Fishes of the Choctawhatchee River System in Southeastern Alabama and Northcentral Florida

The diversity and distribution of fish species occurring in the Choctawhatchee River drainage in southeastern Alabama and northcentral Florida were surveyed to obtain historical baseline information. Three hundred seventy-four sites were evaluated for species diversity and distribution in the drainage, including compilation of unpublished records from southeastern natural history museums. The greatest diversity at any single site was 37 species. Sixty-eight sites were represented by 15 species or more, and 26 sites were represented by a single species. The most frequently encountered species includes Gambusia holbrooki, Percina nigrofasciata, Esox americanus, Notropis texanus, Lepomis macrochirus, Cyprinella n. sp. cf venusta, Notropis amplamala, and Aphredoderus sayanus. New records for Hybopsis n. sp. cf winchelli and Etheostoma parvipinne were found in the drainage, and range extensions were found for 14 other species. Our study increases the known number of fish species in the Choctawhatchee River drainage to 132 species and two hybrids, including 83 native freshwater, 10 introduced freshwater, 24 estuarine, and 17 marine species

Blueface_Bandfin_specimen_info

Detailed information for Blueface and Bandfin darter samples used in this study. Museum tissue catalog or specimen voucher catalog numbers are followed by individual identifiers and collection locality information. Specimens and/or tissues were cataloged in the Arkansas State University Museum of Zoology (ASUMZ) or the University of Alabama Ichthyological Collection (UAIC)

Microsatellite data GENEPOP format

The microsatellite DNA data file is in GENEPOP format. The file includes genotype scores for eight microsatellite loci for Blueface (cfzon) and Bandfin (zon) darters. Locus names are listed under the title line at the top of the file. POP refers to populations described in the manuscript. The populations are ordered as follows: (Blueface Darter) 1. Little Bear Creek, 2. Turkey Creek, 3. Bear Creek, 4. Hubbard Cr. above falls, 5. Hubbard Cr. below falls; (Bandfin Darter) 6. Bear Creek, 7. Big Sandy River, 8. Birdsong Creek, and 9. Hatchie River. Each row below POP identifiers represents an individual followed by their genotype for the eight loci. Individual identifiers and specimen information can be found in the associated excel file named "Blueface_Bandfin_specimen_info.xlsx". Allele scores for each locus are concatenated into six digits, with the first three numbers representing the size of allele "one" and the second three numbers representing the size of allele "two". Missing data are coded as "000"

Data from: The influence of life-history strategy on genetic differentiation and lineage divergence in darters (Percidae: Etheostomatinae)

Recent studies determined that darters with specialized breeding strategies can exhibit deep lineage divergence over fine geographic scales without apparent physical barriers to gene flow. However, the extent to which intrinsic characteristics interact with extrinsic factors to influence population divergence and lineage diversification in darters is not well understood. This study employed comparative phylogeographic and population genetic methods to investigate the influence of life-history on gene flow, dispersal ability, and lineage divergence in two sympatric sister darters with differing breeding strategies. Our results revealed highly disparate phylogeographic histories, patterns of genetic structure, and dispersal abilities between the two species suggesting that life-history may contribute to lineage diversification in darters, especially by limiting dispersal among large river courses. Both species also showed striking differences in demographic history, indicating that extrinsic factors differentially affected each species during the Pleistocene. Collectively, our results indicate that intrinsic and extrinsic factors have influenced levels of gene flow among populations within both species examined. However, we suggest that life-history strategy may play a more important role in lineage diversification in darters than previously appreciated, a finding that has potentially important implications for understanding diversification of the rich North American freshwater fish fauna

Etheostoma maydeni Powers and Kuhajda 2012, n. sp.

