CONSERVATION of the PEARL DARTER, Fercina Aurora\ SURVEY of the UPPER PASCAGOULA DRAINAGE

$CONSERVATION of the PEARL DARTER, Fercina Aurora\ SURVEY of the UPPER PASCAGOULA DRAINAGE$

Museum Technical Report No. 85

CONSERVATION OF THE PEARL DARTER, Fercina aurora\ SURVEY OF THE UPPER PASCAGOULA DRAINAGE

Stephen T. Ross, Mollie F. Cashner andRichard Darden

Department ofBiological Sciences University ofSouthern Mississippi Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406-5018

Funded by U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Project No. E-1, Segment 15

Mississippi Department ofWildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Museum ofNatural Science 2148 Riverside Drive Jackson, MS 39202-1353

2000 TfflSPROJECTWAS FUNDED BYTHEU.S. FiSHAND WILDLIFE SERVICETHROUGH ASECTION 6 CooperativeAgreementwiththeMississippiDepartmentofWildlife,Fisheries, AND Parks.

This FINALreport has been preparedand submitted tothe U.S. FishandWildlife Servicetofulfill Federal-Aidrequirements ofMississippi Endangered Species ProjectE-1, Segment 15.

MississippiMuseumofNaturalScienceTechnicalReportsarenotpeer-reviewed. This DOCUMENT should be cited as an unpublished report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. ABSTRACT

We surveyed streams in the upper portion of the Pascagoula River watershed during the spring, summer, and fall of 2000 for presence of the pear darter, Perdna aurora Streams surveyed were the Chunky and

Chickasawhay rivers (Chickasawhay River system). Black Creek (Black Creek system), Okatoma Creek, Bouie

Creek/River, and the Leaf River (Leaf River system). Pearl darters were captured on two occasions from the Chickasawhay River system, but were not taken in any other collections. In general, catches of all Perdna%^^6&s declined assummer water temperatures exceeded 30 C. Based on an analysis of archived specimens, pearl darters show atrend towards larger sizes in smaller streams. This study provides further documentation of the general rarity of pearl darters and supports ongoing efforts of the USFWS to formally list this species.

-1- The pearl darter, FerchaauroraSMus ^Ihompson 1994, Is an imperiled species being considered for listing by the U. S. Fish &Wildlife Service (D. Drennan, USFWS, Jackson, MS, 1999). The pearl darter originally occurred in the Chickasawhay, Leaf, and Pascagoula River systems of the Pascagoula drainage of Mississippi and in the Pearl and Strong Rivers of the Pearl drainage of Mississippi and Louisiana (Suttkus et al., 1994). The last records of pearl darters from the Pearl River were taken in the early 1970s, and it now appears that populations in the Pearl drainage may be extirpated (Bart, 2000). Possible loss of this species from the Pearl River is attributed to habitat alteration caused by removal of riparian vegetation and extensive cultivation near the river's edge, both resulting in increased sedimentation and from construction of aseries of impoundments (Suttkus et al., 1994, Bart 2000). Populations of the pearl darter still exist in the Pascagoula drainage (Fig. 1), characterized as the last large (>350 m3 s-1 virgin discharge) river in the contiguous United States that does not have an impoundment on its main channel orisotherwise not strongly impacted (Dynesius and

Nilsson, 1994).

Recent collection dates and numbers of P. aurora^^^^the

Pascagoula watershed (Fig. 2) are asfollows:

1. Pascagoula River, George County, May 1997, n =

1 (USM #20754);

2. Bouie River, Forrest County, May 1997, n = 1

(USM # 20709);

3. Leaf River, Forrest County, June 1996, n = 1 (INHS

38744, Bart and Piller, 1997).

4. Leaf River, Forrest County, November 1996, n = 2 Rgure 1. The Pascagoula watershed in SE (Bart and Piller, 1997); Misslsslpp.i

5. Leaf River, Forrest County, May 1997, n= 8 (Bart and Piller, 1997);

-2- 6. OkatomaCreek,

Covington Co., July

1997,n = 1 (Bart and

Piiler, 1997).

Based on Bart and Piiler (1997), months of pearl darters collections tend to be summer orfall (Fig. 3); however, pearl darters have been collected in all months except January and February. The four FiguredPascagoulaCollectionlocationsdrainage in southeasternfor PeicinaMississippi.aurora inDatathe upperare frompoifioriBartofandthe months of£greatestXX pearlij-xdarter collections11^- Piiler (1997)^ ' and Ross (in press), areJuly through October.

Pearl darters occur in riffles orruns over gravel orbedrock substrata in slow to moderate currents. Spaviming occurs from late February or March to May (Suttkus et al., 1994). In the Pascagoula River drainage, adults in reproductive condition have been documented from four areas of Mississippi: the Chunky River north of

Enterprise; Okatoma Creek south of Sanford; the Leaf

River nearEastabuchie; and Black Creek at hwy. 318 6

(Bart and Piiler, 1997). However, very little is known 5

1 f of the biology or population status of this species. c ifei' s p i 1 1 The closely related channel darter, P. copelandi, h 'JWt' p 1

1 ir?*rr; 1 spawns in raceway-like areas of streams that have a If# i 0 4 6 8 10 12 gravel substratum, orspawns along shoals in lakes. 2-month intervals

In Michigan, P. cope/and/spam in early summer Rgure 3. Times of collection of pearl darters based on two-month Intervals. Data are from Bart and Filler (1997). from the end ofJune to the endofJuly (Winn,

-3- 1958a,b). In the southern part of its range the reproductive season begins earlier, extending from April to late June in Oklahoma (Hubbs, 1985). Males actively defend aterritory, which includes spawning, feeding, and refuge sites. After spawning, fish leave the margins of streams or shallows of lakes and move into deep water (Winn, 1958a,b). Habitat use of channel darters (and also pearl darters) is equivocal (Suttkus et al., 1994). Studies from the Great Lake region suggest that P. cope/andioccw^'j lakes, pools, and the deep portion of the lower section of lake tributaries (e.g., Hubbs and Lagler, 1974). However, other studies from Virginia and Tennessee indicate that primary habitats are moderate and swift riffles and runs over substrata of mixed small gravel to medium rubble (e.g., Burkhead and Jenkins, 1991). These differences may be due to seasonal shifts in nonspawning habitat use and to changes in habitat selection during the reproductive season. Our field work for P. copelanclmd\z2^ss that in the winter and spring fish are in moderate to shallow depths in riffles, but that shallow riffle habitats are vacated as temperatures increase and flow decreases during the summer (Ross and Schofield, pers. obs., 1997-98), apattern also documented in laboratory experiments of habitat selection (Schofield et al., 1999).

