Ashy darter

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Ashy darter
Status TNC G2.svg
Imperiled  (NatureServe) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Percidae
Genus: Etheostoma
Species:
E. cinereum
Binomial name
Etheostoma cinereum
Synonyms

Allohistium cinereum(Storer, 1845)

The ashy darter (Etheostoma cinereum) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to the eastern United States.

Contents

Populations of this darter in the Cumberland River were recognized by Powers, Kuhadja and Ahlbrand in 2012 as a separate species Etheostoma maydeni (redlips darter). [3]

Distribution

Historically, the ashy darter occurred in varying preimpoundment reaches throughout the Tennessee River and Duck River drainages. [2] Many populations were likely eradicated by anthropogenic causes before discovery. As declines reshaped distributions, only six river systems contained remaining populations; it may be extant in only two. It is considered extirpated from Georgia and Alabama. [2] Populations from the Cumberland River system are presently recognized as Etheostoma maydeni . [2]

Notable populations persist in the Buffalo and Duck Rivers in Tennessee, and the Rockcastle and Big South Fork of the Cumberland Rivers in Kentucky. Individuals have also been collected in the Clinch and Elk Rivers of Tennessee over the last 30 years. Specific declines have been observed in the Little River of Blount County, TN, where populations once flourished, but have significantly diminished over the past 30 years. [4] [5] [6]

Declines and extirpations of E. cinereum, like other aquatic species, are often hard to measure and emerge from compounding factors. Causes are generally human-induced, and include runoff from urbanization, agriculture, mining, and logging. These sources of pollution, among others, are commonly referred to as “nonpoint” sources of pollution, because they are often hard to trace and are difficult to resolve. All of these can lead to substantial siltation, which ultimately destroys their preferred habitat types. Another primary factor in declines are impoundments, such as dams, which have drastically reconfigured river and stream dynamics over the past century. [7] [8] [5] [6]

Ecology

Its preferred habitat is relatively shallow pools with languid currents. Thriving in medium to large upland streams, these darters seek areas of minimal siltation over varying substrate, including sand and gravel bottoms. Depths of favorable habitat are 0.5–2.0 metres (1.6–6.6 ft). In addition, they depend on cover such as boulders and water willow to avoid predation; much of their time is spent beneath these various cover types. [7] [4] [9] [10] This darter's primary diet consists of various aquatic insects. In 83 individuals, the stomachs contained chironomids (midges), ephemeropterans (mayflies), and oligochaetes (aquatic worms). Amphipods and isopods have also been reported in E. cinereum stomachs. Although little is known about specific feeding habits, their papillose lips and extended snouts are thought to aid in obtaining burrowing prey from beneath the substrate. Also, their diets and feeding habits have been shown to vary significantly between drainages, and among age classes. For example, adults focus on worms and burrowing mayflies, while the smaller juveniles depend on midge larvae. [7] [4] [5] [10] [11]

Due to specific habitat preferences, ashy darters have found it difficult to maintain existing populations, considering the aforementioned sources of nonpoint pollution and river impoundments. Regrettably, shallow pools of sand and gravel substrate are increasingly scarce, causing remaining populations to be isolated and scattered. [5] [6]

Life history

E. cinereum generally spawns from late January to April, with peak breeding periods occurring in April. Ova produced annually by females are estimated to range from 50–250. Sexual maturity in individuals upon reaching lengths of 50 mm or more, occurs in the first full spawning season for this species. Females are reported to deposit eggs on water willow stems and on the edges of boulders. Mature adults can reach sizes of up to 100 mm, and enjoy relatively long lifespans of up to four years. [7] [4]

Management

Currently, E. cinereum is listed as threatened in Tennessee, a species of special concern in Kentucky and Virginia, and endangered by the American Fisheries Society. It is regarded as extirpated from Georgia and Alabama. [7] [12] It is also listed as a species of management concern in the Fish and Wildlife Service's Southeast Region. Populations currently protected by the National Park Service include those in the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and populations in the Emory and Obed River systems. [8] [4] [5] [12] [13]

Notable organizations defending ashy darter populations include Conservation Fisheries of Knoxville, TN. Biologists from Conservation Fisheries have collected individuals for propagation in the Clinch River since 2007. Since very little is known about the life history and reproductive dynamics of this species, breeding efforts in captivity have had minimal success. Little funding is available for these efforts at present. Meanwhile, ideal reintroduction sites could be determined for future attempts in reestablishing propagated individuals of this imperiled species. [8]

