TN00308    CHANNEL DARTER    PERCINA COPELANDI 

Taxonomy

Species ID	TN00308
Name	DARTER, CHANNEL
Other Common Names
Category	01 Fish
Elcode
Phylum	CHORDATA
Subphylum
Class	OSTEICHTHYES
Subclass
Suborder
Order	PERCIFORMES
Family	PERCIDAE
Genus	PERCINA
Species	COPELANDI
Subspecies
Authority	JORDAN 1877
Scientific Name	PERCINA COPELANDI

References

816, 842, TN5072, 816, 4205

Comments

Tennessee Narrative OTHER NAMES: RHEOCRYPTA COPELANDI (1877), COTTOGASTER COPELANDI (1936), HADROPTERUS COPELANDI (1958) *842* Virginia Narrative Other names used were: Rheocrypta copelandi (1877) Cottogaster copelandi (1936), and Hadropterus copelandi (1958) *842*. This is the only described species of the subgenus Cottogaster, which has one or more undescribed forms on the Gulf slope *9286*. TN00308OTHER NAMES: RHEOCRYPTA COPELANDI (1877), COTTOGASTERCOPELANDI (1936), HADROPTERUS COPELANDI (1958) *842*

Status

Status Code	Status Translation	References
223	Nongame-Protected
999	See Comments
605	Heritage Program endangered
702	Pending, FMP is currently in preparation

County Name	Historical Occurrence	Resident Occurrence	General Occurrence	Seasonal Occurrence	Abundance
Campbell	2	2	2	All Seasons
Claiborne	2	2	2	All Seasons
Hancock	2	2	2	All Seasons
Hawkins	2	2	2	All Seasons
Scott	2	2	2	All Seasons
Union	2	2	2	All Seasons

Absent Within Counties	Unknown Within Counties

Hydrologic Unit Code References

Quadrangle	Quadrangle Name

Quadrangle Distribution References

Ecoregion	Ecoregion Name
221100	Mixed Mesophytic Forest
221400	Appalachian Oak Forest

Ecoregion Distribution References TN5057,

River Reach	River Reach Name

River Reach References

Distribution General Comments

General Distribution References

Habitat(s): Aquatic

Comments on General Habitat

This species is generally restricted to large rivers and their tributaries, where it occurs on sand-gravel shoals and riffles *816*. It also inhabits wave-washed lake beaches *1539*. In Virginia, they are confined to medium and larger sections of stream, usually in runs and riffles with a gravel substrate *3018,4205,9286*.

General Habitat References

816, 1539, 3018, 4205, 9286

Forest Size Class Association

Forest Size Class Association References

Society of American Forester's Type Associations	Seral Stage	Canopy Closure

References on SAF Type Association

Land Use/Land Cover Associations

Streams and Canals

Lakes

Water

Land Use/Land Cover Association References

3018, 1306, 1539, 2137, 4205

National Wetlands Inventory Associations	Class	Modifier	Special Modifier
Riverine	Streambed	Nontidal, permanent	fresh
Riverine	Beach/bar	Nontidal, permanent	fresh
Lacustrine	Unconsolidated bottom	Nontidal, permanent	fresh
Riverine, upper perennial	Streambed, sand
Riverine, upper perennial	Beach/bar, sand
Lacustrine, littoral	Unconsolidated bottom, sand

NWI Association References

3018, 1306, 1539, 2137, 789, 4205

Animal/Plant Associations

Parasites: Trematoda: Neascus sp.

Plagioporus cooperi

Plagioporus sp.

