(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
                                Species DARTER, AMBER
                                Species Id ESIS254010
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



TAXONOMY

NAME - DARTER, AMBER OTHER COMMON NAMES - DARTER and AMBER ELEMENT CODE - CATEGORY - Fish PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA, CLASS AND SUBCLASS - OSTEICHTHYES, ORDER AND SUBORDER - PERCIFORMES, FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - PERCIDAE, GENUS AND SUBGENUS - PERCINA, SPECIES AND SSP - ANTESELLA, SCIENTIFIC NAME - PERCINA ANTESELLA AUTHORITY - TAXONOMY REFERENCES - COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY - Amber Darter Percina antesella Williams and Etnier, 1977 KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Fish PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Osteichthyes ORDER: Perciformes FAMILY: Percidae Percina antesella Williams and Etnier, 1977, is a member of the subgenus Imostoma, and has been grouped phyletically by Williams and Etnier (01) with P. ouachitae, P. tanasi and P. uranidea as those members of Imostoma with four or five dark dorsal saddles (P. antesella has four). Within this group, Williams and Etnier (01) consider the amber darter to be a relict form not closely related to any of the other three. The amber darter is a slender, small (usually less than 60 mm SL), golden-brown darter with a dark subocular bar and speckled median fins. See Williams and Etnier's (01) original description, Page (02), Kuehne and Barbour (03) and Etnier and Starnes (04) for proportional measurements and meristics. Starnes and Etnier (05) provide a brief description and a black and white photograph of P. antesella. In addition, keys and other diagnostic characteristics are provided by Etnier and Starnes (04), Page (02), Kuehne and Barbour Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy Species DARTER, AMBER Species Id ESIS254010 Date 13 MAR 96 (03). Williams and Etnier (01), Page (02), Kuehne and Barbour (03), and Etnier and Starnes (04) provide photographs (all except the original description are color plates). The holotype is located at Tulane University (TU # 94031). Paratopotypes are located at Tulane University (TU # 58938, 58968, 65937, 69143, 78368), the University of Tennessee (UT # 91.471, 91.799, 91.800, 91.1100), University of Alabama Ichthyological Collection (UAIC # 4729.01), and the U.S. National Museum (USNM # 210666, 210667, 210668). Other paratypes are located at the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology (UMMZ # 156697, 194317), Tulane University (TU # 59427), University of Alabama Ichthyological Collection (UAIC # 4730.01) and the U.S. National Museum (USNM # 210669). Taxonomy - 2
                                  (DRAFT) - Status
                                Species DARTER, AMBER
                                Species Id ESIS254010
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



STATUS

Coded Status Georgia; Federal Endangered Georgia; State Recognized Georgia; Unofficially Listed Tennessee; Federal Endangered Tennessee; State Listed E: Federal Endangered COMMENTS ON STATUS - U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS: The amber darter (Percina antesella) has been designated an 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 States of Georgia and Tennessee. Critical Habitat has been designated for this species in the Conasauga River in Bradley and Polk Counties, GA, from the U.S. Route 411 bridge (Polk County) downstream to Tibbs Bridge Road bridge (Murray County Road 109 and Whitfield County Road 100, GA) [50 CFR 17.95(e)]. 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. USFS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this species with applicable State and Federal laws on public lands under their control. Also responsible for management/recovery on Forest Service lands. The Forest Service is responsible for integrating management, protection, and conservation of Federally listed species into the Forest Planning process (36 CFR 219.19 and 219.20). Management practices that would cause detrimental Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status Species DARTER, AMBER Species Id ESIS254010 Date 13 MAR 96 changes in water temperature or composition, water course blockage, or sediment deposits within 100 feet of the edges of perennial streams, lakes or other bodies of water are prohibited (36 CFR 219.27(e)). 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: Georgia DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Endangered ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Game and Fish Division. STATE STATUTE: Game and Fish Laws of Georgia, Title 27, Chapter 3, page 130. Game and Fish Code Sec. 27-1-28. Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia 391-4-2-.05 and 391-4-3-.02. UNOFFICAL LIST: Endangered Species of Georgia Proceedings. STATE: Tennessee DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. STATE STATUTE: Tennessee Proclamations 75-15, 76-4 and amendments. Tennessee Code Annotated 70-6-101, 70-6-104, 70-6-201. INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS: The amber darter is listed in the IUCN Red Data Book, Vol. 4, 1977. ECONOMIC STATUSES: This species has no cultural or commercial value. However, the amber darter has aesthetic and scientific value. 82/12/30:47 FR 58454/58460 - Notice of review 83/11/04:48 FR 50909/50910 - Notice of review 84/07/13:49 FR 28572/28580 - Proposed Endangered with Critical Habitat 85/08/05:50 FR 31597/31604 - Listing as Endangered with Crit. Habitat Status - 2
     

HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - AQUATIC INLAND AQUATIC SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTRY TYPES SAF TYPE STAGE CLOSURE Loblolly Pine-Shortleaf Pine shrub--seedling Loblolly Pine-Shortleaf Pine young tree Loblolly Pine-Shortleaf Pine mature tree Loblolly Pine-Shortleaf Pine Old Growth shrub--seedling young tree mature tree Old Growth LAND USE - Transportation, communications, and Util Cropland and Pasture Confined Feeding Operations Deciduous Forest Land Evergreen Forest Land Mixed Forest Land Streams and Canals NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC Riverine, upper perennial UB2 Riverine, upper perennial UB1 Riverine, upper perennial SB2 Riverine, upper perennial SB1 Riverine, upper perennial RB2 Riverine, upper perennial OW0 Riverine, upper perennial AB2 COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS - Within its range, the amber darter is found in silt-free, moderately flowing deeper riffle areas or flowing pools where substrates are sand or gravel, and cobbles or boulders (01,04,05,06, 07). Freeman (06) indicates that the amber darter's preference for more gentle current in lower gradient pools and riffles may be a limiting factor which restricts the species from inhabiting the more montane upper Conasauga and Etowah rivers. Snorkeling observations (06) also indicate a movement in mid- summer from the habitat described above to shallow vegetated (riverweed, Podostemum) riffles. As observed by snorkeling (06) and other collection methods the amber darter has never been found in slack currents or substrates where silt or detritus is present (01,05, 07). Surrounding land types that if disturbed or altered may adversely impact the species consist of: 1) Agricultural lands including corn, soybeans, pasture, livestock feed lots and chicken (broiler) operations. 2) The upper portion of the amber darter's known range is included in the Cherokee National Forest in southeastern Tennessee. In north Georgia the Conasauga River flows through a part of the Chatahoochee National Forest. The vegetation bordering the rivers in these areas consists of oak-hickory and loblolly-shortleaf pine, Habitat Associations - 1 sometimes intermixed, at various stages of succession. 3) Several roads run parallel to and bridges and a few transmission lines cross over the riverine habitat. Habitat Associations - 2
                                (DRAFT) - Food Habits
                                Species DARTER, AMBER
                                Species Id ESIS254010
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL - CARNIVORE LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART General Fish General Arthropods General Molluscs Food Habits - 1
                         (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
                                Species DARTER, AMBER
                                Species Id ESIS254010
                                   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 G Environment Associations - 1
                               (DRAFT) - Life History
                                Species DARTER, AMBER
                                Species Id ESIS254010
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