GBJEQIVES

The primary objective of this study was to survey streams of the upper Pascagoula drainage, including

Bouie, Okatoma, and Black creeks; and the Leaf, Chickasawhay, and Chunky rivers (Fig. 2) for the presence and

relative abundance of Perdna aurora.

-4- MATERIALS AND METHODS

Field work began in 15 May and continued to 17 July 2000. Because of excessive summer water temperatures resulting in areduction in overall catch, field work was curtailed in August and September. Several additional samples were then taken in October. Access to most sample sites was achieved by canoeing sections of streams. Overall, we sampled on 21 days, resulting in 36 seining locations that were distributed over the six main study streams (Bouie, Okatoma, and Black creeks; and the Leaf, Chickasawhay, and Chunky rivers). Fishes were collected by seining (1.8 x3.1 mm 3.2 mm ACE mesh). At each collection site we also recorded position (hand held GPS), general habitat characteristics (pool, riffle, run, etc.), perceived problems with habitat quality (i.e., nutrient input, erosion), and water temperature. Fishes from 28collections were identified and archived into the USM

Museum of Ichthyology; fishes from the remaining eight collections were identified in the field and released. Retained collections were fixed in 10% formalin and preserved in

70% ethanol.

RESULTS

Overall, we collected 40 species and 10 families of fishes from streams within the upper Pascagoula watershed (Fig. 4;

Appendices 1,2). Only one species, 60 Kflometers

Ammocrypta vivax, was not included in the Rgure 4. Sites sampled during the summer and fall of 2000. Sample sites without pearl darters are shown by triangles; the sample sites (both overlapping) with pearl darters are shown by a closed circle. -5- archived material that comprised 39 species of fishes (Table 1). The collections included 10 species of darters, dominated numerically Ammocrypta beani.

Table 1. Fishes collected in the upper Pascagoula drainage from May to September, 2000, and archived

into the USM museum ofichthyology.

Achiridae Trinectes maculatus

Atherinidae Labidesthes sicculus 55

Catostomidae Carpiodes velifer 1 Hypentelium nigricans 39 Moxostoma poecilurum 14

Centrarchidae Ambloplites ariommus 27 Lepomis macrochirus 3 Lepomis megalotis 236 Lepomis miniatus 1 Micropterus punctulatus 175 Micropterus salmoldes 3

Cyprinidae Ericymba buccata 96 Luxiius chrysocephalus 28 Lythrurus roseipinnis 696 Macrhybopsis storeriana 1 Nocomis leptocephalus 9 Notropis longirostris 719 Notropis texanus 5 Notropis voiuceiius 199 Notropis wincheiii 27 Pimephaies vigiiax 1

Fundulidae Funduius oiivaceus 87

Ictaluridae ictaiurus punctatus 8 Noturus ieptacanthus 36 Noturus nocturnus 1 Pyiodictis oiivaris 1

-6- Percidae Ammocrypta beani 568 Etheostoma lynceum 50 Etheostoma parvipinne 1 Etheostoma stigmaeum 39 Etheostoma swaini 11 Percina aurora 8 Percina nigrofasciata 94 Percina solera 81 Percina suttkusi 1 Percina vigil 7

Petromyzontidae Ichthyomyzon gagei

Poeciliidae Gambusia affinis 70 Gambusia holbrooki 21

3421

Pearl darters (N = 8)were collected attwo sites, both in the Chickasawhay River system (Fig. 4). One site was atthe MS Highway 11 bridge crossing on the Chunky River north of Enterprise on 16 May, 2000; the second site was on the Chickasawhay River 600 mdownstream of the confluence of the Chunky River on 29 September,

2000. Water temperature atthe times of collection were 23 Cand 19.5 C, respectively.

High water temperatures during the period of studied were perhaps afactor in our inability tocollect P. aurora. Water temperatures rose steadily during the period of field work, although rises varied among streams (Fig.

5). Water temperatures in Black Creek and the Chunky and Chickasawhay rivers exceeded 30 Cin July. Although variable, therelative abundance of species in seine collections tended to decline once water temperatures exceeded 30 C, as shown by collections in Black Creek and theChunky/Chickasawhay rivers (Fig. 6).

-7- Black Creek Bouie Creek & Bouie River

32 32

J__.. _31 30 O "^30 '28

2 29 £26 0) 0) Q. 1*28 L. E24 1^ 27 22

26 20 14-May 24-May 03>lun 13-Jun 23-Jun 13-Jul 23-Jul 14-May 24-May 03-Jun 13-Jun 23-Jun 03-Jul Date Date

Chunky & Chlckasawhay Rivers Okatoma Creek

32 32

30 ^30 5 28 ^28O P 2 26 A S 2 26 ® 24 0) Q. I 22 E24 / 22 20

18 20 14^y 03-Jun 23-Jun 13-Jul 02-Aug 22-Aug ll-Sep O1-Oct 14-May 24-May 03-Jun 13-Jun 23-Jun 03^id Date Date

Rgure 5. Water temperatures and date of collection for streams in the upper Pascagoula watershed, May-October, 2000.