Powers (2002) recommended the immediate reduction of silt loads occurring from agricultural and urban runoff, sewage waste, and other sources of pollution. In the Elk River, fluctuating water levels below Tims Ford Dam have been reported to disrupt lifecycles and habitats of remaining populations. Accordingly, minimum flow levels should be maintained in this area. Such impoundments wholly prevent migrations and potential repopulations from adjoining waters. [5]

Management practices occurring presently and in the near future will likely determine the ultimate success of E. cinereum. As noted by numerous studies, these darters are highly jeopardized and require immediate action for hope of re-establishment. In regards to sampling techniques, Etnier and Starnes (1993) noted success in collecting specimens using small seine nets in large pool areas in the Little River. Their methods involved placing seine nets parallel to shore at roughly 1.5-m depth, then moving toward the shore in efforts to obtain individuals from underwater boulders and other forms of cover. Powers et al. (2004) suggested most populations were at risk of extirpation from a single, catastrophic event. Suitably, various studies have indicated the urgent need to continue the monitoring process of remaining populations. Additional surveys and monitoring are suggested specifically for several Tennessee waterways, including the Emory River, Upper Duck River, Roaring River, and Obey River. [2] [4] [6]

The accumulated changes due to habitat loss have ultimately resulted in disjointed populations among drainages, as well as the disappearance of E. cinereum from historical ranges. Powers et al. (2004) examined genetic differentiation between remaining populations in the Cumberland, Duck, and Tennessee River systems. Ensuing results demonstrated genetic divergence, suggesting these three drainages should be treated as distinct management units (MUs). In regards to propagation and reintroduction efforts, offspring should originate from within the major MUs. Powers et al. (2004) suggested it is important to avoid native gene pools becoming mixed or replaced by translocated genotypes. Thus, propagated offspring should be reintroduced into historical ranges of corresponding drainages, but avoid current populations. [2] [6]

In a subsequent study, Powers et al. (2012) further examined the genetic divergence of E. cinereum. The species had diverged most notably in the Cumberland River system, resulting in a new species, Etheostoma maydeni , or the redlips darter. E. maydeni is physically distinguished from E. cinereum by having an obvious red pigment on the external surface of the lips. The study also pointed out differences in number of dorsal rays, dorsal spines, and caudal peduncle scales between the proposed new species and E. cinereum. Observations indicated slower growth rates for E. maydeni, as well as increased dependence on burrowing insects (mayflies). In light of the extensive surveys and genetic analyses conducted on the E. cinereum species complex, its taxonomic status remains unclear. [3]


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<i>Etheostoma</i> Genus of fishes

Etheostoma is a genus of small freshwater fish in the family Percidae, and within the sub-family Etheostomatinae, native to North America. Most are restricted to the United States, but species are also found in Canada and Mexico. They are commonly known as darters, although the term "darter" is shared by several other genera. Many can produce alarm pheromones that serve to warn nearby fish in case of an attack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenside darter</span> Species of fish

The greenside darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It inhabits swift riffles in the eastern United States and southern Ontario.

The Cumberland snubnose darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. This species is found in the middle Cumberland River drainage in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. It is absent in reaches above the Big South Fork, rare in North Carolina, and absent in western tributaries of the Tennessee River. While research on the ecology of E. atripinne is not extensive, what is known is they are usually found in small to medium freshwater streams in gravel riffle areas where their eggs can attach to the substrate and be left unguarded. E. atripinne can be found within a wide range of depths in its environment, leading its being classified as benthopelagic. While its global status is secure, the American Fisheries Society labels it with a status of “Special Concern”.

The splendid darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to the Barren River system in south-central Kentucky and north-central Tennessee. This species is usually found in small rocky pools on the sides of creeks and rivers.

The cherry darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to the upper Caney Fork system of the Cumberland River drainage in the U.S. state of Tennessee.

The saffron darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to the eastern United States, where it is found in streams and creeks in Kentucky and Tennessee.

