Mobile logperch

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Mobile logperch
Percina kathae.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Percidae
Genus: Percina
Species:
P. kathae
Binomial name
Percina kathae

The Mobile logperch (Percina kathae) 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 found in the Mobile River basin in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia in the southeastern United States. It inhabits clear shallow water and is often associated with Podostemum (riverweed). It grows to about 18 cm (7 in) and is distinguishable from other darters by the distinctive shape of its head and by its pale-yellow base color, with narrow bars on back and sides. It feeds on small invertebrates and breeds between February and May. Lake fish move into small streams to spawn. It is a common fish with a wide range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified its conservation status as being of "least concern".

Contents

Anatomy and description

Logperches are easily distinguished from most other darters by their tiger-like coloration. They also have distinctive head and snout shapes. Logperches are a pale-yellow base color, with narrow bars on the side and back. Logperches reach a maximum size of about 18 cm (7 in) and a maximum age of about four years. [2]

Distribution and habitat

Mobile logperches live primarily in the Southeastern U.S. [2] They are endemic to all river systems of the Mobile River basin in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia. They are particularly widespread in the upper Cahaba and Coosa River systems. Populations of the Mobile logperch and gulf logperch ( Percina suttkusi ) occur together at certain locations in the Alabama, Black Warrior, and upper and lower Tombigbee River systems. [3] Studies have been conducted in the Conasauga River (Georgia and Tennessee); [4] Luxapallila Creek, Mississippi; [5] and the Neosho River in Kansas. [6]

The Mobile logperch is found in shallow water in the summer, but uses deeper reaches, or uses depths randomly, in all other seasons. [6] Like other logperches, they inhabit clear, gravelly streams and lakes. [7] Logperches live in mostly shallow, clear water waterways. These habitats are associated with Podostemum (riverweed). [8] Some species (including Percina ) indicate that longitudinal position was a strong covariate with little support that Podostemum cover influenced occupancy. [4] The greatest densities of Mobile logperch occur over gravel or sand substrates in moderate current or in lakes over sand and mud substrates.

Life history

Juveniles eat organisms such as rotifers, copepods, and waterfleas. As they grow, they incorporate a greater variety of small aquatic creatures. They eat mostly aquatic insects (especially mayfly and midge larvae), and also may eat young snails, waterfleas, leeches, and fish eggs (including their own) when available. [9] Percina show broad diversity of reproductive behavior and life history traits. [10] Large numbers of reservoir-based individuals frequently migrate upstream into small flowing streams from late February into May to spawn (in Carrolls Creek, a tributary of Lake Tuscaloosa, Alabama). Females are thought to bury eggs in riffles or shoals of sand or gravel. Mobile logperch may live three to four years. [3] They sometimes fall prey to piscivorous fish (more often in lakes than in streams). These fish include lake trout, walleye, rock bass, largemouth bass, burbot, and northern pike. When they spend time in slow and shallow water, they also are eaten by fish-eating birds, such as terns and mergansers. [8]

Etymology

The Mobile logperch was first formally described in 1997 by the American ichthyologist Dr. Bruce A. Thompson (1946-2007) [11] and its specific name honors Thompson’s wife, Kathy S. Thompson. [12]

Management

The Mobile logperch is not listed as endangered under Tennessee state law. Not much research on changes in this species' population over time and no management practices have been put in place to protect the Mobile logperch. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the conservation status of this fish as being of "least concern". [1]

Related Research Articles

<i>Percina</i> Genus of fishes

Percina is a genus of small freshwater ray-finned fish, classified within the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches from North America. Like the similar fishes in the genus Etheostoma, they are some species called "darters". More specifically, the genus as a whole is known as roughbelly darters, while certain species of Percina with a pattern of vertical bars on the flanks are called logperches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roanoke logperch</span> Species of fish

The Roanoke logperch 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 found in the Roanoke and Chowan drainages in Virginia and North Carolina in the United States. They inhabit low and moderate-gradient streams and rivers in warm, clear water in mostly unsilted gravel and rubble in runs, pools, and riffles. They are primarily insectivorous. This fish is a federally listed endangered species.

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

Logperches are a group of fish in the genus Percina of the family Percidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common logperch</span> Species of fish

The common logperch, sometimes simply known as the logperch, 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. Like other logperches, it has the typical vertical barring along the flank and a subterminal mouth.

The ashy 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conasauga logperch</span> Species of fish

The Conasauga logperch 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 United States. It is one of 184 species of darters in North America. It has been listed as endangered throughout its range with critical habitat under the U.S. Endangered Species Act since August 5, 1985.

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

The dusky 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 found in, but not confined to, both large and small rivers, and shallow creeks, in the eastern, southern, and southeastern United States, particularly the Mississippi River drainage system.

The brighteye 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 brighteye darter was first described by Oliver Perry Hay in 1885. He noted it is closely related to the banded darter. Until the 1970s, the brighteye darter was generally believed to be a genetic variation of the banded darter.