Etheostoma maydeni Powers and Kuhajda n. sp. Redlips Darter Holotype. USNM 403641, adult male, 79.7 mm, New River at U.S. Hwy 27 near New River, Scott County, Tennessee, (36.3827° N, 84.5529° W), 7 March 2006, S.L. Powers, B. R. Kuhajda. Paratopotypes. UAIC 15059.02 (5, 55.9–68.7 mm) taken with holotype. UAIC 15058.02, (1, 55.0 mm), 4 March 2005, S.L. Powers, B. R. Kuhajda. INHS 33321 (2, 30.9–32.3 mm) 18 August 1994, L.M. Page, S.M. Phelps. Paratypes. UT 91.4886 (3, 66.9–72.1 mm), Smoky Creek 3 km SW Smoky Junction, Scott County, Tennessee (36.2679° N, 84.3911° W), 10 July 1996, J. T. Baxter. SIUC 24738 (2, 54.6-77.3 mm), Big South Fork Cumberland River at mouth of Parched Corn Creek, Scott County, Tennessee, (36.5562° N, 84.6697° W), 7 September 1995, B.M. Burr. SIUC 61655 (71.3 mm), Big South Fork Cumberland River at Blue Heron, McCreary County, Kentucky, (36.6703° N, 84.5492° W), 24 August 2005, M. R. Thomas. SIUC 61628 (2, 46.3– 66.7 mm), Big South Fork Cumberland River at Blue Heron, McCreary County, Kentucky, (36.6703° N, 84.5492° W), 20 November 2005, M. R. Thomas. Diagnosis. The Etheostoma cinereum complex is diagnosed from all other darters by having the combination of an elongated, pointy snout, rust to faint red spots in 4 horizontal rows dorsolaterally on the side of the body, dark brown to black oval to rectangular lateral blotches expanding to faint diagonal bands on the side of the body, red pigment on interradial membranes of the soft dorsal fin, and a distal red band of pigment in the spinous dorsal fin. For further diagnoses of this complex (a.k.a. subgenus Allohistium), see Bailey & Gosline (1955) and Page (1981). Etheostoma maydeni is diagnosed from E. cinereum by a conspicuous red pigment on the external surface of the lips (Fig. 5). Etheostoma maydeni also has modally 11 dorsal spines, 12 dorsal rays, and 23 caudal peduncle scales, whereas E. cinereum has modally 12 dorsal spines, 13 dorsal rays, and 25 caudal peduncle scales. Shepard & Burr (1984) also reported modally 41 vertebrae in populations described herein as E. maydeni and with populations of E. cinereum having modally 42 or 43 vertebrae. Description. Coloration and body shape of E. maydeni are depicted in Fig. 5A. The largest specimen examined for this study was 99.1 mm SL. Snout elongated; gill membranes separate; nape, breast and prepectoral area unscaled; belly and opercle scaled; cheek scaled but scales are often deeply imbedded and inconspicuous. Lateral-line scales 52(2), 53(4), 54(3), 55(2), 56(4), 57(5), 58(6), 59(4), 60(4), 61(3), 62(2), 63(1); dorsal spines 11(29), 12(11); dorsal rays 12(30), 13(10); anal rays 7(3), 8(27), 9(10); transverse scales 18(3), 19(4), 20(13), 21(9), 22(6), 23(5); caudal-peduncle scales 21(1), 22(7), 23(15), 24(7), 25(8), 26(2). Coloration. External surface of lips in live nuptial males mostly brilliant red. Head largely cream to light brown in color with black to dark brown preorbital and postorbital bar, dark dorsal dark brown pigment arranged in vermiculated pattern, ventral half of head generally lacking dark pattern, but often with faint blue cast over gill membranes that can become dark blue to black in peak males. A series of 10–13 dark brown to black oval to rectangular lateral blotches expanding to faint diagonal bands on the side of the body. Tan to light brown ventral to the lateral blotches. Rust to faint red spots in 4 horizontal rows dorsolaterally on the side of the body surrounded by tan to light brown with 7–10 faint dorsal saddles. Pelvic and anal fins ranging from clear in non-nuptial males to bright blue to dark blue or black in nuptial males. Caudal fin largely clear with bright blue cast near dorsal and ventral origins and red spots on interradial membranes. Interradial membranes of soft-dorsal fin with bright red pigment forming a contiguous band sometimes degrading to a series of bright red spots distally. Spinous dorsal fin with a bright red distal margin and interradial bands or vermiculation transitioning from black or brown proximally to red distally. Ecology. The ecology of E. maydeni was described by Shepard & Burr (1984) along with the rest of the E. cinereum complex. Cumberland River system populations (i.e., E. maydeni) were noted as having slower growth than other populations, males outnumbering females rather than the opposite for other populations, and a greater reliance on burrowing mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Ephemera) and oligochaetes in their diet with a lower proportion of Chironomidae compared to other populations. Specimens for this study were collected largely in water approximately 0.5–1 m deep over large rocks and course woody debris with slow current adjacent to faster current. Distribution. Etheostoma maydeni is restricted to large tributaries of the Cumberland River below Cumberland Falls. The mainstem and large tributaries of the Big South Fork and Rockcastle rivers are home to the largest populations. The Buck Creek population was considered extirpated by Shepard & Burr (1984), but several specimens have been collected in recent years, suggesting the species has made a comeback in the stream. The Red and Stones river populations of the E. cinereum complex were considered extirpated by Shepard and Burr (1984) and despite sampling in these drainages for this and other projects by the authors and many other researchers, we have no evidence to contradict this assertion. The status of populations in the Obey and Roaring rivers was considered unknown by Shepard & Burr (1984) due to absence of the species from collections in these drainages since the early 1970s. Sampling in these rivers for this and other studies by the authors and other researchers has not yielded specimens, suggesting these populations are extirpated. However, given the recent rediscovery of E. cinereum in the Elk River after a 30-year absence, it is possible that these populations may persist in low numbers in what appears to be suitable habitat for the species. Etymology. The name maydeni is in honor of Dr. Richard L. Mayden, a prominent ichthyologist, mentor and friend of the authors. His studies of North American fishes include ecology, biogeography, conservation, and systematics. The common name “Redlips Darter” refers to the conspicuous red pigment on the surface of the flesh surrounding the premaxilla and mandible often referred to as lips. Comparisons. Pigmentation differences between E. maydeni and E. cinereum appear to be restricted to bright red pigment on the lips for the former. Etheostoma maydeni has modally fewer dorsal spines, dorsal rays, and caudal-peduncle scales than E. cinereum (Table 1). Comments. Photos of E. maydeni have been published as E. cinereum (Kuehne & Barbour 1983; Shepard & Burr 1984).Published as part of Powers, Steven L., Kuhajda, Bernard R. & Ahlbrand, Sarah E., 2012, Systematics of the Etheostoma cinereum (Teleostei: Percidae) species complex (subgenus Allohistium), pp. 43-55 in Zootaxa 3277 (1) on pages 52-53, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3277.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/524940