-8- Black Creek Boule Greek & Boule River i 10.00% .1 14.00% ® 12.00% ^ 8.00% 0 10.00% 6.00% § 8.00% (0 c 6.00%

w 4.00% I 2.00% 1 2.00% ro jro ^ 0.00% ^ 0.00% 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 20 22 24 26 28 30 Water Temperature (C) Water Temperature (0)

Chunky & Chlckasawhay Rivers Okatoma Creek

c 6.00% E 25.00%

S. 5.00% ^ 20.00%

4.00% Q 15.00% 2 3.00% 10.00% .5 2.00% 5.00% > 1.00% JO ^ 0.00% 0.00% 24 26 28 30 22 24 26 28 Water Temperature (0) Water Temperature (0)

Rgure 6. The relationship between water temperatures and the relative abundance of Femnaspp. In seine collections in the upper Pascagoula watershed.

Based on all specimens (N = 30) of P. archived in the USM Museum of Ichthyology (this includes material collected since 1979), there is a general trend toward larger fish being taken in smaller streams (Fig. 7). Body sizes of fish tend to be 30 mm SL or less from the Pascagoula River, the largest water body In the comparison. All specimens from the three smallest streams, Boule Creek/River, Chunky River, and Okatoma Creek, were 40 mm SL or greater. An analysis of size of capture versus month (Fig. 8) suggests that the pattern shown by different river sizesis notan artifact oftime ofsampling.

-9- 60

E E 40 x: o> c 0 30 "S (0 x» c 20 (0 CO 10

0 3 4

River Rank

Figure 7. Length of Feranaaurvras^m&m from streams in the Pascagoula drainage. Streams are arranged in order from large to small, where: 1= Pascagoula River; 2= Leaf River; 3= Chickasawhay Riven 4= Bouie Creek/River; 5= Chunky Riven 6= Okatoma Creek. Based on specimens from the USM Museum of Ichthyology.

Month

Figure 8. Sizes of Pemna auro/a^&sus month of collection. Based on specimens from the USM Museum of Ichthyology.

10- Discussion

This study is part of aseries of efforts to document the occurrence and relative abundance of Percina auroraxn the Pascagouia watershed (e.g., Bart and Piller, 1997; Ross et a!., 1998; Slack, in progress). Although there are recent collections of P aurora, it is generally avery rare species as further shown by the present study. The only locations where P. aurora seems to have relatively larger population sizes are in the Chunky and upper Chickasawhay rivers, although the species is still uncommon even there, and in the Pascagouia River (Slack, in progress). An analysis of sizes of museum specimens shows atrend toward larger sizes of P. aurora \n more upstream locations. This pattern has also been noticed by Dr. H. Bart (pers. com., 12/12/2000). Such apattern of larger fish in more upstream sites could be caused by upstream movements of adult fishes following downstream displacement of larvae or juveniles. Apattern of upstream spawning followed by apparent passive, downstream transport of larval and juveniles stages, followed by apparently active upstream movement of late juvenile or adult fish has been suggested for several other species of darters, including Percina ianasi{Kuehne and Barbour, 1983) and Percina vigii. In the latter species, larvae apparently drift downstream, presumably to quiet nursery areas. The juveniles or adults are assumed to migrate back upstream to the spawning grounds (Heins and Baker, 1989). Recently, Warren et al. (2000) have characterized P. aurora zs endangered. Because of the extirpation of this species from the Pearl River, and the lack of evidence for viable populations in most of the Pascagouia watershed, the present study supports the recommendation of Warren et al. (2000) and also efforts by the USFWS (D. Drennan, USFWS, Jackson, MS, 1999) to formally list P. aurora an imperiled species.

-11- Literature Cited

Bart, HI. 2000. Anatomy of an extinction: extirpation of the pearl darter Percina aurora\^Qi^ the Pearl River

system. ASB Bulletin 47:218.

Bart, H. L,Jr., and K. R. Filler. 1997. Status survey for the pearl darter [Perdna aurori\ in the Pascagoula River system. Final Report on agreement # 1448-0004-96-9113. U. 5. Dept. Interior, U. S. Fish. Wildl. Serv.

17p.

Burkhead, N. M., and R. E. Jenkins. 1991. Fishes, p. 321-409. //7.*Virginia's endangered species. K. Terwilliger

(coordinator). McDonald and Woodward Publishing Co., Blacksburg, Va. Dynesius, M., &C. Nilsson. 1994. Fragmentation and flow regulation of river systems in the northern third of the

world. Science 266:753-762.

Heins, D. C., and J. A. Baker. 1989. Growth, population structure, and reproduction of the percid fish Perdna vigiL

Copeia 1989:727-736.

Hubbs, C. L, and K. F. Lagler. 1974. Fishes of the Great Lakes Region. Univ. Mich. Press, Ann Arbor.

Hubbs, C. 1985. Darter reproductive seasons. Copeia 1985:56-68.

Kuehne, R. A., and R. W. Barbour. 1983. The American darters. Univ. Press of Kentucky, Lexington.

Ross, S. T. In press. The inland fishes of Mississippi. University Press of Mississippi.

Schofield, P. J., S. T. Ross, and P. Rakes. 1999. Conservation of the pearl darter, Perdna aurora, habitat selection

and development of a protocol for larval rearing, year II. Museum Technical Report No. 75. Mississippi

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. 38 p.

Suttkus, R. D., B. A. Thompson, and H. L. Bart. 1994. Two new darters, Parana(Co/togaste/), from the

southeastern United States, with a review of the subgenus. Occas. Pap. Tulane Univ. Mus. Nat. Hist. 4:1-46.

