grass family
Mustard family
Buckwheat
Cheatgrass
Gooseberry
Rabbitbrush
Rabbitbrush
Sunflower family
Leafage
Flowers
Leafage
Leafage, seeds.-.
Leafage
Seeds
Leafage
Leafage, flowers.
Leafage
Florets
Seeds
Flowers
Leafage, flowers
Leafage
Seeds
Animal Food
Melanoplus spp
Lepidoptera larvae-
Other Insecta
Grasshoppers
Moths, butterflies-
Insects
29.3
21.0
6.3
3.6
2.1
2.0
1.9
1.1
0.1
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
trace
32.5
0.1
trace
95.0
65.0
37.5
20.0
15.0
42.5
15.0
17.5
12.5
32.5
5.0
2.5
10.0
5.0
5.0
7.5
97.5
10.0
30.0
Table 4, which is a summary of the food items eaten by the 135 sage
grouse collected in Mono County expressed in terms of volume and
frequency of occurrence. Table 5 is a summary of the food items eaten
by 40 sage grouse collected from the Bull Flat and Line Spring areas
east of Honey Lake, Lassen County, during the 1952 season (Figures
2 and 3).
The stomachs were collected in the field from hunter killed birds
and preserved in formaldehyde. Upon receipt of the material in the
Department's Food Habits Laboratory the contents were removed and
washed in fine mesh screen and the excess moisture removed. An indi-
vidual analysis was made by separating and identifying the items of
food. The ((uantity of each item was measured in a graduated cylinder
by w^ater displacement to determine the percentage composition of each
stomach. These data were summarized by use of the aggregate per-
centage method described by Martin, Gensch, and Brown (1946).
The leafage of sagebrush w^as the most important item in the diet
of the sage grouse collected in Mono County (Table 4). Sagebrush
was found in 91.1 percent of the stomachs and made up 63.9 percent
of the volume of the total food taken. There was one occurrence of
the leafage of hoary sagebrush, which made up 88 percent of the
stomach contents of one bird. Most of the birds collected by the
hunters in Mono County during the two hunting seasons of September
1-2, 1950 and 1951, were evidently collected in close proximity to water.
The localities from which the birds were collected were as follows:
Eough Creek, 10; Mono Lake, 29; Sumner's Meadows, 8; Masonic, 5;
RAGE nROT^SE IX PAUFORXrA
nm
Lobdel Liikc, 27; Ijoiij:: Valley, 24; r.odir, (1; i;ii(|jr<'|)(»i-l, '.) ; and iiii-
kiiowu locality, 17. It was appiinnl tli;ii the iiiaj(ii-it\' <»r the saj^o f^rouso
wei'e suppleincnt iiiii' tli(>ir did of sa^cltnisli with the Icafajre of several
sj)eci('s of ripar-iaii or iiiarsli <ji-o\viii'j- plants availatilc ahoiit soiirees
of water. Tliese iiicliidrd siidi plants as iddxrr, laisli, dandelion, f^reen
ji'rass, horsetail, and snowhcia-y. iSotli the leafage and berries of siiow-
beiM-y were eaten. In all, these plants eonli-ibnted 2:{.(i pereciit to the
diet. In addition, unidentilied i^reen I'orb leatipjc made n|t (i.7 percent,
of the food. The leafage and flowers ot" both cottonthoiii and rabbit-
brushes were eaten, contributing 1.8 i)ci'eent jind 2.0 per<;ent to the
diet, respectively. The oidy seeds contributing niatei-ially to the diet
were those of yampah (0.1 percent) and a gooseberiy (0.1 pei'cent).
Several species of weed seeds were identified in the stomachs ; however,
no species was found in sufficiently great bulk or fre(iucncy of occur-
rence to be considered an important item of food. The animal diet
consistetl entirely of insects. Of the insects eaten, ants were the only
item contributing materially to the food, being found in 69.6 percent
of the stomachs and making up 1.1 percent of the total diet.
W
FIGURE 2. General view of the Bull Flat area of Lassen County, California, showing typical
sage grouse habitat. The area shown was a favored hunting spot during the September 1, 1952,
season. Phofograph faken September, 1952, by H. D. Bissell.
392
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
The analysis of the 40 sap-e uroiise stomachs collected in Lassen
County in 1952 is shown in TabU^ .1. Tliirty-six of these sage gronse
Avere collected from hunter kills ne;ir Bull Flat on September 1st.
Most of these birds were killed in a small area of a dry mud fiat that
was covered extensivel.y bj' sunflowers. It was thonght at the time that
the birds were concentrating in this area because of the abundance
of sunflowers ; but when the stomachs were analj'zed, it became evident
that the sage grouse were seeking grasshoppers, which were abundant
in the area. Grasshoppers were found in 97.5 percent of the stomachs
and contributed 32.5 percent to the total diet. Of the other insects
eaten only the larvae of a lepidopterous insect were eaten in a meas-
urable amount, contributing 0.1 percent to the diet. Available in the
mud flat were the flowers of prickly lettuce, w^hich evidently were
avidly sought by the birds, making up 21.0 percent of the food and
occurring in 65.0 percent of the stomachs. The leafage of woolly sun-
flower and the leafage and seeds of common sunflower made up 6.3
percent and 3.6 percent of the diet. The seeds of stink-clover con-
tributed 2.0 percent to the diet and were found in 42.5 percent of the
stomachs. The staple item of diet, sagebrush leafage, was found in 95.0
percent of the stomachs and bulked 29.3 percent of the diet. The re-
mainder of the bulk of food taken by these sage grouse consisted of:
forb leafage (2.1 percent), grass (1.9 percent), leafage and flowers of
-^
FIGURE 3. A sunflower covered mud flat in the Bull Flat area in which sage grouse were con-
centrated, apparently because of the abundance of grasshoppers, a favorite food item. Photo-
graph iaken September, J 952, by H. D. Bissell.
sA(;i: cuorsK i.\ cai.ii'oijma '.i'J'S
Jill iiiiidriililici ('ni<-irc|-;ic (I.l | x'i'ccii I ) . ;iii(l tlir Iciifil^n- of hiick-
wlical (0. 1 iicrcciil I.
Xot iiiclii(|c(l ill Ihr siiiiiiiKii'ics (if 111.' ;il)()V(' sa«;(' j^toiis*' food lial)it.s
(!;it;i \\;is ;i sloiii.icli (•((llcclcil in ( )cl oliri-, l!).").'',, hy Xick KniiacolT of
lln' Dcp.irtiiM'iil i>r h'isli ;ii[i| (i;iiiic ;ii i|ic .Madcliiic Wafer-fowl .Ma(i-
a^ciiiciil Area in Lassi'ii ('onnly. It is notcwDrlliy tli;it this hini liad
cafcu 111 i;raiiis of cidl i\;ilc(| \\lir;i1 {'rrilicitin (K \l i rii m ) . uliidi
i'oi'iiu'il 100 ])erci'nl of its sloiiiiicli coiitciits.
DISCUSSION
Food liahit studies h\ otlicf workers eonfui'iii eloseU' with the |-esiilts
op the analysis of Califdinia sage oToiise st(;iiiac'hs in this report. (Jirai'd
( 1!).S7) fcpoi-tod on the analysis by the Food nal)its Section f)f the ('. S.
r>nrean of 1 biological Survey of 88 saye grouse stomachs eolleeted in
•Inly and August, 1934, in Sublette County, Wyoming. Vegetable
matter m;ide up S8..1 percent and animal food 11.5 percent of the total
diet. Ol' tlie \-eget;il)le food, the (V)7iipositae, represented mainly by six
sp(H'ies of sagebrush, furnished 78.1 percent of the food taken. Dande-
lion ocenired ill nine of the 33 stomachs examined. The Leguminosae,
consisting princii)ally of white clover, supplied 11.2 percent of the total
food ;ind the i-em;iinder of the vegetable diet was represented by 10
other families. Ants were found to have been the most important of
the insect food taken, having contributed 9.6 percent of the total food
contents.
l\asmusseu and Oriner (1938), in tlieir study of Utah sage gi'ouse,
cited the analysis of 61 stomachs analyzed by the U. S. IMological Sur-
vey. These sage grouse were collected from the Strawberry Valley
Federal Refuge in northeastern Utah from ]\ray to October. It was
found that 97.6 percent of the adult birds' diet was jilant material and
of this 77.5 percent consisted of two species of sagebrush {Artotiisia
tridentata and A. cana). Of the total diet, 85.8 percent proved to be
l)lants of the Compositae. Other important foods were grasses, which
made up 3.9 percent of the total contents; Leguminosae (princijndly
Trifolluni), 2.4 percent; and Ranuncidaceae, 3.0 percent. Only 2.4 ])er-
cent of the adults' summer food was animal nuiterial, and this con-
sisted almost entirely of ants. It was found tluit the young sage grouse
diet in June consisted of 47.5 percent animal food and 52.5 ]iereent
plant material. However, by August the consumption of plant food by
.juvenile birds increased to 95.5 percent, which seemed to indicate that
young grouse adapt themselves to an adult grouse diet when they are
nbout three months old.
Patterson (1952). in his study of Wyoming sage grouse. ])resented a
summary of the analysis of 104 stomachs. The year-round diet of the
adults was comprised of nearly 96 percent plant material, the re-
mainder being animal matter. Sagebrush, principally .1. tridentata, A.
nova, and ^4. cana, furnished 77 percent of the adult tliet and over 46
percent of the diet of immature birds. The aninud matter consisted
whollj^ of insects, of which ants, grasshoppers, and beetles bulked the
largest in the insect diet. Many of the same species of plants identified
394 CALIFOENIA FISH AND GAME
by Patterson in tlie Wyomino- sage gronse stomachs were found to have
been eaten by California sage grouse. These plants included sagebrush,
rabbitbrush, dandelion, prickly lettuce, gooseberry, and clover.
The close similarity between diets of California sage grouse and those
reported from Utah and Wyoming can be attributed to the fact that the
distribution of sage grouse coincides with the sagebrush climax char-
acterized b}^ similar plant associations.
SUMMARY
The opening of a limited hunting season on sage grouse in California
in 1950 and 1951 in Mono County and in 1952 in Mono, Lassen, and
Modoc Counties afforded an opj)ortunity to collect data relative to
hunting success and food habits of a game bird of which little was
known. The increased number of hunters in 1952 over those in 1950
attests to the growing interest of California sportsmen in sage grouse
hunting. The analj'sis of 175 sage grouse stomachs collected from hunter
kills revealed that 38 food plants were utilized by the sage grouse and
that insects, notably ants and grasshoppers, were important items of
food. The staple item of diet was the leafage of sagebrush, which was
supi^lemented by the leafage of such plants as clover, dandelion, green
grass, green forbs, snowberry, woolly sunflower, and common sunflower.
LITERATURE CITED
Anon.
1922. United States Forest Service report on game conditions. Calif. Fish and
Game, vol. 8, no. 3, p. 182.
Courtright, G. W.
1923. Mule deer need further protection. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 9, no. 1,
p. 32.
Dawson, W. L.
1923. The birds of California (Students' Ed.). South Moulton Co., San Diego.
Vol. 3, p. 1602-1608.
Girard, G. L.
1937. Life history, habits, and food of the sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus
Bonaparte. Univ. of Wyo. Pubis., vol. 3, no. 1, p. 1-56.
Grinnell, J., and A. H. Miller
liJ-W. The distriI)iition of the birds of California. Pacific Coast Avifauna, no. 27,
Cooper Ornithological Club, Berkeley, Calif., p. 117.
Martin, A. C, R. H. Gensch, and C. P. Brown
VMi>. Alternative methods in upland gamebird food analysis. Jour. Wildl. Mangt.,
vol. 10, no. 1, p. 8-12.
Patterson, R. L.
Ill."i2. The sage grou.se in Wyoming. Wyo. Game and Fish Comm. 341 p.
Rasmussen, D. I., and L. A. Griner
1938. Life history and management studies of the sage grouse in Utah, with
special reference to nesting and feeding habits. Third No. Amer. Wildl.
Conf., Trans., p. 852-864.
THE LIFE HISTORY OF THE TUI CHUB, SIPHATELES
BICOLOR (GIRARD), FROM EAGLE LAKE,
CALIFORNIA'
J. B. KIMSEY
Inland Fisheries Branch
California Department of Fish and Game
INTRODUCTION
For some years the Eaple Lake Rainbow Ti-out (Salmo f/airdneri
aquilarum) lias been on the verge of extinction. Tn ir)48 a projj^ram of
investifj-ation was started to determine what measnres shonld be taken
to preserve this interesting species. It soon became apparent that the
relationship of the other fish species in the lake to the tront would
have to be determined before an adequate management program could
be formulated. The Tui Chub, Siphateles hicolor (Girard), is the most
abundant species and so was selected for the initial study.
This is the fifth life history study of native California fishes of the
minnow family (Cyprinidae). Studies have been completed on the
Venus Roach, Hcsperolencus vouistvs (Fry, 1936), Sacramento Hitch.
Lavinia e. cxilicauda (Murphy, 1948), Greaser Blackfish, Orthodon
microhpidotus (Murphy, 1950), and Sacramento Squawfish, Pfycho-
cheilus grandis (Taft and Murphy, 1950). Harry (1951) has described
the embryology and early development of the Tui Chub from Eagle
Lake. The above studies have been helpful in analyzing the forage
potential of these minnow^s for warmwater fishes.
DESCRIPTION OF EAGLE LAKE
Eagle Lake (Figure 1) lies in northeastern Lassen County at an
elevation of 5,100 feet, and has a surface area of approximately 15,000
acres (19-1:1). The closed drainage basin of 498 square miles has a
mean seasonal runoff of 91,000 acre-feet. The principal tributary stream
is 26-mile long Pine Creek, which has its origin in a spring area above
Stephens Meadow^s, about six miles west of Bogard Ranger Station.
The low^r 20 miles of Pine Creek, below^ Bogard, and several smaller
inlet streams are intermittent.
An irrigation project that began delivery of water llirougii a tunnel
to Willow Creek Valley in 1924 has lowered the lake about 30 feet.
This project is no longer operating and the tunnel is now blocked.
Although the latest period of near desiccation was caused by the
irrigation project, there is evidence that the lake had great natural
fluctuations and has in tlie past reached a much lower level than at
present. Conversely, several much higher levels in the past are indi-
cated by wave-cut terraces. The most definite of these is about 50 feet
above the level of 1924. Other more indefinite terraces are situated
1 Submitted for publication July, 1954.
(395 )
3f)6
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
*10' / s
:»»•
K) to so «o ir
•TOHII lAT
EAGLE LAKE
Lassen County, California
I 1 I m/las
Scale
• ff 10' to to
^lifeOM\CK||K
FIGURE 1. Map of Eagle Lake. The contours are at 10-foot intervals.
about 30 feet hiji-her than this. Hubbs and Miller (1948) made similar
observations and in addition noted a gravel beach about 60 feet above
the 1924 level. During the Pleistocene these higher levels very probably
caused a surface discharge to Lake Lahontan via Willow Creek Valley.
This surface discharge is further indicated by the fact that four of the
five native species of fishes are of Lahontan origin.
i;a(;M'; i.aki: 'iii ( ini!
:'.f»7
TdIhI ;ill<;iliiiit y of I lie l;ik<' \;iric(l in l!l|s I'l-om ."):M p. p.m. at tlic
iiioiilli (>r IMiic ("i-('<'k ill .liiiic to IlOO p. pill, ill tlic sluilldw iiortlwrii
scctidii ill AiiLjiist. .\\ci"i^'(' total alkalinity \v;is ;ipproxiniat.oly 70!»
p. p. 111. for all stations in IfllS. 'riic jtll v;ii-i('(l I'i-omi H.4 to 9.(').
Surface Icinpcrat iircs rjinuc from iiiiK-li liclow IVcrziii^' in winter,
wlicii as iiiiicli ;is IS indies of ie(> may ronn, to a siiiiiriier iiiaxijiiiim
of 70 (lejiToes V. i-econled in August, 1!)4H. Oxyj^cn is |)|(Mitifiil in tlio
upper layers, hut below the .'{.l-l'oot, level during" the suiiinier mouths
it is t'reipiently nonexistent oi' too low to su|)poi't fish lilV. The oxyj^'eu
fe<iime (liiriui:' the winter stao'uation period, when the hike is frozen
over, is not known. An ill-(l(»fined thermoeliue is formed dui-iiiji- the sum-
mer mouths and lluetuates between the r},")- and HO-foot levels. Stron*r
southerly winds which occur almost daily durin<; the summer usually
eause enonjih circnlation to prevent the formation of a elear-cnt ther-
iiioeline. Temi)erat lire ami oxygen data for a station in the southern
part of the lake are given in Table 1.
TABLE 1
Temperatures and D
Issolved Oxygen at a Station Off Canyon Point
April 12, 1949
June 23, 1949
Sept.
9, 1948
Nov.
8, 1949
Depth ill ft.
T(M11|).
Dissolved
Temp.
Dissolved
Temp.
Dissolved
Temp.
Dissolved
in
oxygen
in
oxygen
in
oxygen
in
oxygen
degrees
in
degrees
in
degrees
in
degrees
in
F.
p.p.m.
F.
p.p.m.
F.
p.p.m.
F.
p.p.m.
Surface
41
10.2
65
10.7
67.5
10.2
56
12.2
5
64
9.2
66.9
10.7
50
10.0
10
40
*
64
9.2
66.6
9.3
48
10.2
15
64
9.1
66.6
9.1
42
10.2
20
40
*
64
9.2
64.9
9.0
42
9.6
25 . _ . -
40
*
63
62
9.1
8.7
64.6
64.0
9.0
8.2
42
42
9.2
30
8.4
35
58
5.2
64.0
5.3
45
8.4
40
40
*
56
56
1.2
2.8
62.1
*
2.4
.65
42.5
41.5
8.4
45
6.4
50
40
*
54.5
54
2.3
.8
60.4
60.1
1.3
.4
40.5
6.2
55
* Not taken.
