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Home , Atractosteus, Charles Henry Gilbert, David Starr Jordan, Madtom, Percina, Popeye shiner

2006. Proceedings of the Academy of Science 1 15(2): 136-148

BIODIVERSITY OF FISHES IN THE WABASH RIVER: STATUS, INDICATORS, AND THREATS

Thomas P. Simon: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 620 South Walker Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47401 USA; and Aquatic Research Center, Indiana Biological Survey, 6440 South Fairfax Road, Bloomington, Indiana 47401 USA

ABSTRACT. Anthropogenic impacts on native Wabash River fish have caused , frag- mentation and loss of habitat, and range reductions that have imperiled species. Seven species that have been extirpated include the alligator {Atractosteus spatula), harelip sucker {Moxostoma lacerum), crystal darter (Crystallaria asprella), { vigil), {Percina copelandi), {Percina uranidea), and popeye shiner { ahommus). The harelip sucker occurred in the Tippecanoe River but became extinct during the early 1900s. Banded pygmy sunfish {Elassoma zonatum) may be extirpated from Indiana, but the species status is unknown. Habitat loss has also caused the local extirpation of spotted darter { maculatum), greater redhorse {Moxostoma valencien- nesi), and {Noturus stigmosus). Range reductions have influenced the distribution of northern brook lamprey {Ichthyomyzon fossor), lake sturgeon {Acipenser fulvescens), cisco {Coregonus artedii), and {Percina evides). Currently, five species on the endangered list for Indiana (50%) occur in the Wabash River. As sensitive species have declined in abundance, some species have increased in distribution and relative abundance: tippecanoe darter {Etheostoma tippecanoe), harlequin darter {Eth- eostoma histrio), and eastern sand darter {Ammocrypta pellucida). Intensive evaluations of the Tippecanoe and Wabash Rivers have shown increasing threats. Perhaps the greatest threat to the aquatic biodiversity of the Wabash River fish assemblage is the influence of exotic fish species, with the impact of the Asiatic carps (grass {Ctenopharyngodon idella), bighead {Hypothalmichthys nobilis), and silver {H. molitrix) carps) of looming concern.

Keywords: Biodiversity, status, threatened and endangered species, alien species

The Wabash River flows through the heart- Wabash River and its major tributaries than in land of the Corn Belt Plain and is perhaps the any other North American river. lifeblood of the midwestern . The purpose of this paper is to describe sig- Perhaps no other river has been so promi- nificant contributions that have been accom- nently mentioned regarding the history of plished in the Wabash River drainage in the North American than the Wabash fields of ichthyology and fisheries biology. River. As a result of the influence and allure This paper describes contributions in the study of this river, more long-term studies of large- of fish diversity, patterns in large river struc- river fishes (Forbes & Richardson 1920; Gam- ture and function, and current threats to fish mon 2000) may have been conducted in the assemblage stability. Wabash River than any other North American river. In the lower Wabash River, continuous SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO studies at the same sites have been conducted ICHTHYOLOGY OF THE RIVER since 1905 by the State of Illinois (Forbes & WABASH Richardson 1905), while in Indiana the middle Among the most famous ichthyologists and Wabash River has been studied since 1966 fisheries biologists who have traversed the (Gammon 2000). Wabash River are Samuel Constantine Rafin- The Wabash River possesses a rich legacy esque, Charles A. LeSueur, Edwin Drinker of ichthyological investigations (Rafinesque Cope, , Stephen A. Forbes, 1820; Lesueur 1846; Cope 1868, 1870; Jordan Charles H. Gilbert, and James R. Gammon. 1877; Jordan & Copeland 1877; Swain 1883; Samuel Constantine Rafinesque (1783- Forbes & Richardson 1905). Perhaps more re- 1840) was an eccentric naturalist who was nowned ichthyologists may have waded in the born in Galata, a suburb of Constantinople.

