17 American Currents Vol. 30, No. 1 Conservation Assessment for Bluehead Shiner (Pteronotropis hubbsi) Anthony W. Ranvestel and Brooks M. Burr Department of Zoology and Center for Systematic Biology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-6501, [email protected] he goal of this report is to provide information for throughout the Gulf and Atlantic Coastal Plain of the southern the U.S. Forest Service regarding the life history, United States (Page and Burr, 1991). Males develop a flag- status, and distribution of Pteronotropis hubbsi, the like dorsal fin and spectacular coloration during the breeding T bluehead shiner, as well as addressing current season, making them highly coveted by many aquarium fish research, conservation, and management practices on this hobbyists. These fishes are typically found in swamps and species. Only a handful of studies have been published regard- small streams, but also occur in backwaters of rivers and lakes ing the biology of P. hubbsi (e.g., Burr and Warren, 1986; (Bailey and Robison, 1978; Page and Burr, 1991). Pteronotropis Taylor and Norris, 1992; Fletcher and Burr, 1992), and a few hubbsi was originally discovered by G. E. Gunning in southern more discuss taxonomy and distribution, but this information Illinois in 1954. It was not described until over 20 years later, has not yet been compiled into one comprehensive document. after B. M. Burr and L. M. Page found 12 adults and 187 Indeed, there remains a paucity of information on the biology young-of-the-year in Wolf Lake, Illinois. The adult specimens and distribution of P. hubbsi, and its taxonomic status is in a found by Burr and Page were designated as paratypes in the constant state of flux. The present document compiles much original description of Notropis hubbsi by Bailey and Robison of the information on P. hubbsi, and also addresses potential (1978). Populations of P. hubbsi exist in Arkansas, Louisiana, threats to existing populations, documents current land use Texas, and Oklahoma, and historically in southern Illinois, where this species occurs, and suggests future research priorities although the Illinois population is believed to be extirpated. aimed at management and conservation of this species. Taxonomy Background Pteronotropis hubbsi belongs to the order Cypriniformes, The genus Pteronotropis, commonly referred to as the family Cyprinidae. Some discord has surrounded the generic “sailfin shiners,” is composed of five species* distributed status with various scientists proposing different taxonomic assignments. Bailey and Robison (1978) originally assigned the bluehead shiner to the genus Notropis, and concluded it This Conservation Assessment (dated 15 June 2002) was prepared to compile was closely related to the bluenose shiner, P. welaka (previously the published and unpublished information on the subject taxon or community; or this document was prepared by another organization and provides informa- in Notropis), based on four synapomorphic characters. They tion to serve as a Conservation Assessment for the Eastern Region of the USDA Forest Service. It does not represent a management decision by the Forest Service. Though the best scientific information available was used and subject experts * Ed. note: Suttkus and Mettee (2001) described a new species of were consulted in preparation of this document, it is expected that new infor- Pteronotropis and elevated one from synonymy, bringing the number of mation will arise. In the spirit of continuous learning and adaptive management, valid species in the genus to seven. Reference: Suttkus, R. D., and M. if you have information that will assist in conserving the subject taxon, please F. Mettee. 2001. Analysis of four species of Notropis included in the contact the Eastern Region of the Forest Service, Threatened and Endangered subgenus Pteronotropis Fowler, with comments on relationships, origin, Species Program, 310 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 580, Milwaukee, WS 53203. and dispersion. Geological Survey of Alabama Bulletin 170: 1-50. Winter (Feb.) 2004 American Currents 18 Fig. 1. Initial male bluehead shiner (Pteronotropis hubbsi). Photograph © William Roston. also suggested that these species were monophyletic and may Pteronotropis hubbsi is described as a distinctive slab-sided be allied to members in the genus Cyprinella. Several studies species having usually 9 or 10 principle dorsal and anal rays have since revisited the taxonomic relationships of these two and a broad dark lateral axial stripe extending from chin to species using morphological, biochemical, and molecular just beyond caudal fin base where it ends abruptly. Mouth is methods. Dimmick (1987), using allozymic comparisons, terminal, sharply upturned; pharyngeal teeth