BIOLOGY
Systematics
The geiins SipJiateles is represented by two species in California, one
of which, Sipliatclcs hicolor. has four subspecies.
Snj'der (1917) reported collecting two sjiecies of SipliaUhs in Eagle
Lake, a fine gill-rakered form (SipJiatelea pcctinifcr) and a coarse gill-
rakered form (Siphafeles ohcsiis). Meristic data for 2!>2 specimens col-
lected dnring the current study indicate that a poiuilation of inter-
grades between these two species exists. The gill-raker count of this
popnlation exhibits a bimotlal curve (Figure 2^, luit all other char-
acters upon which the two sjx'cies are ditVereiit iated show a uniforin
intergradation.
398
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
30
/
I
to
125
j
J
i.20
V
A
r
^
L
'B 15
\
/\
1
\
-? 0
\
\
E
Z 5
\
f
\
<
0
L^
J
V
12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
Number of Gillrokers on Firsf Arch
FIGURE 2. Distribution of the number of gill rakers on the first gill arch for
272 tui chubs from Eagle Lake.
The population now occnrring in Eagle Lake is best described by the
scientific name Sipliateles hicolor : obesus x pectinifer. Two body forms,
one obese with an obvious nuchal lump and the other slender, also
occur in the population but cannot be correlated with gill-raker counts.
Distribution Within Eagle Lake Basin
The Siphateles of Eagle Lake (Figure 3) is tj^pically lacustrine in
habit. It was not observed in the tributary streams at any time, except
in Pine Creek below the lowermost rapids. Pine Creek has a long estu-
ary-like channel which remains connected with the lake after the creek
ceases to flow. For all practical purposes, this channel is a part of the
lake, since no perceptible flow can be noted in it. Gill nets placed in
the channel in 1948 and 1949 produced no adult Siphateles. Pine Creek
empties into Delta Bay, where the tui chub spawns very heavily, so it
is possible that some of the post-larval fish may find their way into the
estuary ; several individuals four or five inches long were seined there
in November, 1947. Since the estuary supports a heavy plant growth,
similar in character to that of the open lake, a few fish may even spawn
there.
No Siphateles were found in the lowermost semipermanent pools of
Pine Creek above the estuary in 1947, 1948, 1949, or 1950. They were
taken from the upstream side of the Pine Creek slough fish counting
weir in 1953 and 1954, indicating that they may have migrated from
an upstream area. It is believed these fish either resulted from recent
bait introductions or had migrated into the area above the weir when
it was open.
KAdij'; \>.\Kv. Ti I ( iiiit ;!!»!)
FIGURE 3. The obese form of the tui chub from Eagle Lake.
Movements
Observations in the open waters of the lake indicate that fish of the
same year chnss school top-ether, with only a few older and yonn<rer fish
present nntil the first spawning-. The schools break np on the spawn-
ing: g:ronnds and become well mixed thereafter. During the spawning
period the immature one- and two-year classes are scatterecl in the
lake, while the older fish are concentrated on the spawning grounds.
Gill netting in the deeper south end of the lake during the spawning
period produced a few large individuals not in spawning condition.
There was no indication that these fish were spawned out. Fish of the
same size range were noted actively spawning in Delta Bay.
No observations were made from the latter part of December tlirough
March. However, it is inferred from observations made during the fall
and spring that the adults confine themselves largely to the deeper
portions of the lake during the winter.
The ice was off the northern and middle sections in 1949 by April 2,
but did not go off the southern section until April 11. Nets placed in
the shallow middle section of the lake on April 9 caught only suckers
(Cafosto)u}(<i tahoensi.'^). On April 10, two gill nets placed in the chan-
nel between the middle and southern sod ions at the edge of the ice
took 114 adult Svphateles during a 12-hour period. The position of the
netted fish indicated that a mass exodus was under way from the
deeper ice-covered southern section into the shallow ice-free northern
and middle sections. Examination showed the fish to be sexually mature,
but not ready to spawn. Snyder (1917) observed a similar seasonal
movement of Siphateles from deep to shallow water in Pyi-amid Lake,
Nevada.
After about May 1, gill nets placed in the shallow northern and mid-
dle sections of the lake were filled rapidly with adults. This continued
through the spawning period, until late September, when almost no
adults were observed. At this time, however, the shallow shore areas
were swarming with young of the year.
In general, the largest fish are in the deep south portion of the lake.
From May through August only a few very large individuals were
found in this part of the lake. In the latter part of August noticeably
larger numbers of smaller fish were taken, and in September nets were
quickly loaded to capacity with fish of all sizes. The area in the deeper
sections of the lake suitable for fish life is limited by the scarcity of
oxygen below 35 feet during most of the summer months.
400
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Fish occasionally venture into the low oxygen regions, since a few
were always found in nets set at those levels. Such fish, unlike shallow-
water specimens, were invariabh^ dead and of the pale silvery color
usually associated with asphyxiation.
The schools can often be located by the large flocks of white pelicans
and cormorants which feed on them. The movement of these birds to
the southern portion of the lake, coincident with the first poor net
catches of SlphateJes in the northern and middle sections, is further
indication of the seasonal movement of the fish.
Parasites
This fish appears to be lightly parasitized in Eagle Lake. Several
nematode and cestode intestinal parasites were found and stages of
one or both of these were occasionally noted in connective tissue and
the mesentery, with no apparent ill effects. A large ulcerous swelling
was found on the nape of one fish. Individuals taken in the estuary of
Pine Creek were noticeably more heavily parasitized than those of the
open lake.
Food Habits
The newly-hatched fish begin to feed almost immediately upon roti-
fers, diatoms, desmids, and other microscopic material.
In July, 1948, 30 specimens ranging in size from 12.0 to 26.8 cm.
(4.7 to 10.5 inches) standard length were taken for stomach analysis
from gill nets in which they had been held for as long as 12 hours.
Because of the long period in the nets, many of the stomachs were
empty, and it was necessary to examine intestinal contents as far as
the first bend beyond the stomach. The intestinal tract is about as long
as the fish and the stomach is only slightly muscular.
TABLE 2
Foods Eaten by 30 Tui Chubs Collected in July, 1948 — Average Standard
Lengtti 17.4 cm. (Range 12.0-26.8 cm.)
Number of
gill rakers
Number
Plant
remains
Plankton
Caddis-
fly cases
Chiron-
omid
larvae
Surface
Insects
Hydra-
carinae
1.5 _
1
1
2
.3
3
1
1
1
3
3
6
0
3
1
1
1
"I
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
3
1
1
1
2
3
6
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
16 . - -
17
18
1
19
20
2] .
22 --.
2.3
24
25.
2
26 --
27 .
28 - .
1
29
Totals
Percentage of occurr
30
once
14
40. G
2.5
83.3
2
0.0
4
13.3
10.0
4
13.3
i:a<;i-i-; i. \ki. i i i ( ii ii-. 101
The iMiiuc" <il' Hie 'jill i';il<ci' cniiiils slidwcd ijir |\|ii.';il liiiiHMliilily <»r
lliis cli;! r;i('l cr in the |i(i|)ii l;i I ion. 1! ii\\('\ci-, no cun-rhit ion \v;is roimd
hcl \v<'('ii the iiiinihci- (if '_;ill i-.'ikcrs .-inil thi' Fudil scjcclrd. TIm' rrsdlts
(>r (lie stoiiiacli coiitciil ;iii;ilysis, Ihl'cI Iht with llir ui|| r;i|-.iT (l;it;i, ;ir'i'
presented in 'r;d)le "2.
Animal plankton (»('('Mri-('d in 83.3 porcoiil n\' I In- stoMiiichs. ('oprpods
and cladocerans were I lie most nnnicnms oT these oi-'janisins and tlie
contents ol' tlie entire i;iit were often (lyal a bright oran<i<'-i'ed from
the pigment ui' eopepods. The remains of hiiiliei- plants, pi'ineipally
PotdnKxji'ton, oeenrred in -l(!.(i percent of the slomaehs. jJeeailse tlie
indixidnals in this exandnalion were taken on the spawning;- 'jronnds,
where larec nnmhers (d' these plants oei-nr, the ainonnt of plant re-
mains in this sample is probably ;:i'reater than normal. I'hy toplankton
was not found in any of tlie adult stonuielis. However, it is (piiekly
rendered unrecognizable by digestion. Surface insects occurred in Id. (5
percent of the cases. In one instance, during a hatch of small black-
winged mayflies a whole school a])peared to be feeding exclusively on
that item. The caddisily cases and the chironomid larvae may be classed
as bottom foods and occurred 6.6 and 13.3 percent of the time, respec-
tively.
With the exception of a few scales found in three stomachs, no fish
remains were noted. These scales may inadvertently have been included
during dissection or ingested by the fish during their sti'uggles in the
gill nets. They are not believed to be indicative of pisci\-oi'ous tend-
encies.
Spawning
The tui chub of Eagle Lake typically spawns for the first time in
the spring- of its third year. The earliest date on which ripe spawners
were taken in nets was June 16, 1949. The scarcity of ripe females at
that time, and the occurrence of newly-hatched Sipluiteles, indicate
that spawning begins about the middle of ]\Iay. On ]\Iay 10, '[9'A), a
male dropped by an osprey was found to be sexually mature (tlowing
milt). The water temperature at that time was 57 degrees F. After
about the first of July fish in spawning ccmdition no longer occurretl.
The most obvious changes in the female associated with spawning are
a slight enlargement of the anal region and protrusion of the genital
papilla, a deepened body, and a reddish tinge of the fins. The male's
fin coloration is intensified in the same way and, in addition, he becomes
covered with small, white tubercles.
Fertilization and deposition of the eggs were not observed. At various
times during the spawning period, however, a group of fish was noted
swimming slowly and crowded together near the bottom. In each in-
stance they were in water not over thri'e feet deep, where numerous
aquatic plants were growing. Periodically tlie t1sh became excited and
milled around, often stirring up clouds of silt which obscured the scene.
Plants and bottom material collected after such an occurrence on June
25, 1948, included uncleaved eggs which hatched into k^ipliatchs on or
about July 3, 1948. No attempt was made to observe spawning activities
at night.
402
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Newly extruded eggs are from 1.5 to 1.9 mm. in diameter, increasing
slightly in size after fertilization. Their color is at first a pale orange-
yellow, which changes to a light straw-yellow. They are very adhesive,
and when spawned artificially stick to the pan and hands individually
and in clumps, whether fertilized or not.
A series of six screen-topped quart jars was placed in the lake, each
containing approximately an equal number of fertilized Siphateles
eggs. Some of the eggs were free, others attached to plants. Into three
jars bottom mud was introduced, while the others were allowed to re-
main clear. The results, presented in Table 3, suggest that only eggs
attached to plants or otherwise kept off the bottom and out of the mud
will develop normally.
TABLE 3
Results Obtained From Experimental Hatching of Tui Chub Eggs in
Under Different Conditions
Eagle Lake
Jar No.
Eggs
Mud or Clear
Results after 72 hours
1
Free
Free
Free
Attached to plants
Attached to plants
Attached to plants
Clear ..
Alive
2 ... .
Mud (eggs submerged) .
Mud (eggs on surface) _
Clear
Mud (eggs submerged) .
Mud (eggs on surface) .
Dead
3 - - ...
Alive (covered with
4.. ..
Saprolegnia)
Alive
o__
Dead
6 . .- -
Alive
Eggs were found on three species of rooted aquatic plants : Myrio-
pliyUum spicaium L. var. exalhescens Jepson, C eratophyllum demersum
L., and Potamogeton sp. These plants, particularly the Potamogeton,
are often torn from the bottom by various diving birds. Siphateles eggs
were occasionally found attached to floating masses of this plant ma-
terial in the open lake. This may explain why newly-hatched Siphateles
were taken in surface plankton tows in the middle of the lake, far from
known spawning areas.
An 11-inch female produced 11,200 ripe eggs (measured volumet-
rically). This figure is probably low, since only ripe eggs were found.
Dissection of other females indicates that the eggs do not all mature
at the same time.
The incubation period of the eggs in the lake is not known. Newly-
fertilized eggs collected July 25, 1948, and left in a quart jar in the
laboratory, where the air temperature varied from 40 to 90 degrees F.,
hatched and the fry were found actively feeding in nine days. The
liatching time at the more stable lake temperature is probably less.
Postlarval Life
Upon hatching the yolk sac has been absorbed and the larvae are
well developed. They remain in plant beds until they are about 1 or 2
cm. long, at which size they first begin to appear along the shore in
numbers. Most of the small fish occur where the plant beds are not
very thick and at this time their numbers do not appear impressive. As
they increase in size, however, the tremendous numbers become ap-
parent. Along the shore of Delta Bay in late August, 1949, a black belt
EAGLE LAKE TUI CHUB
403
oi' these small iisli iiun'ed ciway as we a|)|)r()ai'li('(|, and rctiinicd to the
shallow shoi'(> line as soon as we had passed. This plant hed and shore-
line existence continued until late SeptendxT, when the aii- temperature
reached 40 de^n-ees V. during' tiu; early moi-nin«r hours. In Deeemher,
lOoO, no fish wei-e seen in the shallows of the west(!i-n section of Stones
Bay, where in late August, 1I)4S, I nniiiidous schools of tui chubs of the
year had occurred. It therefore ai)pears that tin; youn<^ of the year
nu<irate into tiie open waters at the onset of their first wint(!r and in
subsecpient years return to the shallows only durinjr spawning.' |)eriods.
B
FIGURE 4. Scale of tui chub in its fifth year, from Eagle Lake.
404
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Growth
Growth rates were calculated from scales of 121 specimens. Scale
samples were taken from approximately halfway between the lateral line
and the origin of the dorsal fin. A typical scale is shown in Figure 4.
The length of the anterio-lateral radius on 67 scales was plotted
against the standard length, giving a correlation coefficient of 0.97
(Figure 5). Scales were found to be forming on individuals 2 to 2^
em. (0.78 to 0.97 inches) long.
Little diftieulty was experienced in reading the scales to the fifth
annulus. An unusually large number proved to be regenerated, even
though they are firmly embedded in the adult. A number of adult fish
Avith large scars from wounds apparently inflicted by water birds were
found, but this would not seem to account for the large number of scales
lost by smaller fish. It appears that the scales are more deciduous when
the fish are small, since the greatest loss appeared to be about the time
of the formation of the first annulus. Fish shorter than 12 cm. (4.7
inches) lost more scales during their struggles in the gill net than did
the larger ones.
3.6
3.4
3.0
2.7
24
Ctf
-^—
e
2.1
:i
1.8
<\>
Nl
lb
tn
n
L2
u
CO
.9
.3
0
•
•
•
•
•
• •
•
•
i
•
■
«
•
i
•
•
(
s»
•
•
<
- ^
r"
>•
>
r =
.97
6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36
Standard Lenqth-Cen+imeters
pIGUR^ 5. Regression of scale :ize and fi:h length for the tui chub in Eagle Lake.
KAiilJ; LAKE TIJI ('Ill'lt
405
35
in
E
O
30
25
^20
D
-o
c
D
C/)
10
0
7
Aqe Groups
FIGURE 6. Growth rate of the tul chub in Eagle Lake. The fine vertical line is the range, the
black portion of the box one standard deviation, the horizontal line the mean, and the clear
box three times the standard error of the mean.
From Figure 6, it can be seen that growth is regular until the fourth
year, when it begins to taper olt' .The wide overlap in size ranges of
year classes is probably caused by the extended spawning period.
Means for the sixth- and seventh-year classes may be considered
tentative, due to the small numbers of individuals. Because of siniwning
checks and erosion from other causes, the scales become very difficult
to read beyond the five-year-age group. The largest unaged individual
was a female 40.9 cm. (16 inches) standard length.
406 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Fish of the year collected September 10, 1948, varied in length from
2.2 to 4.2 cm. (0.85 to 1.6 inches) standard length. The lake freezes
over during December and the formation of the annulus probably
occurs about the time the fish migrate into the shallow waters, just
after the ice goes off. This is about one month prior to spawning.
The length-weight relationship curve is shown in Figure 7.
The condition factor (K) was calculated for 139 specimens ranging
in standard length from 12.4 to 34.9 cm. The average value for K was
1.92 (range 1.04-2.94). The lower values were consistently associated
with the smaller sizes. The average of 61 values taken from spawners
between June 16 and June 25, 1948, was 1.98 (range 1.42-2.94). Im-
mediately after spawning the condition index dropped slightly, making
the average for 42 specimens taken between July 17 and July 27, 1948,
1.82 (range 1.04-2.39). A series of 36 examples taken well after spawn-
ing between August 3 and August 27, 1948, had begun to recover and
had an average K of 1.94 (range 1.20-2.73). The differences are ad-
mittedly slight, but indicative of the effect of spawning.
ECONOMICS
The average fisherman considers any non-game fish a "rough fish"
and therefore unfit for human consumption. This feeling is particu-
larly strong because chemical treatment of lakes has made it possible
to eradicate all "rough fish" in a lake and then to substitute a pure
population of "game fish." This negative attitude is relatively new,
as most of the early settlers utilized any fish at hand for food, whether
it be sucker, minnow, or trout.
The tui chub of Eagle Lake has an excellent flavor, although it is
somewhat bony, particularly in the caudal area. Cooked immediately
after being caught, it is excellent in everj^ way. Many of the local
people at Eagle Lake utilized it and considered it to be very good. A
large series was canned, using a variety of methods. A water pack
proved best. The meat, when properly brined, was white and firm, and
in the canning process the bones became quite soft. The resulting prod-
uct was quite palatable and was used in much the same way as canned
tuna.