136 SIMON—WABASH RIVER FISHES 137

Rafinesque came to the United States in 1818, of the Virginia territory. Cope was a biologist where he settled in and collected with the Academy of Natural History in Phil- various kinds of biological specimens includ- adelphia and became famous lor the large ing fish, plants, a wide variety of inverte- number of dinosaurs he found. His feuds with brates, and other vertebrate . Rafin- Othniel C. Marsh, American Museum of Nat- esque spent a significant amount of his career ural History, were known as the dinosaur studying the fauna and flora of the River wars. Cope, as was true of many scientists of basin, but also evaluated fishes from the Wa- his time, studied all aspects of natural history, bash River (Call 1985). Generally, Rafinesque including herpetology, ichthyology, and pale- described organisms from memory and pub- ontology. It is not clear if Cope may have lished his work in a series of articles. His sampled in Indiana or if he described species work culminated in the Ichthyologia Ohiensis, that had been sent to him by other collectors. which set North American ichthyology back but he described species from the White River considerably (Rafinesque 1820). Rafinesque, near and from the Wabash River while traveling through the valley, near Lafayette (Cope 1867. 1868. 1870). Cope befriended James Audubon and lodged at his was posthumously recognized by the Ameri- cabin in Henderson, Kentucky. Legend re- can Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetolo- cords that during one of these stays, Rafin- gists when they named their journal "Copeia" esque was awakened by bats flying around the in his honor. cabin. Rafinesque grabbed Audubon's violin David Starr Jordan (1851-1931) was per- and swatted at the bats, ultimately destroying haps the most influential of all American ich- the violin. Audubon got even with Rafinesque thyologists. He began his career in Indiana by illustrating hypothetical fishes that repre- and is considered the "Father of modern ich- sented mixtures of several species. Audubon thyology." All current ichthyologists can trace brought these drawings to Rafinesque, who their educational "roots" back to Jordan in described them as new species. In part, this some manner. Jordan had an illustrious career was the basis for years of frustration and con- that began at , continued at fusion (Agassiz 1855; Jordan 1876). , and terminated at Stanford Charles Alexandre Lesueur (1778-1846) University. While Jordan was in Indiana, he was considered among the most prominent retraced the footsteps of Rafinesque and un- ichthyologists of the early 19 th century. Le- raveled the mystery of many Ohio River fish- sueur was born in France and studied with es (Jordan 1876), and then studied fishes in Professors Culver and Valenciennes from the the White River drainage contributing sub- Museum of Natural History in Paris, France. stantially to the description of new species; He came to North America and settled in New and, all the while, training students in the un- York, where he began studies of North Amer- derstanding of fishes. Jordan, along with Bar- ican freshwater fishes. He was among the ton Warren Evermann, co-authored the treatise prominent scientists who left the Philadelphia entitled, "Fishes of North and Middle Amer- Academy of Science on the "Boatload of ica," which was considered the definitive Knowledge," which was a group of well- study on fishes. Jordan, while at Butler Uni- known scientists that relocated to New Har- versity, was known for his collecting trips and mony by traveling down the Ohio River and travels across North America instructing stu- settled on the banks of the Wabash River. Le- dents in geology, natural history, and the cus- sueur joined the experimental New Harmony toms of local people. Jordan's exploits arc leg- socialistic colony around 1820 and was there endary, and he published extensively with his for a short time. Lesueur studied freshwater students. After Leaving Indiana. Jordan pur- fishes of the Wabash River, but due to frustra- chased and had shipped to tions with other scientists at New Harmony the Indiana University fish collection. This left the settlement and returned to France be- material is current!) curated at the fore completing his treatise of North Ameri- Academy of Science. Jordan conducted exten- can fishes. sive studies for the Bureau of Fisheries, the Edwin Drinker Cope (1840-1897) was United States Fisheries Commission, and sur- among the first ichthyologists to have de- veyed the marine fishes of Japan. , and scribed fish from Indiana during explorations the southeastern United States. Jordan was 138 PROCEEDINGS OF THE INDIANA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

Figure 1. — Ichthyologists and fisheries biologists who made significant contributions to our knowledge of the Wabash River drainage. Top left: Samuel Constantine Rafinesque (1783-1840); Top right: David Starr Jordan (1851-1931): Center left: Charles A. Lesueur (1778-1846); Center right: Stephen A. Forbes

(1844-1930); Bottom left: Edwin Drinker Cope (1840-1897); Bottom right: Charles Gilbert (1859-1928). —

SIMON—WABASH RIVER FISHES 139

highly honored and respected by his students River and the East Fork White River), have and is credited with the development of col- 126 species. lege majors. The State of Indiana has listed seven "En- (1859-1928) be- dangered" and five "Special Concern"" spe- came an early associate of David Starr Jordan. cies that occur in the Wabash River drainage

He first met Jordan while a high school stu- (Table 1). The State defines endangered spe- dent. Gilbert followed Jordan and studied un- cies as any species whose prospects lor der him first at Butler University. Later, when survival or recruitment within the state are in Jordan went to Indiana University, Gilbert fol- immediate jeopardy and are in danger of dis- lowed him and received his masters and doc- appearing from the state. This includes all torate degrees. Gilbert was the first individual species classified as endangered by the federal to receive a doctoral degree from Indiana Uni- government which are known to occur in In- versity. He studied fishes in the White River diana. Special concern is defined as an) ani- and followed Jordan to Stanford University, mal species about which some problems of where he became a professor in the Depart- limited abundance or distribution in Indiana ment of Zoology. According to some, Gilbert are known or suspected and should be closely was perhaps best known for his studies of monitored. Seven species are classified as western North American fishes. He was the State Endangered species, and the\ include senior scientist on the voyages of the Alba- the bantam sunfish (Lepomis symmetricus), tross, which studied marine fishes and sur- greater redhorse (Moxostoma valenciennesi), veyed the Hawaiian Islands. His devotion to lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). northern

