DOCSLIB.ORG

Range Expansions and New Drainage Records for Select Illinois Fishes

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Range Expansions and New Drainage Records for Select Illinois Fishes Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science received 4/30/15 (2015) Volume 108, pp. 47-52 accepted 7/16/15 Range Expansions and New Drainage Records for Select Illinois Fishes Jeremy S. Tiemann1*, Christopher A. Taylor1, Dan Wylie1, Jim Lamer2, Phil W. Willink3, Frank M. Veraldi4, Steven M. Pescitelli5, Ben Lubinski6, Trent Thomas7, Randy Sauer8, and Ben Cantrell9 1Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, 1816 South Oak Street, Champaign, IL 61820 2Department of Biological Sciences, Western Illinois University, 372 Waggoner Hall, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455 3Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605 4U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 231 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60604 5Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fisheries, 5931 Fox River Road, Plano, IL 60545 6Illinois Natural History Survey, National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, One Confluence Way, East Alton, IL 62024 7Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 301 S. Date Street, Gibson City, IL 60936 8Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Address Eldon Hazlet State Park, 20100 Hazlet Park Road, Carlyle, IL 62231 9North American Native Fishes Association, Peoria, IL 61614 *Correspondence: [email protected] ABSTRACT Fish surveys by university and natural resource agency staff and fish hobbyists in Illinois, and the acquisition of the former Northern Illinois University fish collection by the Illinois Natural History Survey, have documented significant new voucher records for 21 fish species in the state. We herein report on those records. INTRODUCTION Fish Collection), or documented with pho- (Slawski et al. 2008). Illinois is home to 192 native fish species tographs that are housed at INHS. Species accounts include catalogue number (if as- Updated records: Tampier Lake (Des (Burr and Page 2009; Tiemann and Sa- Plaines River drainage), Orland Park, Cook baj-Perez 2012). Of those, ten are consid- signed), locality, date, and number of speci- mens, and are organized within the general County, July 2014 (no date given), one indi- ered extirpated (although the Illinois De- vidual collected and returned alive (photo partment of Natural Resources stocked the phylogenetic scheme presented by Page et al. (2013). voucher). Lockport Pool of the Chicago Alligator Gar, Atractosteus spatula, into the Area Waterway System, Lockport, Cook Illinois River drainage), one is federally-en- SPECIES ACCOUNTS County, 1 April 2013, one individual col- dangered, 18 others are state-endangered, lected and returned alive (photo voucher). and 16 are state-threatened (Burr and Page Lepisosteus oculatus Winchell, Spotted Gar. The Spotted Gar occurs in clear pools Des Plaines River, Willow Springs, Colum- 2009; IESPB 2015). A list of updated fish bia Woods Forest Preserve, Cook County, distribution records can assist natural re- with abundant vegetation in streams, lakes, and swamps in lowland areas in southern 24 May 2015, one individual caught and source agencies in management decisions, returned alive (photo voucher). and can be achieved by publishing updated Illinois and along the Illinois River near records of select fishes (e.g., Burr et al. 1988; Havana, Mason County (Smith 1979). It Hybognathus nuchalis Agassiz, Mississip- Savitz et al. 1990; Burr et al. 1996; Page and has never been documented in the upper pi Silvery Minnow. The Mississippi Silvery Retzer 2002; Tiemann et al. 2004). Illinois River drainage (e.g., Smith 1979). Minnow is almost statewide in distribu- METHODS Updated record: North Shore Channel tion, but is rare in the northeastern corner (Chicago River – Des Plaines River drain- of Illinois (Smith 1979). It occurs in large Museum specimens and field notes of Illi- streams with clear water and sandy bottoms nois fishes were compared to published lit- age), Chicago, near Pratt Avenue, Cook County, 24 September 2014, one individual (Smith 1979). The range of the Mississippi erature (e.g., Smith 1979; Burr et al. 1988; Silvery Minnow has declined due to desic- Burr et al. 1996; Page and Retzer 2002; collected and returned alive (photo vouch- er). cation during drought periods eliminating Retzer 2005). We included those species its