Elegant madtom

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Elegant madtom
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Ictaluridae
Genus: Noturus
Species:
N. elegans
Binomial name
Noturus elegans

The elegant madtom (Noturus elegans) is a fish native to Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky, and is one of twenty-nine species of madtom. It prefers to live in small rivers and gravel-bottomed creeks. The average lifespan of the elegant madtom is two years.

Contents

The elegant madtom is not listed on any federal or state conservation lists. However, scientists who have done surveys on the fish have recommended that it should be listed as threatened. [2]

Classification

Until the 1990s and early 2000, Noturus crypticus and Noturus fasciatus were thought to be the same species as Noturus elegans. However, they are now considered distinct species. The chucky madtom, N. crypticus, is the only one of the three currently listed as severely threatened. [3]

Geographic distribution

The elegant madtom is found primarily in Tennessee and northern Alabama, in the upper and lower portions of the Tennessee River, and also in the Roaring River, the Green River drainage, Dunn Creek, Tennessee, and in Piney Creek, [2] Paint Rock River, and Flint River, Alabama. [2] [4] It can be found in lower north-central Tennessee rivers, such as at Little Chucky Creek in Greene County. [5] The elegant madtom was also found in central Kentucky, [6] in the Green River drainage. Its status in Alabama is unknown. [4] N. exilis was misidentified in 1996 at Bear Creek, Alabama, as N. elegans. [2] This mis-identification could be a reason for a small decrease in the overall population size. According to surveys there are very low numbers of the elegant madtom in the middle and upper Tennessee River drainage. The survey reports that these low populations could be due to the lack of available nesting sites, as it prefers habitats with riffles and rocks to nest under. However, the elegant madtom is common in the Green River and lower rivers in Tennessee that are close to Alabama. [2]

Ecology

The elegant madtom from immaturity to adulthood is an invertivore, which means it feeds on invertebrates. [4] It is only common in a few places, and faces predation from larger fish such as the largemouth bass and catfish. However, the elegant madtom does have a defense in its venom delivery system, [7] a venom delivery gland in its pectoral and dorsal spines to deter potential predators or competitors. [8] Competitors for invertebrate food sources include salamanders, lizards, and some snakes.

The elegant madtom prefers to live in small rivers and gravel-bottomed creeks, with only minor ripples in the stream, and can be found most commonly underneath large rocks. [2] There is little known about what abiotic factors influence where the elegant madtom will decide to nest. From investigation of a sister species in the same genus, Noturus baileyi , which lives in a similar habitat, it has been posited that the elegant madtom will prefer a pH of 6.2 to 7, and a temperature of 14.0 to 22.0 °C (57.2 to 71.6 °F). [9] Dams, uplands habitats and waterfalls cause barriers for the elegant madtom. [4] Human activity in flooding a river or changing its structure can ruin the habitat of the elegant madtom, which prefers shallow slow-moving freshwater. [10] Dams can also affect the distribution of the species, isolating them and limiting their ability to change habitats or mate. The release of toxic chemicals or invasive fish into the stream can destroy small populations. [2]

Reproductive cycle

Approximately a year after emerging from its egg, the elegant madtom will reach sexual maturity. [9] Then, after this year of growth, a member of Noturus elegans will find a mate and make a nest beneath a rock in a river or stream. Rocks are very important for the elegant madtom, because without this substrate to lay their eggs under, they will not have the ability to make an effective nest that they can protect. The average brood size for the elegant madtom is 50 eggs. Not much is known about when or how often the elegant madtom mates. It has been estimated, again from data on sister species Noturus baileyi, that mating takes place once a year in the months of May to August. [9] The average lifespan for the elegant madtom is two years. [5] [9]

Current management

The elegant madtom is not listed on the endangered or threatened federal or state lists. [11] Scientists who have done surveys on the fish have recommended that it should be listed as threatened. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madtom</span> Genus of fishes

Madtoms are freshwater catfishes of the genus Noturus of the family Ictaluridae. It is the most species-rich family of catfish in North America, native to the central and eastern United States, and adjacent parts of Canada. Their fin spines contain a mild venom with a sting comparable to that of a honey bee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellowfin madtom</span> Species of fish