Jordan lasted until the end of his life. brook lamprey (Ichthyomyzonfossor), channel Stephen Alfred Forbes (1844-1930) was darter (Percina copelandi), and redside daee the founder of the Illinois Natural History (Clinostomus elongatus), which are found within the River basin, but be Survey. Forbes studied events in the Wabash ma\ limited to either single sites or less than Illinois River, and ultimately conducted sur- 10 locations. The banded sunfish {Elas- veys of streams and rivers in Illinois that were pygmy soma zonatum) may be extirpated from Indi- published in the "Fishes of Illinois" (Forbes ana, but the species status is unknown. The & Richardson 1905, 1920). Sites established banded sunfish is classified as special concern. by Forbes & Richardson that were sampled Other species occurring in the Wabash River along the border of the lower Wabash River drainage that are classified as special concern have contributed significantly to our knowl- include, northern madtom {Xoturus sii^mo- edge of the Wabash River prior to drainage of sus), spotted darter {Etheostoma maculatum), its extensive wetlands. tippecanoe darter (£". tippecanoe), and western James R. Gammon (1936-present) studied sand darter (Ammocrypta clara). fish ecology and the impacts of thermal pol- Type locations.—Nine species of fishes lution on the structure and function of fish as- have been described from the Wabash Ri\er semblages in large rivers. Gammon was a Pro- system (Table 2). including two species that fessor at DePauw University. Gammon had were described from the Wabash Riser proper significant influence on the development of and another two species from direct tributar- large river standard operating methods, devel- ies. The shovelnose sturgeon, river redhorse. opment of assessment indices, and provided a grass pickerel, and Tippecanoe darter were de- long-term database that evaluated the middle scribed from the Wabash River system. The Wabash River for over 30 years (Gammon other five species were described from the 2000). White River system in the vicinitj of Indian- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION apolis. History of extirpations.— Sex en fish spe- Fishes of the Wabash River drainage. cies, including a single species that is now The Wabash River has 151 native fish species extinct, have been extirpated from the Wabash (Table 1). This could well be the most native River drainage. The harelip sucker {Moxos- fish species of any drainage in the Ohio River toma lacerurri), known from the Tippecanoe

basin. The two principal tributaries, the West River, was always considered rare: but it is not Fork White River (including the lower White known what caused the species' demise. Some 140 PROCEEDINGS OF THE INDIANA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

Table 1. —Distribution and habitats of fishes of the Wabash River drainage. EP = extirpated; N native species; NI = possibly introduced, but considered native; EX = extinct; and I = introduced.

Habitats Drainage

Low- Big Lacus- Subter- Wabash White

1 Specie. ' Land Upland River Stream Creek trine ranean River River

Petromyzontidae Icthyomyzon bdellium X X X X N Icthyomyzon castaneus X X X X N Icthyomyzon fossor X X X N N Icthyomyzon unicuspis X X X X N Lampetra ciepyptera X X X N N Lampetra appendix X X X N N Acipenseridae Acipenser fulvescens X X N N Scaphirynchus platorynchus X X N N

Polyodontidae Polyodon spathula X X X N N

Lepisosteidae Atractosteus spatula X X X EP oculatus X X X N N Lepisosteus osseus X X X X N N Lepisosteus platostomus X X N N Amiidae Amia calva X X X N N

Anguillidae Anguilla rostrata X N N Cluepidae

A losa ch rysoch loris X X N N Dorosoma cepedianum X X X X N N

Dorosoma petenense X X I I Hiodontidae Hiodon alosoides X X N N Hiodon tergisus X X N Gadidae Lota lota X N Salmonidae Coregonus artedit X X N Umbridae Umbra limi X X N N Esocidae Esox americanus X X X X X N N Esox lucius X X X X X N

Esox masquinongy X X X X I Campostoma anomalum X X X N N

Carassius auratus I I Clinostomus elongatus X X N

Ctenopharyngodon idella X X X I I Cyprinella lutrensis X X X NI SIMON—WABASH RIVER FISHES 141

Table 1. —Continued.

Habitats Drai lage

Low- Big Lacus- Sul 3ter- Wabash White Species Land Upland River Stream Creek trine ranean River River

Cyprinella spiloptera X X X X X N N

Cyprinella Whipple'i X X X N N

Cyprinus carpio X X X X X X 1 ! Ericymba buccata X X X N N Erimystax dissimilis X X N Erimystax x-punctata X X N Hybognathus hayi X X X \ Hybognathus nuchalis X X X N N Hybopsis amblops X X X N N HypophthaIm ich thys