preferred habitat (Smith 1971). Retzer previously listed as extirpated in Illinois, Anguilla rostrata (Lesueur) American (2005) considered the minnow extirpated those that had not been previously list- Eel. The American Eel occurs sporadi- from the upper Rock River drainage. ed as extant in a particular drainage, and cally throughout Illinois in large streams, those that had been listed as extirpated in and occurs in deep pools with mud sub- Updated record: INHS 102524, Rock Riv- a specific drainage. Records are based on strates (Smith 1979). Its distribution has er, Sterling, 12th Avenue bridge, Whiteside specimens deposited in the Illinois Natu- been reduced by impoundments (Smith County, 21 August 2008, seven individuals. ral History Survey (INHS) Fish Collection, 1979; Slawski et al. 2008), and it is listed as Hybopsis amnis (Hubbs and Green), Pal- Champaign (which includes the former state-threatened in Illinois (IESPB 2015). Northern Illinois University Fish Collec- lid Shiner. Once found throughout Illinois, The American Eel was considered extir- the Pallid Shiner is now known from three tion, DeKalb, and the former Southern pated from the Des Plaines River drainage Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) regions in Illinois: lower Kankakee River Range Expansions and New Drainage Records for Select Illinois Fishes 48 Tiemann, Taylor, Wylie, Lamer, Willink, Veraldi, Pescitelli, Lubinski, Thomas, Sauer, and Cantrell in Will County, Illinois River in Grundy Jelks et al. (2011) listed the sucker as “Vul- mi SE Rockton, Winnebago County, 4 Oc- County, and Mississippi River in Rock Is- nerable” due to destruction, modification, tober 1999, one individual. land County (Warren and Burr 1988; Page or reduction of its habitat, as well as other and Retzer 2002). It prefers pools of larger natural or anthropogenic factors that jeop- Labidesthes sicculus (Cope), Brook Sil- rivers with sand or silt substrates (Page and ardize its existence. This large river species verside. The Brook Silverside occurs state- Retzer 2002; Willink and Veraldi 2009). is often collected in swift water over rocky wide, but is usually associated with large Jelks et al. (2011) listed the Pallid Shiner as substrates, but has been declining in abun- rivers in marginal areas and clear, quiet “Vulnerable” (=in imminent danger of be- dance in Illinois for decades due, in part, to backwaters (Smith 1979). Its range has coming threatened throughout all or a sig- dams on navigable rivers (Smith 1979; Burr declined because excessive siltation has de- nificant portion of its range) due to destruc- et al. 1996). The Blue Sucker has not been graded its preferred habitat (Smith 1979). tion, modification, or reduction of habitat. reported from the Embarras River drainage Retzer (2005) considered the Brook Silver- It is state-endangered in Illinois (IESPB (e.g., Smith 1971; Smith 1979). side extirpated from the Vermilion River 2015). Much of the Pallid Shiner’s pre- drainage (Wabash River drainage). ferred habitat has been eliminated through Updated records: INHS 64198, Embarras River, 2.5 mi SE Charleston, Illinois Route Updated records: INHS Fish Collection siltation, pollution, channelization, and has 17 lots, most with multiple specimens, impoundments (Smith 1971; Smith 1979; 130, Coles County, 12 July 1988, one in- dividual. INHS 94462, Embarras River, from the Vermilion River drainage (Wa- Warren and Burr 1988; Page and Retzer bash River drainage) since 1990, including 2002). The shiner was collected in the Des Lawrenceville, Illinois Route 1, Lawrence County, 15 July 1997, one individual. three lots from the Salt Fork, five lots from Plaines River drainage near Berwyn, Cook the Middle Fork, three lots from the North County, in 1900 (Warren and Burr 1988); Ictiobus niger (Rafinesque), Black Buffa- Fork, and four lots from the Vermilion Riv- however, it has not been reported in the lo. The Black Buffalo occurs sporadically er mainstem. drainage since (e.g., Page and Retzer 2002; in most parts of the state in medium- and Retzer and Batten 2005; Willink and Ver- large-sized rivers and their marginal lakes Fundulus catenatus (Storer), Northern aldi 2009) and was considered extirpated (Smith 1979). Smith (1979) considered it Studfish. The Northern Studfish occurs (Slawski et al. 2008). extirpated in Lake Michigan. Savitz et al. in shallow margins of pools in clear, mod- erate to high gradient streams of all sizes Updated record: INHS 105381, Des Plaines (1996) failed to collect the Black