Freckled madtom

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Freckled madtom
Freckled madtom (Noturus nocturnus) (4015394815).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Ictaluridae
Genus: Noturus
Species:
N. nocturnus
Binomial name
Noturus nocturnus

The freckled madtom (Noturus nocturnus) 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.

Contents

Geographic distribution

The freckled madtom is a freshwater species found across the eastern United States; it is common across most of its range. This range includes the Mississippi River basin and tributaries of the Gulf of Mexico in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. This species is also found in the lower Ohio River basin in Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. [2] [3] Other areas it is found include Oklahoma, southeastern Iowa, central Kansas, Arkansas, Georgia, and western Tennessee. [3] [4] [5] Latitudinally it is found mostly between 41 and 30°N. [6] This range has been identified since at least 1980; the current distribution is similar to the historical one, though some small extensions have been driven north, possibly as a result of global warming. [7] This species is not known to travel often, especially over long distances. [8] Further, its distribution is not entirely known due to its small population sizes and tendency to be easily misidentified. Freckled madtoms are often misidentified as bullheads or other catfish. [4]

Further, the freckled madtom is said to be an intolerant species that sometimes disappears after a disturbance. These individuals are fluvial specialists, meaning they are specialized to a particular habitat, theirs being fast-moving riffle habitats. [3] Human litter may be a potential disturbance to the species; young and breeding adult male individuals have often been found in beverage cans and other human-created debris. [4] It may be difficult to determine range expansion, though, because of its small population sizes in certain areas, including central Oklahoma. [9] However, freckled madtom distributions may have extended slightly as water quality in certain regions has improved. [4]

Ecology

The freckled madtom is known to inhabit fast-moving and permanently moving streams that are medium to large in size. The streams usually contain rocky bottoms. Further, this species is sometimes found in the vicinity of undercut banks near masses of sticks and roots. [2]

The freckled madtom is primarily an invertivore (feeding on invertebrates). It uses ambush tactics in benthic regions largely at night to feed. It notably consumes insect larvae, including mayfly, black fly, caddisfly, and midge larvae. [2] It also occasionally eats crustaceans. [4] Though it is largely an invertivore, it has also been known to occasionally eat other fish. In southern Mississippi, evidence was found of freckled madtoms feeding on the smaller speckled madtom (N. leptacanthus). To aid in devouring victims, this catfish has venom glands along smooth spines on the pectoral and dorsal fins. [10] [11]

Life history

The maximum reported size of the freckled madtom is 15 cm (5.9 in). One source lists the average size as 4.6 cm (1.8 in), and another source lists an average size range between 5 and 13.5 cm (2.0 and 5.3 in) long. [6] [12] [13]

The maximum age reported is 4.0 to 4.5 years. [8] [12] Males become sexually mature by 2 years, most females by their second summer if not sooner, and polygamy is common among this species, as well as other Noturus species. [8] [14] Females produce an average of around 100 eggs per summer. [14] The oocytes mature by late May to early July, and males guard the nests usually by late June. Optimal water temperature surrounding the nests is 25 °C (77 °F). [8] Nests have been found under flat rocks, though still in the same fast-moving riffle areas this species inhabits. [13]

Conservation and management

The freckled madtom is not considered an endangered species at the federal level, and it is not found on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's endangered species lists. However, it has been listed as an endangered species in Iowa since 1984. [15] [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ictaluridae</span> Family of fishes

The Ictaluridae, sometimes called ictalurids, are a family of catfish native to North America, where they are an important food source and sometimes fished for sport. The family includes about 51 species, some commonly known as bullheads, madtoms, channel catfish, and blue catfish.

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

The Neosho madtom is a small North American freshwater catfish. It has been listed as a near-threatened species in the United States since 1996 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and as a federally threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 since June 1990.

<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">Carolina madtom</span> Species of fish

The Carolina madtom is an endangered species of fish in the family Ictaluridae. It is endemic to North Carolina. It is a small catfish, reaching a maximum length of nearly five inches. Described in the late-1800s by ichthyologists Jordan and Meek, this fish is the only madtom that is endemic to North Carolina, as indicated by its common name.

<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 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".

The Scioto madtom was a species of fish in the family Ictaluridae. It is listed as extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which notes that it has likely been entirely or functionally extinct since 1957 given the lack of records since that year.

<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 elegant madtom 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.

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. 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.

References

  1. ↑ NatureServe (2013). "Noturus nocturnus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013: e.T202696A18236833. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T202696A18236833.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Bonner, T., "Noturus nocturnus: Freckled Madtom." Texas State Department of Biology. http://www.bio.txstate.edu/~tbonner/txfishes/noturus%20nocturnus.htm
  3. 1 2 3 Page, L.M., "Freckled Madtom: Noturus nocturnus." Florida Museum of Natural History. http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/catfish/ictaluridae/freckledmadtom.htm
  4. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey, "Noturus nocturnus Jordan and Gilbert, 1886." U.S. Department of the Interior. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=2536
  5. 1 2 FishBase, "Noturus nocturnus Jordan & Gilbert, 1886: Freckled Madtom." FishBase. http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Noturus-nocturnus.html
  6. ↑ Bernstein, N.P. and Olson, J.R., "Ecological Problems with Iowa's Invasive and Introduced Fishes." Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science 108 (2001): 185-209.
  7. 1 2 3 4 NatureServe, "Noturus nocturnus - Jordan and Gilbert: Freckled Madtom." NatureServe Explorer. http://www.tnfish.org/SpeciesFishInformation_TWRA/Research/FreckledMadtomNoturusNocturnus_NatureServeExplorer.pdf
  8. ↑ Orth, D.J. and Jones, R.N. "Range Extensions of the Orangethroat Darter (Etheostoma spectabile) and the Freckled Madtom (Noturus nocturnus) into Western Oklahoma." Proceedings of the Oklahoma Academy of Science 60 (1980): 98-99.
  9. ↑ Egge, J.J.D. and Simons, A.M., "Evolution of Venom Delivery Structures in Madtom Catfishes (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae)." Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 102 (2011): 115-129.
  10. ↑ Wright, J.J., "Diversity, Phylogenetic Distribution, and Origins of Venomous Catfishes." BMC Evolutionary Biology 9 (2009): 1-12.
  11. 1 2 Encyclopedia of Life, "Noturus nocturnus: Freckled Madtom." Encyclopedia of Life. http://eol.org/pages/208076/details
  12. 1 2 Outdoor Alabama, "Freckled Madtom". Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
  13. 1 2 Kinney, O. "Freckled Madtom (Noturus nocturnus)." Darlington School. http://www.darlingtonschool.org/faculty/okinney/Natural%20History/Fish/Student%20fish/freckled_madtom.htm
  14. ↑ Iowa Department of Natural Resources, "Chapter 77: Endangered and Threatened Plant and Animal Species." The Natural Resource Commission. http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/ThreatenedEndangered.aspx Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ↑ Iowa Fish Atlas, "Freckled Madtom – Noturus nocturnus." Iowa State University. http://maps.gis.iastate.edu/iris/fishatlas/IA164005.html
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