Complete mitochondrial genome for the Mobile River Basin endemic Coal Darter, Percina brevicauda (Perciformes, Percidae)

The Coal Darter (Percina brevicauda) is endemic to just three watersheds within the upper Mobile River basin in Alabama. Coal Darters are imperiled and are recognized as a species of conservation priority by the Alabama Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. We have sequenced the first complete mitochondrial genome of the Coal Darter. This genomic data is currently being used to facilitate environmental DNA (eDNA) studies using Loop-mediated isothermal Amplification (LAMP) primers so that species presence and absence data can be collected within the range of the Coal Darter

Etheostoma boschungi GENEPOP format

The microsatellite DNA data file is in GENEPOP format. The file includes genotype scores for seven darter specific microsatellite loci. Locus names are listed under the title line at the top of the file. POP refers to populations described in the manuscript. The six populations are ordered as follows (CB, DD, CH/SH, NF/SF, SW, and FL). Each row below POP identifiers represents an individual followed by their genotype for the seven loci. Allele scores for each locus are concatenated into six digits, with the first three numbers representing the size of allele "one" and the second three numbers representing the size of allele "two". Missing data are coded as "000"

New Upstream Records for Fishes Following Dam Removal in the Cahaba River, Alabama

Population fragmentation by dams of all sizes is a major threat to biodiversity in running waters. Dam removal has become an increasingly popular tool among conservation practitioners because of its potential benefits to aquatic organisms and ecosystems. During fish monitoring following removal of a small run-of-river dam on the Cahaba River, we documented new upstream records between 8 months and 2 years post-removal for five species: Stargazer Shiner, Notropis uranoscopus; River Redhorse, Moxostoma carinatum; Southern Sand Darter, Ammocrypta meridiana; Freckled Darter, Percina lenticula; River Darter, P. shumardi. These new records suggest that the former dam may have served as a barrier to dispersal of resident species, and that dam removal may have benefited these species by opening additional habitat to colonization