Buffalo during their work of Lake Michigan har- with permanent flow and silt-free sand River, 1.5 mi SE Channahon, I-55 bridge, and gravel substrates (Pfleiger 1995). It has Will County, 12 July 2012, one individual. bors, and Retzer and Batten (2005) did not report it from the Lake Michigan drainage. been recorded from only one location in Rhinichthys cataractae (Valenciennes), Illinois: the Mississippi River at river mile Longnose Dace. In Illinois, the Longnose Updated records: Lake Michigan, Chicago, 48 in Alexander County (Heidinger 1974). Dace occurs along the pebble beaches of Northerly Island, Cook County, 24 October According to Pfleiger (1995), the Northern Lake Michigan and in several gravelly, boul- 2014, 20 individuals (photo voucher). Studfish is somewhat tolerant of stream
Load more

Recommended publications
  • C:\Fish\Eastern Sand Darter Sa.Wpd
    EASTERN SAND DARTER STATUS ASSESSMENT Prepared by: David Grandmaison and Joseph Mayasich Natural Resources Research Institute University of Minnesota 5013 Miller Trunk Highway Duluth, MN 55811-1442 and David Etnier Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Tennessee 569 Dabney Hall Knoxville, TN 37996-1610 Prepared for: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 3 1 Federal Drive Fort Snelling, MN 55111 January 2004 NRRI Technical Report No. NRRI/TR-2003/40 DISCLAIMER This document is a compilation of biological data and a description of past, present, and likely future threats to the eastern sand darter, Ammocrypta pellucida (Agassiz). It does not represent a decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) on whether this taxon should be designated as a candidate species for listing as threatened or endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act. That decision will be made by the Service after reviewing this document; other relevant biological and threat data not included herein; and all relevant laws, regulations, and policies. The result of the decision will be posted on the Service's Region 3 Web site (refer to: http://midwest.fws.gov/eco_serv/endangrd/lists/concern.html). If designated as a candidate species, the taxon will subsequently be added to the Service's candidate species list that is periodically published in the Federal Register and posted on the World Wide Web (refer to: http://endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html). Even if the taxon does not warrant candidate status it should benefit from the conservation recommendations that are contained in this document. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS DISCLAIMER...................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Best Management Practices
    Crystal Darter Crystallaria asprella Guidelines for Landowners Using Conservation Practices Missouri Department of Conservation Photo Credit: Missouri Department of Conservation Common name ▪ Crystal Darter Recommendations Scientific name ▪ Crystallaria asprella As a species that prefers clean streams, crystal State status ▪ Endangered darters may act as indicators of a healthy Federal status ▪ None ecosystem. Protecting and restoring streams for the crystal darter will also benefit other aquatic species. Ecology Efforts should be made to ensure our waterways are Crystal darters have a large historic range, healthy through protection and/or restoration of stretching from river basins in West Virginia west to habitat for this and other aquatic species. Missouri and from Minnesota south to the Gulf of Mexico. In east-central to southeastern Missouri, Avoid constructing stream crossings. If they inhabit open channels of large, clear streams unavoidable, culverts and crossings should be and ditches with low to moderate gradients and long constructed with the same bottom elevation as the stretches of silt-free sand and small gravel existing streambed to avoid restricting flow and substrate. They prefer streams with strong current obstructing fish passage. and water depths of about 3 feet. The biology of this darter in Missouri is poorly known. Studies Bank stabilization materials should consist only of suggest that darters may bury themselves in the rock, clean broken concrete or similar materials free sand during the day and become active at night. of pollutants, silt and extraneous debris including Crystal darters forage for mainly aquatic insects, exposed rebar. Erosion and sediment controls especially midges, mosquitoes, blackflies and should be implemented, maintained and monitored caddisflies.