12- Warren, M. L, Jr., B. M. Burr, S. J. Walsh, H. L. Bart, Jr., R. C. Cashner, D. A. Etnler, B. J. Freeman, B. R. Kuhajda, R. L. Mayden, H. W. Robison, S. T. Ross, and W. C. Starnes. 2000. Diversity, distribution, and conservation

status ofthe native freshwater fishesofthe southern United States. Fisheries 25:7-31.

Winn, H. E. 1958a. Observations on the reproductive habits of darters (Pisces-Percidae). Amer. Midi. Nat. 59:190-

212.

Winn, H. E. 1958b. Comparative reproductive behavior and ecology of fourteen species of darters (Pisces-Percidae).

Ecol. Monogr. 28:155-191.

-13- Appendix 1. Fish collections archived into the USM Museum of Ichthyology.

FCOO-001 Cashner, M.F., Darden, R.L, Woltmann, S. 5/15/2000 ouie River, Forrest County Less than 0.5km upstream of Leaf River confluence UTMX: 282651, UTMY:3469561; Water temperature:21C Species Cyprinella venusta (USM# 24239) 11 Cyprinidae (USM# 24242) 7 Etheostoma lynceum (USM# 24235) 1 Fundulus oHvaceus (USM# 24238) 4 Gambusia affinis (USM# 24246) 66 Gambusia holbrooki (USM# 24245) 21 Gambusia (USM# 24247) 132 Labidesthess/ccuius (USM# 24236) 1 Lepomis megaiotis (USM# 24230) 88 Lepomis miniatus (USM# 24231) 1 Micropteruspunctuiatus (USM# 24244) 9 Miaopterussaimoides (USM# 24243) 3 Notropis texanus (USM# 24240) 3 Notropis voiuceiius (USM# 24241) 2 Percinasciera (USM# 24232) 16 Perdnas^. (USM# 24234) 1 Perdna vigii (USM# 24233) 3 Trinectesmacuiatus (USM# 24237) 1 total fishes collected 370

MFCOO-002 Cashner, M.F., Darden, R.L., and Woltmann, S. 5/15/2000 Okatoma Creek, Covington County Lux Rd. bridge UTMX: 282657, UTMY:3469962; Water temperature:21.5C

Ammocrypta beani (USM# 24454) 40 Catostomidae (USM# 24461) 18 Cyprineiia venusta (USM# 24450) 19 Cyprinidae (USM# 24460) 4 Cypriniformes (USM# 24463) 142 Bheostoma iynceum (USM# 24455) 1 Funduius oiivaceus (USM# 24449) 5 Hypentefium nign'cans (USM# 24452) 6 Lythrurus roseipinnis (USM# 24451) 2 Micropteruspunctufatus (USM# 24453) 3 MicropteriB sp. (USM# 24462) 93 Notropis iongirostris (USM# 24448) 40 Notropis texanus (USM# 24456) 1

-14- Notropis volucellus (USM# 24457) 1 Perdna nigrofasdata (USM# 24458) 5 Perdna%\>. (USM# 24464) 1 Perdnasuttkusi (USM# 24459) 1 total fishes collected 382

MFCOO-003 Cashner.M.F. and Darden, R.L. 5/16/2000 Chunky River, Clarke County / HWY 11 Bridge Nof Enterprise, MS UTMX: 327919, UTMY:3563032; Water temperature:23 C Species Ammocrypta beani (USM# 24256) 3 Cyprinella venusta (USM# 24249) 10 Etheostoma lynceum (USM# 24257) 1 Lepomis macrochirus (USM# 24254) 1 Lepomis megabtis (USM# 24255) 1 Micropteruspundulatus (USM# 24253) 1 Notropis hngirostris (USM# 24250) 22 Notropis volucellus (USM# 24251) 9 Noturus ieptacanthus (USM# 24252) 1 Perdnaaurora (USM# 24258) 2 total fishes collected 51

MFCOO-004 Cashner,M.F. and Darden, R.L. 5/16/2000 Chunky River, Clarke County Rt. 513 Bridge Eof Enterprise, MS UTMX: 328451, UTMY:3561184; Water temperature:24.5C Species Ammocrypta beani (USM# 24261) 6 Cyprineiia venusta (USM# 24259) 8 Notropis volucellus (USM# 24260) 2 Perdnasdera (USM# 24262) 1 total fishes collected 17

MFCOO-006 Cashner, M.F. and Darden, R.L 5/22/2000 Leaf River, Jones County Rt. 588 Bridge 1 KM above confluence with Okaey Woods Creek UTMX: 328452, UTMY:3561198; Water temperature:29C Species Ammocrypta beani (USM# 24271) 17 Carpiodes veiifer (USM# 24267) 1 Catostomidae (USM# 24275) 1 Cyprinella venusta (USM# 24263) 69 Etheostoma lynceum (USM# 24272) 1 Funduius oiNaceus (USM# 24268) 9

-15- Lepomis megabtis (USM# 24269) 15 Micropteruspunctufatus (USM# 24270) 6 Notropis bngirostris (USM# 24265) 135 Notropis winchelli (USM# 24266) 1 Perdna nigrofasdata (USM# 24273) 1 Perdnasdera (USM# 24274) 2 Pimephabs vigilax (USM# 24264) 1 total fishes collected 259

MFCOO-007 Cashner, M.F. and Darden, Rl. 5/22/2000 Leaf River, Smith County HWY 28 bridge 3km Eof Taylorsville UTMX: 272153, UTMY:3523673; Water temperature;29 Species Ammocrypta beani (USM# 24291) 65 Catostomidae (USM# 24282) 1 Cyprinella venusta (USM# 24276) 82 Cyprinidae (USM# 24281) 1 Ericymba buccata (USM# 24277) 20 Etheostoma lynceum (USM# 24288) 2 Etheostoma stigmaeum (USM# 24289) 3 Etheostomaswaini (USM# 24290) 1 Gambus/as\i, (USM# 24285) 1 Hypentelium nigricans (USM# 24283) 1 Lepomis megaiotis (USM# 24286) 10 Lythrurus rosefpinnis (USM# 24278) 2 Micropteruspunctufatus (USM# 24287) 25 Moxostomapoeciiurum (USM# 24284) I Notropis iongirostn's (USM# 24279) 42 Notropis voiuceiius (USM# 24280) 6 Perdna nigrofasdata (USM# 24292) 3 Perdnasdera (USM# 24293) 11 Percinas^. (USM# 24294) II total fishes collected 288