molitrix X X I 1

Hypophthalmichthys nobilis X X 1 1

Lux 1 1 us chysocephalus X X N N Lythrurus fumeus X X X N Lythrurus umbratilis X X X X \ N Macrhybopsis hyostoma X X X X X N N Macrhybopsis storeriana X X X N N Nocomis biguttatus X X X N N Nocomis micropogon X X X N N Notemigonus crysoleucas X X X X N N Notropis amnis X X X N Notropis anogenus X X N Notropis ariommus X X X EP EP Notropis atherinoides X X X X X N N Notropis blennius X X N N Notropis boops X X X N N Notropis buchanani X X N N Notropis dorsalis X X X N Notropis hudsonius X X X X N Notropis photogenis X X \ N Notropis rubellus X X X N N Notropis shumardi X X N Notropis stramineus X X X N N Notropis texanus X X N N Notropis volucellus X X X X X N N Opsopoeodus emilae X X X X X \ N Phenacobius mirabilis X X X X \ \ Phoxinus erythrogaster X X N N Pimephales notatus X X X X X \ N Pimephales promelas X X X \ N \ Pimephales vigilax X X X X N N Rhinichthys obtusus X X N \ Semotilus atromaculatus X X X X N \ Castostomidae Carpiodes carpio X X X X N \ Carpiodes cyprinus X X X X N N Carpiodes velifer X X X X N \ Catostomus commersonii X X X X N \ Cycleptus elongatus X X N N 142 PROCEEDINGS OF THE INDIANA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

Table 1. —Continued.

Habitats Drainage

Low- Big Species Land Upland River Stream Crec Erimyzon oblongus X X X X N N Erimyzon sucetta X X X X N Hypen telium n igricans X X X N N Ictiobus bubalus X X X N N Ictiobus cyprinellus X X X X N N Ictiobus niger X X X N Minytrema melanops X X X X N N Moxostoma anisurum X X X X N N Moxostoma carinatum X X X X N N Moxostoma duquesnei X X N N Moxostoma erythrurum X X X N N Moxostoma lacerum X X Moxostoma macrolepidotum X X X X N N Moxostoma valenciennesi X X X N

Ictaluridae

Ameiurus catus I I melas N N Ameiurus natalis N N Ameiurus nebulosus N N Ictalurus furcatus N N Ictalurus punctatus N N Noturus eleutherus N N N N Noturus gyrinus X N N Noturus miurus N N Noturus nocturnus N N Noturus stigmosus N Pylodictis olivaris X N N Amblyopsidae Amblyopsis spelaea N Aphredoderidae Aphredoderus sayanus X X N N Fundulidae catenatus N Fundulus dispar N N Fundulus notatus N N

Poeciliidae

Gambusia affinis N N Atherinidae Labidesthes sicculus N Menidia berylina X NI

Gasterosteidae Culaea inconstans X N Cottidae Cottns bairdii Cottus carol inae Moronidae Morone chrysops N Morone mississippiensis Morone saxatilis SIMON—WABASH RIVER FISHES 143

Table 1. —Continued.

Habitats Drainage

Low- Big Lac us- Subter- Wabash White Species Land Upland River Stream Creek trine ranean River River

Centrarchidae Ambloplites rupestris X X X X \ N Centrarchus macropterus X X X X \ Lepomis cyanellus X X X X X \ N Lepomis gulosus X X X X X N N Lepomis humilis X X X X X \ N Lepomis macrochirus X X X X X X N N

Lepomis microlophus X X X NT.' I Lepomis miniatus X X X X N \ Lepomis symmetricus X X X X EP N Micropterus dolomieu X X X X X \ \ Micropterus punctulatus X X X \ N Micropterus salmoides X X X X X N N Pomoxis annularis X X X X X N \ Pomoxis nigromaculatus X X X X N \

Elassomatidae Elassoma zonatum X X X EP

Percidae Ammocrypta clara X X X X EP N Ammocrypta pellucida X X \ \ Crystallaria asprella X X EP Etheostoma asprigene X X X X N \ Etheostoma blennioides X X X N \ Etheostoma caeruleum X X X X \ Etheostoma camurum X X N N Etheostoma chlorosoma X X X X N N Etheostoma exile X X X X X N Etheostoma flabellare X X X N N Etheostoma gracile X X X X N \ Etheostoma histrio X X X X \ \ Etheostoma maculatum X X N N Etheostoma microperca X X X N \ Etheostoma nigrum X X X X X N N Etheostoma spectabile X X X \ \ Etheostoma squamiceps X X \ Etheostoma tippecanoe X X N \

Perca flavescens X X X X X \ I Percina caprodes X X X X X X \ \ Percina copelandi X X \ EP Percina evides X X \ EP X X X X \ \ X X \ \ Percina sclera X X X X \ \ X X X \ \ Percina uranidea X X EP Percina vigil X X EP canadensis X X X \ \ N

Sander v it reus X X X X \ X

Sciaenidae Aplodinotus grunniens X X X X N N 144 PROCEEDINGS OF THE INDIANA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

Table 2. -List of fish species described from the Wabash River drainage including authority and type location.

