(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species MADTOM, SCIOTO
Species Id ESIS253002
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - MADTOM, SCIOTO
OTHER COMMON NAMES - MADTOM, SCIOTO; MADTOM and MOUNTAIN
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Fish
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - OSTEICHTHYES,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - SILURIFORMES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - ICTALURIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - NOTURUS,
SPECIES AND SSP - TRAUTMANI,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - NOTURUS TRAUTMANI
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Scioto Madtom
Noturus trautmani Taylor, 1969
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Fish
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Osteichthyes
ORDER: Siluriformes FAMILY: Ictaluridae
Descriptive information can be found in the publications of
Ralph Taylor and Mitten Trautman (02,03). The Scioto madtom is a
small species (largest know specimen is 44 mm in standard length) of
the subgenus Rabida. In coloration the body and head are relatively
uniformly grayish brown on the upper body and lateral surfaces; there
is a lack of prominent saddles or blothes; large brownish
chromatophores are scattered over the cheek and operculum; the candal
fin has two or three dusky cresentic bands and the dorsal, anal and
pelvic fins are transparent. Typically there are 9 pelvic rays, 8
sometimes 9 soft pectoral rays, 45-51 candal rays, 11
preoperculomandibular pores, 2 internasal pores and 32 to 34
vertebrae. The pectoral spine in the Scioto madtom is rather short,
nearly straigh with distinct recurred posterior serrae but with very
small or obscure interior serrae; the posterior process of the
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species MADTOM, SCIOTO
Species Id ESIS253002
Date 13 MAR 96
cleithrum is very short or obscure; the adipose fin is high, widely
connected to the caudal fin and without a posterior free margin; the
caudal fin is rounded or nearly truncate posteriorly and the anal fin
typically has 14 rays (13-16).
For field recognition one would look for the characteristic
shape of he adipose and its immaculate appearance, the obscure
posterior process of the cleithrum, the short straight pectoral spine
with posterior serrations and the presence of large brownish
chromatophores scattered over the cheek and operculum.
The Scioto madtom was described in 1969 by Ralph Taylor (02).
Apparently no synonyms exist in the published literature but catalog
records at the Ohio State University Museum of Zoology (OSUM) show
it was referred to as Shilbeodes eleutherus until after 1945. The
holotype is housed at the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
(UMMZ); there are 11 paratypes at OSUM and 6 paratypes at the United
States National Museum of Natural History (USNM). This makes a total
of 18 museums specimens. Apparently 19 specimens were collected but
one died as an aquarium specimen and was not preserved (02,03,04).
A photographic illustration of the Scioto madtom can be found in
Taylor (02) and Trautman (03) previle a line drawing. Collection
history for the Scioto madtom is given in Cavender (04).
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species MADTOM, SCIOTO
Species Id ESIS253002
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Scioto madtom (Noturus trautmani) has been designated as
Endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1540), as
amended. The species has this status wherever found including the
State of Ohio.
This species is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild animal
(alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation, or foreign law; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: Ohio
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Ohio Department of Natural Resources
STATE STATUTE: Ohio Revised Statutes Chapters 1517-1518.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species MADTOM, SCIOTO
Species Id ESIS253002
Date 13 MAR 96
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
None.
75/09/25:40 FR 44140/44151 - Final rule, Endangered, no Crit. Hab.
81/02/27:46 FR 14652/14658 - Notice of Review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
INLAND AQUATIC
LAND USE -
Cropland and Pasture
Deciduous Forest Land
Streams and Canals
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Riverine, upper perennial SB1
Riverine, upper perennial FL1
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
All the known specimens of the Scioto madtom (Noturus trautmani)
were taken from the downstream end of a riffle at Fox, Ohio that M.
Trautman termed "riffle #3". It was positioned just upstream from a
sharp bend where Big Darby Creek turns eastward and drops down onto
the Scioto River floodplain. Riffle #3 is at the lower end of about
a 1/2 mile stretch of stream that flows across a stream terrace of
course outwash material deposited there at the end of the last
glaciation. There are a series of at least four riffles and runs
in this section of stream between the McClean-Mill Road bridge at
Fox and Trautman's riffle #3. Substrate materials are glacial cobble,
gravel, sand and silt with some large boulders derived from thick
glacial fill found further upstream. The area and stream features
have been described in detail by Cavender (04). The stream channel
has a wooded corridor on both sides of floodplain vegetation. Trees
like Sycamore predominate. Old channel cuts now abandoned show that
the stream has changed course at least twice in the last 50 years
through this area in question which lies upstream from the state rte
104 bridge. Downstream from the bridge the stream completes its drop
onto the Scioto River floodplain and gradually changes in character to
a low gradient meandering channel with fine gravel and sand substrate.