Cestoda: Bothriocephalus cuspidatus

Nematoda: Camallanus owycephalus *239*

Animal/Plant Association References

239

Habitat Evaluation Procedures Comments on HEP

HEP References

Potential Natural Vegetation Associations

Mixed Mesophytic Forest

Appalachian Oak Forest

PNV References

TN5057,

USFS Associations

USFS References

Tennessee Habitat Associations	Habitat Value	Translation

References on TENHAB Association

Habitat Relationships	Special Habitat Relationships

References on Habitat Relationships

Food Habits

Trophic	References
Carnivore	2209

Lifestage	Food Item Consumed	Part of Food Item
General	MICROORGANISMS	Not Applicable
General	Blue-green Algae	Not Applicable
General	Animals	Egg/Fetus stage
General	Animals	Larva stage
General	Animals	Adult stage
General	Animals	Not Specified
General	Molluscs	Not Specified
General	Crustaceans	Not Specified
General	Branchiopods	Not Specified
General	Ostracods	Not Specified
General	COPEPODS	Not Specified
General	Malacostraca	Not Specified
General	Insects	Larva stage
General	Insects	Adult stage
General	Arachnids	Not Specified
General	Ephemeroptera	Larva stage
General	Coleoptera	Larva stage
General	Trichoptera	Larva stage
General	Diptera	Larva stage
General	Invertebrate Cordates	Egg/Fetus stage
General	Osteichthyes	Egg/Fetus stage
General	See Comments on Food Habits	See Comments
Important	Animals	Larva stage
Important	Insects	Larva stage
Important	Diptera	Larva stage
Important	See Comments on Food Habits	See Comments
Juvenile	See Comments on Food Habits	See Comments
Adult	See Comments on Food Habits	See Comments
Adult	Branchiopods	Not Specified
Adult	Trichoptera	Larva stage

Comments on General Food Habits

Tennessee Narrative SEVERAL AUTHORS HAVE REPORTED CHIRONOMIDS AND SMALL CRUSTACEANS TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD ITEM *5018* Virginia Narrative They consume mainly midge and mayfly larvae and microcrustaceans *4205*. They also ingest comparatively large quantities of filamentous algae and bottom debris *2209*. TN00308SEVERAL AUTHORS HAVE REPORTED CHIRONOMIDS AND SMALLCRUSTACEANS TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD ITEM *TN5018*

Comments on Adult Food Habits

The diet changes to larger aquatic insects and crustacea *2209,1539,2135*. They take primarily mayfly and midge larvae, and micorcrustaceans *2209,4205*. They also ingest comparatively large quantities of filamentous algae and bottom debris *2209*.

Comments on Juvenile Food Habits

Juveniles consume small midges and mayfly larvae *1539,2209,2135*. There is little difference in the diet of young and adults. They are strongly benthic feeders *2209*.

References/Lifestage	Reference Numbers
General	TN5018, 9286, 2209, 2135, 4205
Adult	2209, 1539, 2135
Juvenile	2209, 1539, 2135
Important	2209

Environmental Associations

Lifestage	Environmental Association
General	Turbidity: Specified in Comments
General	Substrate: Sand
General	Relation to Substrate: Unattached - normally free living
General	Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Sand
General	Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Gravel
General	Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Organic debris
General	Flow: Medium streams [50-1000 cfs mean annual flow]
General	Flow: Large streams [1000-5000 cfs mean annual low]
General	Flow: Rivers [greater than 5000 cfs mean annual low]
General	Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments
General	Aquatic Habitat Zonation: Shallows with emergent vegetation [littoral zone]
General	Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
General	Aquatic Features: Riffles
General	Aquatic Features: Pool areas
General	Aquatic Features: Backwaters
General	See comments on environmental associations
Limiting	See comments on environmental associations
Egg	Substrate: Specified in Comments
Egg	Relation to Substrate: Occurs in substrate [penetrating]
Egg	See comments on environmental associations
Feeding Juvenile	See comments on environmental associations
Feeding Juvenile	Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments
Feeding Juvenile	Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 2.0-2.5 fps
Feeding Juvenile	Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments
Feeding Juvenile	Water Level: Permanently flooded areas
Feeding Juvenile	Aquatic Features: Pool areas
Feeding Juvenile	Aquatic Features: Riffles
Feeding Adult	See comments on environmental associations
Feeding Adult	Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments
Feeding Adult	Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 2.0-2.5 fps
Feeding Adult	Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments
Feeding Adult	Water Level: Permanently flooded areas
Feeding Adult	Aquatic Features: Pool areas
Feeding Adult	Aquatic Features: Riffles
Resting Adult	See comments on environmental associations
Resting Adult	Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments
Resting Adult	Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 2.0-2.5 fps
Resting Adult	Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments
Resting Adult	Water Level: Permanently flooded areas
Resting Adult	Aquatic Features: Pool areas
Resting Adult	Aquatic Features: Riffles
Breeding Adult	Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
Breeding Adult	Relation to Substrate: Occurs on substrate [not penetrating]
Breeding Adult	Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Gravel
Breeding Adult	Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments
Breeding Adult	Water Depth Preference: 1-5 ft.
Breeding Adult	See comments on environmental associations
Breeding Adult	Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 2.0-2.5 fps
Breeding Adult	Water Level: Permanently flooded areas
Breeding Adult	Aquatic Features: Pool areas
Breeding Adult	Aquatic Features: Riffles
Breeding Adult	Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 3.0-3.5 fps
Breeding Adult	Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
Resting Juvenile	Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments
Resting Juvenile	Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 2.0-2.5 fps
Resting Juvenile	Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments
Resting Juvenile	Water Level: Permanently flooded areas
Resting Juvenile	Aquatic Features: Pool areas
Resting Juvenile	Aquatic Features: Riffles

