How many dorsal spines does a White Crappie typically possess for identification?
Answer
Six
A primary method for field identification between the White Crappie and its close relative, the Black Crappie, relies on counting the spines located on the dorsal fin. The White Crappie consistently exhibits six dorsal spines. In contrast, the Black Crappie usually displays either seven or eight dorsal spines. Although this physical characteristic is a reliable marker, it is often recommended to corroborate this finding with other indicators, such as body shape, because biological variation can sometimes lead to exceptions where the spine count does not perfectly align with the typical pattern.
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