Species Authority Type locality

Scaphirhynchus platoryn- Rafinesque 1820 No specific locality, Ohio, Wabash, and Cumber- chus land rivers, seldom reaching as high as Pitts- burgh, also in Mississippi and Missouri rivers Esox americanus Lesueur 1846 Tributaries of Wabash River near New Harmony Notropis ariommus Cope 1868 White River near Indianapolis, Marion County Moxostoma carinatum Cope 1870 Wabash River at Lafayette Noturus miurus Jordan 1877 White River near Indianapolis Etheostoma tippecanoe Jordan & Evermann 1890 Tippecanoe River at Marshland (Delong) Percina coeplandi Jordan 1877 White River, 8 km N of Indianapolis

Percina evides Jordan & Copeland 1 877 White River near Indianapolis Percina sclera Swain 1883 Bean Blossom Creek, 9 km N Bloomington, Monroe County

speculate that the may have been ocephala) (T.P. Simon & B.E. Fisher unpubl. due to either habitat changes or environmental data). degradation. The banded pygmy sunfish was originally The {Atractosteus spatula) has known from the lower Wabash River in the not been collected from the Wabash River extensive backwater swamps. The species was drainage since the turn of the 19 th century. The reported by Forbes & Richardson (1905, species had been associated with the extensive 1920), but has not been seen since. Although riverine wetlands surrounding the Wabash the species may be still present in cypress

River, but with the draining of these wetlands swamps along the lower Ohio River, it is during the late 19 th century, the species has doubtful that the species is still present in In- been locally extirpated. diana. Recent on-going surveys since the early Several darters were last collected from the 1990s have not found any specimens. The lower Wabash River near New Harmony near draining of the extensive backwater wetlands the late 1890s (Gerking 1945). The crystal along the lower Wabash River is the probable darter (Crystallaria asprella), stargazing dart- cause of this species extirpation. er {Percina uranidea), and saddleback darter Range changes.—Seven fish species have (Percina vigil) are large-river fish that are been either extirpated from the Wabash River found on riffle habitats (Page 1983; Kuehne drainage or have experienced range reduc- & Barbour 1983). Few riffle habitats remain tions. They include the northern brook lam- in the lower Wabash River, perhaps as a result prey (Ichthyomyzon fossor), lake sturgeon of river meandering. (Acipenser fulvescens), lake herring (Core- The popeye shiner (Notropis ariommus) gonus artedii), greater redhorse (Moxostoma and channel darter (Percina copelandi) were valenciennesi), northern madtom (Noturus originally described from the White River stigmosus), spotted darter (Etheostoma ma- near Indianapolis (Cope 1867; Jordan 1877). culatum), and gilt darter (Percina evides). This shiner has not been collected from the Three species have increased their range, in- White River since the end of the 19 th century cluding the eastern sand darter (Ammocrypta

(Cope 1868). The channel darter is an inhab- pellucida), harlequin darter (Etheostoma his- itant of large, deep rivers and has not been trio), and Tippecanoe darter (E. tippecanoe). collected in the White River since being de- The northern brook lamprey is known in scribed by Jordan (1877). A single record of Indiana from the Galena River, Lake Michi- the channel darter was published by Carney gan basin, and from a few locations in the et al. (1993); however, upon inspection of the Tippecanoe River, Fulton County (unpubl. specimen at the Illinois Natural History Sur- data). Aggressive lampricide treatment of vey it was observed that the specimen was streams to control sea lamprey (Petromyzon actually a slenderhead darter (Percina phox- marinus) populations in the Lake Michigan SIMON—WABASH RIVER FISHES 145

Table 3. —Status of known and reported occurrences of cisco in Indiana lakes including the last reported date from published or actual specimens (based on Pearson 2001).

Last Lake County report Status Reference

Manitou Fulton 1901 Extirpated B latch ley & Ashle> 1901 Barbee (= Barber) Kosciusko 1875 Extirpated Jordan 1875 Little Tippecanoe (James) Kosciusko 1955 Extirpated Frey 1955; Pearson 2001 Oswego Kosciusko 1955 Extirpated Frey 1955: Pearson 2001 Secrist Kosciusko 1975 Extirpated Frey 1955; Pearson 2001 Tippecanoe Kosciusko 1955 Extirpated Jordan 1875: Pearson 2001

Winona ( = Eagle) Kosciusko 1886 Extirpated Jordan & Evermann 1886 Maxinkuckee Marshall 1886 Extirpated Jordan & Evermann 1886

