(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species DACE, BLACKSIDE
Species Id ESIS254015
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - DACE, BLACKSIDE
OTHER COMMON NAMES - DACE and BLACKSIDE
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Fish
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - OSTEICHTHYES,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - CYPRINIFORMES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - CYPRINIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - PHOXINUS,
SPECIES AND SSP - CUMBERLANDENSIS,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - PHOXINUS CUMBERLANDENSIS
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Blackside Dace
Phoxinus cumberlandensis Starnes & Starnes, 1978
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Fish
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Osteichthyes
ORDER: Cypriniformes FAMILY: Cyprinidae
The blackside dace (Phoxinus cumberlandensis) was described by
Starnes and Starnes in 1978 (01). This small fish (less than 3 inches
long) has a single black lateral stripe, a green/gold back, numerous
dorsolateral speckling, and a pale or sometimes brilliant scarlet
belly. The fins are often bright yellow with silver surrounding
the base of the pelvic and pectoral fins. The scales are
small and embedded and the lateral scale counts average 75. The
lateral line is incomplete and anal ray count is 8 (01,02).
The type specimens are at Michigan Museum of Zoology (01). Other
specimens are located at U.S. National Museum of Natural History,
Philadelphia Academy of Science, Eastern Kentucky University, Chicago
Field Museum, Cornell University, University of Tennessee and
Tennessee Technological University (01). Published photographs are
in references (01,02,03).
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species DACE, BLACKSIDE
Species Id ESIS254015
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Kentucky; State Listed
Kentucky; Unofficially Listed
Tennessee; State Listed
T: Federal Threatened
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Blackside dace (Phoxinus cumberlandensis) 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
States of Kentucky and Tennessee.
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.
NPS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for conservation (Nat. Park System Organic Act - 16
U.S.C. 1, 2-3)/management/recovery on National Park
Service lands. Taking, possessing, or disturbing of
Federally listed species is prohibited on NPS lands
(36 CFR 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3).
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
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species DACE, BLACKSIDE
Species Id ESIS254015
Date 13 MAR 96
listed species into the Forest Planning process
(36 CFR 219.19 and 219.20). Management practices that
would cause detrimental 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: Kentucky
DESIGNATED STATUS: Threatened
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: KY Dept. of Fish and Wildl. Resources
STATE STATUTE: KY Fish and Wildl. Codes, 150.183; 301 KAR 3:061
UNOFFICIAL LIST: Listed as Threatened by the Kentucky Natural
Areas Plan, App. A, KY Nature Preserves Comm.
(06)
STATE: Tennessee
DESIGNATED STATUS: Threatened
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: TN Wildlife Resources Agency
STATE STATUTE: Proclamations 75-15, 76-4 and amendments
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The species does not have any cultural or commercial value. It
appears sensitive to changes in water quality and therefore would be
an indicator of environmental quality.
82/12/30:47 FR 58454/58460 - Nature of review
84/09/04:49 FR 34878 - Petition review
85/07/18:50 FR 29238/29239 - Petition accepted
86/05/21:51 FR 18624/18627 - Proposed Listing
87/06/12:52 FR 22580/22585 - Final rule - Listed as Threatened
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
INLAND AQUATIC
SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTRY TYPES
SAF TYPE STAGE CLOSURE
Shortleaf Pine-Oak shrub--seedling
Shortleaf Pine-Oak young tree
Shortleaf Pine-Oak mature tree
Shortleaf Pine-Oak Old Growth
shrub--seedling
young tree
mature tree
Old Growth
LAND USE -
Residential
Cropland and Pasture
Mixed Forest Land
Streams and Canals
Strip Mines, Quarries, and Gravel Pits
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
4SB
Riverine, intermittent SB3
Riverine, intermittent SB2
Riverine, intermittent SB1
Riverine, intermittent RB2
Riverine, intermittent RB1
Riverine, upper perennial SB4
Riverine, upper perennial SB3
Riverine, upper perennial SB2
Riverine, upper perennial SB1
Riverine, upper perennial RB2
Riverine, upper perennial RB1
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The blackside dace inhabits small (7-15 feet wide) upland
streams (02,03,04,05) and springs (07) (rarely exceeding 70 deg. F)
with moderate flows. Although most of the watersheds are forested
(i.e., oak/pine and oak/hickory stands), the watersheds also contain
open coal mines, pastures, corn fields, and rural residences (07).
The fish is generally associated with undercut stream banks and large
rocks, and it is usually found within well vegetated watersheds with
good riparian vegetation (04). The fish is usually collected in pools
(over 3 feet deep) associated with undercut stream banks where rocks
and roots provide cover (03,04,05). Stable watersheds with good
riparian zones and dense forest cover help to maintain cool water
temperatures and minimize the runoff of silt from agriculture
(primarily corn and livestock), coal mining, road construction,
logging activities, and other land use practices. It has been found
that the fishes' presence is apparently closely correlated with
healthy riparian vegetation where canopy cover exceeds 70% and where
stream flows were sufficient to remove silt from areas just downstream
of the riffles (05). The fish has not been found in low gradient
Habitat Associations - 1 silty streams nor in high gradient mountain tributaries (05).