MFCOO-008 Cashner, M.F. and Darden, R.L. 5/23/2000 Black Creek, Forrest County Camp Dantzler 1Km Nof Little Black Creek Confluence UTMX: 281071,UTMY:3444350; Water temperature:27 Species Ammocrypta beani (USM# 24303) 55 Cyprineiia venusta (USM# 24295) 41 En'cymba buccata (USM# 24296) 28 Etheostoma iynceum (USM# 24304) 5 Etheostoma stigmaeum (USM# 24305) 1

-16- Fundulus oHvaceus (USM# 24301) 1 HypenteHum nigncans (USM# 24300) 1 Lythrurus roseipinnis (USM# 24297) 1 Micropteruspunctulatus (USM# 24302) 4 Notropis bngirostris (USM# 24298) 59 Notropis winchelli (USM# 24299) 2 Perdnanigrofasdata (USM# 24306) 14 Perdnasdera (USM# 24307) 1 Perdna (USM# 24308) 7 total fishes collected 220

MFCOO-010 Cashner.M.F. and Darden, R.L 5/29/2000 Okatoma Creek, Covington County Upstream of Hwy 589 bridge near unnamed trib 22C UTMX: 268873, UTMY:3486427; Water temperature:27.5C Species Ammocrypta beam' (USM# 24328) 6 Ericymba buccata (USM# 24321) 4 Gambusia affinis (USM# 24325) 3 HypenteHum nigricans (USM# 24324) 1 Lepomis megabtis (USM# 24326) 2 Lythrurus roseipinnis (USM# 24322) 6 Micropteruspunduiatus (USM# 24327) 3 Nocomis ieptocephaius (USM# 24330) 1 Notropis iongirostn's (USM# 24323) 5 Notropis wincheiii (USM# 24329) 1 Perdnasdera (USM# 24331) 1 Perdna (USM# 24332) 1 total fishes collected 34

MFCOO-011 Cashner,M.F. and Darden, R.L 5/29/2000 Okatoma Creek, Covington County Upstream of Hwy 589 bridge near unnamed trib 22C UTMX: 268983, UTMY:3485583; Water temperature:27.5C Species Ammocrypta beani (USM# 24339) 5 Cypn'neiia venusta (USM# 24333) 11 Etheostoma iynceum (USM# 24340) 1 Eunduius oiivaceus (USM# 24337) 2 HypenteHum nigricans (USM# 24336) 1 Lythrurus roseipinnis (USM# 24334) 3 Micropteruspunduiatus (USM# 24338) 30 Nocomis ieptocephaius (USM# 24335) 4 Perdnanigrofasdata (USM# 24341) 13 Perdnasdera (USM# 24342) 2

-17- total fishes collected 72

MFCOO-012 Cashner, M.F., and Darden, R.L. 5/29/2000 Okatoma Creek, Covington County downstream of Hwy 598 bridge UTMX: 269615, UTMY:3483776; Water temperature:29C Species LuxHus chrysocephalus (USM# 24426) 1 MoxostomapoecHurum (USM# 24425) 4 totalfishes collected 5

MFCOO-014 Cashner, M.F., Darden, R.L, and Peterson, Tl. 5/30/2000 Chickasawhay River, Clarke County Downstream 514 bridge UTMX: 328754, UTMY:3560954; Water temperature:28C Species Ammocrypta beam' (USM# 24347) 32 Cyprinella venusta (USM# 24343) 37 Fundulus oHvaceus (USM# 24346) 1 Notropis hngirostris (USM# 24344) 5 Notropis volucellus (USM# 24345) 11 Perdna nigrofasciata (USM# 24348) 1 total fishes collected 87

MFCOO-019 Cashner, M.F. and Darden, R.L 6/12/2000 Black Creek, Forrest County South ofChurchwell Rd. above Little Black Creek confluence UTMX: 281900, UTMY:3443957; Water temperature:27C Species Ammocrypta beani (USM# 24356) 3 Cyprinella venusta (USM# 24349) 5 Ericymba buccata (USM# 24350) 2 Etheostoma tynceum (USM# 24357) 2 Fundulusollvaceus (USM# 24353) 4 Hypentellum nigricans (USM# 24354) 1 MIcropteruspundulatus (USM# 24355) 2 Notropis hngirostris (USM# 24351) 8 Noturus leptacanthus (USM# 24352) 11 Perdnanigrofasciata (USM# 24358) 1 total fishes collected 39

-18- MFCOO-020 Cashner, M.F., Darden, R.L., Ross, S.T., Ross, Y. 6/13/2000 Bouie Creek, Covington County Below 589 bridge, above Beaver Creek confluence UTMX: 261217, UTMY:3484148; Water temperature:25C Species Ambloplites ariommus (USM# 24369) 24 Ammocrypta beam' (USM# 24373) 12 Cyprinella venusta (USM# 24359) 4 Etheostoma lynceum (USM# 24374) 16 Etheostomaparvipinne (USM# 24375) 1 Etheostoma stigmaeum (USM# 24376) 4 Etheostoma swaini (USM# 24377) 10 Fundulus oHvaceus (USM# 24368) 3 Hypentelium nigricans (USM# 24365) 3 Lepomis megabtis (USM# 24371) 3 Lepomis%^, (USM# 24370) 1 LuxHus chrysocephabs (USM# 24360) 12 Lythrurus roseipinnis (USM# 24361) 43 Micropteruspunctutatus (USM# 24372) 7 Notropis bngirostris (USM# 24362) 12 Notropis volucellus (USM# 24363) 10 Notropis wincheiii (USM# 24364) 10 Noturus ieptacanthus (USM# 24366) 12 Noturusnoctumus (USM# 24367) 1 Percina nigrofasdata (USM# 24378) 21 Perdnasdera (USM# 24379) 7 total fishes collected 216