Some sport fishing is furnished by the species. The best fishing area
is in the south section of the lake, where the fish are easily taken with
worms. "When caught in this fashion, their bite is a gentle tug, but
they furnish some good action when taken on light tackle. More active
fishing was reported on moonlight nights, when surfacing schools were
fished with a small spinner.
In 1942, 1943, and 1944, a permit was obtained by a commercial fish-
ing concern to seine and transport rough fish from Eagle Lake for mar-
ket. A letter from a representative of this company states that com-
mercial quantities of tui chubs were netted in only one year (1943).
They were taken during the month of May from spawning concentra-
tions in Delta Bay. About 8,000 pounds were obtained for export over-
seas. The company interested in exporting them canceled their order,
thereby forcing the fish onto the local market. Since people complained
EAGLE LAKE TUI CI MM
lOi
750
700
V
650
«
600
•
•
550
• • •
500
• •
•
450
• •
• * 1
2 400
V^
i 350
4
t
Jh
cr
1 300
250
•
r
•
• •
u
200
•
150
•
100
• •
50
•
•
• ••
••
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Siandard Lenq+h- Genii meters
FIGURE 7. Length-weight relationship of the tui chub in Eagle Lake.
the fish were too bony, only a few hundred pounds were ever used for
food and the remainer had to be dumped. In 1949, the company con-
sidered using them only for reduction purposes, the maximum value
being placed at $20 a ton.
408
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
MANAGEMENT
When the tui chub is considered as a factor in warmwater fish
management, it appears to fall in about the same category as the
greaser blackfish, Orthodon microlepidotus (Murphy, 1950).
The only marked difference is in food habits. Orthodon adults feed
primarily on a combination of plankton and bottom materials, with a
preponderance of vegetable matter. Siphateles takes primarily animal
foods feeding upon zooplankton, some higher plants, and larval insects
which are found on the plants. The young blackfish and tui chub feed
upon nearly the same food items. The slower growth rate of Siphateles
may be attributed to the more rigorous climate of Eagle Lake.
The spawning time, as based upon temperatures, is about the same
as for the largemouth black bass, or about 60 degrees F. The spawning
areas and habits of the black bass and the tui chub do not conflict.
In Eagle Lake this fish, along with several others, is an important
buffer species for the Eagle Lake Rainbow Trout. This trout, an en-
demic species, migrates up Pine Creek about April of each year to the
area above Bogard to spawn. ]\Iany of the adults are trapped in that
area when the creek ceases flowing in its lower reaches. It seems likely
that all of the newly -hatched fish are caught in that area, to remain there
until the next year's spring freshets. When these yearling trout enter
Eagle Lake they are about 5 to 7 inches long. Large flocks of pelicans,
mergansers, and other fish-eating birds concentrate at the shallow sand
bar found at the mouth of the stream.
At this time the spawning migration of Tahoe Suckers (Catostomus
tahoensis), Lahontan Red Sided Shiners {Bichardsonius egregius),
and the Lahontan Speckled Dace (Rhinichthys o. ro'bustus) into Pine
Creek is in progress and they buffer against predation on the trout
by the water birds. As the trout enter the lake this role is assumed
by the myriads of tui chubs then moving into the shallow Delta Bay
area prior to spawning. This buffer action is not a matter of the min-
FIGURE 8. A catch of tui chubs taken by sports anglers from Eagle Lake In September, 1948.
EA(ii,i': i,\Ki; III (III I! 400
HOWS ;iii(l suckers Iiciiil;' iiioi'i' ;ii'ci'|)|,ii)|i' in iln' |iic< l,i lois. Imt rjillicc
OIK' ol' I rciiiciKldiis ;i\;ii l.iliilil \ ;il ;i liinr wlini Idr I'lirjlc Lake rain-
bow is iiiosi \ iilii('ral)l('.
Since liii cliiihs rrc((iiciil l\ swim iicai- llir siiilacc. Ilicy are available
to the birds xirlnajiy all llie lime they are present and a^ain biilTcr
the trout in t he (i|)eii lake.
Slioiild Ihe Iroiil enter the lake as fineerl i ii^rs or \'v\ . thei'e \v(tiild be
eonipelit ion I'or food and the liii i-liiib pruliubl^' would depress th(! trout
po])ulatioii.
Siphatclcs luis dovoloped into a ratlier spectacular nnisauce when
introduced into waters to wliieli if is not native. I'liis has lieen espe-
cially true when if occurs in trout lakes in which aii^liii<_;- is maintained
by finiicriinji' ])lan1s. This writer believes that this phenomenon is <liie
primarily to the poor trout spa\viiin<2: facilities of most of these lakes
and the subse(pieut uiiravorable position of the predator trout pf)pula-
tion. Competition IxMwccn small planted trout and t<ii)li(it(les is be-
lieved to be severe. In larger lakes, where Siphateles is native, a good
trout fishery often exists.
Field observations indicate the tui chub does not reach as large a
size m waters of lower productivity, such as Donner Lake, Nevada
County. It may pro\e to be a good forage fish for largemoiith black bass
in certain fluetnating reservoirs.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The study was initiated at the suggestion of Mr. Harry A. Hanson
as part of a general biological survey of Eagle Lake being directed by
him. The facilities of the Chico State College Eagle Lake Biological
Field Scliool were made available by Drs. Vesta Holt and Thomas L.
Rodgers. Dr. Robert R. Harry made available data collected during his
study of the embryonic and early larval stages. Dr. Paul R. Xeedham
aided in the preparation of the material presented as partial require-
ment for the blaster of Arts degree at the University of California.
Messrs. Sam Webb, L. L. Dahl, and J. W. Cavanee were most lielpful
during the field work. Mrs. Barbara Thoma Kimsev carried out the
experimental canning.
SUMMARY
Eagle Lake, Lassen County, Caiiiornia. is an alkaline hdvc lying in
a closed basin, with only intermittent inlet streams. Although the lake
surface is now lowered as a result of both evaporation and irrigation,
it has fluctuated widely in the past through natural causes.
The writer considers the tui chub of Eagle Lake a hybrid population,
Siphateles hicolor: ohesus X pectinifer, in which a peculiar bimodal
gill-raker pattern exists. No correlation could be detected between the
gill-raker counts and any otliei- cliaracter ordinarily used to differ-
entiate these forms.
The adults feed primarily upon the larger zooplankton, higher plants,
and insect larvae. Newly-hatched fish begin to feed almost immediately
upon rotifers, desmids, diatoms, and other microscopic material.
The tui chub spawns when the water temperatures are approxinuitely
60 degrees F., laying its adhesive eggs on plants in water not over
three or four feet deep.
410 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
It inhabits the shore areas and shallows during its first year. After
that, it returns to these areas only during the spawning period.
In Eagle Lake it attains a mean standard length of 6.6 cm. (2.7
inches) at the end of the first year, 11.2 cm. (4.4 inches) in its second
year, 16.7 cm. (6.6 inches) in its third, 21.6 cm. (8.5 inches) in its
fourth, 24.9 em. (9.8 inches) in its fifth, 28.1 cm. (11.1 inches) in its
sixth, and 32.5 cm. (12.8 inches) in its seventh. The maximum size
recorded (unaged) was 40.9 cm. (16.0 inches). Lengths of age groups
were calculated from scale measurements.
The species may prove useful as a forage fish in fluctuating reservoirs.
LITERATURE CITED
Fry, Donald H., Jr.
1936. Life history of Hesperoleucus venusttis Snydex-. Calif. Fish and Game,
vol. 22, no. 2, p. 65-98.
Harry, Robert R.
1951. The embryonic and early larval stages of the tui chub, Siphateles Mcolor
(Girard). from Eagle Lake, California. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 37,
no. 2, p. 129-132.
Hubbs, Carl L., and Robert R. Miller
1948. The Great Basin, with emphasis on glacial and post glacial times. II.
The zoological evidence. Univ. of Utah Bull., vol. 38, no. 20, p. 17-166.
Murphy, Garth I.
1948. Notes on the biology of the Sacramento hitch {Lavinia e. exilicauda) of
Clear Lake, Lake County, California. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 34, no. 3,
p. 101-110.
1950. The life history of the greaser blackfish (Orthodon wicrolepidotus) of
Clear Lake, Lake County, California. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 36, no. 2,
p. 119-133.
Snyder, John Otterbein
1917. The fishes of the Lahontan system of Nevada and northeastern California.
U. S. Bur. Fish., Bull., vol. 35, 1915-16, p. 31-86.
Taft, Alan C, and Garth I. Murphy
1950. The life history of the Sacramento squawfish {Ptychocheilus grandis) .
Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 36, no. 2, p. 147-164.
A COMPARISON OF JAPANESE AND HAWAIIAN
SPECIMENS OF THE BLACK SKIPJACK,
EUTHYNNUS YAITO'
H. C. GODSIL
Marine Fisheries Branch
California Department of Fish and Game
The black skipjack of tlic llHwaiiaii Islands was doscribod and its
rclntioiisliip to tho tunas discussed by CJodsil ('1954^. The fiudiu;rs wcro
compared with Kisliiuouyc's (1!)2;J) description of l\ idh i/n mis i/aifo
from Japan, and as no differences were detected, the Ilawaiian speci-
mens were assigned to that species.
After the work had been eomi")leted, three specimens of E. i/nifo were
received from Japan. Tiiese specimens wxn*e secured from the Tokyo
fish markets and sent to the California State Fisheries Laboratory
by Dr. Bruce W. ITalstead, School of Tropical and Preventive IMedicine,
Loma Tjiuda, California, whose cooperation is gratefully acknowledfred.
An examination of these three specimens showed that they a<rreed
essentially with the Hawaiian specimens, so that there can be no doubt
as to the specific identity of the Japanese and Hawaiian fish.
In external appearance the Japanese specimens were indistinonish-
able from the Haw^aiian. The proportional measurements (Table 1)
conformed closely to those of the Hawaiian specimens, althoup:h in
many instances they showed a tendency tow^ard higher values. The
differences were slight and with but two exceptions could be attributed
to the effects of freezing and prolonged cold storage.
Fin ray and gill raker counts agreed in general with those of the
Hawaiian sample. All three specimens possessed 15 first dorsal rays,
8 dorsal finlets, 14 anal rays, and 7 anal finlets. Two specimens had 12
second dorsal rays and the third one 13. The gill raker count was 8 -|-
1 + 22-24 = 31 - 33. In the count of gill teeth, two of the Japanese
specimens had 26, which is one less than the recorded mininnuu in the
Hawaiian sample. The third Japanese specimen had 28 gill teeth. The
comparable counts in the Hawaiian sample (8 fish) were: first dorsal
ravs 14-15; second dorsal ravs 12-13; dorsal finlets 8; anal rays 13-14;
anal finlets 7 ; gill rakers 7-9 + 1 + 22 - 24 = 29 - 34 ; gill teeth 27-29.
While the general view of the viscera, in situ, was similar to that
of the Hawaiian specimens, a detailed examination of the visceral
organs was not made ; neither were the specimens arterially injected.
The condition of the specimens rendered this impractical. However,
the specimens were skeletonized, and a positive indentification was
made on the basis of the diagnostic characters of the vertebral column.
1 Submitted for pulilication May, 1954.
(411)
412
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
TABLE 1
Measurements Made Upon Three Japanese Specimens of Euthynnus yaito and the Resulting Proportions in
Relation to Body Length. The Values Obtained From Hawaiian Specimens (Godsil, 1954)
Are Shown for Comparison.
Fish
Fish
Fish
No. 9
No. 10
No. 11
399 mm.
405 mm.
401 mm.
108
109
109.5
126
124
130.5
243
243
242
260
265
261
118
118
120.5
..
_.
105
99
97
101
173
171
169
145
146
140
123
124
117.5
25
26
28.5
29
28
28.5
58
65
61
57
59
57.5
27
..
29
27
27
29
14
15
14
43
43
44
46
46
46
31
31
32
30
30
32
Range in
ratios,
Japanese
Range in
ratios,
Hawaiian
Body length
Head length
1st dorsal insertion
2d dorsal insertion
Anal insertion
^"entral insertion
Greatest body depth
Dorsal- ventral distance
Dorsal-anal distance
Ventral insertion to vent
Length of 1st dorsal base
Length of 2d dorsal base
Length of anal base
Pectoral length
Height of 1st dorsal
Height of 2d dorsal
Height of anal
Diameter of iris
Maxillary length
Snout to posterior margin of eye
Fleshy interorbital distance
Snout to above plane
3.66- 3.72
3.07- 3.27
1.64- 1.67
1..53- 1.54
3.3.3- 3.43
3.97-
2.31-
2.7.5-
3.24-
14.07-
13.76-
6.2.3-
6.86-
13.83-
13 . 83-
7.27-
2.49-
2.35-
4.18
2.37
2.86
3.41
15.96
14.46
6.88
7.00
14.78
15.00
-, 7.82*
2.53*
■ 2.38*
3.44-
3.11-
1.65-
1.48-
3.07-
3.55-
3.86-
2.28-
2.75-
3.23-
14.29-
14.02-
5 . 54-
6.41-
12. lo-
ll.91-
6.06-
2.31-
2.14-
3.60
3.23
1.70
1.52
3.24
3.99
4.18
2.38
2.95
3.53
15.53
17.38
6.05
7.00
14.15
14.15
8.00*
2.51*
2.34*
* Ratio of this measurement is to head length. All other measurements are related to body length.
The possession of 39 vertebrae and the absence of any trace of pro-
tuberances on the 33d and 34th vertebrae unmistakably identified these
specimens as E. yaito.
In the examination of the Japanese specimens, several minor dif-
ferences were apparent. The ratio of body length divided by head
length ranged from 3.66 to 3.72, whereas in the HaAvaiian specimens the
comparable range in eight specimens was from 3.44 to 3.60. This can-
not positively be attributed to the effects of prolonged cold storage be-
cause the Hawaiian specimens were also frozen, although stored for a
lesser time. Similarly, the recorded difference in the proportion body
length divided by ventral insertion was appreciably higher in the Jap-
anese fish. The significance of these differences must await further
investigation.
A slight difference exists in the ratio of head length divided by the
distance between the snout and the posterior margin of the eye. Neither
of these measurements are perceptibly affected by cold storage. The
range in the Hawaiian sample was from 2.14 to 2.34, whereas the Jap-
anese specimens varied from 2.35 to 2.38.
Each skeletal element of the Japanese specimens was compared with
the comparable structure in Hawaiian specimens. In only two char-
HIiA(;K SKIIMAf K }]:{
;icl.(M-s were |»(ilriili;il (lirrcrciMTs iii»li-(|, ;iii(l liolli oT llifsc wrn- rt'laiivf.
()l" llic l)()ii('s ex;! mi iinl nn 1 1 i rrrmicrs wefc iilisci'Vi'd ill the t'dllnwin^;:
IMciyfjoitl Artinilar
Prcm.'ixilhir.v rn-orliilnl
r<ist('iiivici«' <;iirMs<iii\iii
OlMMClll.ll- llOllCS I'l.xllflllliorill
("Ijuiclc, iiiid cuiil i;;ii(iiis liuiifs l>i-iiliiry
Maxilhir.v I Ivoiiinrnliltiiliir
Ilyjil assciiilil.v I'fh ic Kinllr
I*iiliitin(> M*-Nii|il<-r.VK'>iil
Aiixilinrv iii;i \ illary ( Jiiinlral*-
N'clrliral rulliliiil
The teeth on Ixitli j.iws ;i|i|)r;ircil sin.ilh'i' ;iiii| moi-c hrist !<• likr in tin-
Japanese fisli. The dirrciTncc, tlion^h sli'jlit, was visually apjian-nt
when specimens of tlir same size were din-ctly compared.
Tlie posterior portion of tlie paras|)liciioid dilVei-ed in shape in ih'-
two samples. This dill'erenee can hest be (h'serihed as two charaeters.
Those portions of the parasphenoid formiii^i- tlie lateral marfrins of the
posterior aperture of the myodome were distinetly cii-iular in appear-
ance in all of the Jajianese specimens, whereas in the Hawaiian speci-
mens they were relatively straij^ilit and sli;;litly diver-i'ent posteriori}'.
Moreover, in ventral view the shape of this aperture of the myodome
appeared different. In the Hawaiian specimens it was shallow, while
in the three Japanese specimens it Avas deeper.
The second cliai-acter concerns the same bone. The total extent of the
parasphenoid (ventral view) posterior to the orbit is visually divided
into two portions by a low, sharp transverse ridge in small specimens of
the Hawaiian yaito. In large specimens this ridge develops into a short,
blunt but unmistakable process on each side. Such ridges or processes
are lacking in the Japanese yaito, and this portion of the bone is not
visually divided. It is perhaps worth recording that the single sjjcci-
men of E. yaito taken in California waters ((iodsil 10.14) agreed in
general in the above characters with the Hawaiian rather than the Japa-
nese specimens.
All of the above diflt'erences are relative. In no ease could a specimen
be positively identified by any one of them. It is possible that they are
merely extreme variations of the specific pattern. If they should prove
to be associated with locality, they are merely indicative of population
differences, and by no means justify a specific separation. The simi-
larity in the anatomy of the two forms indicates overwhelmingly that
they are of the same species, and individnally indistinguishal)le.
REFERENCES
(Jodsil, H. C.
1954. A descriptive study of crrlain iuii:i like ti.slu's. Calif. Dept. Fish and Uaine.
Fish r.ii]l. 97, lSS"i).
