Orangefin darter

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Orangefin darter
Etheostoma bellum.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Percidae
Genus: Etheostoma
Species:
E. bellum
Binomial name
Etheostoma bellum
Zorach, 1968

The orangefin darter (Etheostoma bellum) 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 Barren River and Green River systems in Tennessee and Kentucky. [2] [3]

Contents

This moderate-sized fish usually matures between one and two years of age. The territorial males spawn over the top of buried females in the gravels of fast-flowing riffle areas. This usually occurs from late April to late June. Both the juveniles and adults are vicious predators, and mainly like to feed on dipteran larvae.

Distribution

These darters are known only from the Green and Barren River watersheds. The Green River is the largest river of the two, and the Barren River is a tributary to the Green River, which is known for a "biodiversity hotspot." [4] This river's hotspot is considered to be between the 100-mile stretch from Green River reservoir dam and Mammoth Cave National Park. More than 150 fish species and 70 mussels have been found in this system, and many other aquatic species. This river drains to the Mississippi, but the orangefin darters do not go that far down the system. Green River is a flowing system with many waterfalls, and mountain springs flowing into it to give a clean green look because of the depth. The Barren River headwaters are more in Tennessee, but flows in Kentucky, also. The Barren River is north of the Nashville Basin, in Clay, Macon, and Sumner Counties, draining the northward-sloping portion of the Highland Rim. It meets the Green River around Warren County, Kentucky. "A typical Highland Rim stream is cool, clear water, gravel substrates, and riffle pool habitats." [5] [4]

Ecology

The upper Green River system was studied, and six endemic darter species were analyzed. Over 300 sites were examined during a 13-year period with five classes in the landscape map: agriculture, forest, water, and developed/exposed. "Orangefin darter was detected at 46% of the sample sites and occupies portions of all major river systems in the watershed." [6] This darter occurred more often than the other five darter species, but it was mostly around forest-covered areas or below large reservoirs. It also was found around fine-loamy soils that had good water velocity, and averaging low 50-degrees temperatures. This species needs the right living environment to feed and spawn, but in these living areas are predators, and competition occurs. Larger freshwater fish prey on darters, such as catfish and smallmouth bass. Intraspecific competition occurs because small invertebrates are more abundant during different times of the year, and breeding areas become a challenge, also. Darters tend to feed on small fish larvae, which adds more competition within the species. Interspecific competition can be caused by abundance of predators, or human impacts on the environment. Increasing agriculture and deforestation, or sending more pollution down the stream, can reduce the abundance of this species. The building of dams can slow the flow of water, which will have a major effect on the orangefin because they use rocky substrates and swift-moving riffles for hiding and feeding. Their ecosystem must stay balanced in the future, or stress on these endemic species can cause extinction sooner. [6]

Life history

N. bellus is a moderate-sized darter of the subgenus Nothonotus, endemic to the Green and Barren River system in south-central Kentucky and north-central Tennessee. "Spawning was from late April to late June in gravel substrates of fast flowing riffles." [7] Darters mostly inhabit somewhat deeper water until the spawning period begins, and they become more aggressive with the warmer waters. During this period, they move to better-flowing waters with riffles and rocks. When breeding starts, the territorial males, or larger mature males attract the females to come spawn. Coloration in the males is a big part also in breeding, and the "females prefer conspecific over heterospecific coloration, and prefer a particular color variant within species." [8] When the female picks the right male, she buries herself in the substrate on his territory. The male lies parallel with her where he ejects his sperm into the substrate, so it can meet with the eggs she has laid. They lay clusters of eggs, around 60-100, but only so many will hatch within 7–9 days in 23 °C water. [7] The male guards the nest for a few days, but finally leaves, and the eggs that hatch are on their own. Maturity is reached in a year to two, and males seem to mature sooner, and their lifespan is about five years. Their diet is mostly hydracarinads, ephemeropteran nymphs, and dipteran larvae, but it changes some depending on the time of year. They also reached their feeding peak during the afternoon, and juveniles and adults mostly fed on the same food types. Usually, the juveniles stay in the shallow waters for a while, and the adults went back to deeper waters after breeding. [7] [8]

Taxonomy

The orangefin darter was first formally described in 1968 by Timothy Zorach [9] with the type locality given as White Oak Creek, at a bridge between White Oak and Galen, 1.2 miles northwest of Galen in Macon County, Tennessee. Zorach initially placed it in the subgenus Nothonotus [3] but Fishbase classifies it within the genus Etheostoma while recognising 4 species within a valid genus Nothonotus. [2]

Management

Though the orangefin darter has a small range, it is listed by the IUCN as least concern "in view of the large number of subpopulations, large population size, apparently stable trend, and lack of major threats". [1] The Nature Conservancy operates a conservation project in the Green River, which is inhabited by the orangefin darter. [4] [10]

Related Research Articles

The redband 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 state of Tennessee in the eastern United States.

The Bayou darter is a rare 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 western Mississippi in the United States, where it is found only in Bayou Pierre and its tributaries. Its typical habitat is fast-flowing creeks and streams, in riffles and in areas between riffles with firm gravel bottoms. It feeds on small insects and their larvae. Breeding probably takes place twice a year, in spring and late summer. The population of this fish is declining due to loss of suitable habitat. This is caused by siltation and pollution, particularly erosion caused by changes in land use. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being "endangered".