MFCOO-021 Cashner, M.F., Darden, R.L., Ross, ST., Ross, Y. 6/13/2000 Bouie Creek, Covington County Below Beaver Creek and Turtle Creek confluence UTMX: 262164, UTMY:3484006; Water temperature:25C Species Ambloplites ariommus (USM# 24390) 3 Ammocrypta beam' (USM# 24393) 5 Ericymba buccata (USM# 24380) 7 Etheostoma iynceum (USM# 24394) 5 Hypentelium nigricans (USM# 24388) 14 Lepomis megabtis (USM# 24391) 1 Luxiius chrysocephabs (USM# 24381) 2 Lythrurus roseipinnis (USM# 24382) 2 Micropteruspunctuiatus (USM# 24392) 10 Nocomis ieptocephaius (USM# 24383) 4 Notropis bngirostris (USM# 24384) 22 Notropis texanus (USM# 24385) 1

-19- Notropis volucellus (USM# 24386) 5 Notropis wincheUi (USM# 24387) 1 Noturus leptacanthus (USM# 24389) 6 Percina nigrofasciata (USM# 24395) 8 Percinasdera (USM# 24396) 3 total fishes collected 99

MFCOO-022 Cashner, M.F., Garden, R.L., Ross, S.T., Ross, Y. 6/13/2000 Bouie Creek, Covington County 31.46N below Turtle Creek UTMX: 264324, UTMY:3483442; Water temperature:25.5C Species Ammocrypta bean/ (USM# 24404) 17 Cyprineiia venusta (USM# 24397) 2 Etheostoma fynceum (USM# 24405) 2 Luxiius c/irysocep/jalus (USM# 24398) 11 Lyt/irurus roseipinnis (USM# 24399) 122 Moxostomapoeci/urum (USM# 24402) 4 Notropiss^. (USM# 24401) 1 Notropis winMii (USM# 24400) 7 Noturus leptacanthus (USM# 24403) 2 Percina nigrofysciata (USM# 24406) 4 Percina sciera (USM# 24407) 3 total fishes collected 175

MFCOO-024 Cashner, M.F. and Peterson, T.L. 6/19/2000 Leaf River, Forrest County 1 km downstream of Eastabuchie boat launch UTMX: 282019, UTMY:3478438; Water temperature:29C Species Cyprineiia venusta (USM# 24408) 197 Ericymba buccata (USM# 24409) 1 Etheostoma iynceum (USM# 24421) 4 Funduius oiivaceus (USM# 24420) 2 Hypenteiium nigricans (USM# 24414) 2 ictaiuruspunctatus (USM# 24416) 6 Lepomis megaiotis (USM# 24418) 5 Macrhybopsisstoreriana (USM# 24410) 1 Micropteruspunctuiatus (USM# 24419) 8 Notropis iongirostn's (USM# 24411) 76 Notropis voiuceiius (USM# 24412) 11 Notropis wincheiii (USM# 24413) 1 Noturus leptacanthus (USM# 24417) 1 Perdnanigrofasciata (USM# 24422) 2 Perdnasciera (USM# 24423) 4

-20- Perdna vigH (USM# 24424) 4 Pylodictis oHvan's (USM#24415) 1 total fishes collected 326

MFCOO-025 Cashner, M.F.and Peterson,T.L 6/20/2000 Black Creek, Forrest County 1Km downstream ofBig Creek Launch UTMX: 285675, UTMY:3439310; Water temperature:26 C Species Ammocrypta beani (USM# 24439) 12 Cyprineiia venusta (USM# 24436) 35 Ericymba buccata (USM# 24445) 7 Etheostoma iynceum (USM# 24440) 1 Funduiusoiivaceus (USM# 24446) 3 Labidesthessiccuius (USM# 24441) 13 Lepomis megabtis (USM# 24438) 7 Micropteruspunduiatus (USM# 24437) 12 Notropis bngirostris (USM# 24444) 52 Notropis voiuceiius (USM# 24447) 1 Perdnanigrofasdata (USM# 24443) 9 Perdnasciera (USM# 24442) 6 total fishes collected 158

MFCOO-026 Cashner, M.F. and Peterson, T.L. 6/20/2000 Black Creek, Forrest County 1.5 Km downstream of Big Creek UTMX: 286202, UTMY:3438800; Water temperature:26.5C Species Ammocrypta beani (USM# 24478) 7 Cyprinella venusta (USM# 24465) 70 Ericymba buccata (USM# 24469) 11 Fundutus oHvaceus (USM# 24473) 6 Hypentelium nigricans (USM# 24472) 2 Labidesthessicculus (USM# 24474) 4 Lepomis megabtis (USM# 24476) 3 Luxi/us chrysocephabs (USM# 24468) 1 Lythrurus roseipinnis (USM# 24467) 31 Micropteruspunctu/atus (USM# 24477) 19 Notropis bngirostris (USM# 24466) 73 Notropis voIuceHus (USM# 24470) 4 Notropis winchelli (USM# 24471) 1 Perdnanigrofasdata (USM# 24479) 5 Perdna sciera (USM# 24480) 4 total fishes collected 241