Features such as bridges/underpasses, culverts, and downed logs also
serve as cover and protection for the blackside dace (07).
Habitat Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species DACE, BLACKSIDE
Species Id ESIS254015
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
OMNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Detritus
General Bacteria
General Phytoplankton
General Diatoms
General Algae
General Arthropods
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species DACE, BLACKSIDE
Species Id ESIS254015
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 Aquatic Features: Springs [flowing]
G Terrestrial Features: Downed logs
G
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species DACE, BLACKSIDE
Species Id ESIS254015
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
Blackside dace have been observed grazing on rocks and on sandy
substrate (04). In the laboratory they grazed on the surface of
submerged objects and the aquaria glass (04). Sand was the largest
component by volume (36%) of their diet. Unidentified organisms
comprised 32%, algae and diatoms made up 12%, with invertebrates
represented by about 4.5% (04).
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
The blackside dace is not known to be territorial. They have
been observed to feed and mate in schools (04).
PERIODICITY:
Periodicity is unknown. The fishes' activity is probably
reduced in winter.
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
There is no indication that the blackside dace is migratory.
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
The fish is usually collected in pools (over 3 feet deep)
associated with undercut stream banks where rocks and roots provide
cover (03,04,05). Features such as bridges/underpasses, culverts, and
downed logs also serve as cover and protection for the blackside dace
(07).
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Spawning was observed on a mostly overcast day in mid-May around
1500 hours (04). Water temperature was 17.5 deg. C, and the site was
a stoneroller's (Campostoma anomalum) nest located in a gravel run
near an undercut bank. The nest was a shallow pit composed of gravel
of various segregated sizes with the finer gravel on the pit's
upstream lip. The blackside dace spawned upon the finer gravel. The
authors (04) speculated that since the stream was silty, the
stoneroller's nest provided the only clean gravel and that under less
silty conditions the dace would have more spawning habitat.
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
The reproductive characteristics are based on one obsevation in
May (04). In this observation, two to three males would appear to
attempt to shepherd females to the nest site, but they were never
observed successful. Instead, females would appear suddenly at the
nest site from an unknown location. Three males would surround her
on both sides and from above, and press her to the substrate. Other
males would swarm on top and vibrate violently.
PARENTAL CARE:
No data is available, but any parental care is unlikely.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
The male to female sex ratio was 21:29 in September; and 11:11 in
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species DACE, BLACKSIDE
Species Id ESIS254015
Date 13 MAR 96
April (04). Based on length/frequency and scale data,
growth rates are similar for males and females (age 0, 20-24 mm SL;
age I, 39-57 mm SL; and age II, 62-64 mm) (04). Population densities
are unknown. In electrofishing samples conducted in 1984
and 1985 at 30 stream reaches inhabited by the species, six stations
yielded more than 20 individuals, and 15 stations yielded less than 5
specimens (05). The species' limiting factors are not fully
understood, but riparian vegetation, vegetative canopy, pools with
undercut banks, and minimal siltation appear to be important factors
(04,05).
Because of the number of populations available to work with and
the populations that are present on public lands, the potential for
maintaining the species is good. Recovery of the species will
depend on enforcement of existing State and Federal regulations to
allow for expansion of populations in other areas and protection of
existing populations.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
The southern redbelly dace (Phoxinus erythrogaster) is not native
to the upper Cumberland River basin but is now present in many basin
streams (04). It has been suggested that this fish "may have
displaced the blackside dace to some degree in some of these streams
that are less upland in character" (04). The redbelly dace has become
established in areas where the water and habitat quality have been
altered (i.e., stream bank modification, channel modification, and
forest cover modification) to create warmer and more turbid
conditions. In these marginal dace habitats, the blackside dace is
outcompeted by the redbelly dace. However, Starnes, 1981 (04) stated
that the blackside dace seemed able to persist in the better quality
habitats.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None are known.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species DACE, BLACKSIDE
Species Id ESIS254015
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Developing/maintaining stream structures
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Mining
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Road Maintainance Actions
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Pesticide Use
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Herbicide Use
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Restricting Timber Harvest
Beneficial Maintaining Later Stages of Succession
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Underground Mines
Existing Underground Mines
Adverse Surface Mines
Existing Surface Mines
Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Adverse Siltation
Existing Siltation
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
Existing
Adverse Forest Alteration
Existing Forest Alteration
Adverse Harvesting
Existing Harvesting
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
A 1981 blackside dace study sampled 168 upper Cumberland River
streams and found the fish in 27 (04). That study (04) concluded,
based on physical habitat requirements, that the fish could have been
eliminated from at least 52 other waters before the species'
existence was known. A recent status survey (05) of 193 upper
Cumberland River basin sites reported the species present in 30
streams (a total of only 14 stream miles) and extirpated from 10
streams. The areas of Kentucky and Tennessee inhabited by the fish
are rich in coal reserves and forest resources, and it is believed
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species DACE, BLACKSIDE
Species Id ESIS254015
Date 13 MAR 96
that impacts associated with the development of these resorces caused
the loss of many blackside dace populations (04,05). Many streams
in the upper Cumberland River basin have been affected by acid mine
drainage (both from surface and underground mines causing surface
and groundwater pollution) and excessive siltation associated with
strip mining, highway construction, and poor land use (06). The most
frequently cited threat (05) was coal mining related problems,
followed in order of threat by logging, road construction,
agriculture development, human development, and naturally low stream
flows. Only one stream described in the 1985 status survey (05) was
not threatened by some factor.