Comments on General Environmental Associations

0

Comments on Limiting Environmental Associations

0

Comments on Adult Environmental Associations

0

Comments on Breeding Adult Environmental Associations

0

Comments on Feeding Adult Environmental Associations

0

Comments on Resting Adult Environmental Associations

0

Comments on Juvenile Environmental Associations

0

Comments on Feeding Juvenile Environmental Associations

0

Comments on Resting Juvenile Environmental Associations

0

Comments on Larval Environmental Associations

0

Comments on Feeding Larva Environmental Associations

0

Comments on Resting Larva Environmental Associations

0

Comments on Pupa Environmental Associations

0

Comments on Egg Environmental Associations

0

References/Lifestage	Reference Numbers
General	9286, 816, 3018, 1306, 1539, 842, 789, 835, 2685, 2686, 4205
Limiting	816, 1539, 789
Breeding Adult	1187, 2284, 2980, 4205
Feeding Adult	2209, 842
Resting Adult	1306
Feeding Juvenile	1187, 2980, 2209, 842
Resting Juvenile	1187, 2980
Egg	2135

Life History

Physical description: The slender darter has a series of small usually seperate lateral blotches with the adults usually from 35-50 mm SL. The body is slender and the snout is moderate or blunt. The frenum is usually absent or occasionally weakly developed. The branchiostegal membranes are seperate or slightly conjoined and the caudal fin is slightly emarginate. The breeding male has a keratinized ridge on the anal and pelvic spines and rays. There are distinct tubercles on the venter aspect of the pelvic rays in 3 of 4 peak nuptial males. The individual tubercles appear as a subdivided ridge. The female genital papilla is bulbose or pear shaped with short distal fimbriations. The lateral line is complete and has 48-57 scales. There are 4-6 scales above the lateral line and 6-8 scales below the lateral line. Circumpeduncle scales number 16-18. There are (9)10-11(12) dorsal spines, (10)11-12(14) dorsal rays, 2 anal spines and (7)8-9(10) anal rays. There are 13-15 pectoral rays. The opercle is scaled and the cheek is scaled or unscalead. The nape is unscaled anteriorly. The breast is unscaled except for a central modified scute which id present. The belly of the female is unscaled or scaled posteriorly with 0-4 modified scales in breeding fish. The male is unscaled anteriorly with nearly a complete row of 6-11 modified scales. The spines are variably elevated and short. The male and female colors are much the same although the male is more heavily pigmented. The body markings are medium to dark brown, and the side of the head and midlateral body are silvery with a hint of blue-green iridescence, wich is slightly more intense in the nuptial male *4205*. Reproduction: Spawning likely occurs in April-May at water temperatures from 20-21 degrees C following a short migration. The males establish breeding territories less than 1 meter in diameter centered about a large rock in the current and when joined by a ripe female, the male directs her to gravel area behind rock. The female partly buries herself in gravel, the male mounts her, and eggs are laid in gravel. There are 4-10 eggs laid during each spawning act, and several females may spawn with one male. The egg counts in 3 one year olds ranged from 357-415, and the average number laid by two year olds was 721 *4205*. The eggs are 1.4 mm in diameter, slightly adhesive, demersal, partially transparent and with an orange oil which tends to be flattened in one plane *2135*. Successful incubation of eggs in captivity occurred between 14 and 24 degrees C, ranging approximately 5-10 days *3690*. Features of development are described in the literature *2238*. Behavior: This species has a short, spring, upstream spawning mgration *2135*. The males defend breeding territories (less than 1 meter in diameter) against intraspecific males, but not against other darter species *2135*. Oklahoma populations overwinter in quiet leaf and debris filled backwaters *2686*. They invade shallow at night *1306*. This is a benthic feeder *2209*. They exhibit no parental care of the eggs or young *2135*. Origin: The origin of this species is native *812*. Limiting factors: Siltation appears to be a major cause of population declines in Ohio *2685*. Flowing water is essential for successful reproduction *2135*. Aquatic/terrestrial associations: This species is associated with the logperch (Percina caprodes) and mimic shiner (Notropis volucellus) *2135,835*. TN00308REPRODUCTION: FEMALES MOVE THROUGH THE TERRITORIES, SPAWNING SUCCESSIVELY WITH MANY MALES *TN5071*

Life History

References for Life History Codes

816, 2208, 1306, 2209, 842, 2135, 835, 2685, 2686, 2238, 3690, 4205

Comments on Life History Codes

Management Practices

Result	Management Action
Existing	Other management practices [specified in comments]

References/Result	Reference Numbers
Existing	842, 835

Comments on Management Practices

This is a small uncommon darter of little interest to managers, and too small to be important as forage *835,842*.