LIFE HISTORY

FOOD HABITS: Apparently, few specimens have been examined for gut content analysis, but it appears that the amber darter, like other species of Imostoma, feeds on gastropods (river snails and limpets) (04,05,06). In addition, P. antesella also consumes aquatic insect larvae (04). Common insect prey items include caddisflies and mayflies (Trichoptera and Ephemeroptera), with midges, beetles and stoneflies (Diptera, Coleoptera and Plecoptera) also being consumed (06). Freeman (06) also found fish eggs among the gut contents of one amber darter. HOME RANGE/TERRITORY: Very little is known about the movement patterns or any possible territorial behavior of the amber darter. Starnes and Etnier (05) report a seasonal change in habitat from the deep, moderately flowing pools normally inhabitated to swiftly flowing gravel shoals in mid- summer. Etnier and Starnes (04) indicate that this habitat change may be associated with spawning and Freeman (06) observed amber darter's using riverweed (Podostemum) in these shallow riffle areas for cover and foraging. PERIODICITY: Except for snorkel observations of daytime foraging behavior in mid-summer (06), the daily activity patterns of the amber darter are unknown. The species may be active for most of the year. A late winter--early spring spawning period is indicated by the presence of gravid females and males with milt (04,06). Freeman (06) noticed mid- summer activity in shallow vegetated riffle areas. MIGRATION PATTERNS: Although the amber darter may be described as non-migratory, there is a seasonal change in habitat from deeper riffle areas, or flowing pools to shallow vegetated riffles in mid-summer (06,07). Assuming this seasonal change in habitat is defined as migration, related species of Imostoma have also been described as migratory. Percina shumardi, the river darter, migrates upstream in spring and downstream in fall (09). Snail darters, P. tanasi, apparently are migratory during different parts of their life cycle. Starnes (10) noted the absence of larvae or young snail darters in the spawning areas following reproduction and concluded that larval drift resulted in concentrations of young in deeper, calmer waters. The current may carry the larvae for several kilometers before they fall out of the water column (10,11). By three to four months of age, these young apparently migrate back upstream to the gravel shoals normally inhabited by adults. Starnes (10) also indicated that snail darter adults may migrate from the margins of these gravel shoals to the shallow, swifter portions during the spawning season. COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS: Percina antesella has been found in moderately flowing, deeper (from 25 to 100 cm) riffles (01,06). The substrate is described as primarily cobbles, gravel and silt-free sand (01). Freeman (06) found Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History Species DARTER, AMBER Species Id ESIS254010 Date 13 MAR 96 amber darter's closely associated with riverweed (Podostemum) in mid- summer. Apparently the amber darter cannot tolerate slack waters or areas with silty or muddy substrates, as it has never been collected in these habitats (06,07). REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS: Although nothing is known about actual reproductive behavior, spawning of the amber darter apparently occurs in swift gravel shoal areas (04). The related river darter, Percina shumardi, is believed to spawn over a substrate of bedrock and gravel (12). Another Imostoma, the snail darter, Percina tanasi, spawns in swift shallow gravel shoals where the substrate consists mainly of silt-free sand mixed with small gravel (10,11). Apparently, the combination of appropriate substrate and current are the major factors in the choice of spawning sites for this species (11). REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS: Nothing is known about breeding behavior or any other reproductive characteristics of the amber darter. Although they apparently don't establish territories, the related snail darter, Percina tanasi, males establish schools in the shallow gravel shoal areas in which they have most often been observed to spawn and await the later arrival of the females (10,11). The breeding season for P. tanasi is an extended late winter--early spring period (February - April) (10). Starnes (10) indicated that the early spawning period exibited by P. tanasi may be characteristic of other Imostoma species. Although Starnes (10) believes temperature is of little importance in triggering reproduction, Hickman and Fitz's (11) report of snail darter spawning activity is concurrent with a sharp increase in water temperature, indicates that it may be important. In addition, Hickman and Fitz (11) reported an early spawning season for the river darter, P. shumardi, in the southern portion of its range, but a later reproductive season in the north indicating that water temperature is probably the factor which initiates spawning behavior in this species. Although actual egg deposition has not been observed, it is believed that P. tanasi is a multiple and promiscuous spawner and a few eggs are probably released in each encounter (10,11). There is no pair bond formation and the average fecundity for P. tanasi was found to be 600 mature ova in one season (10). PARENTAL CARE: No data is available to describe development, parental care, or other social patterns of reproductive behavior of the amber darter. The related snail darter, Percina tanasi, apparently practices no parental care. It appears that eggs are laid a few at a time over an extended spawning period and the larvae swim up and drift for considerable distances before they settle to the bottom (10,11). Therefore, there is no formation of a family bond. Development time of P. tanasi is lengthy in comparison with some other darter species. Starnes indicates that the snail darter eggs probably don't assume a benthic lifestyle until a month or more after Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History Species DARTER, AMBER Species Id ESIS254010 Date 13 MAR 96 hatching (10). POPULATION BIOLOGY: At present, no data is available on population characteristics. However, a major factor ensuring the continued survival of the species is the protection of the amber darter's preferred habitat. Percina antesella has never been observed in slack waters or areas with muddy or silty substrates (06). Therefore, any land use alterations in the upper Conasauga River drainage or decrease in flow could be detrimental to the species (08). SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS: No other information can be added at this time concerning species interrelationships with the amber darter. OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS: No other information can be added at this time concerning other life history descriptors for the amber darter. Life History - 3
