Sickle darter

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Sickle darter
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Percidae
Genus: Percina
Species:
P. williamsi
Binomial name
Percina williamsi
Page & Near, 2007

The sickle darter (Percina williamsi) 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. [3] 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. [4] 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. [5] 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.

Contents

Geographic distribution

As of right now the sickle darter has been found mostly in the upper Tennessee River drainage of Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina. It has also been caught in the French Broad System of Tennessee and Virginia, the Emory River in Tennessee, the Holston and Clinch Rivers of Tennessee and Virginia and low densities in the Little River in Blount County Tennessee. [6] The largest specimen of the sickle darter was found in the Holston River with a length of 90.5 mm. Due to this distribution, they are considered a subtropical fish. [7] Before 2007, the sickle darter was considered to be part of the species of longhead darter (Percina macrocephala) so it has been recently classified as a new species of fish of which not much information has been found. They can be seen regularly in their inhabited rivers but outside of them and in between their distributions you would be hard pressed to find a sickle darter. This is most likely due to agricultural, municipal, and industrial practices casing siltation and increased turbidity which is a human made enemy of this darter.

Ecology

The sickle darter is a larger darter than its sister species Percina macrocephala which suggests that it inhabits larger flowing pools, 1 meter deep or more. It is a benthic fish so it swims a few centimeters above the substrate near woody debris or vegetation where they capture their prey. Rocky, sandy and silty substrates in clear creeks and small rivers are known homes to the sickle darter where it swims in the water currents. Because of its small size specific habitat variables such as water velocity and sedimentation measurements are hard to access so no definite numbers can be given as to its abiotic factors. Not much is known about its diet yet but its close sister darter, the longhead, eats crayfish and mayflies suggesting that the sickle darter preys on these same species. [8] Known predators are most likely larger piscivores though not many species prey upon the sickle darter due to its place in the water flow. Its competitors are other darters such as the tangerine darter, logperch, and the longhead darter. Due to increased human activity causing turbidity and siltation which the sickle darters are keenly intolerant of, its habitats are steadily decreasing and so are its numbers.

Life history

Sickle darters spawn in late winter in shallow gravel shoals and are polyandrous. They breed once annually by depositing sperm and egg into a shallow hole and then cover them up to protect them. Average clutch size is around 350 eggs. In one female sickle darter that was caught, its mature ova equaled 27% of her body mass and had 355 eggs present. After spawning both parents leave the nests buried in shallow shoals until the eggs hatch. Sexual maturity is usually reached around 11 to 13 months in male darters and 22 to 25 months in female darters while its average lifespan is around three years with a maximum around four. Compared to smaller darters such as the Etheostoma species, the sickle darters have higher egg production, a longer spawning season and grow faster than their smaller counterparts due to their body size. [9] It is characterized by a long slender body and a long snout, a complete straight and black lateral line and a spot between dorsal fins. It also has larger scales than the longhead from which it was put under until 2007. [10] Silt deposits and increased turbidity from human practices are known to significantly decrease nests by smothering eggs and larvae.

Conservation

The sickle darter is widely seen in a few streams but is widely scattered between them and has been extirpated in North Carolina, is rare in Virginia, and is considered threatened in Tennessee. Even though this has all been proven, the sickle darter has yet to be put on any state or federal conservation list with other darters such as the ashy darter, logperch, and the longhead. Because the sickle darter was just considered a new species in 2007, not many management practices have been put forth to conserve it because so little is known about it. [11] Ongoing research is being done to learn more about the sickle darter but until then no sure fire management plan can be put forth to help maintain steady populations. No non-government agencies or organizations are providing effective areas of conservation which does not help its declining populations and decreasing habitat.

The most damaging impacts on the sickle darter are agricultural, industrial and municipal practices which are causing increased turbidity and siltation which destroy both nests and living habitats for the sickle darter. Other causes for destruction are chemical pollution from coal mining and other practices as well as impoundments and other habitat barriers which cause decreased spawning and declining current populations. Of these, siltation is the most damaging mostly because it is destroying numerous darter nests which stops future generations to mature. Agricultural practices such as silviculture should be put into place to regulate practices at or near streams and rivers. [12]

Taxonomy

The sickle darter was first formally described in 2007 by the American ichthyologists Lawrence M. Page and Thomas J. Near, with the type locality given as 4.0 kilometers east of Broadford, Virginia. [13] and its specific name honors the ichthyologist James David Williams. [14]

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. Along with similar fishes in certain other genera, members of Percina are commonly 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">Rainbow darter</span> Species of fish

The rainbow 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 native to North America where it is found in small, fast-moving streams and small to medium-sized rivers. It grows to 2 to 3 inches in length. The species is very sensitive to pollution and silt, staying in clean, pollution-free water. The rainbow darter is easily identified by three dark spots on the back, and blue and orange in the dorsal and anal fins.