The yellowfin madtom is a species of fish in the family Ictaluridae endemic to the southeastern United States. Historically, the yellowfin madtom was widespread throughout the upper Tennessee River drainage but was thought to be extinct by the time it was formally described.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frecklebelly madtom</span> Species of fish

The frecklebelly madtom is a species of fish in the family Ictaluridae endemic to the United States. Madtoms are in the genus Noturus, which is a group of catfish prevalent in North America. In 2023, the Upper Coosa River distinct population segment (DPS) of N. munitus was listed as federally threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

The pygmy madtom is a species of fish in the family Ictaluridae endemic to the United States, in only two known regions of Tennessee. Madtoms are the smallest members of the catfish family. Members of the genus Noturus can be distinguished by their small size, unusually long adipose fin, and rounded caudal fin. Most specimens have been collected over shallow, fine gravel shoals with moderate to swift flow, usually near the stream bank.

The Caddo madtom is a species of fish in the family Ictaluridae endemic to the United States. N. taylori was named in honor of William Ralph Taylor, U.S. National Museum, in recognition of his contributions to the knowledge of catfishes. They average 2 to 4 inches long and weigh no more than a few ounces. N. taylori has a small to tiny, fragmented range, but is mostly found in the Caddo, Ouachita, and Little Missouri rivers in southwestern Arkansas. Ecological studies indicate that dam and bridge construction poses barriers to dispersal and migration of fish in the Ouachita Highlands. IUCNredlist.org states that better information is needed on the life history, reproductive biology, and ecology of the Caddo madtom. This species is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. Limited range makes this species vulnerable to habitat destruction/degradation from impoundment, pollution, and other factors. Robison and Buchanan (1988) stated, "this rare species should be considered threatened due to loss of habitat". Warren et al. (2000) categorized the species as "threatened".

Noturus flavus, the stonecat, is a North American freshwater catfish of the family Ictaluridae. The common name is due to its habit of hiding near or under stones in fast-moving water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tadpole madtom</span> Species of fish

The tadpole madtom is a species of fish in the family Ictaluridae. It is native to Canada and the United States.

The smoky madtom is a species of catfish. Little information exists about the smoky madtom, along with other members of the Noturus species, due to the high turbidity in which they spawn, preventing observation, as well as their nocturnal behaviors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chucky madtom</span> Species of fish

The chucky madtom is a critically endangered freshwater fish endemic to the U.S. state of Tennessee.

The mountain madtom is a North American species of temperate freshwater fish belonging to the Noturus genus of the family Ictaluridae. The species was first described to the United States National Museum by Professors Jordan and Gilbert in the Big Pigeon River. The mountain madtom has a body that is characterized as being robust, and by the toxic sting that is associated with their pectoral and dorsal spines. Currently, the Pigeon River Recovery Project is working to try to restore the mountain madtom population that was lost in fisheries. Aside from the Pigeon River Recovery Project, there is little management being applied to this species, and it is currently listed on the threatened species list for the state of Tennessee.

<i>Noturus exilis</i> Species of fish

Noturus exilis, also called the slender madtom, is a species of the catfish family Ictaluridae. Ictaluridae includes bullheads, madtoms, channel catfish, and blue catfish. Noturus exilis is found in the central portion of the Mississippi River basin, but is most abundant in Ozarkian streams. Slender madtoms occur west of the Mississippi River in the Ozarks of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri north to southern Wisconsin and Minnesota. It also occurs east of the Mississippi River in the uplands of Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky in the Tennessee, Cumberland, and Green drainages. Edward Nelson first described Noturus exilis in 1876. The slender madtom is moderately large with a terminal to sub-terminal mouth, flat head, small eyes, and black marginal bands on the median fins. Most slender madtoms are less than 90 millimetres (3.5 in). Noturus flavus and Noturus nocturnus are rather similar in shape and coloration to Norturus exilis. Slender madtoms inhabit small to medium-sized streams, in riffle and flowing pool habitats with coarse gravel to slab rock substrates. The presence of a shelter object, such as a large rock, seems to be important in habitat selection.