                           (DRAFT) - Management Practices
                                Species DARTER, AMBER
                                Species Id ESIS254010
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE Beneficial Developing/maintaining stream structures Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Road Maintainance Actions Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical] Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Pesticide Use Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Herbicide Use Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice Beneficial Creating Artificial Habitat/Nesting Structure Beneficial Restricting Timber Harvest Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals Beneficial Transplanting wild animals Adverse Predation Existing Predation Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas Adverse Siltation Existing Siltation Adverse Water Temperature Alteration Existing Water Temperature Alteration Adverse Water Level Stabilization Existing Water Level Stabilization Adverse Water Level Fluctuation Existing Water Level Fluctuation Adverse Reservoirs Existing Reservoirs Adverse Migration barriers Existing Migration barriers Adverse Dredging Existing Dredging Adverse Developing/maintaining stream bank vegetation Existing Developing/maintaining stream bank vegetation Adverse Environmental Contamination/Pollution Existing Environmental Contamination/Pollution Adverse Competition Existing Competition Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species Adverse Erosion Existing Erosion COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - The amber darter was listed as Endangered because of restricted range, vulnerability of isolated populations to a single catrastrophic accident, and threats posed by the proposed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir projects (the Dalton Lake project and the Jacks River project). Currently, neither project is being considered in their original form. A reservoir on the Conasauga River could effect Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices Species DARTER, AMBER Species Id ESIS254010 Date 13 MAR 96 the species upstream of the reservoir. An influx of reservoir fish would reduce the amber darters chance of survival through competition, predation and habitat alteration (i.e., substrate disturbance resulting from carp feeding behavior). In addition, reservoir construction could adversely impact the fish through modification of stream flows, water temperature alteration, and increased silt loads (07). The amber darter has a very limited distribution, known only from a relatively small area in the headwaters of the Coosa River system in southeastern Tennessee and northern Georgia (01,04,06,07, 08). The amber darter prefers silt-free, moderately flowing water (01,04,05,06,07) and has never been found in slack currents or in areas where silt and detritus are present (01,05,07). Freeman (06) indicated that the elimination of the amber darter from parts of its historical range (Shoal Creek and the Etowah River) may have been due to increased siltation in these areas. Potential threats to the species and the habitat could be any major land use activity or change which increases siltation or adversely alters the water flow regime. This may include; increased silivicultural activity, some forest cleraring and cutting practices with associated equipment, road or bridge construction, some road or transmission line maintenance practices, impoundments, channelization, stream channel modifications. Any development activities within the immediate watershed, such as herbicide or pesticide use and discharge of pollution in the river system itself is also a potential threat. In fact, Freeman (06) documented a channel alteration (an island was bulldozed by a landowner) which eliminated the amber darter from a previously occupied locality upstream of Murray County Road 173 bridge, Murray County, GA. For these reasons and the restricted range presently known for P. antesella, the species was listed in 1985 (08) as an Endangered species. The impoundment of the Etwoah River at Alatoona Reservoir has apparently greatly reduced the population size of the amber darter in the Etowah River, as only one recent specimen has been collected (06). This was probably a result of modification of stream flows, water temperature alteration and increased silt loads, especially during construction. Impoundments also restrict the movement of fish to other suitable habitats for recolonization. APPROVED PLAN: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Conasauga Logperch and Amber Darter Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Atlanta, Georgia. 34 pp. Management actions recommended for recovery of the amber darter include: 1) The utilization of existing regulations to protect the species and its Critical Habitat. 2) Conducting life history research to include reproduction, food habits, age and growth, mortality factors, etc., for propagation. Although not specifically mentioned in the Recovery plan this may includes transplanting wild individuals from the viable wild Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices Species DARTER, AMBER Species Id ESIS254010 Date 13 MAR 96 population center to other areas, within the historic range of the species, of suitable habitat. The option of captive breeding/ propagation for reintroduction assumes technology advances to the point where Percina can be reared successfully, and any positive in- stream channel modification such as creating suitable habitat or nesting sites (i.e., the possibility of wing dams, gravel bars, etc.). 3) Determination of present and foreseeable threats to the species such as any alteration of the river systems or surrounding habitat. Although not specifically mentioned in the Recovery Plan, threats and recovery activities may include any development activities (agriculture, timber harvesting and road construction) with associated maintenance actions (herbicide and pesticide use, or associated environmental pollutants), erosion and pollution must be assesed and appropriate measures taken to eliminate any adverse effects. 4) Assessment of the viability of known populations and to monitor them. Except for the enforcement of existing regulations, no recovery work is presently being conducted for this species as of 1985. Management Practices - 3
                                   (DRAFT) - References
                                  Species DARTER, AMBER
                                  Species Id ESIS254010
                                      Date 13 MAR 96



