HABITAT PARTITIONING IN A COMMUNITY OF DARTERS IN THE ELK RIVER, WEST-VIRGINIA

Microhabitat use and habitat partitioning for 10 darter species (Perci dae: Etheostomatini) were studied by direct observation (snorkeling) a t five sites in the Elk River drainage, Sl;est Virginia, U.S.A. We use d canonical discriminant analysis and univariate tests to determine mi crohabitat variables that were important in segregating species. Darte r species were segregated by-depth. substrate size, and water velocity . In addition, Percina typically occurred in tile water column. wherea s species of Etheostoma were benthic and segregated by occurring under , between, and on top of rocks.