    [Show full text]
  • Status and Critical Habitat of Rare Fish Species in the Mississippi River from the Coon Rapids Dam to the Iowa Border
    State Wildlife Grant Final Report Status and critical habitat of rare fish species in the Mississippi River from the Coon Rapids Dam to the Iowa border Konrad Schmidt (Nongame Fish Program) Nick Proulx (Bio-criteria Development Program) Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Ecological Resources 9 March 2009 Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) from Lake Pepin Abstract From 2006 through 2008, the Mississippi River was surveyed from the Coon Rapids Dam (Pool A) to the Iowa border (Pool 9). Sampling gear consisted of boat and backpack electroshockers, gill nets, trap nets, trawls, seines, dip nets and setlines. Habitats included main and side channels, backwaters, tributary mouths and tailwater zones of dams. The three year study found 16 of 22 Species in the Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) reported from the Minnesota reach of the Mississippi River. Introduction The study area covers 192 river miles and includes 12 pools impounded by locks and dams that were originally designed for commercial navigation, but this corridor has become extremely popular with recreational watercraft users. The US Army Corps of Engineers maintains the navigation channel of the pools at a minimum depth of nine feet. Prior to the lock and dam system, thousands of closing and wing dams were constructed during the late 1800s. The closing dams reduced flow to backwaters and side channels, while wing dams directed current down the main channel to maintain navigable depths. These structures are not maintained, but most remain and continue to function. The long-term results of this altered flow regime has filled in many side channels and backwaters with sediments or greatly reduced their depth and size.
    [Show full text]
  • Spotted Darter Status Assessment
    SPOTTED DARTER STATUS ASSESSMENT Prepared by: Joseph M. Mayasich and David Grandmaison Natural Resources Research Institute University of Minnesota 5013 Miller Trunk Highway Duluth, MN 55811-1442 and David Etnier Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Tennessee 569 Dabney Hall Knoxville, TN 37996-1610 Prepared for: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 3 1 Federal Drive Fort Snelling, MN 55111 March 2004 NRRI Technical Report No. NRRI/TR-2004-02 DISCLAIMER This document is a compilation of biological data and a description of past, present, and likely future threats to the spotted darter, Etheostoma maculatum (Kirtland). It does not represent a decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) on whether this taxon should be designated as a candidate species for listing as threatened or endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act. That decision will be made by the Service after reviewing this document; other relevant biological and threat data not included herein; and all relevant laws, regulations, and policies. The result of the decision will be posted on the Service's Region 3 Web site (refer to: http://midwest.fws.gov/eco_serv/endangrd/lists/concern.html). If designated as a candidate species, the taxon will subsequently be added to the Service's candidate species list that is periodically published in the Federal Register and posted on the World Wide Web (refer to: http://endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html). Even if the taxon does not warrant candidate status it should benefit from the conservation recommendations that are contained in this document. i TABLE OF CONTENTS DISCLAIMER............................................................................................................................... ii NARRATIVE ................................................................................................................................1 SYSTEMATICS...............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Frequency of Occurrence and Relative Abundance of Ohio Stream Fishes: 1979 Through 1995
    Ohio Biological Survey Notes 2: 53-62, 1999. © Ohio Biological Survey The Frequency of Occurrence and Relative Abundance of Ohio Stream Fishes: 1979 Through 1995 RANDALL E. SANDERS1, CHARLES STAUDT2, DENNIS MISHNE2, MARC SMITH2, EDWARD T. RANKIN2, CHRIS O. YODER2, ROGER THOMA2, DAVID A LTFATER2, CHARLES B OUCHER2, KELLY C APUZZI2, ROBERT M ILTNER2, BRIAN ALSDORF2, DANIEL L. RICE3, AND TED M. CAVENDER4 1Fish Management and Research, Division of Wildlife, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 1840 Belcher Drive G-3, Columbus, OH 43224. 2Ecological Assessment, Division of Surface Water, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, 4675 Homer Ohio Lane, Groveport, OH 43125. 3Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Fountain Square F-1, Columbus, OH 43224. 4Division of Fishes, Museum of Biological Diversity, The Ohio State University, 1315 Kinnear Road, Columbus, OH 43212 Introduction Ohio streams have a rich history of ichthyological investigations. Statewide distribution maps for game fish species were first reported by Wickliff and Trautman (1931). The first edition of The Fishes of Ohio published statewide distribution maps for all Ohio fish species for collections made during 1840 through 1955 (Trautman, 1957). This book was revised for collections made during 1956 through 1980—a period when fish populations in many streams were severely degraded by high levels of pollution and other environmental changes (Trautman, 1981). Although these publications are excellent sources for the historical distributions, identification, and preferred habitats of Ohio fish, they do not provide quantitative frequency of occurrence or relative abundance information for current stream fish populations that have increased as the result of improved water quality (e.g., Ohio Environmental Protection Agency [OEPA] 1992; 1995; 1996), become established through introductions, or continued to decline.