     

References

***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE ***** 01 Williams, J.D. and D.A. Etiner. 1977. Percina (Imostoma) antesella, a new percid fish from the Coosa River system in Tennessee and Georgia. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 90(1):6-18. 02 Page, L.M. 1983. Handbook of darters. TFH Publ., Inc., Ltd. Neptune City, NJ. 271 pp. 03 Kuehne, R.A. and R.W. Barbour. 1983. The American darters. The Univ. Press of Kentucky, Lexington. 177 pp. 04 Etnier, D.A. and W.C. Stannes. Manus. Fishes of Tennessee. 05 Starnes, W.C. and D.A. Etnier. 1980. Fishes. Pp. B1-B134, In: Tennessee's rare wildlife, Vol. 1: The vertebrates. D.C. Eagar and R.M. Hatcher eds. Tennessee Heritage Program. 06 Freeman, B.J. 1983. Final report on the status of Etheostoma trisella, the trispot darter and Percina antesella, the amber darter, in the upper Coosa River system in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee. Unpubl. Final Rept. to the USFWS. Contract no. 14-16- 004-048. 21 pp. 07 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Conasauga Logperch and Amber Darter Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Atlanta, Georgia. 34 pp. 08 U.S. Government. 1985. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants: determination of Endangered status and of Critical Habitat for the amber darter and the Conasauga logperch. Fed. Reg. 50 (150):31597-31603. 09 Tratman, M.B. 1957. The fishes of Ohio. Ohio State Univ. Press. Columbus, OH. 683 pp. 10 Starnes, W.C. 1977. The ecology and life history of the endangered snail darter, Percina (Imostoma) tanasi, Etnier. Tennessee Wildlf. Res. Agency Tech. Rept. No. 77-52. 144 pp. 11 Hickman, G.D. and R.B. Fitz. 1978. A report on the ecology and conservation of the snail darter (Percina tanasi Etnier) 1978-1977. TVA Div. of For., Fisheries and Wildlf. Develop. Tech. Note B28. 130 pp. ***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY ***** 01 Williams, J.D. and D.A. Etiner. 1977. Percina (Imostoma) antesella, a new percid fish from the Coosa River system in Tennessee and Georgia. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 90(1):6-18. 02 Freeman, B.J. 1983. Final report on the status of Etheostoma trisella, the trispot darter and Percina antesella, the amber darter, in the upper Coosa River system in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee. Unpubl. Final Rept. to the USFWS. Contract no. 14-16- 004-048. 21 pp. 03 U.S. Government. 1985. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants: determination of Endangered status and of Critical Habitat for the amber darter and the Conasauga logperch. Fed. Reg. 50 (150):31597-31603. 04 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Conasauga Logperch and References - 1 (DRAFT) - References Species DARTER, AMBER Species Id ESIS254010 Date 13 MAR 96 Amber Darter Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Atlanta, Georgia. 34 pp. 05 Etnier, D.A. and W.C. Stannes. Manus. Fishes of Tennessee. 06 Etnier, D.A., B.H. Bauer and A.G. Haines. 1981. Fishes of the Gulf Coastal drainage of north Georgia (part I), and fishes of Chickamauga, Chattanooga and Lookout Creeks, north Georgia and Tennessee (part II). Unpubl. Rept. to the USFWS. 202 pp. References - 2