-21- MFCOO-027 Cashner, M.F., and Peterson, T.L 6/20/2000 Black Creek, Forrest County Brooklyn-Janice Rd. bridge UTMX: 291971, UTMY:3437327; Water temperature:28C Species Ammocrypta beam (USM# 24435) 9 Cyprinella venusta (USM# 24427) 48 Ericymba buccata (USM# 24428) 2 Lepomis macrochlrus (USM# 24432) 2 Lepomis megalotis (USM# 24433) 1 Micropteruspunctulatus (USM# 24434) 2 MoxostomapoecHurum (USM# 24431) 1 Notropis bngirostris (USM# 24429) 29 Notropis winchelll (USM# 24430) 1 total fishes collected 95

MFCOO-028 Cashner, M.F. and Darden, R.L 6/26/2000 Okatoma Creek, Covington County 1 Km downstream of590 bridge UTMX: 263078, UTMY:3493355; Water temperature:28C Species Ammocfypta beam' (USM# 24492) 120 Cyprinella venusta (USM# 24482) 34 Ericymba buccata (USM# 24483) 12 Fundulus oHvaceus (USM# 24489) 9 Hypentdium nigricans (USM# 24487) 3 Lepomis megabtis (USM# 24490) 4 Lythrurus roseipinnis (USM# 24484) 104 Micropteruspunctulatus (USM# 24491) 9 MoxostomapoecHurum (USM# 24488) 4 Notropis bngirostris (USM# 24485) 71 Notropis volucellus (USM# 24486) 70 Percina sciera (USM# 24493) 7 total fishes collected 447

MFCOO-029 Cashner, M.F. and Darden, R.L. 6/26/2000 Okatoma Creek, Covington County 2.5Km downstream of 590 bridge UTMX: 263966, UTMY:3492035: Water temperature:28C Species Ammocrypta beam' (USM# 24498) 24 Cyprinella venusta (USM# 24494) 20 Cyprinidae (USM# 24504) 5 Etheostoma stigmaeum (USM# 24502) 11 Labldesthessicculus (USM# 24500) 1

-22- Lepomis megahtis (USM# 24497) 1 Lythrurus roseipinnis (USM# 24495) 133 Micropteruspunctulatus (USM# 24501) 1 Notropis bngirostris (USM# 24496) 9 Notropis volucdlus (USM# 24499) 2 Percina sdera (USM# 24503) 5 total fishes collected 212

MFCOO-030 Cashner, M.F. and Darden, R.L 6/27/2000 Chunky River, Lauderdale County 4Km upstream from Stucky Bridge Rd. UTMX: 322784, UTMY:3572833; Water temperature:30.5C Species Ammocrypta beam' (USM# 24509) 1 Cyprinella venusta (USM# 24505) 1 Etheostoma stigmaeum (USM# 24510) 15 Labidesthessicculus (USM# 24507) 21 Lepomis megahtis (USM# 24508) 2 Lythrurus roseipinnis (USM# 24506) 127 Notropis voiuceiius (USM# 24511) 13 total fishes collected 180

MFCOO-031 Cashner, M.F. and Darden, R.L. 7/10/2000 Black Creek, Forrest County 2Km downstream ofAsh Nursery Rd. bridge UTMX: 293965, UTMY:3437529; Water temperature:30C Species Cyprineiia venusta (USM# 24530) 69 Funduiusoiivaceus (USM# 24515) 18 Gambusia affinis (USM# 24516) 1 Gambusias\i. (USM# 24517) 1 Lepomis megahtis (USM# 24518) 59 Micropteruspunctuiatus (USM# 24519) 9 Notropis iongirostris (USM# 24513) 13 Notropis wincheiii (USM# 24514) 2 Percina sdera (USM# 24520) 1 total fishes collected 173

-23- MFCOO-032 Cashner, M.F. and Darden, R.L 7/10/2000 Black Creek, Perry County 1 Km downstream of Pearces Creek confluence UTMX: 295245, UTMY:3437590; Water temperature:31C Species Ammocrypta beani (USM# 24526) 20 Cyprinella venusta (USM# 24521) 74 Ictaluruspunctatus (USM# 24529) 1 Labidesthessicculus (USM# 24524) 14 Lythrurus roseipinnis (USM# 24522) 38 Micropteruspunctu/atus (USM# 24525) 2 Notropis bngirostn's (USM# 24523) 1 Notropis volucellus (USM# 24528) 51 Percina nigrofasdata (USM# 24527) 1 total fishes collected 202

MFCOO-033 Cashner, M.F. and Darden, R.L 7/11/2000 Boule Creek, Forrest County 0.5 Km downstream of Hwy 49 bridge UTMX: 271081, UTMY:3479557; Water temperature:29C Species Ammocrypta beani (USM# 24540) 73 Ericymba buccata (USM# 24532) 2 Etheostoma iynceum (USM# 24541) 7 Etheostoma stigmaeum (USM# 24542) 1 Eunduius oiivaceus (USM# 24538) 6 Hypenteiium nigricans (USM# 24536) 2 Luxiius chrysocephaius (USM# 24531) 1 Lythrurus roseipinnis (USM# 24533) 77 Micropteruspunduiatus (USM# 24539) 11 Notropis bngirostn's (USM# 24534) 22 Notropis voiuceiius (USM# 24535) 1 Noturus ieptacanthus (USM# 24537) 2 Percina nigrofasdata (USM# 24543) 5 Percinasciera (USM# 24544) 7 total fishes collected 217

MFCOO-036 Cashner, M.F. and Darden, R.L. 7/17/2000 Black Creek, Perry County 0.5 Km downstream of Hwy 29 bridge (Janice Landing) UTMX: 304565, UTMY:3430771; Water temperature:31C Species Ammocrypta beani (USM# 24551) 16 Cypnnefia venusta (USM# 24545) 10 Etheostoma stigmaeum (USM# 24552) 2

-24- FundulusoHvaceus (USM# 24548) 12 Ichthyomyzongagei (USM# 24547) 1 Lepomis megabtis (USM# 24549) 32 Micropteruspunctulatus (USM# 24550) 1 Notropis bngirostris (USM# 24546) 17 total fishes collected 91