basin may have caused the local extirpation of but specimen identity is unconfirmed. As a re- native non-parasitic lampreys. sult, the current status of the species is un- Lake sturgeon were once known from the known. The northern madtom has been col- Wabash River near Cayuga and throughout the lected from the mainstem Ohio River near main channel of the Wabash River (Blatchley Evansville at water depths of 18.6 m (B.E. 1935). Due to the species' large size and dif- Fisher unpubl. data). ficulty of collecting individuals from main The spotted darter was last collected from channel habitats, little is known of the species the Tippecanoe River in 1985 from a large status in the Wabash River. It is assumed that riffle downstream of Winamec. Fulton Count) the species has been locally extirpated from (Carney et al. 1993; T.R Simon unpubl. data). the Wabash River, but a small population ex- The species has not been collected from the ists in the East Fork White River beneath Wil- Wabash River drainage, but the species has liams Dam (T.R Simon, unpubl. data; B.E. been found in the East Fork White River Fisher, pers. comm.). This may be the only downstream of Shoals (B.E. Fisher pers. population remaining in the Ohio River drain- comm.). age. The gilt darter was originall) found The lake herring has seen extensive range throughout the West Fork White River from reduction as a result of cultural eutrophication Marion to Morgan County (Marguilles et al. and the loss of the thermocline in many gla- 1980). The type locality for the gilt darter is cial lakes (Pearson 2001). The species has the West Fork White River near Indianapolis. been locally extirpated from most of the The gilt darter has been extirpated from its known lakes within the Tippecanoe River sys- type locality but is considered currentl) stable. tem (Table 3). being found only in the middle Tippecanoe The greater redhorse is rare in the Wabash River from Rochester to Lake Shafer (B.E. River drainage and was previously known Fisher pers. comm.). from only a few locations in Vigo County The eastern sand darter has remained stable (Whitaker & Wallace 1973) and from the Eel or increased in distribution throughout the River watershed upstream of Logansport Wabash River, but has not expanded m the (Braun 1984). Sampling at previously known White River watershed (B.E. Fisher pers. collection localities in the Wabash River and comm.). The species is found in the Tippe- tributaries (Vigo County) has shown that the canoe River and from the Wabash River main- species has been locally extirpated. Currently, stem upstream to the Eel River, including the species is found only in the Eel River wa- many tributaries. The species is found over tershed in Indiana and has not been collected clean sand with moderate current. anywhere else in the Ohio River drainage. The harlequin darter was considered to be The northern madtom has not been collect- extirpated from Indiana for more than a cen- ed from the Tippecanoe River since the late tury (Whitaker & Gammon 1988). However, 1800s (Gerking 1945). The species has been in the early 1990s. Simon & Kile) (1993) recently reported from the Tippecanoe River, found the species in the lower White River 146 PROCEEDINGS OF THE INDIANA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE and upper East Fork White River watershed, known as the white amur, was imported into as did Greg Seegert (pers. comm.). Harlequin and Arkansas from eastern Asia in darters are found on woody debris in moder- 1963 to control aquatic vegetation (U.S. Fish ate- to fast-flowing waters. The harlequin dart- & Wildlife Service unpubl. data). An adult er has been collected continuously from the has been reported to eat 45 kg (99.2 mouth of the Patoka River up the Wabash Riv- lbs) of vegetation per day. The grass carp is er to the mouth of the White River, and con- widespread in the Wabash and lower White tinuing upstream of Columbus in the Sugar rivers. Individuals have been caught by an- Creek watershed. The species is currently ex- glers as far north as Lafayette (Tippecanoe panding into the West Fork White River and County), and to the junction of the East and occurs as far north as Richland Creek (B.E. West Forks of the White rivers. Fisher pers. comm.). The {Hypophthalmichthys no- Finally, the tippecanoe darter has probably bilis) was brought to Arkansas in 1972 from not expanded its range greatly, but more ef- eastern China by a private fish farmer to con- ficient sampling techniques have enabled trol plankton in culture ponds. The species es- more extensive collection (Simon 2005). caped in the early 1980s. The bighead carp

Trautman ( 1980) has shown that abundance in feed near the surface of rivers on organisms Ohio can change dramatically based on annual such as zooplankton and aquatic insect larvae recruitment. The Tippecanoe darter is found and adults. Bighead carp have been observed from the Tippecanoe River from Delong schooling with paddlefish {Polyodon spathu- (Marshland) to the mouth with the Wabash la). This species is also in direct competition River (Jordan & Evermann 1890), and has with bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus), been collected in the lower East Fork down- gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), all lar- stream of Williams dam to Shoals (B.E. Fisher val and juvenile fishes, and native mussels. pers. comm.). Individuals are known to grow to be about Threat of alien invasion.—The first wave 39.5 kg (88 lbs) and 1.2 m (4 ft). Bighead carp of alien invasion occurred with the transplant have been collected in the middle Wabash of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and River, middle West Fork of the White River, goldfish {Carassius auratus) into North and the lower White River near Petersburg, America. These species became established Gibson County. and naturalized after being introduced into the The (Hypophthalmichthys moli- mainstem rivers and streams with the inten- trix) was brought by an Arkansas fish farmer tion that they might become food or game to the U.S. from Asia in 1973 to control phy- fish. Both species reach very large sizes and toplankton and possibly for use as a food fish. contribute to commercial fishery in their na- Silver carp have also been used in sewage la- tive habitats. goons to control algae. The silver carp es- The common carp has been introduced caped in the early 1980s into the Mississippi throughout North America, and there is not a River basin. This fish is a very proficient feed- drainage or state that does not include this er that has gill rakers that are fused into species. Carp are ubiquitously found through- sponge-like porous plates. Silver carp can out the Wabash River drainage. Goldfish have consume 2—3X their weight in plankton each been much less successful in colonizing the day. Because of its preferred food items, the streams and rivers of North America and are silver carp is in direct competition with all nearly absent from the Wabash River drain- native fish larvae and juveniles, adult paddle- age. They are typically found only in the most fish, bigmouth buffalo, gizzard shad, and na- degraded habitats in the White River water- tive mussels. These fish can grow to be over shed in the Central Canal in downtown Indi- 1 in (3 ft) in length and about 27.24 kg (60 anapolis. lbs).

