REPRODUCTIVE AND TERRITORIAL BEHAVIOR OF COMANCHE SPRINGS PUPFISH (CYPRINODON ELEGANS) IN SAN SOLOMON SPRING POOL, BALMORHEA STATE PARK, REEVES COUNTY, TEXAS

Abstract While much is known about the behavioral ecology of some species of pupfish (Cyprinodon), virtually nothing is known about the reproductive and territorial behavior of the Comanche Springs pupfish (C. elegans). Using SCUBA and underwater videography, observations were made of the reproductive and territorial behavior of C. elegans in the source pool of San Solomon Spring, Balmorhea State Park, Texas. We constructed time budgets of territorial males and manipulated territorial landmarks. Cyprinodon elegans exhibited courtship and agonistic behaviors, including territorial disputes similar to other Cyprinodon species. Additionally, C. elegans used visual cues as a means for identifying territory, as do other species of Cyprinodon.