(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species DARTER, BAYOU
Species Id ESIS254001
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - DARTER, BAYOU
OTHER COMMON NAMES - DARTER and BAYOU
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Fish
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - OSTEICHTHYES,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - PERCIFORMES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - PERCIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - ETHEOSTOMA,
SPECIES AND SSP - RUBRUM,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - ETHEOSTOMA RUBRUM
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Bayou Darter
Etheostoma rubrum Raney and Suttkus, 1966
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Fish
PHYLUM: Cordata CLASS: Osteichthyes
ORDER: Perciformes FAMILY: Percidae
Etheostoma rubrum Raney and Suttkus, 1966, is a diminutive
species of the subgenus Nothonotus. The species exhibits
characteristics typical of the family Percidae and the Etheostoma spp.
The deep caudle peduncle, well developed frenum, complete lateral line
and closely set pelvic fins are typical of the subgenus. Unlike other
members of the subgenus, the anterior belly is naked in E. rubrum.
The sexes exhibit marked sexual dimorphism with the male being the
larger, usually not exceeding 40-45 mm. Both sexes have a prominent
double basicaudal spot and a black subocular bar. They differ in
coloration of body and fins. The male fins are colored in somewhat
diffuse bands while the female fin colors are subdued and consist of 4
or 5 wavy lines of spots and dots. A complete technical description
is provided by Raney and Suttkus (1966) (01). An excellent color
photograph of both sexes taken by Dr. Glenn Clemmer is contained in
Deacon, et al.(1979) (02). A color photograph of a male is also
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species DARTER, BAYOU
Species Id ESIS254001
Date 13 MAR 96
contained in Kuehne and Barbor (10). Color photographs of male and
female E. rubrum are included in Page (11).
Type-material consists of seven series totaling 209 specimens.
The holotype is located in the Cornell University collection (no.
48232). Paratotypes collected at the same time (106 specimens) are
located in several collections: Tulane University (47 specimens),
Cornell University (53 specimens) and the U.S. National Museum (6
specimens). Paratotypes collected at other times are also contained
in the above collections and in the Florida State University
collection. Other specimens are in many university collections
throughout the Southeast. The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science
(Jackson) has the collection proximal to the type location.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species DARTER, BAYOU
Species Id ESIS254001
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Mississippi; State Listed
T: Federal Threatened
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The bayou darter (Etheostoma rubrum) has been designated a
Threatened 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 Mississippi. The bayou darter is endemic to the Bayou
Pierre and its larger tributaries in Mississippi. Critical Habitat
has not been designated for this species.
Special rules concerning "take" of this species can be found in
50 CFR 17.44(b).
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
(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.
The Soil Conservation Service may play a key role in habitat
management through educating land owners in proper soil and water
conservation techniques.
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:
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species DARTER, BAYOU
Species Id ESIS254001
Date 13 MAR 96
STATE: Mississippi
DESIGNATES STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Department of Wildlife Conservation
STATE STATUTES: Public Notice No.2156, Mississippi Code of 1972,
Section 47, No.5, pp 105-119.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
The bayou darter is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red Data
Book, Vol. 4, 1977.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
No known economic value; however, it serves as an indicator
species to the quality of man's environment and maintains unique
genetic information. This is only one species in a very diverse
stream system which includes 90 different species of fish.
75/05/21:40 FR 17590/17591 - Proposed Rule
75/09/25:40 FR 44149/44151 - Final Rule, listed as Threatened
85/09/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
INLAND AQUATIC
LAND USE -
Cropland and Pasture
Streams and Canals
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Riverine, upper perennial SB1
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Teels et al. (05) outlined the habitat requirements for the
bayou darter in the planning phase of PL 566 Bayou Pierre Watershed
Project for the USDA Soil Conservation Service. Results of this study
showed the darter prefers stable gravel riffles or sandstone exposure
with large sized gravel or rock, and shallow water less than 15 cm
deep with moderate to swift flow located in meander sections of
streams. Occasionally, however, this species is collected in deeper
areas between riffles. In that study, environmental factors within
and outside the darters range were studied. They found that within
the bayou darter habitat stream velocity (1.75 ft/s), specific
conductance (65.6 micromhos/cm), dissolved oxygen (7.7 mg/l),
temperature (24.5 degrees C) and plankton (208.6 organisms/l) were
significantly higher than outside the habitat. In addition, rainfall
averages 54 inches in Copiah County and exceeded 85 inches in 1979.
The complete life history data is not available. Spawning events
have been referenced by Teels (05) and Heins (06); however, factors
that remain to be determined include: (1) exactly where and when
spawning takes place and (2) where the eggs are actually placed.
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species DARTER, BAYOU
Species Id ESIS254001
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Arthropods
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species DARTER, BAYOU
Species Id ESIS254001
Date 13 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 Aquatic Features: Pool areas
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species DARTER, BAYOU
Species Id ESIS254001
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
Teels (pers. comm.) began a preliminary study of food habits of
the bayou darter; however, the study was deferred after he was
transferred out of the state. His specimens and data were deposited
in the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. No further attempts
have been made to study the diet or the types and amounts of forage
available in Bayou Pierre. A temporal correlation between mayfly
larvae emergence and emergence of young bayou darters was made by
Teels (1976) (03). Stomach analysis of the specimens collected by
Teels should be completed and further data gathered. No other data
relating to food habits of the bayou darter are known to exist.
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Unknown.
PERIODICITY:
Unknown.
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
Non-migratory. Makes periodic visits to other riffles nearby,
however, extent is unknown.
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
The bayou darter prefers stable gravel, most often at the head of
a riffle. Adults are usually found in the swifter part of the riffle
with 10 cm or more depth. The young seek quieter areas of the same
riffle. The gravel environment apparently provides all needed cover
and shelter as typically there is no aquatic vegetation or overhanging
bank vegetation in these areas (05).