The second wave of Asiatic aliens may The most recent escaped is the prove to be much more devastating to native black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), which fish species than the first. Four large Asian was brought to the U.S. in the early 1970s species have been imported by the aquaculture from eastern Asia. The black carp and grass industry and have escaped into the wild. The carp resemble each other except that the black grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), also carp has fused pharyngeal teeth that are used SIMON—WABASH RIVER FISHES 147

in crushing shells of mollusks and crusta- the Wabash River, including aspects of fish- ceans, the primary food of black carp. In the eries biology and our understanding of large 1980s, black carp was imported for use as a river biology, has benefited in numerous ways food fish and to control the spread of trema- by his dedication. Numerous individuals have todes (parasites) in snails at farms. The contributed to our understanding of the Wa- only known record of escape occurred in 1994 bash River, yet so much more needs to be in Missouri, when 30 or more black carp es- learned. Although this study may have been caped with several thousand bighead carp into funded entirely or in part by the U.S. Fish and the Osage River in Missouri. Black carp have Wildlife Service, no endorsement h\ that reached the size of 1.29 m (4.3 ft) and over agency is intended or inferred. 35.87 kg (79 lbs). The effect of Asian carp on the North LITERATURE CITED

American fish assemblages has still not been Agassiz, L. 1855. Synopsis of the ichthyological fully realized. It is unclear when population fauna of the Pacific slope under the command of numbers from the second invasion will stabi- Captain C. Wilkes, with recent additions and lize. Asian carps have the potential of affect- comparisons with eastern types. American Jour- ing phytoplankton, zooplankton, and mollus- nal of Science and Arts (2 nd series). 18( 15-16): can assemblages. In addition, these carps may 71-99. also change the biomass and structure of na- Blatchley, WS. 1938. The Fishes of Indiana. Na- ture Publication Company, Indianapolis. Indiana. tive fish assemblages. The four Asian species' Blatchley, WS. & G.H. Ashley. 1901. The lakes prolific spawning capacity and large size can of northern Indiana and their associated marl de- reduce native species biomass. posits. 25 th Annual Report Department of Geol- The Wabash River system has experienced ogy & Natural Resources Indiana 1900:31-321. significant physical and biological changes as Braun, E.R. 1984. A fisheries investigation ot the result a of anthropogenic effects. Drainage of Eel River. Indiana Department of Natural Re- wetlands has caused the loss of alligator gar sources, Division of Fish and Wildlife. Indian- and possibly the banded pygmy sunfish. apolis, Indiana. Changes in the lower Wabash River have re- Call, A.C. 1985. The Life and Writings of Rafin- sulted in the extirpation of the crystal darter, esque. John P. Morton & Co.. Louisville, Ken- stargazing darter, and saddleback darter. tucky. Range reduction has affected another seven Carney, D.A.. L.M. Page & T.M. Keevin. 1993. Fishes the River, Indiana: out- species. Change in water quality, landscape of Tippecanoe An standing midwestern stream. Proceedings ot the and land use have reduced native fish species Indiana Academy of Science 101:201—209. biodiversity and have increased Asiatic alien Cope, E.D. 1867. Synopsis o\ the Cyprinidae o\ invaders that have restructured the fish assem- . Transactions of the American Phil- blage of the Wabash River drainage. The re- osophical Society 13(13):351 -399. lease and escape of grass, silver, and bighead Cope, E.D. 1868. On the distribution of fresh-wa- carp into the Mississippi River has seen these ter fishes in the Allegheny region of southwest- species spread into the lower and middle Wa- ern Virginia. Journal ol the Acadcnn of Natural

bash River and the lower portions of the East Sciences. Philadelphia (Series 2). 6 i art. 5):207- and West Forks of the White River. An un- 247. known impact will be the invasion of the Cope. E.D. 1870. Partial synopsis of the fishes of black carp. This species has the potential to the fresh waters o( North Carolina. Proceedings cause the destruction of native mollusk spe- of the American Philosphical Society 16:448- 495. cies, thus further affecting native drainage Forbes. S.A. R.E. Richardson. L905. The Fishes ecosystems. &