Levces have been constructed on both sides of the channel through the
section of Big Darby Creek being discussed. This work was done about
50 years ago. A new bridge was built where state rte 104 crosses
after 1948. This is the bridge now in use which replaced the old
wooden covered bridge.
There are at least 50 to 60 resident fish species that live in
the section of Big Darby Creek between the McClean-Mill road bridge
and State rte. 104 where the Scioto madtom was captured. Species
taken with the Scioto madtom were as follows: Noturus flauus, N.
stigmosus (1957 only), Etheustems blennioides, E. caeruleum, E.
camurum, E. flabellare, E. maculetum, E. nigram, E. tippecanoe, E.
variatum, E. zangle, Percina caprodes, Hypeutelium nigricans,
Campostema anomalum, Hybopsis dissimilis and Phencebins mirabilis.
These are the more common riffle species that also occur there today
except, perhaps, Etheostema flabellare which is rare. As mentioned
previously Noturus stigmosus was not known from Big Darby Creek until
1957 when it was taken with Noturus traumani.
Water quality and chemical characteristic of Big Darby Creek have
been discussed by the Ohio EPA (10). This report included information
on flow characteristic, ph, dissolved oxygen, phosphorus, Nitrogen,
Ammonia-N levels, heavy metals, BOD, macroinvertebrates and fish. No
major degradation of water quality or aquatic communities was observed
Habitat Associations - 1 in the headwater sections, the Lower Mainstem section including the
type locality of the Scioto madtom was classed as exceptional water
quality (Class I).
It should be noted that riffle #3 (according to Trautman's method
of labeling the Fox riffle's beginning at the state rte 104 bridge and
moving upstream) no longer exists at the location it held in 1943 when
the Scioto madtom was discovered. This location was shown in Figure 4
of Cavender's report (04). In 1987 the third riffle upstream from the
bridge was positional 50 to 100 feet beyond the old location and
represents a newer formation. The original riffle #3 has been washed
away. In 1957 all of the Scioto madtoms collected (at least 14
specimens) were take in a 10' x 20' area below riffle #3 which
Trautman called the winter habitat of Etheistoma tippecanoe. The
bottom in this area was sand and fine gravel with intersperses cobble
about 3" in diameter. The substrate was swept by a moderately fast
current. Water depth was 2 1/2 to 3'. Similar habitat
characteristics can be found there today in the same stretch of Big
Darby Creek.
Habitat Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species MADTOM, SCIOTO
Species Id ESIS253002
Date 14 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Arthropods
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species MADTOM, SCIOTO
Species Id ESIS253002
Date 14 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species MADTOM, SCIOTO
Species Id ESIS253002
Date 14 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
Nothing is known about the food habits of the Scioto madtom.
The stomachs that have been examined were empty. By interface it
might be possible to gain some insight into what food items were
taken by looking at what is know in related species. Noturus
trautmani is related to Noturus elegans and other members of the
"Hildebrandi Group" (02). A total of 16 different invertebrate taxa
were recorded from stomachs of Noturus hildebrandi by Mayden and Walsh
(11). Most frequently encountered items were chironomid larvae,
trichopteran larvae, plecopterans and ephemeropterans in that order.
This work was done on individuals from the North Fork Obion River,
Tennessee. In another study (12) Noturus albeter was found to take
mostly chironomid larvae (66% of items ingested) with smaller amounts
of Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera. A food study presently in progress
(13) on Noturus stigmosus taken from the type locality of the Scioto
madtom in Big Darby Creek shows that chironomids and plecopterans and
ephermerotermus are also significant components of the diet. Young of
the year individuals because of their small size (similar to the
Scioto madtom) are more apt to feed on chironomids and trichopterans.
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Movement patterns of madtoms generally are very limited. It
is not uncommon to find the same individuals in the same riverine
pool or other shelter. However, it is possible that juveniles are
the dispersal agents for the species and act as colonizers or
provide a renewed source of genetic material. Madtoms, in general,
appear to be non-territorial. In specific, there is no data
available on home range or territory for the Scioto madtom.
PERIODICITY:
Most madtom species are nocturnal and can rarely be seen or
collected during the daytime. The literature indicates that
overwintering aggregations of other species of Noturus have been
reported, and may be apparently active longer into the fall and
winter than previously thought. No data are available on
periodicity for this species.