<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 harlequin darter is a species of ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae which includes the perches, ruffes and pike-perches. It is endemic to the eastern half of the United States.

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.

<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">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.

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

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>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.

<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.

Percina macrocephala, also known commonly as the longhead darter, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter in the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes, and pikeperches. P. macrocephala is endemic to the United States.

<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 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 generally a common fish throughout most of its range.

The olive 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 Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Georgia, in the United States. It is found in the headwaters of Tennessee River system and the middle reaches of the Cumberland River system, its ideal habitat being clear, cold water over rocky substrates. It grows to a length of about 5 in (13 cm) and is an insectivore, feeding mainly on insect larvae on the riverbed. The fish matures at age two and lives till about age four. Up to 1500 eggs are spawned which fall to the riverbed and get lodged among gravel. The olive darter is classified as a "vulnerable species", being affected by habitat destruction and siltation, often resulting from damming and impoundment of the rivers or the creation of weirs. It is also affected by the change in the forest riparian habitat resulting from the killing of trees by the hemlock woolly adelgid.

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.

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

The Cherokee 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 Georgia in the United States, where it is limited to the Etowah River system. It inhabits creeks with rocky bottoms and little silt, typically occurring just above and below riffles. It is a whitish or yellowish fish with green and black spots on the flanks and eight dark saddle-like bars dorsally. It has a small range and its habitat is being degraded and fragmented, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being endangered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Etheostomatinae</span> Subfamily of fishes

Etheostomatinae is a species-rich subfamily of freshwater ray-finned fish, the members of which are commonly known as the darters. The subfamily is part of the family Percidae which also includes the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. The family is endemic to North America. It consists of three to five different genera and well over 200 species. A common name for these fish in southern Indiana is pollywog.

References

  1. ↑ NatureServe (2013). "Percina williamsi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013: e.T202600A19034888. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T202600A19034888.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Sickle darter (Percina williamsi)". Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  3. ↑ Near,Thomas J. & Page,Lawrence M. 2007. A New Darter from the Upper Tennessee River Drainage Related to Percina macrophala (Percidae: Etheostomatinae) Copeia 3:605-613. http://www.eeb.yale.edu/near/33.pdf.
  4. ↑ Redescription, Distribution, Variation and Life History Notes on Percina macrocephala (Percidae), Lawrence M. Page, Copeia , Vol. 1978, No. 4 (Dec. 28, 1978), pp. 655–664.
  5. ↑ Heckman, K.L., Near, T.J. & Alonzo, S.H. 2009. Phylogenetic relationships among Boleosoma darter species (Percidae: Etheostoma). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 53: 249–257. http://www.yale.edu/eeb/near/48_Heckman_et_al2009.pdf.
  6. ↑ Shute, P. W., & G. Hammerson. 2008. Sickle Darter Percina williamsi. http://www.cumberlandhcp.org/files/natureserve/Fish_10.23.08/Sickle_Darter_10.13.08.pdf.
  7. ↑ 2007. Sickle darter (Percina williamsi) fish profile. http://www.guppies.za.net/sickle-darter-percina-williamsi-fish-profile.aspx.
  8. ↑ Jett, Robert Trenton. 2010. Underwater observation and habitat utilization of three rare darters (Etheostoma cinereum, Percina burtoni, and Percina williamsi) in the Little River, Blount County, Tennessee. Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee. http://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/636.
  9. ↑ Paine, M.D. 1990. Life history tactics of darters (Percidae: Etheostomatiini) and their relationship with body size, reproductive behaviour, latitude and rarity. Journal of Fish Biology 37: 473–488. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1990.tb05877.x/pdf.
  10. ↑ Page, Near. 2007. Percina williamsi, The Sickle Darter. http://fishbase.us/summary/Percina-williamsi.html.
  11. ↑ Carlson, Rose L., Wainwright, Peter C. & near, Thomas J. 2009. Relationship between species co-occurrence and rate of morphological change in percinadarters (Percidae: Etheostomatinae). Evolution 63-3: 767–778. http://www.eeb.yale.edu/near/45_Carlson_et_al2009.pdf.
  12. ↑ Carlson, Rose L. & Wainwright, Peter C. 2010. The ecological morphology of darter fishes (Percidae: Etheostomatinae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 100: 30–45. doi : 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2010.01417.x
  13. ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Percina williamsi". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  14. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Percina williamsi". FishBase . December 2019 version.
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