    [Show full text]
  • Fish: Darters
    FISH: DARTERS Since the late 1800s, there have been 104 different species of fishes found in the Minnesota River Basin. Over the past years, 12 of those species have not been seen for over 30 years and are believed to be extirpated (Schmidt and Proulx, 2007). The fishes live in a variety of habitats which include, “shallow lakes and low-gradient streams on the uplands flanking the Minnesota River valley, high-gradient streams where tributaries to the river descend into the valley, and the winding main stem of the Minnesota and floodplain lakes on the valley floor”(Schmidt and Proulx, 2007). Some fish biologists use Darters as indicators of water quality. The presence or absence of some species can tell experts about water quality. Historically 10 different species of Darters have been found in the Minnesota River Basin, but over the past few years, only 6 have been documented. The Crystal Darter has not been found since the 1960s, while the Johnny Darter is quite abundant. All Darters are about finger length or 2-3 inches. To learn more about Darters identified in this fact sheet “Peterson Field Guides: A Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes” by Lawrence M. Page and Brooks M Burr. Bell Museum: Fishes of Minnesota http://hatch.cehd.umn.edu/research/fish/fishes/Minnesota River Basin Data Center - http://mrbdc. mnsu.edu/ Rainbow Darter - Etheostoma caeruleum The Rainbow Darter is sensitive to pollution and silt. It spawns in clean gravel riffles from March to June and lives for about four years. Males can be identified by the 8-13 blue bands along the side of their body and anal fins Konrad Schmidt with an orange-reddish center surrounded by blue.
    [Show full text]
  • Checklist of the Inland Fishes of Louisiana
    Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings Volume 1 Number 61 2021 Article 3 March 2021 Checklist of the Inland Fishes of Louisiana Michael H. Doosey University of New Orelans, [email protected] Henry L. Bart Jr. Tulane University, [email protected] Kyle R. Piller Southeastern Louisiana Univeristy, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/sfcproceedings Part of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons, and the Biodiversity Commons Recommended Citation Doosey, Michael H.; Bart, Henry L. Jr.; and Piller, Kyle R. (2021) "Checklist of the Inland Fishes of Louisiana," Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings: No. 61. Available at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/sfcproceedings/vol1/iss61/3 This Original Research Article is brought to you for free and open access by Volunteer, Open Access, Library Journals (VOL Journals), published in partnership with The University of Tennessee (UT) University Libraries. This article has been accepted for inclusion in Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings by an authorized editor. For more information, please visit https://trace.tennessee.edu/sfcproceedings. Checklist of the Inland Fishes of Louisiana Abstract Since the publication of Freshwater Fishes of Louisiana (Douglas, 1974) and a revised checklist (Douglas and Jordan, 2002), much has changed regarding knowledge of inland fishes in the state. An updated reference on Louisiana’s inland and coastal fishes is long overdue. Inland waters of Louisiana are home to at least 224 species (165 primarily freshwater, 28 primarily marine, and 31 euryhaline or diadromous) in 45 families. This checklist is based on a compilation of fish collections records in Louisiana from 19 data providers in the Fishnet2 network (www.fishnet2.net).