The southern redbelly dace (Phoxinus erythrogaster) is not native
to the upper Cumberland River basin but is now present in many basin
streams (04). It has been suggested that this fish "may have
displaced the blackside dace to some degree in some of these streams
that are less upland in character" (04). The redbelly dace has become
established in areas where the water and habitat quality have been
altered (i.e., stream bank modification, channel modification, and
forest cover modification) to create warmer and more turbid
conditions (in these marginal dace habitats the blackside dace is
out-competed by the redbelly dace). However, Starnes, 1981 (04)
stated that the blackside dace seemed able to persist in the better
quality habitats.
The species' historic distribution was likely much more
continuous than present. Now the small populations are isolated from
each other by extremely degraded habitat, and the exchange of genetic
material among some of these populations is infrequent or nonexistent.
If isolation continues, some of the smaller populations may have
insufficient genetic variability to maintain long-term viability (07).
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1987. Blackside Dace Recovery Plan.
Tech. Draft. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA. 16 pp.
A recovery plan for the Balckside dace (Phoxinus cumberlandensis)
is in the technical draft stage, but the following actions have been
recommended for recovery.
Continue to utilize existing legal mechanisms to protect the
species and its habitat. Determine factors which threaten its
existence then prescribe and implement protective management
procedures (i.e., transplanting wild individuals; maintaining later
stages of succession; restricting timber harvesting; controlling
and restricting - agricultural practices, herbicide use, pesticide
use, pollutants, road maintenance actions and mining; and
controlling/restricting stream bank/channel modification) with State
and Federal agencies and the private sector. Determine best methods
for reintroducting the fish back into its historic range and
reintroduce where feasible. Assist the U.S. Forest Service in
developing a plan for land transfer and consolidation of their
holdings where feasible to benefit the species.
Presently, there is no ongoing research. However, the U.S.
Forest Service and the States of Kentucky and Tennessee are
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species DACE, BLACKSIDE
Species Id ESIS254015
Date 13 MAR 96
contemplating research into life history and threat analysis.
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species DACE, BLACKSIDE
Species Id ESIS254015
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Starnes, W.C. and L.B. Starnes. 1978. A new cyprinid of the
genus Phoxinus endemic to the upper Cumberland River drainage.
Copeia 1978:508-516.
02 Starnes, W.C. and D.A. Etnier. 1980. Fishes. Pp. 23-24. In:
Eager, D.C. and R.M. Hatcher (eds.), Tennessee's Rare Wildlife,
Vol. I: The Vertebrates. TN Wildl. Res. Agency and TN Cons. Dept.
337 pp.
03 Starnes, W.C. and L.B. Starnes. 1980. Status report on a new
and threatened species of Phoxinus from the upper Cumberland
drainage. Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings 2:2. 2 pp.
04 Starnes, W.C. 1981. Listing package for the blackside dace
(Phoxinus cumberlandensis). Rept. to: U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv.
Asheville, NC. 41 pp.
05 O'Bara, C.J. 1985. Status survey of the blackside dace (Phoxinus
cumberlandensis). Rept. to: Fish & Wildl. Serv., Asheville, NC.
30 pp.
06 Harker, D.F., M.E. Medley, W.C. Houtcooper, and A. Phillippi.
1980. Kentucky Natural Areas Plan, Appendix A. KY Nature
Preserves Comm., Frankfort.
07 Biggins, R.G. 1986. Pers. observ. 1984, 1985 Field Survey.
Asheville, NC.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 O'Bara, C.J. 1985. Status survey of the blackside dace (Phoxinus
cumberlandensis). Rept. to: U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Fish &
Wildl. Serv., Asheville, NC. 30 pp.
02 Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission. 1987. [Files]. Frankfort,
KY.
03 Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. 1987.
[Files]. Frankfort, KY.
04 Tennessee Department of Conservation, Ecological Services Division.
1987. [Files]. Nashville, TN.
05 Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Ellington Agricultural Center.
1987. [Files]. Nashville, TN.
06 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1987. Unpubl. data. Asheville,
NC.
07 Starnes, W.C. 1981. Listing package for the blackside dace
(Phoxinus cumberlandensis). Rept. to: U.S. Fish & Wildl. Serv.,
Asheville, NC. 41 pp.
References - 1