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
Non-migratory.
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
Nothing is known of the cover or shelter requirements of the
Scioto madtom. Other madtom species occur under slab rocks or
presumably near the stream bank in shallow water beneath bedrock
ledges or tree roots, and sometimes at the exclusion of other
species.
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Nesting requirements of the Scioto madtom are not documented.
However, other Noturus species require a site consisting of large,
flat rocks under which a small pit has been dug in the substrate or
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species MADTOM, SCIOTO
Species Id ESIS253002
Date 14 MAR 96
a crevice or open space beneath the rock is inhabited. Nests are
lined with small gravel and rock, and devoid of silt, and are
presumably prepared by one or both parents.
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
Nothing is known. Breeding condition may be found during the
months of May, June, or July.
PARENTAL CARE:
No data are available regarding parental care in Scioto madtoms.
Presumambly, as in other species of Noturus for which life history
data exists, following spawning, the male assumes the responsibility
of guarding the clutch and keeping the nest cavity free of silt until
the larvae leave the nest. Development times or extent of parental
bonding is not known.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Limiting factors of Noturus trautmani are apparently suitable
habitat areas free of pollution and silt. Some sensitive members
of the genus may be detrimentally affected by small changes in water
quality, and apparently this and the destruction of riverine habitat
has been a major factor in the decline of this species. Another
possible limiting factor may be the availability of proper nesting
cover. Other species of Noturus live for 2+ years. No data
exists regarding the population biology of the Scioto madtom.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
None known.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species MADTOM, SCIOTO
Species Id ESIS253002
Date 14 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Pesticide Use
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Herbicide Use
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Adverse Siltation
Existing Siltation
Adverse Applying fertilizers
Existing Applying fertilizers
Adverse Applying herbicides
Existing Applying herbicides
Adverse Applying pesticides
Existing Applying pesticides
Adverse Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Existing Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Adverse Competition
Existing Competition
Adverse Erosion
Existing Erosion
Adverse
Existing
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Locally, population size of all six Ohio madtom species is known
to fluctuate dramatically (04,05,06,07). The exact reasons for
the fluctuations observed are not known but apparently are linked to
reproductive success. The species that produces the largest number
of eggs per female (Noturus flauns) shows the least amount of
population change from year to year. Species with small eggs clutches
like Noturus cleutherus and Noturus trautmani have shown the greatest
changes. A combination of factors such as flooding during spawning,
heavy siltation and suspended industrial effluents no doubt interfere
with madtom reproduction. In Big Darby Creek where Noturus trautmani,
the Scioto madtom, lives, there is considerable agricultural runoff
from intensive rowcrop farming with the drainage. Of the 80 or more
species living on the drainage, 3 have been hurt the most: Ammocryptc
pellucida, Hybosis amblops, and Noturus trautmani. None of these has
been collected in the last 25 years. Although the type locality of
Noturus trautmani in Big Darby Creek has been sampled every year
since 1939, Scioto madtoms only appeared in the early 1940's and again
in the late 1950's 12 to 15 years apart. Noturus cleutherus showed
similar periodicity in collection occurrence from the Muskingum River.
It was missing from collection data for 44 years until it showed
up again in 1985 and has been taken every year since then from the
Muskingum mainstem. Another species, Noturus stigmosus, was first
recorded from Big Darby Creek in 1957, since then it was rarely seen
until 1981 when it became a common species in certain habitats during
the fall season. From 1981 to 1987 the population of Noturus stigosus
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species MADTOM, SCIOTO
Species Id ESIS253002
Date 14 MAR 96
declined every year until no young-of-the-year were found in 1987.
These examples of drastic changes in Ohio madtom population size show
why it is difficult to establish the status of rare species like the
northern and mountain madtoms. The letter species was absent for
almost half a century. Examples can be found for similar fluctuations
of madtom populations living outside of Ohio such as Noturus trautmani
it would be unwise to list its status as extinct when this species may
be among these that periodically increase in number and then decline
for long intervals. It seems certain that some madtom populations can
decline to such an extent that it is impossible to sample them with
regular collecting methods. Occasionally a specimen can accidentally
be flushed out at its hiding place and show up in sampling, data as a
single record. Usually the species doesn't appear again until
conditions are optimal for reproduction and recruitment.
A factor not discussed above which might have an influenza on the
status of Noturus trautmani is the appearance of a competing madtom
species. Noturus stigmosus first appeared in collections with Noturus
trautmani in 1957, the last year N. trautmani was taken.