Kisliinouye, Kaniaixiolii
1923. Contributions to tlie comparative study of the so-called .scombroid fishes.
Tokyo Coll. Agri., Jour., vol. S. p. •J!t:i-4Tr..
THE EFFECT OF AUROFAC-ENRICHED DIET (AUREO-
MYCIN AND B12) UPON YOUNG KING SALMON
EARL S. HERALD end ROBERT P. DEMPSTER
Stfiiihcirt Aqucirium
Ccilifornici Accicloiiiy of Scioncei
and
HOWARD McCULLY
Mcirine Fisht'ries Branch
California Departmunt of Fish and Game
During' the past few years many aquarists and a(|nati(' Ijiolofjists have
been experinientint;' witli tlie nntihiotics, as bolli tlicrapcutie at,'fnt.s
and dietary supplements. Tliis lias resulted iu a variety of claims and
statements — many of conflicting nature. Upon examination of these
two phases as they relate to fishes, a prompt conclusion is reached that
some of the antibiotics are certainly effective as thei-apeutic atrcnts — l)Ut
under specific conditions. The biy (pu^stion at present concerns their
value as dietary supplements. Our preliminary studies at Steinhart
Aquarium have dealt with this dietary piublcm, and will be described
later in this paper. It should be pointed out that our priinai\v interest
is in the use of antibiotics as growth supi)lements and not as a source of
protein or of carbohydrates.
Anreomycin (chlorotetracycline) and vitamin Bi_. have been re-
ported to achieve spectacular growth results when adih'd to the normal
feed of such animals as chickens, turkeys, pigs, and young cattle
(Anon., 1949; Cravens, 1950; Stokstad, 1952). Of considerable signifi-
cance is the effect of these agents in lu-oducing .111 even growth rate,
with no runtiness among the animals uiuUm- treatment. However, anreo-
mycin and vitamin Bi^ have one serious disadvantage when considered
for use as a dietary supi^lement — tbey are too costly. In order to over-
come this problem and to meet a low-cost criterion for a suitable anti-
biotic food sujiplement, Aurofac Avas develojied, and is now nuirketed
by the Lederle Tjaboratories Division of the American Cyanamid
Company.
To determine whether or not these same growth l)enefits couUl also
be obtained in routine aquarium practice, it was decided to experiment
first Avith young king salmon. Tlie results were so unexpected that it
seems advisable to present tliciii here, together with a snnunary of
certain similar experiments which have lieen carried out at other places.
1 Submitted for pnblicntion .TnnuM-y, 19r.4. Tlie fheniioaUy d<sfriptiv.' ct^nori.- narn.^
chlorotetracycline has replaced anreomycin. "Aureomycin" is the trade name for
the product of I.ederlc l^alxiratorie.^ l>i\i.siin of the .-Vmerican ("yanaiiiid ('»nipany
We are using the t<rni 'aurt'dniycin" in this paper because it is more familiar
(415)
416 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS V^ITH AUREOMYCIN AND
OTHER ANTIBIOTICS
Brown Trout
Wolf (1952) has reported a series of experiments with aureomycin,
vitamin B12, and terramyein (oxytetracycline)^ as supplements to
the diet of brown trout tingerlings. The tests, with ten lots of 200 fish
each, covered a 16-week period (May 11-August 30). When Aureomycin
and Bio in the form of Anrofac were added to a basic diet, there was no
apparent increase in the size of the fish. A slight growth advantage,
however, was believed to result from the addition of this agent to a
poor diet of vegetable meals. Aurofac did not have any effect on the
mortality. At the onset of these tests, Aurofac was used according to
the manufacturer's recommended dosage for farm animals of 0.8 per-
cent by weight. This corresponds to a concentration of 32.6 p. p.m. After
a few weeks with no apparent effects, this amount was doubled, and
later doubled again. The small amount of growth advantage discernible
with an Aurofac and vegetable meal diet occurred only when the aureo-
mycin was used at a concentration of 65.7 p.p.m. or higher and, accord-
ing to Wolf, the data were not sufficient to establish statistical validity.
Addition of 18.0 to 71.8 p.p.m. of terramyein in the diet did not stimu-
late growth, but may have lowered the mortality slightly in both series
of diets. Wolf concludes that his experiments raise little hope that
antibiotics and vitamin B12 will prove beneficial in the diets of brown
trout.
Cutthroat Trout
Mr. Jack E. Bailey, biologist for the Montana Department of Fish
and Game, writes of their preliminary tests at the Arlee Hatchery
with Aurofac fed to cutthroat fingerlings. These tests were initiated
with four-week-old fish, in four groups of 10,000 fish each, and using
a six-day-per-week feeding schedule. The first group was fed liver
mixed with Aurofac 2-A, at the 2.5 percent level. The second group
received the same diet plus a weekly one-hour treatment of 1 : 500,000
PMA (Pyridylmercuric acetate). The third was the control group,
receiving a straight liver diet, while the fourth group received the liver
diet plus PMA. The tests were continued for 11 weeks, at which time a
bacterial gill disease caused partial cessation of the experiment. Auro-
fac did not inhibit the disease, and there was no visible effect on the
growth, although accurate measurements were not made. There seems
to have been a very slight decrease in mortality in the Aurofac group
in comparison with the control.
Rainbow Trout
The effects of terramyein, arsanilic acid, Chloromycetin, penicillin,
and aureomycin on rainbow trout were tested in a controlled experi-
ment by Wagner (1954). The drugs were given in the form of com-
mercial feed supplements in the concentration of 22.0 p.p.m. of the
food, except for the arsanilic acid. The arsanilic acid was administered
in the concentration of 21.8 p.p.m. of the food. At the beginning of the
- The chemically descriptive generic name oxytetracycline has replaced terramyein.
"Terramyein" is a trade name of Charles Pfizer and Company, Incorporated. W^e
have used "terramyein" because it is better known.
KKI'KC'I' oi \l KOI Ar |,\UM HID DIKT 417
cxpcriiiiciil, Ihc hoiii i;iipj-,(| Ironi :!l !•> ..1 tiiiii. iii i-'imtii. Sum- ot'
1-he fish on Ihc .sii|i|)h'iii(iilr,| ilii-ts showfil as rapid an inrrra-sr in
woi^'ht, .-IS the ('(iiilidl LMdiip (i\ii- Ihc whnh- tiiiu' of tlir rxpcriliicllt.
Tiio aulhor hclic\cs ih;il Ihc mi |.| ihiiicnls iiihiltitiMl thr iiorinal iiirrpa>M>
in yrowlh.
Mr. Horace (1. l''i;iiil/., .Ic, of ihc l'"r;iiizliiirs| liinnhou Tront Com-
pany, Inc., of Sali(Li, ( 'o|(.i;i(|,,, wi-ilcs that tlicy nrv n.sin^' Aurofnr
routiii('l\' as a dietary siipph'ineiit for lin^nM•lill^'•^ np to tliri'i* anil oni«-
luilf indies \o\\'^. .\llhoii<^ii they ha\c nof observed aii\ lieiiefieial u'r<)\vth
effect as a result of Ani-orac. ihc\ ha\c round that it reduces niorlality
in tliese youiiii' fish to ahoul oncicnih the iHuiiial rati-. AuroFar was
used at tlie "2 percent lexcl.
Mr. M. .1. Madseii, Cliiel' of h'ishi'rics Division, I'tah Fish and (Jarne
Commission, has suiimiai'i/.cd ihc State of I'tah 's feeding,' experinn-nt.s
with Ani'ofac, aureoinycin. hacilraciii. ami terrainycin. These tests were
eonduded at Clenwood State Fish llatchci'y hy .\lr. .Madseii ami June
F. ^o^vell. The tests were started in 1 !••')() on small lots of rainbow
trout and no ill etrects were attributed to the use of the aiitibioties.
In 1951, all the fish in the hatchery were fed food supplemented with
55.5 p. p.m. of bacitracin. Tlie youn^- trout of l!t.")l averajred seven fish
to the pound on Au<iust 1, 1951, while fish the same a<:e had avera<.'ed
10 to the pound on August 1 of the precedini;- year, it was also noted
that the Glenwood brood of lihll did bettei- than did the (isli from
another lot of eggs from the same source reared in another hatchery
without antibiotic supplements in their food.
In 1952, Aurofac, aureomyein, and baciti'aciii were used in the food
supply of all trout reared at Glenwood. Tln' mortality of two- to six-
inch fish was considerably reduced, and more uniform growtii with a
reduction in the number of "runt" and ''pinhead" fish was observed.
June Powell conducted a series of experiments at (ilenwooil Hatchery
that extended over a period of 12 weeks in 1952. In these experiments
varying amounts of terramycin and bacitracin in combination with
vitamins were used in the feed mixtures of all lots. In the case of one
lot, the composition of the feed nnxture was not reported. This h)t
contracted "red gill" and presumably was dropped from the experi-
ment.
Mr. Madsen states that "In fish there is seldom found an absolutely
healthy individual; some are just sicker than others. The use of anti-
biotics in feed nearing the spoiling stage because of bacteria lias proved
quite helpful in rendering this feed usable." lie eoncludes that any
evaluation of antibiotics as food supplenuMits for trout nuist be con-
sidered preliminary.
Eastern Brook Trout
Mr. Royall Scott (personal comunuiication, 19531. of the Clear
Springs Trout Farms, West Buxton, :\faine, writes that they have
been experimenting with Aurofac as a means of controlling ulcer
disease but that he is not yet ready to make detiinte statements on
that point. He does say that Aurofac with a diet containing a major
portion of dry feeds results in an improvenumt of the food eonvei-sion
ratio of from 3 to 19 iierceut. Like residts were not obtained when
Aurofac was added to an all-meat diet.
418 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Tropical Fishes
The controTersy over fish foods fortified with antibiotics has not
been limited to fishes of cold fresh Tvater. Much has also been said
about the effects of such foods on tropical fishes. NiiiCrelli and Atz
(1952) have brought up pertinent arguments in their urticle, "Don't
be a hypochondriac about your fishes." They report trisating guppies
^vith aureomycin by dissolving the antibiotic in the aquarium water
at the concentration of 350.9 p.p.m. without causing any mortality or
observing any distress. As a safe therapeutic measure, they recommend
a concentration of 132 p.p.m. of aureomycin in the aquarium water.
In discussing antibiotics as food supplements, they point out the possi-
bility that continued use. of antibiotics in food may cause a vitamin
deficiency by destroying vitamin-producing microbes in the fish's gut.
They also call attention to the possible danger of producing anti-
biotic-resistant strains of disease organisms.
The reaction of newborn guppies, Lebistes reticulaius, to aureomycin
was observed by Berke, Silver, and Kupperman (1953). The drug was
added to the food for a period of six months. AVe were unable to deter-
mine from the pajDcr the concentration in which the drug was admin-
istered. Apparently it was given in massive doses in the food. The
treated animals grew much less than did the control. The character and
perhaps the quantity of microorganisms present in the aquaria was
changed. This is shown by the overgrowth of Candida albicans that de-
veloped in the treated tank. The presence of Candida albicans is of the-
oretical importance because it is the cause of a most serious disease
(moniliasis) that may appear as a complication of antibiotic therapy
in man. The authors do not report whether or not this pathogenic or-
ganism invaded the tissues of the fish.
Dr. Aaron Wold of Hofstra College, Hempstead, New York, has
tested the effects of aureomycin on tropical fishes. He reports (Wold,
1952) that fish kept four days in water containing 65.9 p.p.m. of
aureomycin became hollow-bellied, refused to eat, swam at the surface,
and finally died. Further work by Dr. Wold resulted in the develop-
ment of a tropical fish food containing 59.5 to 79.3 p.p.m. of aureo-
mycin. This food is now marketed on a large scale. Dr. Wold and others
have attributed beneficial effects to the use of such products. We cannot
fully accept such claims until the details of substantiating experiments
have been published.
Salmon
In our experiments we used Aurofac, manufactured by the Lederle
Laboratories Division of the American Cj^anamid Company. Its in-
gredients are stated as follows: "dried extracted aureomycin meal and
fermentation solubles, diatomaceous earth, and solvent extracted soy-
bean oil meal." It is certified to contain not less than 1.8 grams of
aureomycin hydrochloride per pound and not less than 1.8 milligrams
of vitamin Bio activity per pound. Crude protein is not less than 10
percent, crude fat not less than 1 percent, and crude fibre not less
than 7 percent. The manufacturer recommends that Aurofac be mixed
with the food at a concentration not to exceed 1.4 percent. This is
i:i'i'i;( c ()!■ Ai KOI A(-i;\i<i( iii:i) dikt 4I<j
0(|ual to a confCMtrjitioii of :.:..'i i).p.in. ..f aiin'oiny.-in in tin* frxKl,*
The considcrahic aiiioiint of lcstiii._-- wliidi lias Ix-rn tU,w lia.s .shown
lliat tlie same i-clativi- r.'siilts can In- acliii'Vcd Uy iisiiit; i-itlifr the
purified B12 a id aiircdiiix I'iii, <>v ilir li-ss costly Aiirorar.
There have' been I wo s.iIiikhi cxpii-iiMcnts othrr than ours, UNin(;
aureoniyeiii-eivichfd foods, h'ohinsoii, I'ayiif, I'aJnHT, and HiirrowH
(I!)")!), ^vorkill,^■ with lin^crlin^- red saiinon { Oncnrlninchiis iitrkn),
found uo effect 011 the izrowth rate, hiil ihcy thoiiirht that the fish
may have been ]u-olcclcd IVom an aiicinic tcndciii'y. Tin- dir't consiMtod
of beef liver, hosi' spN'cn, caniicd salmon, and salmon visi-cra rncal.
Earp, Ellis, and Ordal (l!).").'!) irpnit ihat Klickitat Hatchery
(Washing-ton) tried to control an onllncak of Karp's kidney diseuHe
in kino- salmon fino-erlino-s by addinu- Aurofac to the food at a level
of 39.9 p.p.m of aureomycin. The Aveekly mortalities wen- ,s.2 percent
in the spring stock and l;{.7 ])ercent in tlie fall stock when treatment
was beg-nn August 20, 1951. The moilalily rates in both stocks declined
to about 1 percent by Hie last week in Scptrmhi'i-. hi another four
weeks they began to rise and during llic week ending December 29
they reached ^'^^ percent in the fall stock and 11 percent in the spring
stock. During- January mortalities again fell to from 5.0 percent to
7.5 percent, after which time treatment Avitli snlfa drugs was begun.
T^nfortunately there was no control and thus there is no way of know-
ing whether these changes in mortality resulted from the treatment
with aureomycin.
In order to test the effectiveness of Aurofac on young salmonids at
Steinhart Aquarium, two cold (49 to 51 degree F.) freshwater tanks
of 1,000 gallons capacity each were prepared. Each tank was stocked
with approximately 900 five-montli-old fingerling king salmon {Onco-
rhynchus tshawytscha) with an average fork length measurement of
62 mm. Addition of Aurofac to the diet was initiated on ]\[ay 3, 1951,
using the maximum ratio recommended by the manufacturer: i.e., 1.4
pounds of Aurofac to 100 pounds of feed, or 55.9 ji.p.m. of aureomycin
in the food. The Aurofac in this proportion was mixed thoroughly
with finely ground raw horse heart and fed to one group of the salmon
fingerlings. The other group was held as a control, with the tish feil
the same amount of heart without Aurofac. Both grouj^s were fed
once a day for six days of each week.
On July 31, 1951, Aurofac was discontinued and both tanks were fed
only raw heart because of the obvious size difference between the tish
in the Aurofac tank as compared with those in the control tank. When
the results were tabulated, it was surprisingly found that Aurofac had
actuallv retarded the fishes' growth (Table 1). At the end ot S:'> days
on the Aurofac diet (July 25, 1951) the average growth increa.se was
only 4.7 mm., in comparison with an average increase of 18.1 nnn. m
the' control tank. The salmon in both tanks were infected with a bac-
terial disease. The svmptoms were those of Earp's kidney diseast^ as
described bv Earp. Ellis and Ordal (1953). Earp ha.l identitied this
disease in another lot of young king salmon from Steinhart Aquarium
3 To make comparisons easier, we have reduced aH concentrations of aure<w^^^
nartc! r,er miUion n n m. The p.p.m. as used here is the equn-ilent ot tne niuro
?mm per mi Iter of the bacteriologist, and the miUipram per liter or kilogram of
fhe pharmacologist. The 50 milligrams per ^,^1^" "^^ ^, \^, •'^^"'^:;f^„t^"«'„^ ver ^u™d
and the gram per ton of the feed man equals 1.11 p.p.m. The nulligram per pouna
equals 2.22 p.p.m.
420
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
TABLE 1
Effects of Aurofac-enriched Diet Upon King Salmon Fingerlings
Start of test — (May 3, 1951)
Number of fish in each tank
Number of fish measured
Average fork length
83 days after start of test — (July 25, 1951)*
Number of fish measured
Average fork length
Increase in average length in 83 days
Spread of measurements at end of 83 days
201 days after start of test — (November 20, 1951)
Number of fish measured
Average fork length
Increase in average length in 201 days
Spread of measurements at end of 201 days__
Mortality between July 26 and August 23, 1951
181
Aurofac-e
;n
riched diet
Normal diet
900
900
17
17
62
mm.
62 mm.
18
18
67.0
mm.t
80.1 mm.t
4
7
mm.
18.1 mm.
34
mm.
26 mm.
12
12
87
9
mm. J
106.5 mm.t
25
9
mm.
44.3 mm.
42
mm.
26 (44) mm.§
99
* Aurofac feeding stopped six days after this date, i.e., on July 31, 1951.
1 1 equals 4.84 and p equals less than .001.
% t equals 3.37 and p equals less than .001.