The goldstripe darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to the southeastern United States where it is found in Gulf Slope streams from the Colorado River drainage in Texas to the Flint River in Georgia, the Atlantic Slope in Ocmulgee River system, Georgia, and the Mississippi embayment north as far as southeastern Missouri and western Kentucky. It is typically found in small springs, streams, and creeks with aquatic and marginal vegetation and detritus. The female spawns on multiple occasions between about mid-March and June, sticking the adhesive eggs to plants, gravel and the sides of rocks. The goldstripe darter is a common species with a wide range and numerous sub-populations, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snubnose darter</span> Species of fish

The snubnose darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to the southeastern United States.

The Citico darter is a threatened species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is native to Tennessee. This species was formerly subsumed within Etheostoma percnurum. The E. percnurum group now consists of four distinct species: E. percnurum, E. marmorpinnum, E. lemniscatum, and E. sitikuense.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orangethroat darter</span> Species of fish

The orangethroat darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to the central and eastern United States where it is native to parts of the Mississippi River Basin and Lake Erie Basin. Its typical habitat includes shallow gravel riffles in cooler streams and rocky runs and pools in headwaters, creeks, and small rivers, with sand, gravel, rubble, or rock substrates. It forages on the bottom for the aquatic larvae of midges, blackfly, mayfly and caddisfly, as well as isopods and amphipods. Spawning takes place in spring, the selected sites often being the upper stretches of riffles with sandy and gravelly bottoms interspersed with larger cobble. Reproductive success is high in this species. No particular threats have been identified, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gulf darter</span> Species of fish

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gilt darter</span> Species of fish

The gilt darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It can be found in a number of states in the Mississippi River drainage of the United States although it has been extirpated from some river systems in which it was at one time present, mostly due to siltation and pollution problems. Males are more colorful than females and can grow to a length of about 9 cm (3.5 in). It is a benthic fish that feeds primarily on small aquatic insect larvae. Males form territories during the breeding season in late spring and early summer. Spawning typically takes place at the upper ends of riffles with sandy and gravelly bottoms interspersed with larger cobbles. Some organisations are endeavouring to conserve populations of the gilt darter and re-introduce it to states where the fish has been extirpated but suitable habitat still exists.

The saddleback darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is native to the eastern United States. This darter species is widespread, occurring from the Escambia River drainage west to the Mississippi River basin and as far north as the Wabash River historically. Some populations have been reported in the Tennessee River drainage. The saddleback darter is aptly named as it has 5 saddle-like patterns on its dorsum, with the first occurring near the first dorsal fin and the fifth near the caudal penduncle. Adults can attain a maximum size of about 3 inches or 7.8 centimeters. The saddleback darter typically occurs over sand and gravel runs of creeks and small to medium-sized rivers and is sometimes found in very shallow water. This darter's diet consists of invertebrates such as caddisfly larvae, beetles, mayflies, and stoneflies. The saddleback darter deposits eggs over sand and gravel shoals during the spring. This species has an average lifespan between 2 and 3 years.

The sickle darter is a recently identified freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is closely related to a well-known darter, Percina macrocephala. Discovered in 2007 in the upper Tennessee River drainage, the sickle darter is around 90.5 mm (3.56 in) in length and is a slender bodied, freshwater and benthopelagic fish that most likely feeds on small crayfish and mayflies, since it shares a large mouth and long snout with its sister species. The known distribution of the sickle darter is the upper drainage of the Tennessee River of Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. It is distinguished from all other Percina darters except its sister species P. macrocephala by a dark suborbital bar and a black bar subtending a medial black spot on the base of the caudal fin. It stays in mostly rocky, sandy, or silty substrates in clear creeks or small rivers in the Appalachian Mountains. The sickle darter spawns in late winter in gravel shoals. It also has large scales which make it different from macrocephala. It is known to be extirpated from most of its home habitat mainly because of agricultural practices that cause siltation and turbidity which causes most populations of the sickle darter to be widely scattered. But where it is found, it can be observed with regularity. Taking all this into consideration, the sickle darter does not have a formal conservation status under any federal or state law although its closely related species is considered a species of concern by the TWRA. Future management plans should include finding more locations of the sickle darter and decreasing further habitat destruction in known distributions by stating it as a fish of concern by state law.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duskytail darter</span> Species of fish

The duskytail darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to the eastern United States where it is native to the upper Tennessee River drainage in Virginia. It was federally listed as an endangered species of the United States in 1993, shortly before it was formally described as a new species.