Future threats to the Scioto madtom could be the failure to
establish a 200 ft, wooded corridor along the length of the mainstem
of Big Darby Creek. Also the industrial plants being established in
the headwater areas may have a negative influence on water quality.
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
A recovery plan has not been initiated. In view of the fact that the
species has not been found since 1957, it is doubtful that a plan will
be started until more specimens are found.
The Scioto madtom is knwon from only one location in Big Darby
Creek, one mile south of the town of Fox, in Pickaway County, Ohio.
The last fish was taken in 1957. Surveys continue, but it is highly
probably that the species is extinct. If specimens are found in the
future, some actions of recovery which might be initiated could
include watershed protection, elimination of any ty[e of stream
alteration. The natural condition of Big Darby Creek must be
maintained. The Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources continues to survey
the area.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species MADTOM, SCIOTO
Species Id ESIS253002
Date 14 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Robins, R.C., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.H.
Lachner, R.N. Lea, and W.B. Scott. 1980. A list of common and
scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada. A.M.
Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ. 12, Bethesda, MD. 174 pp.
02 Taylor, W.R. 1969. A revision of the catfish genus Noturus
Rafinesque, with an analysis of higher groups in the Ictalaridae.
Bull. U.S. Nat'l Mus. 282. 315 pp.
03 Trautmann, M.R. 1981. The Fishes of Ohio, 2nd ed. Ohio State
University Press, Columbus. 782 pp.
04 Cavender, T.M. 1982. Scioto Madtom Survey for 1981-1982. Report
on the status of the endangered species, Noturus trautmani. USFWS
Report No. 30181-026T.
05 Cavender, T.M. 1984. Scioto Madtom Survey for 1983. Report on
the Status of the Endangered Species, Noturus trautmani. USFWS
Report No. 30181-0458, FY83. 23 pp.
06 Cavender, T.M. 1985. Scioto Madtom Survey for 1984-85 and Final
Report on the Status of the Endangered Species, Noturus trautmani.
USFWS Report No.30181-1274, FY84. 25 pp.
07 Cavender, T.M. 1987. A life history study of the mountain madtom,
Noturus elruthesus. Ohio State University Museum of Zoology Fish
Division Report No. 1 for 1987. 35 pp.
08 Lee, D.S., C.R. Gilbert, C.H. Hocutt, R.E. Jenkins, D.E.
McAllister, and J.R. Stauffer. 1980. Atlas of North American
Freshwater Fishes. NC State Mus. Nat. Hist., Raleigh. 854 pp.
09 Starnes, W.C., and D.A. Ethnier. 1980. Fishes. IN: P.C. Eagar and
R.M. Hatches eds. Tennessee's rare wildlife. Vol I: The
vertebrates. TN Wildlife Resources Agency and TN Conservation
Dept., Nashville. 134 pp.
10 OEPA. 1982. Biological and Water Quality Study for Big Darby
Creek, Franklin, Logan, Madison, Pickaway and Union Counties, Ohio.
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Technical Report (Draft Copy)
204 pp.
11 Mayden, R.L., and S.J. Walsh. 1984. Life history of the least
madtom, Noturus hillebrandi (Siluriformes:Ictaluridae) with
comparison to related species. Am. Midl. Nat. 112:349-368.
12 Mayden, R.L., and S.L. Dewey. 1980. Aspects of the life history
of the Ozark madtom, Noturus albater, in Southeastern Missouri
Pisces:Ictaluridae) Am. Midl. Nat. 104:335-340 pp.
13 Cavender, T.M. (In press). Food habits of Noturus stigmosus taken
from the type locality of the Scioto madtom in Big Darby Creek,
Fox, Ohio. OPNR Natural Areas and Preserves funded project.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Trautman, M.B. 1981. The fishes of Ohio. Ohio State Univ. Press,
Columbus, OH. 782 pp.
02 Taylor, W.R. 1969. A revision of the catfish genus Noturus
ratinesque with an analysis of higher groups in the Ictaluridae.
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species MADTOM, SCIOTO
Species Id ESIS253002
Date 14 MAR 96
U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull. 282:307 pp.
03 Cavender, T.M. 1982. Scioto madtom survey, 1981-1982. Rept. on
the status of the endangered species, Noturus trautmani. U.S. Fish
and Wildl. Serv., No. 30181-126T, FY81, Pp. 1-53.
04 Trautman, M.B. 1982. Pers. comm. Ohio State Univ. Mus. of Zool.
05 Trautman, M.B. 1943. Field record sheet. Ohio State Univ. Mus.
of Zool.
References - 2