§ See text discussion.
early in 1951. The fish took food readily until the disease had advanced
to the point that the fish were obviously very sick. Typical lesions of
the disease could be found among the controls but they remained rela-
tively healthy throughout the course of the experiment.
The mean fork lengths of the two groups were 67.0 mm. for those in
the Aurofac tank and 80.1 mm. for those in the control tank. The "t"
test of significance showed a value of 4.84, with a probability of occur-
rence of less than .001. Most sigTiificant was the difference in mortality
rate. The controls had slightly more than one-half the mortality of
the treated salmon. Three and three-quarters months later (i.e., 201
days or six and one-half months after start) another check was made
of the growth rate in both tanks. The average increase in the control
group was 18.4 mm. greater than that of the Aurofac group.
It has been reported that in addition to increased growth rate in
pigs and chickens resulting from the use of Aurofac, this material has
produced very uniform animals. By contrast, the exact opposite oc-
curred after Aurofac had been fed to these salmon fingerlings. At the
time of the 83-day check, the spread of length measurements of the
Aurofac-fed fish covered 34 mm., whereas the controls covered only 26
mm. At the 201-day recheck the spread of measurements for the Auro-
fac-fed fish was 42 mm., and for 11 of the 12 controls, 26 mm. However,
the twelfth control fish was much larger tlian the others and extended
the spread of measurements another 18 mm. to 44 mm.*
From these data, it is apparent that Aurofac produced a detrimental
effect upon king salmon fingerlings when fed at the maximum ratio
recommended bv the manufacturer. The effects of feeding Aurofac
^Samples taken on the S3d day (July 25) showed that the coefflcient of variability,
V, was 13.7 for the length measurements of the Aurofac-fed fish, whereas the v
for the controls was 8.6. Sam.ples taken on the 21st day (November 20) have a V
of 16.2 for the Aurofac-fed fish and a V of 11.9 for the controls. (Coefficient of
variability is the standard deviation expressed as a percentage of the mean.)
KKFKC'i' <»i' \ri((»i'A( -i;m{|<iii;i> uikt 421
wen": dccrcisiM I i^idwlh r.ilc, mcn'u.scil iimi'tal ily , ami iiic|-ca.s<M| niiiti-
iicss. All (if lliis lia|)|M'Mi'(| ill ihr in'csciirc of a iliscasi- that srctnrd to
increase in sexcrilv.
Altlionu'li lliei'i' ean lie no (Imilii thai the use nl' Aili'ittae in twod
lias increased the Lii'nwlh lale in ciilain animals such as eliiekeiis and
pi^s, this has yet to lie deiiKuisli aird in earid'nily enntnilled experi-
luents uith (ish. 'riiei'e is evidence that aniedmycin i> elVcctive in s(»ine
iisli diseases.
The earei'id assistance ol' Slcinharl A(|iiai-iiiiii statV memhcrs Walter
Seliiioebeli and Ndixal (ireen in (air\in'j (Mil this experiment is ^'rat«'-
t'ully acknowIedLi'ed. 'The Aiii-tilac used in the test was t'nniislied
fln'ouu'li the cdiii'tesy td' William ( '. L(iiiL;ldin and ('ompany, San l<'ran-
L'iseo re])resentatives (if the i>ederle liaixiratories Division (d" the Ani'-ri-
can C'Vanamid Company.
REFERENCES
Anon.
1940. 'I'lic .•iiiini;)! iiidlcin factor in iiouiliv and swine nnlrition. Animal I"im-<|
I>c|it., I^cdcrlc l.alioratories Div., Aincr. Cyananiid Co., li!) p. (.Minifo. )
r>orlvC, IMulliii, Alliert ;\I. Silver, and Ilerljert S. Knuiiernian
1953. Effect of aureoniycin npon si'owtli and niatnration of Lchistcs rttiuhttiin.
Soc. Exptl. Biol, and Med., Proc, vol. M, iml 1. p. .T2-:',4 .
Cravens, W. W.
1950. ^'itaniin B12 and the antittiotics in nutrilidii. I'\'edstuiTs, \ul. '1'2, p. ."hir>(>.
Earp, B. J., C. H. Ellis, and E. J. Ordal
1!).")3. Kidney disease in yiunii;' saliiKin, W'.isli. I>fpl. Fish., S|)ec. Kept. Sit.,
no. 1.
Nigrelli, Ross F., and James W. Atz
1952. Don't he a hypocliondriac ahont yonr fi.shes. Aquar. .Tonr., vol. 23, n<>. 10,
p. 201-205.
Robinson, Leslie A., Merl H. Payne, Jr., David D. I'alnier. and Roj^er E. Bnrrows
1951. Tests of liatchery foods for lihieliacU salmon T.J.'O. I'. S. Fisli and Wildlife
Serv.. Spec. Sci. Rept. : Fisheries no. G3.
StoUstad, I']. L. R.
1952. Antihiotics in .•uiiinal nutrition. Antihiotics and Cliemothcrapy, vol. 3,
no. 4, ]i. 434-441.
Wagner, Edward I).
1954. The elTects of antihiotics and arsanilic acid <in the growtli of rainhow trout
fingcrliugs. Prog. Fi.sh-Cnlturist, vol. 10, no. 1, p. 3(>-3S.
Wold, Aaron
1952. Effects and uses of auroomycin. .\qnar. .Tour., vol. 2.'1. no. 11. p. 2.32-2.".5.
Wolf, Lonis E.
1952. Experiments with antibiotics and vitamin B12 in the diets of hrowii trout
lingerlings. Prog. Fish-Culturist. vol. 14. no. 4. p. 148-1.")3.
AGE AND LENGTH COMPOSITION OF THE SARDINE
CATCH OFF THE PACIFIC COAST OF THE UNITED
STATES AND MEXICO IN 1953-54
FRANCES E. FELIN cincl JOHN McicGREGOR
United Stales Fisfi and Wildlife Service
and
ANITA E. DAUGHERTY and DANIEL J. MILLER
Marine Fisheries Branch
California Department of Fish and Gome
Tin's report on aue and l('ii<ith coinpositioii of the cali-li of sanliiios
{Sardi)ioi)s caerulca) off the I'acific Coast of North America is the
eig-hth of a series which gives siiuihir data from l!)41-42 to the present
season (Felin, et al.)-
During- the 1953-5-1: season, 2,856 tons were huuled in the San I'edro
region; this inelnded fish landed at Santa Barbara, Port IIiK'ncme.
Santa Monica, Los Angeles-Long Beaeli Harbor, and Newport. During
the same period, 316 tons were landed at San Diego ; these fish were
trucked to tlie Los Angeles area for processing, but are here referred
to the San Diego region. Fish landings at Monterey and Santa C'niz
amounted to only 113 pounds, and no sani])U^s were taken in this region.
At Ensenada, Baja California, fishing is carried on throughout the
year, but only data for the period August 2 througli December 20.
roughly ajiproxiniating the California sardine seast)n, were used in
this report.
Sampling was carried on, in the manner described for the preceding
season, at San Pedro, San Diego, and Ensenada.
Tables 1-5 show, bv sex and ren-ion of eatch, the K'iiirtli-fre(|nent'\
distributions of sardines of each year chiss as taken in the 11)53-54
random scak* samples.
Table 6 gives calendar dates for the lunar months included in Table 7.
Table 7 gives total tonnages and numbers of fish of each age caught
in each region, estimated in the same manner as described for the pre-
ceding- season.
Table 8 gives, bj^ sex and region of catch, the mean length and stand-
ard error of the mean for each year class sampled in the l!)53-54 season.
These are based on the random scale samples.
Sampling and age determinations were continued by personnel of
the California Department of Pish and Game and the P. S. p^'isji and
Wildlife Service. A visiting fishery biologist. ]Miss Mary Samuel, from
Central JMarine Fisheries l\(>search Station of the Ministry of Fooil and
Agriculture, Government of India, assisted in processing of data.
1 Submitted for piiblicatiiin .Inly, l!i.")4.
(423)
424 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
REFERENCES
Felin, Frances E., Ray Anas, Anita E. Daugherty, and Leo Pinkas
1952. Age and length composition of the sardine catch off the Pacific Coast of
the United States in 1951-52. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 38, no. 3, p.
427-435.
Felin, Frances E., Anita E. Daugherty, and Leo Pinkas
1950. Age and length composition of the sardine catch off the Pacific Coast of
the United States and Canada in 1949-50. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 36,
no. 3, p. 241-249.
1951. Age and length composition of the sardine catch off the Pacific Coast of
the United States and Canada in 1950-51. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 37,
no. 3, p. 339-349.
Felin, Frances E., John MacGregor, Anita E. Daugherty, and Daniel J. Miller
1953. Age and length composition of the sardine catch off the Pacific Coast of
the United States and Mexico in 1952-53. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 39,
no. 3, p. 409-417.
Felin, Frances E., and Julius B. Phillips
1948. Age and length composition of the sardine catch off the Pacific Coast of
the United States and Canada, 1941-42 through 1946-47. Calif. Div. Fish
and Game, Fish Bull. 69, 122 p.
Felin, Frances E., Julius B. Phillips, and Anita E. Daugherty
1949. Age and length composition of the sardine catch off the Pacific Coast of
the United States and Canada in 1948-49. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 35,
no. 3, p. 165-183.
Mosher, Kenneth H., Frances E. Felin, and Julius B. Phillips
1949. Age and length composition of the sardine catch off the Pacific Coast of
the United States and Canada in 1947-48. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 35,
no. 1, p. 15-40.
SAKDIM: CATf II. l<;5^-54
425
1
o
a
2
o
-a
cs
a
a
O
O
o
01
a
s
H
X!
(in
k<
a
03
k— (
M
<^
— « —
_ ~ .. «
— — M
_ X
— IN — ■■^
o
03
(N
05
03
O
IB
h
f^
C«5N(N(MWM(N'Oe^e<5C^
<M — — ■M — CI — C) — •
-Hrt^OJ C^C^JCC — — —
o
rt — ri OJ C>) — •
2
H
t3
d,
li<
c
:«
^T^
OJ
l<
cc c^ •— CI — — n :c CI — — '
O
oj C
T3 «
5 M
o
OOOCl'l'OOCOO-'
■^ lo lO i.*^ ».•? i."^ w c ;r
i^-ct^t^t-ocooo — —
426
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
TABLE 2
Length Composition of tiie 1950 Year Class in 1953-54
1950 year class, age 3
Standard
length
mm.
San
Pedro
San Die
go
California
total
Ensenada
Grand
total
M
F T
M F
T
M F T
M F T
M F
T
196- -- - -- --
3
5
2
3
5
4
3
3
1
1 4
5
2
2 5
2 7
2 6
2 5
3
2 2
1 2
1 1
1 1
1 1
1 1
1 1
1 1
1
1
1 1
5 3
1 1
2 1
1 1
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
8
2
3
1
2
1
2
1
1
1 1
1 1
1 1
4 2 6
10 3 13
3 1 4
5 3 8
5 3 8
5 3 8
3 3 6
3 2 5
2 2
2 1 3
1 1 2
1 1
1 1
1 1
1 1
1 1
2 2
1 1
1 2 3
2 1 3
1 1
1 1
2 1 3
1 1
1
3
1
1 3
6 3
10 4
3 2
7 4
6 3
5 3
3 3
3 2
2
2 1
1 1
1
1
1
1
1
1
198 - -
200
3
202 - .- - --
1
204
4
206 - .-
9
208 -
14
210
5
212 --
n
214
9
216 --.
8
218
6
220
5
222
2
224
3
226 --- -.
2
228 - ---
1
230
1
232
1
234
236 - -. ---
238
1
240 --
1
Totals - -
29
18 47
14 12
26
43 30 73
8 7 15
51 37
88
SAItDINK f.VI( II, 1953-54
TABLE 3
Length Composition o( the 1949 Year Class in 1953 54
427
H)49 yi-ar rlium, nan 4
Standard
IcIlKlll
nun.
San I'lilrii
San Dii'uo
CuliforiiiH
totui
,. , i «ir»fid
tijtal
M F T
M 1 1 \l F T
M F T T
198
200
202
204
1 I
') •>
1 1
2 2
1 1 2
3 1 1
2 1 3
4 3 7
1 1 2
1 1
3 2 -)
1 1 2
1 2 3
2 2
3 3
3 3
1 1 2
2 2 4
1 1
1 1
2 2
to — — to
— — to CO to to CO —
1 1
2 2
1 1
1 1
2 1 3
3 1 1
2 2 1
"i 2 7
2 3 ->
4 t 8
1 1 2
2 2
3 2 5
1 1 2
1 2 3
2 2
3 3
3 3
1 1 2
2 2 4
1 1
1 1
2 2
1 1
1 1
2 2
1 1
I t 3
■> T *
206
208
.7 1 X
210-
212
214
216
218..-.
220
222
224
226
228
230
2 3 4
ii 2 7
2 3 5
( 4 8
i 1 2
2 2
3 2 5
1 1 2
1 2 3
2 2
232
3 3
234 __
236
238
240
242
244
246
3 3
1 1 2
2 2 4
I 1
1 I
2 2
Totals
28 25 53
6 9 15
34 34 68
1 2 3
35 36 71
428
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
TABLE 4
Length Composition of tlie 1948 Year Class in 1953-54
Standard
length
mm.
1948 year class, age 5
San Pedro
M F T
San Diego
M F T
California
total
Ensenada
M F T M F T
Grand
total
M F T
192
194
196
198
200
202
204
206
208
210
212
214
216
218
220
222
224
226
228
230
232
234
236
238
240
242
244
246
248
250
252
254
Totals
1
4
3
5
3
5
6
1
1
1
1
1
4
2
3
2
1
48 44 92
4
6
4
7
4
5
7
2
1
1
1
1
4
2
4
2
1
1
1
1
5
10
6
11
9
12
14
5
2
3
2
1
3
4
4
4
6
1
2
5
2
4
3
2
1
14 18 32
62 62 124
7 11 18
1
2
1
1
4
8
5
7
4
5
7
2
1
1
1
1
4
2
4
2
1
1
2
1
4
6
12
10
13
6 10
8 13
14
5
2
4
2
1
3
4
4
4
6
1
2
5
2
4
3
2
1
69 73 142
SAICDINK (JATCII, If;^V^}
TABLE 5
Length Composition of 1947, 1946, and 1945 Year Claises in 1953 54
429
206
208-_
210.
212
214-
216
218
220
222
224
226
228
230
232
234
236
238
240
242
244
246
248
250
252
254
256
258
260
262
264
Totals
I I
1 :t
1
1
1
2
3
1
1
1
1
3
3
1
1
•>
o
1
1
o
3
2
0
2
1
3
1
2
3
6
6
3
3
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
25 28 53
2 1 3
1 1
1 1
3 4 7
1 1 2
1
1
3
1
2
1
3
1
1
2
1
3
2
1
1
3
1
3
1
1
1
•>
3
2
5
2
1
3
1
o
3
6
6
4
4
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
28 32 60
I 1
0 1 1
1 1
1
3
1
2
2
2 5
1 3
2 3
6 6
4 4
2
1 1
2 2
1 1
1
1
1 1
2
28 33 61
1 I
1 2
3 3
1 1
Han
IV.lm
M K T
1 1
10 10 20
0 1 i
430
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
TABLE 6
Calendar Dates of Lunar Months for the 1953-54 Season
"August" July 26-August 23
"September" August 24-September 22
"October" September 23-October 22
"November" October 23-November 20
"December" November 21-December 20
"January" December 21-January 19
"February " January 20-February 1 7
TABLE 7
Age (Year Class) Composition of the Sardine Catch in the 1953-54 Season
(Numbers of fish are given in thousands, i.e., 000 omitted)
Catch
Number of fish by age (year class)
Tons
Nos.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1952
1951
1950
1949
,1948
1947
1946
1945
San Pedro
"October"
"November" _
1,365
1,075
80
316
20
9,240
5,818
474
1,964
124
554
381
389
263
84
85
65
4
2,297
924
393
25
1,848
937
471
30
3,631
1,733
733
46
594
1,261
223
14
53
401
79
5
97
"December"
"February"^
Totals San Pedro
San Diego^
2,8.56
289
21
6
17,620
1,908
298
99
1,324
114
19
81
501
54
4
18
3,639
474
47
3,286
382
48
6,143
750
89
2,092
123
65
538
11
21
97
"November"
5
"December"
Totak San Diego
316
2,305
214
76
521
430
839
188
32
5
Totals California
Ensenada
"August" - - -
3,172
1,241
1,275
709
406
3,221
19,925
6,552
39,963
4,170
2,388
18,949
1,538
577
524
797
250
143
1,137
4,160
2,097
3,188
1,793
1,027
8,148
3,716
524
797
292
167
1,326
6,982
3,407
5,181
1,752
1,003
7,959
2,280
83
48
379
570
102
"September" _ .
"October"
"November" _ _
"December" - __ _--
Totals Baja California
6,852
42,022
--
2,851
16,253
3,106
19,302
510
--
--
Grand totals
10,024
61,947
1,538
3,428
20,413
6,822
26,284
2,790
570
102
1 Numbers of fish for this lunar period were prorated at the same ratio of age composition as the San Pedro
catch for .January.
2 Numhers of fish in the San Diego catch were prorated at the same ratio as the San Pedro catch for the com-
parable months.
2 Numbers of fish for this lunar period were prorated at the same ratio as the Ensenada catch for August.
SAUDINI'; (A If II. |i;, .;-5^
in
TABLE 8
Number of Fish, Mean Length, and Standard Error ol the Mean for Each Year CIlM in the
19!)3 54 Season, by Region of Catch
XvAV ( 'ill.SS
1<I.")2
Male
I'Viimlc
Tl)t!ll
1951
Male
Female
TotaL.
19-)0
iMale ,
Female
Total..