    [Show full text]
  • Minnesota Fish Taxonomic Key 2017 Edition
    Minnesota Fish Taxonomic Key 2017 Edition Pictures from – NANFA (2017) Warren Lamb Aquatic Biology Program Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN 56601 Introduction Minnesota’s landscape is maze of lakes and river that are home to a recorded total of 163 species of fish. This document is a complete and current dichotomous taxonomic key of the Minnesota fishes. This key was based on the 1972 “Northern Fishes” key (Eddy 1972), and updated based on Dr. Jay Hatch’s article “Minnesota Fishes: Just How Many Are There?” (Hatch 2016). Any new species or family additions were also referenced to the 7th edition of the American Fisheries society “Names of North American Fishes” (Page et al. 2013) to assess whether a fish species is currently recognized by the scientific community. Identifying characteristics for new additions were compared to those found in Page and Burr (2011). In total five species and one family have been added to the taxonomic key, while three have been removed since the last publication. Species pictures within the keys have been provide from either Bemidji State University Ichthyology Students or North American Native Fish Association (NANFA). My hope is that this document will offer an accurate and simple key so anyone can identify the fish they may encounter in Minnesota. Warren Lamb – 2017 Pictures from – NANFA (2017) References Eddy, S. and J. C. Underhill. 1974. Northern Fishes. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. 414 pp. Hatch, J. 2015. Minnesota fishes: just how many are there anyway? American Currents 40:10-21. Page, L. M. and B. M. Burr. 2011. Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico.
    [Show full text]
  • Crystal Darter
    Crystal darter Crystallaria asprella (Photo by FWC) Taxonomic Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Percidae Genus/Species: Crystallaria asprella Common Name: Crystal darter Listing Status Federal Status: Not Listed FL Status: State-designated Threatened FNAI Ranks: G3/S1 (Globally: Rare/State: Critically Imperiled) IUCN Status: VU (Vulnerable) Physical Description The crystal darter is one of the larger members of the Family Percidae (Gilbert 1992). This species can reach a body length of six inches (15.2 centimeters). Crystal darters are a light brown fish that have a side-to-side compressed head, large eyes, and four dark saddle marks (the first saddle originating in front of the pectoral fin) on their upper part (Florida Natural Areas Inventory 2001). Crystal Darter 1 | Page Life History Crystal darters are invertivores – they feed on a variety of invertebrates. Spawning presumably begins in meandering side channels of main waterwaya when water temperatures reach 53.6-59°F (12-15°C). During copulation (mating), females will bury themselves slightly in the substrate (habitat floor). Females can copulate with more than one male at a time. The spawning season usually lasts one week. Fertilized eggs are strongly adhesive and attach to sand and gravel when released by the female. The average egg mass for crystal darters is 106-576 eggs (Boschung and Mayden 2004). Sexual maturity is reached at the age of one year (George et al. 1996). Habitat & Distribution Crystal darters inhabit rivers with modest current, sandy riffles, and a sand/gravel bottom of medium to large size streams (Florida Natural Areas Inventory 2001).
    [Show full text]
  • Zootaxa, Crystallaria Cincotta, a New Species of Darter (Teleostei: Percidae)
    Zootaxa 1680: 62–68 (2008) ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2008 · Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) Crystallaria cincotta, a new species of darter (Teleostei: Percidae) from the Elk River of the Ohio River drainage, West Virginia STUART A. WELSH1 & ROBERT M. WOOD2 1U.S. Geological Survey, West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 322 Percival Hall, Morgantown, WV 26506– 6125, USA. E-mail: [email protected] 2Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, 3507 Laclede, St. Louis, MO 63103–2010, USA. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract A new species of percid, Crystallaria cincotta, is described from the Cumberland, Elk, Green, and Muskingum river drainages of the Ohio River basin, USA. It differs from populations of Crystallaria asprella of the Gulf Coast, lower Mississippi River, middle Mississippi River, upper Mississippi River, and Wabash River drainages by having a reduced number of cheek scale rows restricted to the post-orbital region, a falcate margin on the pelvic fins, a preorbital blotch distinctly separate from the anterior orbital rim, and a wide mouth gape. The Elk River population is also divergent genetically from populations of the Gulf Coast, lower Mississippi River, and upper Mississippi River drainages. Crystal- laria cincotta, discovered in the Elk River of the Ohio River drainage in 1980, is a rare species with the only extant pop- ulation represented by 12 individuals collected from 1980–2005 from the lower 36 km section of the Elk River, West Virginia. Key words: new species, darter, Percidae, Crystallaria, Elk River Introduction Crystallaria asprella (Jordan), the crystal darter, was recognized as the sole member of a monotypic genus (Simons 1991).