<i>Noturus fasciatus</i> Species of fish

Noturus fasciatus is a rare freshwater fish native to the U.S. state of Tennessee. It was first described as a species separate from Noturus crypticus in 2005. It is restricted to the Duck River system and is also found in two minor tributaries on the lower section of the Tennessee River. This species dwells in small to medium-sized streams where they can be found under gravel, rubble, and slab rock. They feed mostly on insects such as: stone, cattus and mayfly larvae.

The piebald madtom is a species of madtom catfish that is found in seven river systems in the Tennessee and Mississippi coastal tributaries. The most common systems N. gladiator is found in are, the Hatchie River, Obion River, and Wolf River. This species is very susceptible to environmental changes including flow regimes, siltation in nesting sites, and poor environmental quality. The Noturus catfish reproduces from February to September and females reach sexual maturity in only one year. Current management strategies for this recently discovered species haven't been completely developed yet, but could be comparative to the management of other madtom species. Siltation in the southern portions of the rivers, inhabited by Noturus gladiator that comes from the northern aspects of the waterways is causing stress on the reproductive success due to nest suffocation. There are records as close as twenty years ago showing the species inhabiting multiple other rivers around the areas it currently inhabits. This could be a sign that the species is in a decline. There should be population surveys done on the existing habitat and water quality surveys done in the inhabited areas as well as the uninhabited neighboring areas to see what the limiting pollutant might be in the water causing habitats to shrink. The area that this species inhabits needs to be managed in a way that could see a resurgence in gladiators numbers.

Noturus hildebrandi, also known as the least madtom, is a species of catfish. Its native range stretches from the Obion River in Kentucky to the Homochitto River in Mississippi.

The speckled madtom is a small freshwater fish found in the southeastern United States that belongs to the genus Noturus of the family Ictaluridae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brindled madtom</span> Species of fish

The brindled madtom is a small catfish of the family Ictaluridae that is native to the eastern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freckled madtom</span> Species of fish

The freckled madtom a species of freshwater madtom (catfish) found in the eastern United States. The freckled madtom is a benthic feeder mostly of invertebrates and usually inhabits waters that are medium to large in size, living mostly in riffle areas that have mostly clear waters and rocky bottoms. Its spawning season occurs from spring to early summer in riffle areas, and sexual maturation occurs after two years.

The northern madtom is a freshwater fish.

The black madtom is a nocturnal, freshwater, diminutive catfish found in watersheds in Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, and is one of 29 species of madtom.

References

  1. ↑ NatureServe (2013). "Noturus elegans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013: e.T202683A18232487. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T202683A18232487.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lang, Nicholas J.; Powers, Steven L.; Mayden, Richard L. (2005). "Status of the Noturus elegans Species Complex in the Middle and Upper Tennessee River Drainage". Southeastern Naturalist. 4 (4): 585–596. doi:10.1656/1528-7092(2005)004[0585:SOTNES]2.0.CO;2. ISSN   1528-7092.
  3. ↑ Burr, B.M., And Walter W Dimmick. 1981. Nests, Eggs and Larvae of the Elegant Madtom Notorus elegans from Barren River Drainage, Kentucky (Pisces:Ictaluridae). Transmissions Kentucky Academy Science, 42(3-4), 116-118.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Taylor 1969. Natureserve. http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Noturus+elegans+%5B%5D
  5. 1 2 Myers Enterprises II. 2009 - 2011. Global species. http://globalspecies.org/ntaxa/667251 Archived 2012-05-08 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ Taylor 1969. Fishbase. http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Noturus-elegans.html
  7. ↑ GoFISHn. 2011. http://www.gofishn.com/content/madtom Archived 2011-09-18 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ Egge, J. J. D., and A. M. Simons. 2010. Evolution of venom delivery structures in madtom catfishes (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 102, 115–129.
  9. 1 2 3 4 PlanetCatfish. 1996-2011. http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/_species.php?species_id=300
  10. ↑ Taylor 1969. Florida Museum of Natural History. http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/catfish/ictaluridae/elegantmadtom.htm
  11. ↑ Taylor 1969-2011. Itis report. https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=164008
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