1949
Male..
Female
TotaL-
1948
Male..
Female
TotaL.
1947
Male..
Female.
TotaL.
1946
Male...
Female
Total..
1945
Male-.
Female
Total...
N<
13
7
20
29
18
47
28
25
53
48
44
92
25
28
53
10
10
20
Sim I'lilr.
1(13
1112
102
212
213
213
222
210
220
226
223
223
228
220
236
237
237
237
245
.\l. S.IC.
I .05
I .34
0.81
2.01
1 . 63
0.46
1.10
0.58
1.21
1.16
0.86
0.87
1.15
0.74
1 . 50
1 . 39
1.01
1.51
0.84
1.20
I
6
10
14
12
26
6
9
15
14
18
32
.Sun i>i(!K'>
No. I M
179
Hi7
172
188
193
210
212
211
209
212
211
211
215
213
214
224
219
y.ttMtuulm
6. 18
1.34
2.72
5.34
0
. .
3
3.85
3
1.07
M
0.80
7
0.68
15
0.56
1
0.85
■>
1.25
3
1.26
1
0.56
11
0.64
18
2.00
0
4.19
1
2.00
1
--
207
207
Ji»7
207
207
205
203
211
208
0.33
0.33
0.(18
0.58
0.33
1.17
0.87
0.81
NOTES
A RECORD-SIZE THRESHER FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Oil IM.-iy II, llir)|, llir I ii(lr|ii'iH|(iit l''i^li ('(I.. S;iii rnlrij, rrvJ'\\cA
an unusually lai'^c fiMii.ili' cniiiiiiDii tlirrshcr. Alnjiius nilpiniis, whioh
contained four I'lnhiyns ,i|)|iiiiac|iinL;- hii-lli, 'I'lir shark was hrMiis/lif
into tli(> niarkcl l)y Mi- .loc Stai^naro, ow iin- oT tlu' hnat Si-ortT II. after
becomiii^' entaiii^lcd in his uill nets the pn-vidiis nit'lif approxiiriatrly
fivo miles ofP Ne\v|i(iii i'.cach. Staicinrnts IVoni hnth tin- fisherman and
the ni(Mi in Iho iiiarkfl indiraifd that this was the hirj.'t'st thresher
tlioy liad ever scmmi and was. iiuircoN it. the first from wliich tliey had
taken ])ups. The ])nps were saxcd and |)i-es('iit('d to the ('alil'firnia Stato
Fisheries Laboratory, Tenninal Ishind. hut nnlui-tiniately tho adult
was neither measnred nor weij^lied and had been rediieed to an etTi-
ciently triiiniuMl eareass S(i inches in h'uuth when first seen by our
personnel.
The tail, esimated by .Mr. Sta<>'nan) Id ix' between ei<.dit ami nine
feet in length, had been cut off in order to facilitate removal of tlie fish
from the net. Tn the market, the liead was removed from the body with
a cut beginning- ai)j)roximately IG iiu-hes beliiiul the snout and running
down and back over the gill slits. The caudal peduncle was severed
just anterior to the caudal fin. If 16 inches (for the head) is added
to onr measnred carcass length of 86 inches we arrive at a minimum
figure of 102 inches exclusive of the tail. Proportional measurements
for Alopias viilpi)ius on the Atlantic Coast (Bigelow and Sehroeder.
1948), as well as those obtained from the embryos of the i)resent speci-
men, indicate that the 1()"2 inrlies re]-»resents but 4() to 48 ])ereeut td" the
total length. The total length, tlien. was i)resumably between 17.7 and
18.5 feet with the addition of the tail, l"]stiiiiates of the fisherman and
the men in the market, as well as figures given by Bigelow and Sehroe-
der, indicate tliat GOO ]i(Minds woidd hi' a eonservativi^ weiirlit for this
animal.
In view of the remai-ks "Reaches no ^reat size in ("aiifornia. Most
specimens seen run from five to eight feet." (Roedel. 1 !).'):?). it would
appear that this individual, approximately 18 feet in length, was not
only unusual but probably const it lies a record size for threshers landed
in California.
According to information given b\ P.igelow and Sehroeder. Alopios
vulphiHi^ does not mature sexually befoi-e attaining a length of at least
14 feet. Since thresliers of this size appear to be exeeptionally rare off
California, while the small iinniatiiiv lish ai-e relatively eomnion. we
might speculate on the reasons for this apparent ditferenee in distri-
bution between young and adults. Probably either the adults live con-
siderable distances offshore, wliere their chances of being captured
( 433 )
434
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
TABLE 1
Measurements of Four Term Embryos of ttie Thresher, Alopias vulpinus
Body measurement
Total length in mm.: 1,228, 1,273, 1,280, 1,367
Snouth length:
In front of eye
In front of outer nostril
Distance between inner ends of nostrils
Eye diameter:
Horizontal
Vertical
Interorbital width
IMouth width
GiU opening lengths:
1st
2d
3d
4th
5th
Distance from snout to:
Insertion first dorsal
Insertion second dorsal
Insertion pectoral
Insertion pelvic
Insertion anal
Upper precaudal pit
Tip lower caudal lobe
First dorsal fin:
Anterior margin
Vertical height 1
Length attached base
Insertion to tip posterior lobe
Second dorsal fin:
Vertical height
Length attached base
Insertion to tip posterior lobe
Anal fin:
Vertical height
Insertion to tip posterior lobe
Pectoral fin:
Anterior margin
Insertion to tip posterior lobe
Pelvic fin:
Anterior margin
Insertion to tip posterior lobe
Distance from:
Posterior insertion 1st dorsal to anterior insertion 2d dorsal
Posterior insertion 2d dorsal to upper precaudal pit
Anterior insertion anal to lower precaudal pit
Caudal fin:
Upper precaudal pit to tip of upper lobe
Lower precaudal pit to tip of lower lobe
Percentage of total length
3.7-4.0
3.0- 3.4
1.3- 1.5
1.1- 1.3
1.7- 1.8
4.0- 4.2
5.2- 5.5
2.0- 2.4
2.3- 2.6
2.6- 2.7
2.5- 2.7
2.3- 2.5
22 . 6-23 . 7
41.4-42.2
15.4-16.2
33.7-35.0
42.4-44.0
46.9-48.1
50.8-55.0
8.0- 8.5
5.3- 5.7
6.1- 6.4
6.7- 7.0
0.6
0.7- 0.9
2.1- 2.2
0.8
2.0-
2.5
14.3-14.8
8.2- 8.6
5.4-
6.6-
6.1
7.2
13.1-13.7
4.8- 5.2
3.6- 4.0
52.0-54.1
6.6- 7.3
\()Ti:s 4:J'i
Mi-(' (■()iis('(| iiciil I \ sli'jhl. or, sirii'c iIh' spcrifs is |iriinarily a tropiral
illlll W.inil tr||||)r|';itr rnini, llir li lil j( ifi I \ of \l\V<JfV i IH li V itIlial.H of iir<'<*(l'
iii^' si/c ocelli' ill w .iiiMcr \\iil«'i-s to t lie sniil Ii (if ( 'jilifoniia. Krports frntii
rcliahli' ohscrx i-is hll of sn-in^'- ciiofiiioiis t lii-fslifrvs in tin* (liilf of ('ali-
loi'iiia, ,111(1 (•(■itaiiil\ T^^ td "JO I'luit indiviiliiJils woiiM nut tir cniisitlcp'il
uiiiisiial aliiii'j llii' lr(i|iical A iinTica ii masts.
'I'lic I'diir pups taki'ii Iidim iIh' fi'iiialf \vi'i;.'lnMl a lntal nf .'»() iiountix,
faiiLiiiiu- iii(li\ itiiially lioni I 1 •_' to l;!.(; pdiinils. In total li'ns.'tli tlu'V
vai'icd I'l'oni IS.."1 to .').!> iihIm's ami tlic st-xrs wiTf rtpially tlivi<|)'<l.
b^rcc-li vi III; I lircslicr-^ ol' a smallcf si/.i' liavr licrii taken on tin* N«'\v
l^jii,L;laii(l coasl ami IIhtc is no doiilit that tlu'sc pfcscnt s|)fcini«'iis wi-ri?
prai't ii-ally i-fady I'oi- liiilli. Tlnir ninliijical seal's, tlioiitrli still visiMi*,
were very iiieonspieiioiis.
Because piihlislied dala i!i\iii'_: proportional iiieasureinenfs for tlio
species are based on only a lew iiidi\ idiials, and none of thrs*' from
Paeifie Coast tlii'esiiers, the foiir yoiiii;^- spceinieiis wer'e iiM'asiir«'(l to
add to tlie relatively niea<i('i- reeocd. Measurements wci-e made to the
nearest millimeter and are expressed in 'I'ahle 1 as a pei-cciitafre of the
total lenj^i'th (snout to tip of iipprr eamlal lohei.
All measurements wei-e made with eitliei- ealijiers or dividers and
hence are straiglit line measurements between points on the sui"face
of the body. For example, the distance from the snout to the insertion
of the first (h)rsal fin was determined by plaein<r one caliper |)oiMt
at the tip of the snout and the other at the anterior insertion of the
first dorsal, thus actually measuring a hypothetical strai<;ht line run-
nino- dia<i'onally between these two points. It should be noted that cer-
tain body measurements made by l>i<ielow and Schroeder on Atlantic
Coast Alopias vuJpinus. were made in a si<inificantly ditferent way
and are not directly comparable to ours. Their nu'asurement of snout
to first dorsal insertion, for example, is aloni:- a horizontal line between
perpendiculars from the two i)oints and gives a shortt'r measurement
than that obtained by our method.
Although as yet the data are far too scanty to di-aw any conclusions,
certain discrepancies in body proportions appear between this material
and a like-sized individual from the Atlantic Coast. These discrep-
ancies appear too great to be accounted for by differences in methods
of measurement alone.
LITERATURE CITED
lii^flow, Henr.v I'., iind Williiiiii ('. Siliiucdcr
1048. Fishes of tlic western .\inih .^lianlic. lit. 1. eli;ii>t. :;. Sii.irks. S.-:un F-.tiiul.
Mar. lies., ^Nlem. 1. p. .V.t-:.4(;.
Roedel. Pliil M.
1953. Common ocean fislies of the Cnlifornia coast. Calif. l)ept. Fish ami «;aiue.
Fish I'.iill. !»1. p. 14.
— David C. Joseph, Marin f ?"isli(ri(s Branch. California 1)4 jiartnunt
of Fisli and (!a)n< \ .htn( . l!h')i.
436 CALIFORNIA PISH AXD GAME
OCEAN RECOVERIES OF SACRAMENTO RIVER TAGGED STEELHEAD
Two tagged steelhead rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri gairdneri,
have recently been recovered by ocean fishermen off the California
coast. Both fish had been tagged and released in the Sacramento River
near Fremont AVeir, 81 river miles above the confluence of the Sacra-
mento and San Joaquin Rivers, by personnel of Federal Aid Project
F7R. The fish were trapped for tagging while on their upstream spawn-
ing migration.
Mr. Don Hitchcock of San Francisco returned a tag taken from a
21-inch steelhead caught May 28, 1954, eight miles southeast of the
Farallone Islands, 23 miles off San Francisco. It was caught on com-
mercial salmon troll gear, with herring for bait. This fish was tagged
January 8, 1954, with Petersen disks attached with stainless steel wire.
Mr. Arthur Smith of San Francisco returned a tag taken from a 25-
inch female steelhead caught three miles off* Point Reyes, Marin County,
on June 13, 1954. It was taken on a 2|-inch gold-colored spoon trolled
at a depth estimated to have been between 25 and 30 feet. This fish was
tagged with a tantalum wire attached staple tag (Calhoun, California
Fish and Game, 1953, vol. 39, no. 2, p. 209-218) on August 21, 1953.
Three months later, on November 22, 1953, it was checked through the
counting station at the fish ladder over the Clough Dam on Mill Creek,
Tehama County. This station is 155 stream miles above where the fish
was tagged.
AYhile certainly not unexpected, these are the first reports of any
Sacramento River tagged steelhead being recovered outside the Golden
Gate. More than 2,600 adult steelhead have been tagged near Fremont
Weir since July, 1950. — Elton D. Bailey, Inland Fisheries Branch,
California Department of Pish and Game, July, 1954.
DELAYED DECOMPOSITION OF A TROUT CARCASS
Carcasses of trout are often seen early in the spring in lakes, es-
pecially near the shores, and their deaths are commonly attributed to
"winter-kill." Dead fish, often showing little decomposition, are some-
times also found well into the summer ; their deaths have generally been
assigned to other factors, such as disease. The following observation of
delayed decomposition of a fish carcass made in Castle Lake, Siskiyou
County, California, is of interest in this connection and suggests that
at least in some instances they may also have been caused by winter-kill.
On October 9, 1946, Castle Lake was treated with rotenone to elimi-
nate all fish life (Wales, California Fish and Game, 1947, vol. 33, no. 4
p. 267-268). This lake has a surface area of 47 acres, a maximum depth
of 120 feet, and lies at an elevation of 5,200 feet.
Six species of fishes were present in Castle Lake at the time : Lake
Trout, Salvelinus namaycush; Rainbow Trout, Salmo gairdneri; Brown
Trout, Salmo trutta; Eastern Brook Trout, Salvelinus fontinalis;
Golden Shiner, Notemigonus crysoleucus; and Klamath Speckled Dace,
Rhinichthys oscidus klamathensis.
Cube powder with a 5.4 percent rotenone content was applied at the
general rate of 1.35 pounds per acre foot of water, and several hundred
extra pounds were placed in the deeper water to ensure complete kill.
xoTKs 4:17
Xuiiicrous tests iiuidc wifli lioiit in live cji^rs imiicatrd tli«- ••MHti'iict>
of Icllijil coiKlitioiis ill 111,. |;i|<r iiiiii| .|ii|y, 1!(47, Tlif rx plaiiiilioii for
this cxcciilidiijiIlN Imi'j- pen. 1(1 \'>,y itir 1 1 issipatioii of tin- rotnioiir in
11i()ii<iiit to li.' ill llir r.icl I hat (Ij the \n\ii- fro/.c ovn- .soon jiftiT tin?
trcatiiicnt, rcliiciiii^ Ihi' ciiciilaf ion ot walrt- ami ilt-layini,' Hi** oxidation
ol tlic rotciioiic and i 1' i ;iii iiii iisii;i II y lartrc (|iianfity of lifrris |m»\viI«t
was |)]ac'(!(l ill ilu' (|c(|) w.iin-. \\ li.iicvcr flic reason tor tin* iontr pi-riod
of" toxicity, tlirrc semis lilHr ddulii ili;it .id (isli wen- killt-d.
On May '.'A, I!)")], the writer was in a skilV on the lake wln-n h<' saw a
white object hoiinciiiL: on the waves a^'aiiisl the rock clilTs at flic sontli
end of the lake. ( )ii rowiiej- (doser it was appai-cnf that tlic object was
;i portion (<[' a lisli e.-ireass. It was e;ireridl\ lifted info the b<»at ainl
I'oiind to be the mid section of ,i lish lliat jn'obably had wci'^'licd abinit
eight pounds. Although some deeomposit ion lunl taken place the flesh
was still linn. The skin had disai)|)eared, the bones were soft, ami each
myotome stood out (dearly, d'l lor was definitely that of (h'cayinj;
(isli, but not nearly as strong as that of spent salmon carca.sses.
At the time of clieniieal treatment tlu' lake contained some lake trout
weighing as much as 15 pounds and brown ti-ont possibly as larj,'e as
10 pounds. Therefore, the carcass found 5;") months later could liave
been of eitlier species.
It is known that after chemical Ireatnu'nt many of the fish settled
to the bottom, from which they could not be recovered. Tliis was par-
ticularly true in the sonth end of the lake, where the maximmn depth
is 120 feet. Temperatures at a deptli of 100 feet in Ca.stle Lake have
been known to reach 52 degrees F. in July, but probably do not rise
above 40 degrees F. for more than four months of the year. At a depth
of 100 feet the oxygen content is low, ranging from 1 to .") p. p.m. There
is considei-able ooze on the bottom in this portion of the lake and fish
may settle into it so that they are insulated from the warmer summer
temperatures, and possibly cut oft' from oxygen. It is probable that this
particular carcass decomposed at an exIreuKdy slow rate, until finally,
in the sjn-ing of 195], enough gasses had aecnmnlated to bring it to
the surface. — E. B. Ocninni, Inland FIs/urics llranch, Calif uvniii Dr.
partment of Fish and Game, Jidy, 1954.
A BLUE CRAYFISH FROM CALIFORNIA
Blue crayfish have bt'cn reported from the eastern Inited States a
number of times. These reports concern either eraytish in which the
normal color is blue {Camharus caroliniis monongah nses) or blue varie-
ties or randcmi blue individuals of otherwise normally coloi-ed animals.
These blue crayfish seem to be restrit-teil to the genera Caniharus ami
Procamharus. Dr. Horton II. Ilobbs, Jr. {in lift.) reports that lie has
observed blue members of several species of Procamharus and occasional
specimens of Cainhanis harloni harfoni and C. lon;fuli(s linnnihis. as
well as others. I'ublished reports by Xewcombe (i;)29a, 192lU)i and
Penn (1951) discuss the occurrence of blue crayfish in otherwise normal
populations. It was of interest therefore to find an example of the "blue
phase" in a California crayfish of the genus Pacifastacu.'<. ( Botts
(1950) established Pacifasfavits as a new genus for our native west
American crayfishes and used Astacus klamathcnsis Stimpson as the
genotype.)