in a single row, refuted the claims of Bailey and Robison (1978), suggesting 4-4; snout projecting slightly beyond upper lip. Dorsal fin that P. welaka and P. hubbsi did not constitute a monophyletic origin behind pelvic insertion, its distance from snout tip and group, and that P. hubbsi was not closely related to members caudal base subequal. Dorsal fin of males rounded and elon- of the genus Cyprinella. Mayden (1989) first elevated gated, with middle rays longest. Eye moderate in size, with a Pteronotropis to generic level, including P. welaka, but leaving diameter about equal to length of lower jaw. Lateral line P. hubbsi in Notropis. Amemiya and Gold (1990), in docu- incomplete; 2-9 pored scales; these scales not elevated; 34-38 menting chromosomal nucleolus organizer region (NOR) scales in lateral series. Nuptial tubercles well developed but phenotypes in several species of Notropis and Pteronotropis, small in breeding males; irregularly distributed over the head, united P. hubbsi and P. welaka, as well as P. signipinnis, into a concentrated along mandible, anterodorsal rim of orbit, lower monophyletic group in the genus Pteronotropis. Simons et al. edge of lachrymal; uniformly distributed over dorsal surface. (2000) assessed the monophyly of the five species of Tubercles also on body scales and fins. Pteronotropis using DNA sequences of the mitochondrial Color Broad, dark lateral stripe crossing the chin with- cytochrome b gene and found that while the genus was not out involving upper lip or snout. Stripe terminates at caudal monophyletic, the monophyly of P. hubbsi and P. welaka was base where it forms a deep, darker basicaudal spot that extends strongly supported. a short distance onto the caudal rays. Body dusky above, lower surface of head and belly light, chin distinctly black. Description Dorsolateral surface reddish orange extending from ahead of nostril back to caudal base. Rays of the basal half to three- The following description is taken from Bailey and fifths of caudal fin and basal half of dorsal fin also reddish Robison (1978). (See also Robison and Buchanan, 1988.) orange. Males with olive yellow on membranes but not rays 19 American Currents Vol. 30, No. 1 of middle of anal fin. Dorsal fin of males dark, larger males electrofishing, minnow traps) are often ineffective in the with iridescent greenish blue on dorsal membranes from just densely vegetated habitat preferred by this species (Burr and proximal of the middle almost to its distal margin. Pelvic and Warren, 1986) which may result in unrealistic population anal fins washed with blue green. The top of the head from estimates. Fletcher and Burr (1992) found it was the dominant occiput to between the anterior edges of nostrils is a deep azure cyprinid at Chemin-a-haut Bayou in northeast Louisiana, blue with green iridescence, hence the species’ common name. collecting approximately 740 individuals over four sample dates during 1986-1988. Douglas (1992) reported drastic Habitat population fluctuations in collections from the Ouachita River and nearby backwaters in northeast Louisiana. Collections from Pteronotropis hubbsi typically inhabits quiet, backwater areas these sites during 1967-83 produced only three specimens, of sluggish streams and oxbow lakes (Bailey and Robison, 1978). but 938 individuals were collected during 1984-1991. From The water is usually tea colored and heavily vegetated with 1992-1995, no specimens were collected, leading researchers plants such as Proserpinaca palustris, Polygonum hydropiperoides, to believe that increased P. hubbsi abundance during 1984- Nelumbo pentapetala, or Ceratophyllum demersum (hornwort), 1991 was due to a biological response to hydrologic factors at with scattered Nuphar luteum (lillies) and Taxodium distichum this site (Douglas and Jordan, 2002). Burr et al. collected 12 (bald cypress) (Bailey and Robison, 1978; Goldstein et al., adults and 187 young-of-the-year during 1974 in Wolf Lake, 2000). Substrates are generally mud, detritus, or mixed mud IL (Burr and Warren, 1986). However, after an intensive and sand (Bailey and Robison, 1978; Burr and Warren, 1986). search for P. hubbsi in Wolf Lake during 1981-1985, Burr and Individuals school in slackwater areas away from substantial Warren (1986) were unable to find any specimens. Robison current and remain poised in mid-water just outside vegeta- and Buchanan (1988) suggest that P. hubbsi are migratory in tion, where they dart for protection if disturbed (Bailey and Ouachita drainage systems. Individuals are never found in Robison, 1978). upstream areas, except during the late spring when they are believed to migrate upstream to spawn. However, Taylor and Distribution and Abundance Norris (1992) found no such pattern in the Oklahoma population used in