(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species DARTER, BOULDER
Species Id ESIS254017
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - DARTER, BOULDER
OTHER COMMON NAMES - DARTER, BOULDER;DARTER and ELK RIVER
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 - SP.,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - ETHEOSTOMA SP.
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Boulder Darter
Etheostoma sp.
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Fish
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Osteichthyes
ORDER: Perciformes FAMILY: Percidae
The boulder darter (Etheostoma sp.), sometimes referred to as
the Elk River darter, is an undescribed species in the subgenus
Nothonutus (a manuscript describing it is in preparation) (01). It
attains a maximum length of about 3 inches (01). The body of males
is olive to gray, and they lack the red spots that are characteristic
of closely related species. The female's color is similar but
lighter. Both sexes have a gray to black bar located below the eye
and a similar colored spot behind the eye.
Type specimens are located at Illinois Natural History Survey,
Tulane University, University of Alabama, Florida State Museum,
U.S. National Museum, University of Michigan, and the University
of Tennessee. Photographs will be available in the species'
description being prepared (01).
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species DARTER, BOULDER
Species Id ESIS254017
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Alabama; Federal Endangered
Tennessee; Federal Endangered
Tennessee; State Recognized
E: Federal Endangered
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The boulder darter (Etheostoma sp.) 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 Alabama 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
(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: Alabama
DESIGNATED STATUS: None
STATE: Tennessee
DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized endandered
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species DARTER, BOULDER
Species Id ESIS254017
Date 13 MAR 96
ADMINISTRATING AGENCY: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
STATE STATUTES: Proclamations 75-15, 76-4 and amendments.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
This species has no cultural or commercial value. The
species may have aesthetic or scientific value.
85/09/18:50 FR 37959/ - Notice of Review
87/11/17:52 FR 43921/ - Proposed Rule
88/09/01: FR - Final Rule; listed as Endangered
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
INLAND AQUATIC
LAND USE -
Streams and Canals
Cropland and Pasture
Deciduous Forest Land
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Riverine, upper perennial RB2
Riverine, upper perennial RB1
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The boulder darter inhabits a warn water riverine environment
and has been found only in moderate- to fast-moving water over
boulder/slab rock habitat in water over 2 feet deep. The fish has
not been taken in pool habitat or in gravel runs lacking in boulder
habitat. The species' preferred habitat is limited (01,02).
Most of the habitat associated with the lower watershed where
the fish exists is rural with only scattered housing. However, a
tributary to the Elk River, Richland Creek, flows through a small
city. Pasture and grazing are the prime use of cleared farm lands,
but some row crops, primarily corn, are grown. Forest parallel most
river sections and some second and third growth forests exist.
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species DARTER, BOULDER
Species Id ESIS254017
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Arthropods
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species DARTER, BOULDER
Species Id ESIS254017
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 Inland wetlands: swamp
G Aquatic Features: Pool areas
G Coastal Features: Rocky offshore islands
G Coastal Features: Sandy offshore islands
G Coastal Features: Vegetated offshore islands
G Terrestrial Features: Cliffs/ledges
G Terrestrial Features: Rock outcrops
G
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species DARTER, BOULDER
Species Id ESIS254017
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species DARTER, BOULDER
Species Id ESIS254017
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS:
The food habits of this species are unknown. However, other
members of the subgenus Nothonotus feed primarily on immature
insects (01).
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Based on behavior of related species, the adults probably are
territorial and stay close to a home range associated with
their boulder habitat (03,04).
PERIODICITY:
The species is likely a sight feeder and therefore probably
diurnally active (04).
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
There are some indications that the juveniles may move into
tributaries and also move downstream (02,04).
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
Adults appear to require large boulder/slabrock habitat in
runs and riffles with moderate to fast water flow in water
generally over 2 feet deep (01,02). Juveniles can likely exist
in areas with smaller substrate size (02,04).
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Spawning likely occurs in large boulder/slabrock habitat in
areas with moderate to fast currents (01,02,04). The eggs of other
members of the subgenus attach their eggs to the underside of rocks
(03).
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
Based on behavior of related species, the boulder darter
likely spawns from late May to early August (03,04).
PARENTAL CARE:
Based on data from related species, the males of this
species likely guard the eggs until hatching (03,04).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
The species is limited by the lack of boulder habitat in the
Elk River (01,02). Recovery potential is low because much of
its former habitat is impounded, but reclassification to threatened
may be possible if a population can be established in Shoal Creek,
Lawrence County, Tennessee.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
The boulder darter is likely preyed upon by the banded
sculpin and the smallmouth bass (04).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
No additional data available.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species DARTER, BOULDER
Species Id ESIS254017
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow
Beneficial Regulating Water Temperature
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Pesticide Use
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Herbicide Use
Beneficial Creating Artificial Habitat/Nesting Structure
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds
Adverse Water Temperature Alteration
Existing Water Temperature Alteration
Adverse Reservoirs
Existing Reservoirs
Adverse Applying herbicides
Existing Applying herbicides
Adverse Applying pesticides
Existing Applying pesticides
Adverse Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Existing Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Adverse
Existing
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Historically, the boulder darter likely inhabited the southern
bend area of the Tennessee River and the lower portion of its
tributary from the Paint Rock River to at least Shoal Creek (02).
The species was extirpated from most of this area by the impoundment
behind Wheeler and Wilson Dams. The species' range in the Elk River
was also reduced by Tims Ford Reservoir, which releases cold water
into the Elk River. Because of the species' present restricted range
(about 23 river miles) in the Elk River system, any factor that could
impact water and substrate quality could adversely affect the
species (01).
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
Utilize existing regulations to protect the species and its
habitat. Develop propagation and transplantation techniques.
Describe life history and evaluate threats.
Except for enforcement of existing regulations, no recovery
work is presently underway.
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species DARTER, BOULDER
Species Id ESIS254017
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 O'Bara, C.J. and D.A. Etnier. 1987. Status survey of the boulder
darter. Final report submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Asheville Field Office, 100 Otis Street, Room 224, Asheville, NC.
May 1987. 13 pp.
02 Etnier, D.A. 1987. Personal communication, University of Tennessee,
Knoxville, TN.
03 Stiles, R.A. 1972. The comparative ecology of three species of
Nothonotus (Percidae-Etheostoma) in Tennessee's Little River.
Ph.D. Diss., Univ. Tennessee. Knoxville, Tn. 97 pp.
04 Saylor, C.F. 1988. Personal communication. Tennessee Valley
Authority, Norris, TN.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 O'Bara, C.J., and D.A. Etnier. 1987. Status survey of the boulder
darter. Final report submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Asheville Field Office, 100 Otis Street, Room 224, Asheville, NC.
May 1987. 13 pp.
02 Etnier, David. 1987. University of Tennessee, personal
communication with Richard G. Biggins, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Asheville, NC.
References - 1