438 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Throiigli the kindness of Mr. Dan Dean of Berkeley we received in
September of 1953 a bright blue specimen which he had collected in
Silver Lake, Amador Comity. The specimen was an immature male
about three inches long. "We have kept the specimen alive and it has
moulted twice and now measures four inches from rostrum to telson.
The first moult was sent to Dr. Hobbs, who considers it to be inter-
mediate in character between P. leniusculus and P. trowhridgi.
The writer has submitted the above brief account for two purposes :
first, to record the occurrence in the genus Pacifastacus of the "blue
phase" and, secondly, in the hope that some of the readers of this
journal may have information concerning the occurrence of other blue
crayfish in California. Very little is known as to the causes of the ran-
dom appearance of blue crayfish and, indeed, little more will be known
until a careful study has been made of living specimens. If any reader
of this note has information to contribute it is solicited and will be
gratefully received. We are particularly anxious to obtain more living
examples of blue crayfish in the hope that experimental studies can be
made which will elucidate this rather unusual phenomenon.
LITERATURE CITED
Botts, Eicliard
1950. Die Flusskrebse Euro pas (Decapoda, Astacidae). Abh. senckenb. naturf.
Ges. no. 483, p. 1-36, 6 pis., 25 figs.
Newcombe, C. L.
1929a. A new blue crayfish. Science, vol. 70, no. 1809, p. 217.
1929b. The crayfishes of West Virginia. Ohio Jour. Sci., vol. 29, no. 6, p. 267-288.
Penn, G. H.
1951. A color anomaly of the Louisiana red crawfish, Procamharits clarkii
(Girard). La. Acad. Sci., Proc, vol. 14, p. 66-67.
— Cadet Hand, Department of Zoology, University of California, Berke-
ley, March, 1954.
REVIEWS
Biological Conservalion
By John 1). Ulnck ; Tlif I'.liikisl.ui Cuini-nnv, Inc. X.'w V..ik, lif.VI ; xiv f .TJX p.,
Thi.s is .'I liiiok wiiili'ii 111 si'iM' III (lie collcuc lf\cl ;i.h n |c.\l ill Ki'iii-nil roiiJwrvM-
tion. Tllc ;ililli(ir liiiiisrlf sl.iirs w i I h rcriTi'llcc to llir silliji'Ct liillltiT, "It (Nm^ n»t
propos(> to rxli.nisl liic lidil nf iimsrrx .'it imi inil riillifr Id l)iiil)l ii ' ' •iiml of
inriirinnl idii ripiiccriiin^ i-ciic\\ .1 lilr ri'siuirrcs siirli ;is soil, wtihT, ;, ; In iiliil
forcsis; Id iircsciit an iiil indiiclory study of the prolilciiis of wilillil't? conM^rvation
;iii(l tlu'U to t'onsidor wildlil'i; ('oiiscrviilioii rrom iIh- hroiidcr viewpoint."
Orj:;anization is excellent, with (•hiii)ters and siililicadiiiKs distinctive iind folluw-
ins each other in loRifal sccincncc. 'Plic ti'xt is divided into six iiiiiiii piirts : Un«»|r
(Ninsiderations, The l^iniroiiineiit, Fish and (»tiier Aijiiatic Aiiiiiials, I'.irds, .Minn-
nials, and Solviiij;- the rrdhlein.
Althou^li the space devoli'd to niaji>r indixidiial wildlife speeies is iieee.ssjirily
limited, capable selection of material has lieeii exhihited and llif enrient .stntii.s of
important species on a national tiasis is clearly i)resenteil.
Most textbooks tend to he a rather dry asseinhlay;e of factual data, hiii here the
author has demonsti'aled his ability to write interest iii^'ly and at the s:iiiie time
to maintain factual integrity. Well chosen illustrations dispersed throuj^bout add
to its attractiveness.
No attempt is made to introdncc the snl)joct of our marine fisheries resonree.s.
This is be]ie\-ed a rather serious omission, in \ iew nf the jiroelaimed objeetive of
the author. As the title indicates, empliasis has been placed upon wildlife, with
somewhat limited supportinj; data on the conserx-ation of water, soils, and forests.
It is, therefore, not anticipated that this book will replace any of the standani
general conservation textbooks now in use, which jrive a broader introflnction t<>
the subject. It should, however, ser\(' as a supiileiuental reference for those seeking
a well rounded i)icture of conser\ation of our inland tishes, birds, anil niainmals.
An annotated l)iblioj;raphy rec(unmeuded as a core library for reference work
in biological conservation should prove useful to those desirinj: to delve further
into the snbject. Also included as a separate* appendix is a film ^uide designed to
ac(iuaint teachers with some of the heller conservation lilius and how they may he
obtained; a W(n-thwhile feature, desi)ile the tad that it ma\- soon become out-
dated.
Although this book is written for the beginner, rather than the professional wibl-
life man, most workers in the various lields of couser\ation may prolit by readinu it.
Most of us are prone to become so inxolvn! in our own specialty that the impor-
tance of such basic necessities as our soils, forests, or waters are given insiitlieient
attention. We need i)eriodically to read a boidi of this type to re;iligii our persper-
tive. — Willis A. Er(i)is, ('(ilifoni in I h /ki rt im 11 1 nf Fish mnl (inmi.
Inferfidal Invertebrates of the California Coast
By S. F. Light; revised by Kalph 1. Smith, Frank A. l'iielk:i, Pouahl 1'. Abbott,
and Frances M. Weesner ; I'nixersity of California I'ress, r.erk«dey, I'.ChI ;
xiv + 446 p., l.'5S text figs. $.">.
Based on S. F. Fight's syllabus "Laboratorx- and Fitdd Text in Invertebrate
Zoology," the present book, exteusi\el.\ rex ised, is the work of •_'!' leading zoologists.
A few of these contributors include sm h aiiihorities as Cadet Hand 1 sea aiieiiiones).
Libbie Hyman (flatworms), Olga Ilariinau i polychaetes). Uobert .1. Men/ies an<l
Milton A. Miller ( isopods ) , Irwin .M. Newell 1 lu.-irine mites). Ji>el \V. iIeilg|M>th
(pycnogouids) , .loan (". Kattenbuiy and K. I. Smith ( bryo/.oaiis) , aixl I>oii;ild I*.
Abbott (ascidians). There are also sections by Kolf Bidin on iiitert idal tislies and
Isabella A. Abbott on common conspicui>us algae. For eadi group, tliere is a list
tiy up-to-dat<' scientific name of the species known from the region. Tlie keys in
I 4:'.'.) )
440 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
many instances represent original research and cover an assemblage of species for
which keys do not exist elsewhere. The reviewer tested several of these and found
them all workable.
A 52-page section giving general directions for field work and suggested field
studies is well worth time spent in careful perusal. Especially important is the
brief section labeled "Field Notes." There are many professional zoologists who
Avould do well to read and then abide by the rules set forth here.
There is a fairly complete phylogenetically arranged bibliography, and the entire
volume is well indexed.
While probably much too technical for the average citizen, this book should
become a highly prized and (in time) well worn possession of every serious student
and professional zoologist. — John E. Fitch, California Department of Fish and
Game.
American Seasbells
By R. Tucker Abbott ; D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., New York, 1954 ;
xiv + 541 p. ; 24 color and 16 black and white plates ; 100 text figs. $12.50.
Recent, reliable, all-inclusive works on American seashells could, until this
present volume, be considered as rare as some of the shells Mr. Abbott discusses
on page six. The scope includes marine waters of the Atlantic Coast from Labrador
to Florida, the Caribbean Islands, and the West Indies ; of the Pacific Coast from
Alaska to Lower California and Central America. Since it would be a physical
impossibility to describe properly in one volume the more than 6,000 kinds of
mollusks which are to be found within these geographical limits, the author is to be
commended for having selected 1,500 species which in most instances include repre-
sentative shells of the two ocean shores. The reviewer fully realizes there are those
who will take exception to this statement and should like to add at this point that
while he feels the Pacific fauna (considerably richer than that of the Atlantic) was
somewhat slighted, the basic types, though often Atlantic forms, are definitely
illustrated. A rather rough check of all groups shows Atlantic Coast gastropods,
bivalves, tusk shells, and cephalopods ahead of Pacific Coast representatives by
some 440 to 225, 260 to 145, 10 to 1, and 10 to 5, respectively. Only among the
chitons (20 to 10) are more Pacific than Atlantic specimens described.
The several beginning chapters show excellent taste and make extremely interest-
ing reading. These cover a diversity of subjects : "Man and Mollusks," lives of the
various mollusks, collecting, and "How to Know American Seashells." A systematic
account takes up 400 pages and includes scientific and common names, geographical
ranges, descriptions, comparative remarks, and habitats of the 1,500' species. This is
followed by an annotated bibliography, which is arranged by both area and subject
matter. The entire volume is completely indexed.
The illustrations (by F. M. Bayer and J. C. McConnell) are clear and concise
and the colors for the most part fairly true.
In general the volume is so well done that it almost makes the reviewer feel
picayunish for criticism of the author's choice of common names for a very few
Pacific Coast species. Prime among these is the use of "Californian tagelus" for a
species which in 1952 alone realized over $15,000 to California bait diggers and is
known to over 1,500,000 sport fishermen and bait dealers in California as the "jack-
knife clam." The few other common names to which the reviewer takes exception are
again those used for species which are of economic importance on the Pacific Coast
and which differ greatly from names printed in our fish and game laws or on our
marketed products. Common names, regardless of the care with which they are
selected, will always be a bone of contention with some individuals. Generally speak-
ing, however, the names used in this work are exceptionally good and many lead one
to wish that he had thought of them first. — John E. Fitch, California Department of
Fish and Game.
The Book of Wild Pefs
By Clifford B. Moore; Charles T. Branford Co., Boston, Mass., 1954; xii -f
553 p., 128 drawings, 214 photographs. $5.95.
To quote from the author's prefatory remarks : "This volume is intended as a
liandy reference and source Ixiolc on the care and feeding of our most common native
(and in a few cases, 'naturalized') wild life forms in captivity, and should prove
especially useful to teachers, laboratory and museum workers, boy and girl scouts,
parents, and, in fact, to all whose backyard is the forest, desert, or merely subur-
UI'.VIKWS HI
U.'iii fool hills." Afiir I'i'vii'wiiiK I hi' I'liiilnit s nf iIiIm iMxtk, I niii ••tiMiu that lh«
iiiroriiiiil i<iii (iiiil.i iiM'il ihrrriti roiilij he iinciI ii<I\ ntilaKi'oitMlv >>v inntiy emiAnferm in
stale ('onscrv.i I inn i|i|iii r( mciils, l)fiiiK i-v|iiTiiilly useful in ■ • ti hi r<"
(ho ;;('n('r':i! piihlic ami In workers in i-eseiireh lahnraloii. 1 nf ft
lo those $(il (nieslidiis jisked hy the piililie iire in thiN hotik. Aim ihr inrtm
prosenled Ii.im' heen well ijiiriiiiieiileii li\ llie niitliiir'x imtmoiuiI ..,^ •■ "■•i by
previdlis lileral ure <i\\ I he siihjeet.
There is a sm prisiiij; aiiiniiiil nf inrniinal inn anil refcrenre iliitn In tln» 'J
whicii ai-e f;i-oiipeil inin li\e niajnr parts ; 'I'he Aipiariiini, Terrarin. Ii
Spiders as I'els, Mammals, mmI I'.irds. Ymi can lind out Niich delnilM on hinl n»>»it
hoxes as llnnr si/.e, eiil i-Miire Imle iliaiiieler, rnvity depth, hejicht al»4»v«' Broitilil, rtr.,
Inr a variety nf iiirds. ( >i'. y an liinl mil in detail the monthly rhntiK«>« in fnod
intake for a mamma! sin h as the skunk. The index, while short, in f«>tm>rrh#>n>ilv*»
ill its coverajie of major siihjeel divisions and featured MnimiilH.
Each of the li\e p.nK of the I k has a list of "nther Helpful Material." Th«»
listings are somi'wlial annoy in;;, >ime they do not follow any alplialielir, rhrono-
logic, or system.-itir order. .\lso, the pieliires and charts, which raiiRf from i»oor lo
good in quiility, are not necessarily closely rel.ated to the text.
One would gather from reading the hook in detail that the taking of wild nnimnlM
for pets is a simple matter, willi fi'w prohlems altai-heii, and with no moral i.M.mji-^
involved. Hoyvover, the autiior is lanfnl to give judicious wurninKs related to the
taking of game birds, as well as small native birds. He refers the render to the Btate
conservation agemies and the Federal (Jnveriiment for permits and details of the law.
The section on the care of deer, while giving g I information about them. Mays
nothing to discourage the reader from jmrposely obtaining a yoimg deer. Since
California law i)rohibits the taking of deer fawns, this section of the book i.s mii»-
leading to Californians and to residents of other states where similar laws arc in
effect.
Readers here in the West may lind iliemselves somewhat at ji disaflvantaRe, bo-
can.se the majority of the animals and plants discussed are eastern form.s. Western
forms such as the ring-tailed cat are omitted. However, the tyiie of information
liresented for the eastern forms still should be applicable to a large deRrec in the
West.
AVorkers in the field of fi.sli and ganu' man.igement ami natural history shouh!
find this bocdv highly nsefnl in their day to day contacts with the everipiestioniiig
general public. It already has proved very useful in the work of the ("alifoniiu
.Junior Museum. This book is written in a simple style which should l>e ea.Mly
understood by the layman as well as the technician. — Fred 0. Ihendrn. Director.
California Junior Musciou, Sacrainoiiu.
Tricks Tbaf Take Fish
By Harold F. Blaisdell ; Henry Holt and ("ompany. New York, i;>.".4 ; vi + liOO p. :
line drawings by Walter Dower. .$:'..!».".
It is evident that the author of this book lias spent considerable time l)oth in
fishing inland waterways and in the study of feeding habits of game fishes. These
studies have resulted in the de\elopiiieiit of various fishing methods that put fish in
the creel. The title of the book could api>ro|)riately be changed to "How to Fish."
Ten chapters arc devoted to the use of all types of sport tishing tackle, various
natural baits and artificial lures, and specific methods of their use. liaii tUIiing is
particularly stressed.
Throughout the book ^[r. Blaisdell points out that the mefhi^l of present uig a
lure is actually the "trick" that takes tish. To achieve this end he explains various
methods, new and old, to put the lure where it presents a gi-H>d imitation of itatural
food for the fish. Many methods are further explained by the use of sketches.
The "how-to-do-it" methods are adequately discussed, and spiced with stories of
streamside exiieriences. The book is definitely written for the angler who has a
working knowledge of fishing methods, and brings out the finer points of the art.
"Tricks That Take Fish" should be a welcome addition to a tisherman"s library,
and will enable him to make better catches as well as to enjoy fishing more fully.
— Chester WoodhuU, California Department of Fixh and Game.
442 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Traite de Pisciculture, Second Edition
By Marcel Huet ; Editions T^a Vie Rustique, Brussels, Belgium, 1953 ; xii + 371
p. ; 280 figs. Boards 285 Belgian francs, cloth 345 Belgian francs ; postpaid.
This second edition maintains the same high qiiality as did the first. Small changes
occur throughout the text, but the major difference is noted primarily in Chapter V,
Article IV, "Pisciculture des Tilipia." This emphasis is more appreciated when the
great impetus in the use of Tilipia throughout Africa and the Far East is realized.
The illustrations are excellent and although the French text precludes its effective
use by many American fish culturists it will certainly prove useful to those who
are bilingual. — J. B. Kimseij, California Department of Fish and Game.
INDEX TO VOLUME 40
Alallliliis I'.:l\ ; ITn|n;,'y nl'. Kir. 1-JI
Alli.icnrc, ;'..'l".i
\li>l)itts r i(li)iii IIS, 1."..". |."i."i
Aini's, ( 'li.i rlcs 'r. ; scr IC \ ckin.-in, I-"isliiT,
:iihI Ames
.1 mis Slip.. 1 7-."«7
.Viiiiiiiotics, nr.- fji
I stiiciis, l.".7- V.\S
I /////(/ spp.. 1 7 .'17
Alil-cniii.\ cin, 1 1.")- iLll
Aurofju'. 4ir>-4'Jl
B
i;,,. nr,-i-_>i
l'.,iilry, I'^ltoii 1).; Ocean recoveries of
Saci'iimeiilo River ta^^i^ed steel-
head. »:'.(;
Italdwin, \\'a,\ne .1.: 1 ndeiw.-iier explo-
siiiiis not liarnil'nl lo salmon, 77
I'.ass : hlack sea, oMit ; kelp, almornial
specimen. 7S-7!> ; rede.ve hlack.
L'(i;!-L'(ii : stri|)ed. :',2:i-:!L'.s
Uaxler. .Iidm \j.; A kelp bass. I'lini-
hihni.r ridthraius (Girard), with
.■ihnormal fins. 7S-7!>
r.err.N . S. Stillmau; On the snpposed
stenohathic haliitat of tlie Cali-
fornia sea-inu.ssel, 69-7o
Bishorn, desert, 2G7-271
I'.ischoff. Arthur I.; Abnormal fetal de-
v(dopment from a mule deer. .'UO-
Bitterbrush. 2ir)-234, 2;r)-2<>r>
lUaisdtdl. James A.; see l)asm;inn and
r.laisdell. 21.--2:M
lUunt. V. E.. Jr.; Two mid-I'acilic re-
coveries of ( "aliforni.-i-l .-luued al-
ba core, a:!!)
r.ounl.N pa.vments on mounl.-iiii lions.
' 1 ('.2- i (•.:',
Hnichi/isliiis frcinitiis. IS.'i-lltS
linuitd rnnadenxis, .">-l(i
]>ur,i;ei-. Georjio V.; The stains of in-
troduced wild turke.\s in ("alifor-
nia. 12:M4.-.
