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Bantam Sunfish (Lepomis Symmetricus)

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Bantam Sunfish (Lepomis Symmetricus) Conservation Assessment for Bantam Sunfish (Lepomis symmetricus) Photo credit: L. M. Page USDA Forest Service, Eastern Region August 2004 Diane K. Zeman and Brooks M. Burr Department of Zoology Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6501 Email: [email protected] 24 This Conservation Assessment was prepared to compile the published and unpublished information on the subject taxon or community; or this document was prepared by another organization and provides information to serve as a Conservation Assessment for the Eastern Region of the Forest Service. It does not represent a management decision by the U.S. Forest Service. Though the best scientific information available was used and subject experts were consulted in preparation of this document, it is expected that new information will arise. In the spirit of continuous learning and adaptive management, if you have information that will assist in conserving the subject taxon, please contact the Eastern Region of the Forest Service - Threatened and Endangered Species Program at 626 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203. 24 FRONTISPIECE Frontispiece: Top photo: 31mm SL male of Lepomis symmetricus, swamp, Groves Co., KY, 7 November 1981. Photo by L. M. Page. Center photo: 48 mm SL male, Chenerie Lake, Ouachita Parish, LA, 21 June 1980. Photo by L. M. Page. Bottom photo: 40 mm SL female, slough south of Wickliffe, KY, May 87. Photo by W. N. Roston. 24 Table of Contents FRONTISPIECE................................................................................................................. 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................ 6 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 7 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................ 7 TAXONOMY ..................................................................................................................... 7 DESCRIPTION................................................................................................................... 8 COLOR............................................................................................................................... 8 VARIATION ...................................................................................................................... 8 Allometric ....................................................................................................................... 8 Geographic...................................................................................................................... 8 HABITAT........................................................................................................................... 9 DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE............................................................................. 9 BIOLOGY/NATURAL HISTORY.................................................................................. 10 Reproductive biology.................................................................................................... 10 Sexual dimorphism ................................................................................................... 10 Reproductive cycle-Males ........................................................................................ 10 Reproductive cycle-Females..................................................................................... 10 Sex ratios................................................................................................................... 11 Spawning behavior.................................................................................................... 11 Nest associates, nest sites, nesting behavior ............................................................. 11 Agonistic behavior.................................................................................................... 12 Larval behavior ......................................................................................................... 12 General Life History ..................................................................................................... 13 Longevity .................................................................................................................. 13 Feeding and food....................................................................................................... 13 THREATS......................................................................................................................... 13 Destruction, modification, or curtailment of species’ habitat or range......................... 13 Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes ....... 14 Predation ....................................................................................................................... 14 Parasites and disease..................................................................................................... 14 SUMMARY OF LAND OWNERSHIP AND EXISTING HABITAT PROTECTION FOR POPULATIONS ...................................................................................................... 14 Arkansas........................................................................................................................ 14 Illinois ........................................................................................................................... 14 Indiana........................................................................................................................... 15 Kentucky....................................................................................................................... 15 Louisiana....................................................................................................................... 15 Missouri ........................................................................................................................ 15 Mississippi .................................................................................................................... 16 Oklahoma...................................................................................................................... 16 Tennessee...................................................................................................................... 16 Texas............................................................................................................................. 16 SUMMARY OF EXISTING MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES ....................................... 16 PAST AND CURRENT CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES ............................................ 17 RESEARCH AND MONITORING ................................................................................. 17 24 Existing surveys, monitoring and research ................................................................... 17 Research Priorities ........................................................................................................ 17 Surveys...................................................................................................................... 17 Population estimates ................................................................................................. 17 Aquaculture............................................................................................................... 18 Breeding habitat management................................................................................... 18 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 19 LIST OF CONTACTS...................................................................................................... 23 APPENDIX......................................................................................................................... 2 Habitat of Lepomis symmetricus (above) LaRue Pine Hills Swamp, Union County, Illinois. Habitat of L. symmetricus (below) Wolf Lake, Union County, Illinois, 30 July 1981. Photos by B. M. Burr. ........................................................................................... 2 24 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Bantam Sunfish (Lepomis symmetricus), one of the least studied and most diminutive centrachids, is considered a sister species (i.e., genealogically closest relative) of the Green Sunfish (L. cyanellus). The species typically inhabits lowland sloughs, oxbows, lakes, ponds, and swamps with mud-bottoms; often associated with heavy vegetation, stumps, and logs. Preferred substrates include decomposed vegetation, silt, and mud. Populations of L. symmetricus exist or existed in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. We consider reports of this species in Indiana to be erroneous (i.e., based on misidentifications of other small centrarchids) and no vouchered records are known from that state. Populations are vulnerable to decline for the following reasons: specialized habitat (heavily vegetated swamps, wetlands), human alteration or elimination of this habitat, short lifespan, and a somewhat fragmented distribution. Protection of wetlands and swamps that harbor the species is needed throughout the range of L. symmetricus. Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee are the only known States with limited protection of selected swamplands on which this species thrives.
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