o\' Illinois. State o\ Illinois Natural Histor) I ab- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS oratory, Champaign. Illinois. Forbes. S.A. £ R.E. Richardson. 1^20. The Fishes I want to thank James R. Gammon for his o( Illinois. State of Illinois Natural Histor) 1 ab- friendship; and on behalf of every fisheries oratory, Champaign. Illinois. biologist, ichthyologist, and fish ecologist, we Frey, D.G. 1955. Distributional ecology of the Cis- extend our appreciation for his significant co (Coregonus artedii) in Indiana, [nvestigations contributions to our knowledge of the Wabash o( Indiana Fakes J*c Streams 4: 1 — 22S. River fish assemblage. The long-term study of Gammon. J.R. 2000. The Wabash River Ecosys- 48 PROCEEDINGS OF THE INDIANA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

tern. Indiana University Press, Bloomington, In- ural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife In- diana. dianapolis, Indiana. 23 pp. Gerking, S.D. 1945. Distribution of Indiana Fishes. Rafinesque, S.C. 1819-1820. Ichthyologia Ohioen- Investigations of Indiana Lakes & Streams 3:1- sis. Reprint edition. 1970. Ames Press, 90 pp. of 137. an in toto edition published by W.C. Hunt, Lex- Jordan, D.S. 1875. The sisco of Lake Tippecanoe. ington, Kentucky. Of Rafinesque's papers origi- American Naturalist 1876:135-138. nally published in Western Rev. and Misc. Mag. Jordan, D.S. 1876. Concerning the fishes of the as follows (fide Gilbert 1 998: 1 ( 1 ):305-3 1 3 (De- Ichthyologia Ohiensis. Bulletin Buffalo Society cember 1819); l(2):361-377 (January 1820); of Natural History 3:91-97. l(3):50-57 (February 1820); 2(4):169-177 2(5):235-243 Jordan, D.S. & H.W. Copeland. 1876-1877. (April 1820); (May 1820); 2(6): 299-307 (June 1820); 2(7):355-363 (July 1820); Checklist of the fishes of the freshwaters of 3(8): 165-173 (October 1820); 3(9):244-252 North America. Bulletin Buffalo Society of Nat- (November 1820); Pagination cited herein per ural Sciences 3:133-164. Hunt's edition. Jordan, D.S. & B.W. Evermann. 1886. The food Scott, W. 1931. The lakes of northeastern Indiana. fishes of Indiana. Annual Report Indiana State Investigations of Indiana Lakes & Streams 1:61- Board Agriculture for 1885:156-173. 81. Jordan, D.S. & B.W. Evermann. 1890. Description Simon, T.P. 2005. Life history of the Tippecanoe of a new species of fish from Tippecanoe River, darter, Etheostoma tippecanoe Jordan and Ever- Indiana. Proceedings of the United States Na- mann, in the Tippecanoe River, Carroll County, tional Museum 1890:3-4. Indiana. Miscellaneous Papers of the Indiana Bi- Kuehne, R.A. R. Barbour. 1983. The American & ological Survey Aquatic Research Center, Num- Darters. University of Kentucky Press, Lexing- ber 5. Bloomington, Indiana. ton, Kentucky. Simon, T.P. & A.L. Kiley. 1993, Rediscovery of the Lesueur, C.A. 1846. Esox vermiculatus. In. Histo- harlequin darter, Etheostoma histrio Jordan and ire naturelle des poisons. (G. Cuvier & A. Va- Gilbert, in the White River drainage, Indiana. lenciennes, eds.) Tome dix-huitieme. Suite du Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science livre dix-huitieme. Cyprinoides. Livre dix-neu- 102:279-281. vieme. Des Esoces ou Lucioides Hist. Naturae Swain, J.S. 1883. A description of a new species Poissons i—xix + 2 pp. + 1-505 pp. of Hadropterus {Hadropterus scierus) from Marguiles, D., O.S. Burch & B.F. Clark. 1980. Re- southern Indiana. Proceedings United States Na- discovery of the gilt darter (Percina evides) in tional Museum 6 (379):252. the White River, Indiana. American Midland Trautman, M.B. 1980. The Fishes of Ohio. Ohio Naturalist 104:207-208. State University Press, Columbus, Ohio. Page, L.M. 1983. Handbook of Darters. TEH. Whitaker, J.O., Jr. & J.R. Gammon. 1988. Endan- Publications, Neptune, New Jersey. gered and threatened vertebrate animals of Indi- their distribution abundance. Indiana Page, L.M. & B.M. Burr. 1986. Zoogeography of ana, and of Science Monograph 5, Indianapolis, fishes in the lower Ohio-upper Mississippi basin. Academy Indiana. Pp. 287-324. In The Zoogeography of North Whitaker, J.O., Jr. & D.C. Wallace. 1973. Fishes American Freshwater Fishes. (C.H. Hocutt & of Vigo County, Indiana. Proceedings of the In- E.O. Wiley, eds.) John Wiley & Sons New York, diana Academy of Science 82:448-464. New York.

Pearson, J. 2001. Cisco population status and man- Manuscript received 7 June 2006, revised 17 Oc- agement in Indiana. Indiana Department of Nat- tober 2006.