Calhoun. A. J. ; s(>e Skinner and Cal-
houn. ;',2:!-:'.2.s
Cii III liii nis en I'oli II II s iiiiiiiiiin/iili'iisis. l.">7-
4;{8
Castle Lake. 4;i()-4:i7
Catch records; cattish, white. .■ll.".-."'.21 ;
mnskrats. .■J7.~>-.")S4 ; s.ardines. 42.";-
4:11 : vellowi.-iii, 2'.ir.-:;i'_>
Ciiiiish. white, .''.i:; :'.2l
CalosloHiidjie, 27.'! 2H."i
CeilMiiMe.s ; I'i.sino chiin. I'.Kt-JOl ; Itimh
Cm-k, HUUn
Crnlrorrrriiii iiroi>hiiniiiiii4M, '',HrtP,U\
('liemicals, ]ii;rienltnr)il, Mi7-t7'!
t'ihiliis hrrrliif/i, 7.') 7<>
('lam, I'isino ; censuses, I'.t'.t "Jitl
ClcHHCii, Kdward ; retiri'iupiit i»f, H(>
ClinoroU im : iiiiiiHk, <><! ; rvrnlvtm, Wt
('lover. Melviii II.; I)«mt nuirkiiiK «1«*-
vices, 17r)-l.Sl ; A portjible ijfiT
trap and c;ilcii-nel, .'5t»7-->7.!
('(dlins. I'.. I>. ; see Miller and ColiinH
Collyer. Kidiert I». ; Ta^CKinj; ex|M>ri-
meiits on the yellowtail. Srrioln
ilorsalis (Cilh. 2'.r.-:;i2
Ciihililliis siliid. ."'.'.(- Hi
("oloiado River b;isin. lower; postiarvnl
fishes. 27."!-'2N." : red shiner. 2^7-
2'.»4
( "omniei ii;i I catch; s.-irdines. 12.'; l-".l ;
yellowtail, 2iC.-.';i2
Coot ; nesting studies, 17-'{7
Cr.-iylish. blue. 4:?7-4:i.S
( "I'onemiller. Fred I*.; see Robiii.sun and
Cronemiller. 2ti7-271
Cyprinidae, 27.'!-2N-'">, .".ti.">- 1 Id
Dasmann. William I'., and James A.
Blaisdell : I>eer and forage rela-
tionshiii on the Lassen-Washoe
interstate winter deer range, 21"i-
2.". 1
I »aui,'herl.\ . Anita E. ; see Feliii. Mae-
(Iregor. I>augherty. and Miller.
42.".-4:!l
I 'iM'i- ; abnormal fetal development, .'^4(>-
.'541 ; fawn i>n>dnctioii and sur-
vival, 21."i-2.".4 : food studies, 'Sir*-
2('.»'. ; hiirvest. 2."..'">-2t'>(> : henl
studies, 21.")-2.". ». 2.'!.''»-2(i«! ; hunter
kill, 2 o ."• - 2 < ■> t > ; management
studies. 2.".-''>-2<>ti ; marking tie-
vices, 17.''>-l.si ; Rocky Mountain
mule, 21.".-2;'. ». 2:>.'"i-2«;»; : tniok
count. 2-'!">-'2t>i'> ; winter mortality.
2.'{.".-2t;t; ; winter range. 21.'.-2:{4.
2.".."i-2t'.t'>
l>i'mpsier. Robert 1'.: see Herald.
I)empster. and McCully
!'e\ils (lartlen; cleer herd. 2r>r»-2l>*>
l>c\Viii. .(.dm \V.. Jr.; A survey of the
Coast Cutthroat Trout. Sithiio
vhirki rliirki Richardson, in Cali-
fornia. :;2ii-:5;5."i
( 44:: )
444
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
Dill, William A., and Leo Shapovalov ;
Sal 1110 rosei, not a valid species,
3:^7-338
Distribution; iniiskrals, 37^-384; red
shiner, 287-294 ; sajic .urouse, 385
Duck, ruddy, 17-37
Ducks; nesting studies, 17-37
Eagle Lake, 395-410
Eberhardt, Robert L. ; Observations on
the saury {Cololabis saira) seen
near the California coast during-
1950-52, 39-46
Ectoparasites ; collection of, 75-76
Editorship ; change of, 213
Embiotocidae, 183-198
Epigeichthys atropurpureus, 67
Euthynnus yaito, 61, 411-413
Explosions, underwater; effect on
fishes, 77
Felin, Frances E., John MacGregor,
Anita E. Daugherty, and Daniel
J. Miller ; Age and length com-
position of the sardine catch off
the Pacific Coast of the United
States and Mexico in 1953-1954,
423-431
Felis concolor, 147-166
Fish populations ; sampling, 353-365
Fish tagging ; see tagging
Fisher, Karl C. ; see Ryckman, Fisher,
and Ames
Fishes ; Colorado River basin, lower,
273-285, 287-294 ; effect of explo-
sions on, 77 ; intertidal, food of,
65-68 ; introductions, 203-204,
287-294; native postlarval, 273-
285; tropical, 418
Fishing, commercial ; Pacific mackerel,
55-59 ; sardines, 423-431
Fishing, sport ; creel returns, 89-104
Fitch, John E. ; The Pismo clam in 1952
and 1953, 199-201
Food studies ; bighorn, desert, 269-271 ;
interstate deer herd, 215-234 ; in-
tertidal fishes, 65,68 ; sage grouse,
385-394; tui chub, 395-410
Forage ; bighorn, desert, 269-271 ; deer,
215-234, 247-261
Fulica americana, 17-37
Gadwall, 17-37
German, E. R. ; Delayed decomposition
of a trout carcass, 436-437
Gihhonsia metzi, 66
Gibbs, Earl D. ; see Radovich and Gibbs
(Jobie.iox maeandricus, 66
Godsil, H. C. ; A comparison of Japa-
nese and Hawaiian si)ecimons of
the Iilack skipjack, Eiithi/nnus
//rnVo. 411-413
Goose, Canada, 5-16
Ground squirrel, 75-70
Grouse, sage, 385-394
H
Il.-iislcad, I'ruce AV. ; A note regarding
the toxicity of the fishes of the
skipjack family, Katsuwonidae,
61-63
Hand, Cadet ; A blue crayfish from
California, 437-438
Hensley, Arthur L. ; see Leach and
Hensley
Herald, Earl S., Robert P. Dempster,
and Howard McCully ; The effect
of Aurofac-enriched diet (aureo-
mycin and B12) upon young king
salmon, 415-421
Herbicides, 167-173
Honey Lake Refuge, 5-16
Hubbs, Carl L. ; Establishment of a
forage fish, the red shiner (No-
tropis hitrensis ) , in the lower
Colorado River system, 287-294
Hubbs, Carl L., and Laura C. Hubbs ;
Data on the life history, varia-
tion, ecology, and relationships
of the kelp perch, Brachyistius
frenatus, an embiotocid fish of
the Californias, 183-198
Hubbs, Laura C. ; see Hubbs and Hubbs
Hunt, E. G. ; see Naylor and Hunt
Hunting records ; deer, 262-264 ; sage
grouse, 387
I
Ictalnrus catus, 313-321
Insecticides, 167-173
Interstate Deer Herd Committee;
Eighth progress report on the co-
operative study of the Devils
Garden interstate deer herd and
its range, 235-266
Introductions, of fishes ; bass, redeye
black, 203-204; red shiner, 287-
294; shad, threadfin, 203-204
J
Johnston, Richard F. ; The summer
food of some intertidal fishes of
Monterey County, California, 65-
68
Joseph, David C. ; A record-size thresher
from Southern California, 433-
435 ; see Roedel and Joseph
K
Katsuwonidae, 61-63
l\<ilKUtroniis pelamis, 62
Kimsey, J. B. ; The introduction of the
redeye black bass and the thread-
fin shad into California, 203-204 ;
The life history of the Tui Chub,
Siphnteles hicolor (Girard), from
Eagle Lake, California, 395-410
iNor.x
445
l„lssrn W.lslior ,|,.,|- \>vn\. "J I .'. •-'.•. I
l.<-:icli, llow.'iril U.. iiiiil Arlliiir I,. Ili-ii
slcy ; Tlic sii;;c jji-uiisi- in ("nli
iDrniii, willi s|irci:il irrcrciiri' lc>
food iiiiiiiis, :;s:. .■•.'.•i
Life history; imtcIi. ImI|.. In.'. IHS; i'''I
sliiiicr, '_*ST 'J'. > I ; Inml, roiisl rul-
tlirunf, .".Ll'.t .■;.".:. ; liii rliiili, :!'.•."»-
IK)
Lion, niomilaiii, I IT Hii;
IjoVujo oiKilcxcrns, 17 •")!
Lower KliiiuMlli X;ili<.n:il Wij.ilil'r Krf-
ugc, IT-."."
M
MacGrejcor, .iciliii ; sec I'^cliii. M:h-
Crot;("". l':ni,i;ii('rt.v, :ni(l .Miller
Mackerel, Pacific; lisliery, ."»."»-.")!»
Mallard, 17-37
Marker, deer, 17r)-181
Markinj;; see tasKins
McCully, Howard; see TTernld, Peiup-
ster, and .Mc('ull.\
INIcGowan, .Tt)lui A. ; Observations on
the sexual behavior and spawn-
ing of the squid, Lolifio opa-
lescens, at La JoUa, California,
47-54
McLean, D. D. ; Mountain lions in Cali-
fornia, 147-166
Meleagris gallopavo, 123-145
Micropfcnis coosae, 203-204
Migration ; albacore, 339 ; catfish, white,
313-321; deer, 235-266
Miller, A. W., and B. D. Collins; A
nesting study of ducks and coots
on Tule Lake and Lower Klam-
ath National AVildlife Refuges,
17-37
Miller, Daniel J. ; see Felin, Mac-
Gregor, Daugherty, and Miller
Miller, Robert Rusli ; see Winn and
Miller
Minnow ; tui chub, 395-410
Movement ; albacore, 339 ; tui chub,
395-410 ; yellowtail, 295-312
Muskrats, 375-384
Mussel, California sea, 69-73
Mytilus californianiis, 69-73
N
Naylor, A. E., and E. G. Hunt ; A nest-
ing study and population survey
of Canada geese on the Susan
River, Lassen County, Calil'or-
nia, 5-16
Nesting studies; ducks and coots, 17-
37; goose. Canada, 5-16
Nets ; blanket. 353-365 ; deer, ."'.(m-.".".". :
lift, 353-365
Nofropis hifrrn.iin, 287-294
I iiliii-oilriiK h rill in nun hrmiimuii, 'ZXTt'JiW,
'S.',:>ii\i\
Ulif/orotliin : nilifllio, iWi ; unyilrri, OH
< hill, I Iti/iuli im : f*\>\i., 77; lnhinryturhn,
115 12 I
U ti il II I r II ; : I h I I li 1 1 II I, r r n n r d i , WlTt ',
~iliilliiiii iiirifiinn, .'575
(his riitiiiilinsis nrlnoni, 2*>7 271
(t.ii/iini in iiiniiinsix, 17-37
I'lirifiiatiinix, \'\~- \'.',S
I'liniliiltnw rliilhriil us, ~S~U
I'arjisites; colleelion frnin niaininalM.
75-76
I'elgen, I)avi(l 10.; Progress re|i«irt on
tile tagging of white catli.sh
{Irtiiliinis riitiis) ill the Sarrn-
niento-Saii .Toai|uin I)eltn, 313-
::2i
I'erch, kelp ; life history and r>-latioii-
ships. 1.S:M98
riiillips, .1. r.. ; Another hirge black sea
bass caught in Monterey Bay,
I'intail, 17-:'.7
I'luit iiiiiiophorus diego, 55-5!t
rollnlion, 105-121
Population studies; Canada goose, 5-16
I'r(iiiiinhiinis. 4.".7
I'in)<hi(i tridcnl'ilii. 215-li:'. 1, li:;5-L't;i;
Radovich. .John, and Earl IK (libbs;
The use of a blanket net in sam-
pling fish populations, 35.3-365
Redhead, 17-37
Red shiner, 287-294
Ref Hires : Lower Klamath National
Wildlife Refuge. 17-37; Tule
Lake National Wihllife Refuge,
17-37
Regulations; sage grouse, 385-.38('»
Keish, D(uiald .L, and Howard A. Win-
ter; The ecology of Alamitos
Bay, California, with special ref-
erence to pollution, 10.5-121
Reviews; American seashells. 440;
Baja California. 345; Biological
Conservation. 4.3'. > ; Tiie Black
River studies. 316-.". 17 : The Inxik
of wild pet.s. 440-441; Culture
and diseases of game fishes,
82-83; A guide to binl finding
west of the Mississippi. 205;
Handbook of freshwater fishery
biology with the first supplement.
346; How animals move. 208;
How to fi.sh the Pacific Coast.
SI : Hunting and fishing in
446
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
North America, 205-206; Hunt-
ing crows year round, 206 ; In-
tertidal invertebrates of the Cali-
fornia Coast, 439-440 ; Keepins^
and breeding aciuariuni tislies,
207; Land and water trails, 206;
Lives of game animals, 207 ;
Methods and principles of sys-
tematic zoology, 81-82 ; Our
wildlife legacy, 343-344; The
practical fly fisherman, 344-345 ;
Striped bass fishing in Califor-
nia and Oregon, 343 ; Traite de
pisciculture, second edition, 442 ;
Tricks that take fish, 441
Robinson, Cyril S., and Fred P. Crone-
miller ; Notes on the habitat of
the desert bighorn in the San
Gabriel Mountains of California,
267-271
Roccus sax-atilis, 323-328
Roedel, Phil M., and David C. Joseph ;
The Pacific mackerel fishery in
the 1951-52 and 1952-53 seasons,
55-59
Rudd, Robert L. ; Field reporting of
suspected wildlife poisoning by
agricultural chemicals, 167-173
Rush Creek Test Stream, 89-104
Ryekman, Raymond E., Karl C. Fisher,
and Charles T. Ames ; An ap-
paratus for collection of ectopar-
asites from mammals, 75-76
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ; tag-
ging of white catfish, 313-321
Sage grouse, 385-394
Sagehen, 385-394
Salwo; clarki, 416; clarki clarki, 329-
335; gairdneri, 89-104, 416-417,
436; gairdneri aqiiilarum, 395;
gairdneri gairdneri, 436 ; gaird-
neri ginerti, 337-338 ; rosei, 337-
338 ; trutta, 89-104, 416, 436-437
Salmon ; effect of explosions on, 77 ;
king salmon juveniles, 415-421
Halvelintis : fontinaUs, 89-104, 417, 436;
naiuayciish, 436-437
Sampling ; fish populations, 353-365
San Gabriel Mountains, 267-271
Sardines, 423-431
Sardinops caenilea, 423-431
Saury, 39-46
Scaup, lesser, 17-37
Sea-mussel, California, 69-73
Seriola dorsolis. 295-312
Seymour, George D. ; Recent extension
of the range of muskrats in Cali-
fornia, 375-384
Sliad, threadfin, 203-204
Shapovalov, Leo ; see Dill and Shajio-
valov
Shoveller, 17-37
Signalosa petenensls atchafalayae, 203-
204
Siphateles; hicolor, 395-410; Ijicolor:
ohesus X pectinifer, 395-410
Skinner, John E., and A. J. Calhoun ;
Field tests of stainless steel and
tantalum wire with disk tags on
striped bass. 323-328
Skipjack, black, 411-413
Skipjack family ; toxicity in, 61-63
i^patitla clypeata, 17-37
Squid ; spawning and sexual behavior,
47-54
Squirrel, ground, 75-76
Stereolepis gigas, 339
Striped bass, 323-328
Susan River, 5-16
Tagging ; albacore, 339 ; catfish, white,
313-321 ; plastic tubing, 295-312 ;
steelhead, 436 ; striped bass, 323-
328 ; yellowtail, 295-312
Teal, cinnamon, 17-37
Thresher, 433-435
Th 1111 nil s germo, 339
Tivela stultorum, 199-201
Toxicity ; in skipjacks, 61-63
Trap ; deer, 367-373
Trapping; deer, 367-373
Tropical fishes, 418
Trout; brown, 89-104, 416, 436-437;
coast cutthroat, 329-335 ; cut-
throat, 416 ; delayed composition
of, 436-437; Eagle Lake, 395
Eastern brook, 89-104, 417, 436
Kern River rainbow, 337-338
lake, 436-437; rainbow, 89-104
416, 436; Rush Creek tests, 89
104 ; steelhead i-ainbow, 436
winter-kill, 436-437
Tui chub, 395-410
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge,
17-37
Turkey ; California introductions, 123-
145
V
Vestal, E. H. ; Creel returns from
Rush Creek Test Stream, Mono
County, California, 1947-1951,
89-104
INDIA'
w
AN'cliliiii;; ; colldii. '.\7i'.', '.'Ai7t ; iiiiirliiii, .''..">''-
.■'.i;.'.
A\'iini. Ilow.'iril I':ili<>tl. iiiid KhIxtI
Kiisli Miller; .\jiti\f piisl liir\ :il
fislics of till' liiwiT ( 'oloriitlu
Kivcr liiisiii. Willi :\ kf.v Id tlii-ir
idciil iliciil iim, '2~'.',-'2Srt
^^'illl('^. Iliiw.inl A.: ^ii' Ivi'ivli ;iiii!
Wiiiifi-
\\ iiii.r kill
t:'.7
447
\ irvifi»-n fiiroruin, ti7
\ Iphinirr iiiiiroMiin, tiT
\. iiowiiiii. j;tr.;;ij
1859 7-54 5,500
prhilcJ in California state printinc office
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