<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.

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

The bluemask 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 a federally listed endangered species of the United States. This fish was not formally described until 2009, but it was added to the US Endangered Species List in 1993. During breeding, the male has bright blue patches on its head and other areas. This fish is found only in the Caney Fork River system, a tributary of the Cumberland River in Tennessee. The species name akatulo comes from the Cherokee for "mask", referring to the solid blue coloration on the lower face of the fish.

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 emerald 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 only in northern and eastern Kentucky and northeastern Tennessee.

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

The buffalo 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 the tributaries of the lower Duck and lower Tennessee Rivers. It is distinguished from other darter species by the presence of eight anal rays, as well breeding males having a unique hump behind the head reminiscent of a buffalo.

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

The bluebreast darter 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 endemic to the eastern United States from New York and Illinois to Tennessee and North Carolina.

The greenfin 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 stone 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 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.

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

The swamp 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">Blueside darter</span> Species of fish

The blueside darter is usually found in the Tennessee River drainage in Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, and Virginia, and less commonly found in Bear Creek, Shoal Creek, and Barren Fork.

The stripetail 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 found in small rivers and streams in the states of Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. Males are a golden-orange color with black barring on the fins, and grow to a length of about 2.8 in (7 cm). This fish feeds on midge larvae and other small invertebrates. It breeds in the spring; eggs are attached to the substrate, often under slab rocks, where they are guarded by the male. The population trend of this fish seems to be stable and it is a common species with numerous sub-populations over a wide range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".

Nothonotus microlepidum, the smallscale 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. It occurs in the lower Cumberland River drainage in the states of Kentucky and Tennessee. It inhabits shallow riffles with gravel substrates in small rivers. Breeding habits of the smallscale darter are typical of the E. maculatum group in that females deposit large masses of eggs on the undersides of rocks to be protected by the males. This species is a fairly large, deep-bodied fish with dark background coloration mixed with bright red spots scattered alongside the body. Nuptial males of this species also have deep green fins with orange margins on the spinous dorsal and caudal fins, with the soft dorsal fins having a dark coloration moving marginally to yellow-orangish center with black margins. This species can reach a length of 7.2 centimetres (2.8 in) TL though most only reach about 4.8 centimetres (1.9 in).

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

Etheostoma rufilineatum, the redline 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.

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

The Swannanoa 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 drainage of the Tennessee River. It prefers flowing water in riffles in cool, clear mountain streams, with boulder substrates. The diet and natural history of this species have been little studied but are probably similar to those of its close relative, the greenside darter. The population trend of this fish seems to be stable and it is a common species with numerous sub-populations over its limited range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".

The Tippecanoe 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 wounded 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. Its range includes the upper Tennessee River drainage, western Virginia, western North Carolina, and eastern Tennessee. Its typical habitat is among boulders or coarse rubble and cobble, often with overhanging ledges, in medium to large slow-moving rivers. It feeds on small insect larvae, especially midge larvae. Spawning occurs when the water warms up in late spring. Females deposit clutches of adhesive eggs on the underside of rock ledges or slabs, and the male guards the nest. The population trend of this fish seems to be decreasing slowly but it is a relatively common species with numerous sub-populations, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern". The greatest threat comes from impoundment, and a management plan is in place, including captive breeding.

<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.

References

  1. 1 2 NatureServe (2013). "Etheostoma bellum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013: e.T202451A15364336. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T202451A15364336.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Etheostoma bellum" in FishBase . December 2019 version.
  3. 1 2 Zorach, T. (1968). "Etheostoma bellum, a new darter of the subgenus Nothonotus from the Green River system Kentucky and Tennessee". Copeia. 1968 (3): 474–482. doi:10.2307/1442015. JSTOR   1442015.
  4. 1 2 3 "STORIES IN KENTUCKY Green River Kentucky boasts a national treasure for biological diversity". The Nature Conservancy. 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  5. ↑ Etnier, D.; Starnes, W. (1991). The Fishes of Tennessee: Waters and Geology of Tennessee. University of Tennessee:Newsfound Press. pp. 3–17.
  6. 1 2 Hopkins II, R. (2009). "Modeling freshwater fish distribution using multi-scale landscape data: A case study of narrow range endemics". Ecological Modelling. 220 (17): 2024–2034. doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2009.04.027.
  7. 1 2 3 Fisher, W. (1990). "Life history and ecology of the orangefin darter Etheostoma bellum". The American Midland Naturalist. 123 (2): 268–281. doi:10.2307/2426555. JSTOR   2426555.
  8. 1 2 William, T. (2013). "Male and female responses to species-specific coloration in darters". Animal Behaviour. 85 (6): 1251–1259. doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.03.012. S2CID   53172335.
  9. ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Etheostoma bellum". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  10. ↑ Kessler, R. (1993). "Microhabitat segregation of threatened spotted darter and closely related orangefin darter". Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 50 (5): 1084–1091. doi:10.1139/f93-124.
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