MFCOO-037 Cashner, M.F. and Darden, R.L 7/17/2000 Black Creek, Perry County 1 Km downstream of Clear Creek confluence UTMX: 306313, UTMY:3429309; Water temperature:32C Species Ammocrypta bean/ (USM# 24563 20 Cyprineiia venusta (USM# 24553 17 Etheostoma fynceum (USM# 24564 1 Etheostoma stigmaeum (USM# 24565 2 Funduius ofivaceus (USM# 24559 2 f/ypenteiium nign'cans (USM# 24556 2 /ctaiuruspunctatus (USM# 24557 1 Labidesthessiccuius (USM# 24560 1 Lepomis megaiotis (USM# 24561 2 Lythrurus roseipinnis (USM# 24554 5 Micropteruspunctulatus (USM# 24562 1 Notropis iongirostn's (USM# 24555 6 Noturus ieptacanthus (USM# 24558 1 Perdnanigrofasciata (USM# 24566 1 total fishes collected 62

MADOO-009 Dugo, M. and R. J. Heise 9/29/00 Chickasawhay River, Clark Co. 600 mdownstream ofconfluence ofChunky River and Okatibee Creek UTMX: 328737, UTMY: 3561676; water temperature 19.5 C. Species Ammocrypta beani 6 Etheostoma stigmaeum 12 Lepomis marginatus 1 Lepomis macrochirus 1 Lepomis megaiotis 20 Lythrurus roseipinnis 6 Micropteruspunctulatus 1 Notropis bngirostris 2 Perdna aurora 1 Perdnasciera 2

-25- Appendix 2. Collections in the upper Pascaqoula watershed, Mississippi, that were field identified and then released.

Field #: MFCOO-012; Collectors: Cashner, M.F. and Darden, R.L; Covington County Okatoma Creek, Downstream of HWY 598 Bridge; UTMX:269615; UTMY: 3483776 Water Temp: 29C Species sampled: Cyprinella venusta Notropis hngirostris Notropis volucellus Micropteruspunctulatus Ammocrypta beani Perdnasdera Perdnanigrofasdata

Field#: MFCOO-013; Collectors: Cashner, M.F., Darden, R.L., and Peterson, T.L.; Lauderdale County Chunky River, Downstream of 159 bridge; UTMX: 327494; UTMY: 3567064 Water Temp.: 29C; Depth: 0.1-1.1 m Species sampled: Cyprindia venusta Lythrurus roseipinnis Notropis hngirostris Notropis wincheiii Notropis sp. Hypenteiium nigricans Noturus ieptacanthus Funduiusoiivaceus Lepomis megaiotis Micropterus sp. Ambiopiites an'ommus Ammocrypta beani Etheostoma iynceum Etheostoma stigmaeum Etheostoma sp. Perdnasdera

Field#: MFCOO-016; Collectors: Cashner, M.F., and Darden, R.L.; Jones County Leaf River, ~4.5Km upstream from HWY 59 crossing; UTMX: 380837 UTMY: 3490097 Water temp.: 27C; Depth: 1.3m Species sampled: Bheostoma iynceum note: very fast water with large boulders.. .very difficult to seine

-26- Field# MFCOO-017; Collectors: Cashner, M.F., and Darden, R.L Jones County Leaf River downstream of 159 Water temp.: 28C; Depth: 0.2-1.3m; UTMX: 280926; UTMY: 3487015 Specie sampled: CyprineHa venusta Notropis hngirostn's Notropis texanus Ictaluruspunctatus Lepomis mega/otis M/cropteruspunctu/atus Ammocrypta bean/

Field#: MFCOO-018; Collectors: Cashner, M.F., and Darden, R.L.; Jones County Leaf River, Above RR bridge at Eastabuchie; UTMX:281343 UTMY:3480423 Water temp.: 31C; Depth: 0.5m Species sampled: Cyprineiia venusta Notropis /ongirostris Notropis texanus Ambiopiites ariommus Lepomis megaiotis Etheostoma iynceum Percinasciera Percina vigii

Field#: MFCOO-023; Collectors: Cashner, M.F., Darden, R.L., Ross, S.T., and Ross, Y. Forrest County; Bouie Creek, 1km upstream of HWY 49; UTMX: 268508; UTMY: 3480349 Water temp.: 27C Species sampled: Cyprineiia venusta Ericymba buccata Luxiius chrysocephaius Lythrurus roseipinnis Macrhybopsis storeriana Nocomis ieptocephaius Notropis iongirostris Notropis voiuceiius Notropis wincheiii H^enteiium nigricans Funduius oiivaceus Lepomis megaiotis Micropteruspunctuiatus Ammocrypta beam' Etheostoma iynceum

-27- Etheostoma stigmaeum Percina nigrofasciata Percinasc/era

Field#: MFCOO-034; Collectors: Cashner, M.F., and Darden, R.L; Forrest County Bouie River. ~3Km below HWY 59 bridge; UTMX: 278422 UTMY: 3471257 Water temp.: 33C; Depth: 0.2-1.3m Species sampled: CyprineHa venusta Luxi/us chrysocephafus Notropis hngirostris Notropis volucellus Carpiodessp. Hypentdium nigncans Gambusiasp. Micropteruspunctulatus Ammocrypta beam' Ammocrypta vivax Etheostoma tynceum

Field#: MFCOO-038; Collectors: Cashner, M.F., and Darden, R.L.; Forrest County Black Creek, '-3Km downstream of Moody's Landing; UTMX: 299638 UTMY: 3435692 Water temp.: 30.5C; Depth: 0.3-1.4 m Specie sampled: Cypn'nella venusta Notropis iongirostn's Fundu/us ofivaceus Labidesthesskcufus Lepomis megaiotis Micropteruspunctulatus Ammocrypta beam' Etheostoma stigmaeum

-28-