Table 6. Numbers and Sizes of Short-nosed Gar Captured by Shocker and Gill Nets at the Middle and Lower Neosho Stations in 1958 and 1959.
| Location | Date | Number | Average total length (inches) | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Neosho | 1958 | 6 | 14.9 | 13.9-15.5 |
| Middle Neosho | 1959 | 9 | 13.6 | 11.0-16.0 |
| Lower Neosho | 1958 | 3 | 21.0 | 20.3-21.6 |
| Lower Neosho | 1959 | 5 | 21.3 | 18.0-24.5 |
Dorosoma cepedianum (LeSueur)
Gizzard Shad
Gizzard shad declined in abundance from 1957 to 1959. The largest population occurred at the middle station on the Marais des Cygnes in 1957. Shad were mainly in quiet water; often, when the river-level was high, I found them predominately in backwaters or in the mouths of tributary streams. Examination of nine individuals, ranging in size from seven inches to 13.5 inches T. L., indicated that maturity is reached at 10 to 11 inches T. L. Spawning probably occurred in late June in 1959 ("ripe" female caught on 26 June); young-of-the-year were first recorded in mid-July.
Cycleptus elongatus (LeSueur)
Blue Sucker
The blue sucker was taken rarely in the Neosho River and not at all in the Marais des Cygnes in my study. Cross (personal communication) obtained several blue suckers in collections made in the mainstream of the Neosho River in 1952; both young and adults occupied swift, deep riffles. The species seemingly declined in abundance during the drought, and at the conclusion of my study (1959) had not regained the level of abundance found in 1952.
Ictiobus cyprinella (Valenciennes)
Big-mouthed Buffalo
Big-mouthed buffalo were found in quiet water at all stations, but were rare. A ripe female, 21.5 inches long, was taken at the lower station on the Neosho on 16 June, 1959.
Ictiobus niger (Rafinesque)
Black Buffalo
and
Ictiobus bubalus (Rafinesque)
Small-mouthed Buffalo
Black buffalo were not taken at the upper station on the Neosho and were rare at other stations. Small-mouthed buffalo were taken at all stations and were common in the lower portions of the two streams. While the shocker was being used, buffalo were often seen only momentarily, thereby making specific identification impossible; both species were frequently taken together, and for this reason are discussed as a unit. Both species maintained about the same level of abundance throughout my study.