Life history and status of the shorthead sculpin ( Cottus confusus : Pisces, Cottidae) in Canada and the sympatric relationship to the slimy sculpin ( Cottus cognatus )

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Hughes, Grant W., Peden, Alex E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1984
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Cottus cognatus; Slimy sculpin
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z84-047; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z84-047

Cottus confusus inhabits downstream portions of the Flathead River in Canada and the population may be seriously threatened. Cottus cognatus occupies habitats farther upstream than C. confusus but few differences in other ecological factors were found between the species. Downstream habitat loss may occur if coal is improperly mined from within the watershed. Because some field biologists were unable to distinguish between these species, diagnostic characters were used to produce a character index.