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

The gulf 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 found in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and Kentucky. It is a colorful fish, males having vertical barring of red-orange and blue-green near the tail, growing to a length of about 7.8 centimeters (3.1 in). It is typically found in small and medium-sized creeks, often in very shallow water. It occurs over sandy bottoms and among aquatic vegetation such as Sparganium americanum, foraging among the plants and organic debris for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".

<i>Etheostoma zonale</i> Species of fish

Etheostoma zonale, the banded 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. It is mainly found in the Mississippi Basin, ranging from the Verdigris River in Kansas eastward to the Allegheny River in New York, and from the Minnesota River in Minnesota southward to the Ouachita River in Arkansas and the Tennessee River in Alabama. Its typical habitat in small and medium-sized rivers is riffles over cobble or gravel, rock slabs, and small boulders. It feeds on the riverbed on small insect larvae and is itself eaten by birds and larger fish. Males become more colorful and become territorial before spawning which takes place in spring. The females attach the eggs to waterweed. The population trend of this fish seems to be stable, it is a common species with numerous sub-populations over a wide range, no major 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">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.

<i>Percina maculata</i> Species of fish

Percina maculata, the blackside 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 a widespread inhabitant of streams and rivers in the Mississippi River watershed. Like other darters it prefers rocky riffles and sandy runs, but is tolerant of pools and still water as well. It is one of the 324 fish species found in Tennessee.

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

The blackbanded 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 river systems of the southeastern United States where it is found in the states of South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. It lives over sandy or gravelly bottoms in smaller rivers and streams and its color varies depending on the different habitats in which it lives. It feeds on small insect larvae and is itself preyed on by larger fish. It spawns between February and June depending on locality. It is a common fish throughout most of its range but is rare in the Altamaha River in Georgia.

The bronze 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 restricted to the Coosa and Tallapoosa River systems in Georgia, Alabama, and southeastern Tennessee in the United States. It feeds on insect larvae and other small invertebrates, and spawns in April and May. It is a common fish within its range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified its conservation status as being of "least concern". However, it is susceptible to environmental disturbance and an ongoing management plan has been put in place to protect its habitat.

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 a small ,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's 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">Chesapeake logperch</span> Species of fish

The Chesapeake logperch is a small 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 found in the Chesapeake Bay drainages. It prefers gravel runs and riffles of small to medium-sized rivers.

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

The Halloween darter is a small freshwater fish native to North America. It is found in Georgia and Alabama in the drainage basin of the Apalachicola River, specifically in the Flint River system and the Chattahoochee River system. It prefers shallow, fast-flowing areas with gravel bottoms in small and medium-sized rivers. It was first described in 2008, having not previously been distinguished from the blackbanded darter (P. nigrofasciata), which occurs in the same watershed. The color is somewhat variable, being generally blackish dorsally, with some individuals having indistinct saddle-like barring. Males have orange and dark lateral striping while females have dark stripes and a yellowish-green belly. At a maximum standard length of 101 mm (4 in), males are slightly larger than females, and both sexes develop distinctive orange barring on the edge of the first dorsal fin during the breeding season.

The Gulf logperch is a small 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 found in North America where it occurs in the coastal river systems Of the Gulf of Mexico from Lake Pontchartrain drainages east through the Pearl and Pascagoula drainages to the Mobile basin. It prefers gravel runs and riffles of small to medium-sized rivers. This species was first formally described in 1992 by Bruce A. Thompson (1946-2007) with the type locality given as the Pearl River at river mile 46.8, below pools at Bluff Sill, about 6 kilometers south of Bogalusa, Louisiana, near Louisiana Highway 21 in Pearl River County, Mississippi.

References

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  2. 1 2 Carlson, R.L. 2010. The ecological morphology of darter fishes. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 100: 30–45.
  3. 1 2 "Mobile Logperch". Archived from the original on 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
  4. 1 2 Argentina, J.E. 2010. The response of stream fish to local and reach-scale variation in the occurrence of a benthic aquaticmacrophyte. Freshwater Biology 55: 643–653.
  5. Raborn S.W. 2003. Fish assemblage response to recent mitigation of a channelized warmwater stream. River Res. Applic. 19: 289–301.
  6. 1 2 Gillette, D.P. 2006. Habitat use by a Midwestern U.S.A. riverine fish assemblage: effects of season, water temperature and river discharge. Journal of Fish Biology 68: 1494–1512.
  7. "ENature: FieldGuides: Species Detail". Archived from the original on 2014-04-17. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
  8. 1 2 "USDA Plants Database".
  9. "Log Perch".
  10. Paine, M.D. 2006. Life history tactics of darters and their relationship with body size, reproductive behaviour, latitude and rarity. Journal of Fish Biology 37: 473-488.
  11. Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Percina jenkinsi". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  12. Thompson, B. A. (1997). "Percina kathae, a new logperch endemic to the Mobile basin in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee (Percidae, Etheostomatini)" (PDF). Occasional Papers of the Museum of Natural Science Louisiana State University. 73: 1–34.