References

239* Pursglove, S.R., Prestwood, A.K., Nettles, V.F., Hayes, 
F.A. 1976. Intestinal nematodes of white-tailed deer in 
southeastern United States. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 
169.:896-900.

789* Clay, W.M. 1975. The Fishes of Kentucky. 12. Ken. Dept. 
Fish and Wildl., Frankfort:416.

816* 1980. Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes. Lee, D.S., 
Gilbert, C.R., Hocutt, C.H., McAllister, R.E., Stauffer, J.R., 
Jr. (eds.). Pub. 1980-12 of N. Car. Biol. Surv, N. C. State Mus. 
of Nat. Hist., Raleigh:854.

835* Cooper, E.L. 1983. The Fishes of Pennsylvania. Penn. State 
Univ. Press, University Park.

842* Scott, W.B., Crossman, E.J. 1973. Freshwater fishes of 
Canada. Can. Fish. Res. Board Bull. 184.:966.

1187* Pflieger, W.L. 1975. The fishes of Missouri. Mo. Dept. 
Conserv.,:173.

1306* Trautman, M.B. 1957. The fishes of Ohio. Ohio State Univ. 
Press, Columbus:683.

1539* Cross, F.B., Collins, J.T. 1975. Fishes in Kansas. Pub. 
Ed. Ser. 3. Univ. Kans. Mus. Nat. Hist., Lawrence:189.

2135* Winn, H.E. 1953. Breeding habits of the Percid fish, 
Hadropterus copelandi in Michigan. Copeia 1953(1).:26-30.

2137* Scott, D.M. 1955. Additional records of two fishes, 
Erimyzon sucetta kennerlyi and Hadropterus copelandi, from 
southern Ontario, Canada. Copeia 1955(2).:151.

2208* Page, L.M. 1983. Handbook of Darters. T.F.H. Publ., Inc., 
Neptune City, N.J:271.

2209* Turner, C.L. 1921. Food of the common Ohio darters. Ohio 
J. Sci. 22.:41-62.

2238* Fish, M.P. 1932. Contributions to the early life histories 
of sixty-two species of fishes from Lake Erie and its tributary 
waters. Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish. 47(10).:293-398.

2284* Winn, H. 1958. Comparative reproductive behavior and 
ecology of 14 species of darters. Ecol. Monogr. 28.:155-191.

2685* Smith, H.G., Burnard, R.K., Good, E.E., Keener, J.M. 1973. 
Rare and endangered vertebrates of Ohio. Ohio J. Sci. 
73.:257-271.

2686* Branson, B.A. 1967. Fishes of the Neosho River system in 
Oklahoma. Am. Midl. Nat. 78.:126-154.

2980* Cross, F.B. 1967. Handbook of fishes in Kansas. Misc. 
Publ. No. 45. Museum Natural History, Univ. Kansas, 
Lawrence:357.

3018* Jenkins, R.E. 1979. Channel darter. Proc. symp. on 
endangered and threatened plants and animals of Virginia. Ext. 
Div., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., 
Blacksburg:353.

3690* Shireman, J., Stetler, R.L., Colle, E.E. 1978. Possible 
use of the lake chubsucker as a baitfish. Prog. Fish-Cult. 
40.:33-34.

4205* Jenkins, R.E. 1984. Fishes of Virginia (tentative)..

9286* Virginia Dept. Game Inland Fisheries. 1988. Proceedings of 
symposium on species of special concern in Virginia. In Press,.

TN5018* Kuehne, R.A., and R.W. Barbour. 1983. The American 
darters. University of Kentucky Press, Lexington, KY. 216p.

TN5057* Etnier, D.A. unpublished. Fishes of Tennessee. 
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.

TN5072* Lee, D.S., C.R. Gilbert, C.H. Hocutt, R.E. Jenkins, D.A. 
McAllister, and J.R. Stauffer, Jr. (editors). 1980 et seq. Atlas 
of North American Freshwater Fishes. N.C. State Museum of 
Natural History, Raleigh, NC.