    [Show full text]
  • Crystallaria Asprella (Jordan), in the Lower Mississippi River, Minnesota
    Conservation Biology Research Grants Program Division of Ecological Services Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Resource Utilization and Life History of the Crystal Darter, Crystallaria asprella (Jordan), in the Lower Mississippi River, Minnesota Submitted by: Jay T. Hatch, Ph. D. Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, General College Associate Curator of Ichthyology, Bell Museum of Natural History University of Minnesota 382 Appleby Hall 128 Pleasant St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612) 625-9346 Submitted to: Minnesota Natural Heritage and Nongame Wildlife Research Program Minnesota Department of Natural Resources St. Paul, MN 3 July 1997 Page 2 Abstract From July 1994 through August 1995, attempts were made to elucidate the life history of crystal darters (Crystallaria asprella ) in Pools 4, 5, and 5a of the Upper Mississippi River and in the Zumbro River of southeastern Minnesota. Thirty-three collections from 14 sites on 18 dates produced a total of 27 crystal darters, all but two of which were taken from the navigation channel side of Island #36 in Pool 4. Another 9 specimens collected by state biologists from the Mississippi and Zumbro rivers were included in the analyses. One Zumbro River specimen was in its third year of growth and one Pool 4 specimen was in its second growth year when captured; all remaining specimens were young-of-the-year. The full spawning season could not be determined but included at least May and June in the Mississippi River. Growth was rapid with young-of-the-year reaching 80-100 mm total length (65-80 mm standard length) and 3-5 g total body mass by the end of their first growing season.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation Status of Imperiled North American Freshwater And
    FEATURE: ENDANGERED SPECIES Conservation Status of Imperiled North American Freshwater and Diadromous Fishes ABSTRACT: This is the third compilation of imperiled (i.e., endangered, threatened, vulnerable) plus extinct freshwater and diadromous fishes of North America prepared by the American Fisheries Society’s Endangered Species Committee. Since the last revision in 1989, imperilment of inland fishes has increased substantially. This list includes 700 extant taxa representing 133 genera and 36 families, a 92% increase over the 364 listed in 1989. The increase reflects the addition of distinct populations, previously non-imperiled fishes, and recently described or discovered taxa. Approximately 39% of described fish species of the continent are imperiled. There are 230 vulnerable, 190 threatened, and 280 endangered extant taxa, and 61 taxa presumed extinct or extirpated from nature. Of those that were imperiled in 1989, most (89%) are the same or worse in conservation status; only 6% have improved in status, and 5% were delisted for various reasons. Habitat degradation and nonindigenous species are the main threats to at-risk fishes, many of which are restricted to small ranges. Documenting the diversity and status of rare fishes is a critical step in identifying and implementing appropriate actions necessary for their protection and management. Howard L. Jelks, Frank McCormick, Stephen J. Walsh, Joseph S. Nelson, Noel M. Burkhead, Steven P. Platania, Salvador Contreras-Balderas, Brady A. Porter, Edmundo Díaz-Pardo, Claude B. Renaud, Dean A. Hendrickson, Juan Jacobo Schmitter-Soto, John Lyons, Eric B. Taylor, and Nicholas E. Mandrak, Melvin L. Warren, Jr. Jelks, Walsh, and Burkhead are research McCormick is a biologist with the biologists with the U.S.
    [Show full text]