<i>Nothonotus</i> Genus of fishes

Nothonotus is a genus or subgenus of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to the southeastern United States. First proposed as a sub-genus of Etheostoma in 1988, there is still debate regarding the appropriate taxonomic rank of Nothonotus in the literature. Darter species comprise more than 180 of the Percidae taxa.

The Tennessee darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to the eastern United States, where it occurs in the Tennessee River drainage from western Virginia to western Tennessee. It also occurs in the upper Bluestone River drainage in western Virginia. It inhabits current-swept rocky pools and adjacent riffles of creeks and small to medium rivers. This species can reach a length of 6 cm (2.4 in).

The East Rim darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to the eastern United States. The species has a range of 400-2000 sq. miles across tributaries of the Cumberland River from Fishing Creek in Kentucky to just below the Obey River in Tennessee. It inhabits current-swept rocky pools and adjacent riffles of creeks and small to medium rivers.

The redlips darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to the eastern United States, where it is restricted to large tributaries of the Cumberland River below Cumberland Falls. This species can reach a length of 8 cm (3.1 in). The specific name maydeni honors the American ichthyologist Richard L. Mayden in recognition of his studies of North American fishes. The populations of this species have been fragmented because of the construction of reservoirs. They inhabit slow-moving streams andrivers where they prefer pools near the banks where there are scattered rocks and fallen wood. Their common name refers to the red coloring on their lips. Another distinguishing feature is that they possess a greatly enlarged second dorsal fin and also have angled dusky bars along the flanks.

References

  1. ↑ NatureServe (2013). "Etheostoma cinereum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013: e.T8111A13308374. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T8111A13308374.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Allohistium cinereum Ashy Darter". NatureServe. 28 February 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  3. 1 2 Powers, Steven L.; Kuhajda, Bernard R.; Ahlbrand, Sarah E. (2012). "Systematics of the Etheostoma cinereum. (Teleostei: Percidae) species complex (subgenus Allohistium)". Zootaxa. 3277 (1): 43–55. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3277.1.3.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Etnier, D.A. and W.C. Starnes. 1993. The Fishes of Tennessee. Univ. Tenn. Press. Knoxville, TN. 480-482 pp. "Newfound Press: The Fishes of Tennessee, by David A. Etnier and Wayne C. Starnes". Archived from the original on 2013-09-24. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Powers, Steven L.; Mayden, Richard L. (2002). "Threatened fishes of the world: Etheostoma cinereum Storer, 1845 (Percidae)". Environmental Biology of Fishes. 63 (3): 264. Bibcode:2002EnvBF..63..264P. doi:10.1023/A:1014377401509.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Powers, Steven L.; Mayden, Richard L.; Etnier, David A. (2004). "Conservation genetics of the Ashy Darter, Etheostoma cinereum (Percidae: subgenus Allohistium), in the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers of the southeastern United States". Copeia. 2004 (3): 632–637. doi:10.1643/CG-03-165R1.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Shepard, T. E.; Burr, Brooks M. (1984). "Systematics, status, and life history aspects of the Ashy Darter, Etheostoma cinereum (Pisces, Percidae)". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 97: 693–715.
  8. 1 2 3 Etheostoma cinereum, Ashy darter. 2012. Conservation Fisheries, Inc. 2012. "Etheostoma cinereum, Ashy darter". Archived from the original on 2014-04-27. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  9. ↑ Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr, 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p.
  10. 1 2 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Etheostoma cinereum". Fishbase . December 2019 version.
  11. ↑ Ashy darter. Outdoor Alabama. 2008. "Ashy Darter in Alabama". Archived from the original on 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  12. 1 2 Boschung, H. T. 1992. Catalogue of freshwater and marine fishes of Alabama. Bulletin of the Alabama Museum of Natural History. 14:1-266.
  13. ↑ Warren, Melvin L.; Burr, Brooks M.; Walsh, Stephen J.; Bart, Henry L.; Cashner, Robert C.; Etnier, David A.; Freeman, Byron J.; Kuhajda, Bernard R.; Mayden, Richard L.; Robison, Henry W.; Ross, Stephen T.; Starnes, Wayne C. (October 2000). "Diversity, distribution, and conservation status of the native freshwater fishes of the southern United States". Fisheries. 25 (10): 7–31. Bibcode:2000Fish...25j...7W. doi:10.1577/1548-8446(2000)025<0007:DDACSO>2.0.CO;2.
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