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
The bayou darter apparently lives out its life in the stable
gravel riffle of the Bayou Pierre system (05). During mid-summer
adults gather in riffle heads where Teels (08) assumes reproduction
takes place. Spawning events that remain to be determined include:
(1) exactly where and when spawning takes place and (2) where the eggs
are actually placed.
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
Raney and Suttkus (1966) (01) mention only that the bayou darter
probably spawns when two years old and three years may be its maximum
lifespan. The most complete account of sqawning events is from Teel
(05). The events began during mid-summer when adults aggregated at
the heads of larger riffles and may continue into autumn. Gravid
females were collected during October (08). Teels collected juveniles
for the first time in late July in 1974 and late August in 1975.
Emergence of young darters was correlated with emergence of mayfly
larvae (species not specified) which inhabited the riffle habitat.
Later in autumn, the darters redistributed themselves throughout the
riffle with juveniles seeking reduced flow areas within the riffle.
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species DARTER, BAYOU
Species Id ESIS254001
Date 13 MAR 96
PARENTAL CARE:
Unknown.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Teels (08) states that after reproduction has taken place there
is a separation by age class with adults remaining in the larger
riffles and juveniles in smaller riffles or slower flowing portions of
larger rivers. Yearlings may reach a standard length of only 21-22 mm
(11).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
The Bayou Pierre watershed was sampled four times in July 1974.
A total of 63 species of fish were collected as indicated in the
following list (09). Kuehne and Barbor (10) collected this species
along with Etheostoma zonale, E. histro, Percina sciera and P.
ouachitae. Burris (04) indicates that Micropterus p. punctulatus,
Lepomis gulosus, L. megalotis, and L. macrochirus may prey on E.
rubrum.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species DARTER, BAYOU
Species Id ESIS254001
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Developing/maintaining stream structures
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Mining
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Reforestation
Beneficial Restricting Timber Harvest
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Adverse Surface Mines
Existing Surface Mines
Adverse Transmission Lines/Towers
Existing Transmission Lines/Towers
Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Adverse Dredging
Existing Dredging
Adverse
Existing
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Etheostoma rubrum is endemic to the Bayou Pierre system in
southwestern Mississippi. The darter is limited to approximately 60
km of the main channel and lower segments of its major tributaries.
The darter prefers the more stable gravel riffles with larger gravel
or rock.
Specific factors which affect the stream and the stable gravel
riffles are several: Gravel mining, clearing of riparian vegetation
with subsequent cultivation to the river bank, road and bridge
construction and transmission line construction and maintenance.
Proposals by the Soil Conservation Service under PL 566 (Bayou Pierre
Watershed Project) could jeopardize the darter in the future. All
these factors, combined with specific habitat requirements and
endemism in only 60 km of stream make up the reason for the status of
the species.
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983. Recovery Plan for the Bayou
Darter, Etheostoma rubrum. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta,
GA. 38 pp.
TASK 1. Survey occupied habitat and assess population trends.
2. Study aspects of bayou darter reproduction.
3. Determine water quality requirements for the darter.
4. Determine food habits of the bayou darter.
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species DARTER, BAYOU
Species Id ESIS254001
Date 13 MAR 96
5. Establish a monitoring program for the number and condition
of the riffles the population trends, and water quality.
6. Prepare for an emergency translocation effort.
7. Identify and halt factors causing degradation of the bayou
darter habitat.
8. Maintain liaison with the Soil Conservation Service.
Current recovery efforts are limited to implementation of Section
7 of the Endangered Species Act in order to protect the species
habitat.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species DARTER, BAYOU
Species Id ESIS254001
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Raney, E.C. and R.D. Suttkus. 1966. Etheostoma rubrum, a new
percid fish of the subgenus Nothonotus from Bayou Pierre,
Mississippi. Tulane Stud. Zool. 13(3):95-102.
02 Deacon, J.E., G. Kobetich, J.D. Williams, and S. Contreras.
1979. Fishes of North America endangered, threatened, or of
special concern: 1979. Fisheries 4(2):29-44.
03 Teels, B.M. 1976. The ecology of endangered fishes in Bayou
Pierre. Proc. Mississippi Water Res. Conf. 1:73-78.
04 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983. Recovery Plan for the Bayou
Darter, Etheostoma rubrum. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Atlanta, GA.
05 Teels, B.M., E.C. McGriff, and J.P. Burt. 1977. Habitat
requirements of the endangered bayou and crystal darters in Bayou
Pierre. Unpublished paper, 1977 Annual Meeting AFS, Vancouver
B.C., 10 pp.
06 Heins, D.S. 1982. Biological assessment program for Texas
Eastern Transmission Corporation. Report, Bayou Pierre Looping
Construction. Eastern Gas Pipline Company, Houston, TX. 26 pp.
07 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983. Bayou darter Recovery Plan.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA. 38 pp.
08 Teel, B.M. Unpublished data. The ecology of Endangered fish in
Bayou Pierre. On file with the Office of Endangered Species,
USFWS, Arlington, VA.
09 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Unpublished data. On file with
the Office of Endangered Species, Arlington, VA.
10 Kuehne, R.A. and R.W. Barbor. 1983. The American Darters. Univ.
Kentucky Press. Lexington, KY. 177 pp.
11 Page, L.M. 1983. Handbook of Darters. T.F.H. Publishers, Neptune
City, NJ. 271 pp.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Raney, E.C. and R.D. Suttkus. 1966. Etheostoma rubrum, a new
percid fish of the subgenus Nothonotus from Bayou Pierre,
Mississippi. Tulane Study Zool. 13(3):95-102.
References - 1