Geographic variation and systematics of Kentucky and Tennessee populations of the Notropis rubellus complex (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

A report submitted by David J. Eisenhour to the Research and Creative Productions Committee on January 29, 1999 on samples of the Notropis rubellus complex taken from 22 localities in Kentucky and Tennessee during the spring and summer of 1998

Brain Morphology of Madtom Catfishes (Noturus) Reflects Their Ecology

https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/student_scholarship_posters/1026/thumbnail.jp

Reproductive Biology of the Frecklebelly Darter, Percina stictogaster (Teleostei: Percidae)

The reproductive biology of the Frecklebelly Darter, Percina stictogaster, was studied in the Red River, Menifee-Powell counties, Kentucky, from 2009-2012. Males and females mature at Age II. Spawning occurs from late February to early April in water temperatures of 7-16° C in areas with strong current (0.16-0.88 m/sec) and fine gravel substrates. A 52 mm SL female collected in early March had 100 mature ova. Aquarium observations confirm this species buries its eggs in a manner similar to other Percina darters. Fertilized eggs were about 2.5 mm in diameter, clear, demersal, and slightly adhesive. At 10° C eggs hatched in 18-25 days (100% survival) into larvae 7-8 mm TL. Larvae were initially benthic, but became pelagic 2- 3 days later. By about 11 mm TL, the yolk sac was absorbed, and the young returned to the bottom. In early June, young (about 2 months old) were 16-25 mm SL and had acquired diagnostic pigmentation. They occupied areas with Justicia sp. or coarse woody debris in low-velocity habitats, adjacent to riffles

Age and Growth of the Popeye Shiner (Notropis ariommus) in the Rockcastle River

The Popeye Shiner (Notropis ariommus), occupies clear, gravel runs and flowing pools of creeks and small rivers throughout the Ohio River basin, but has declined in many areas. This species is a small silvery minnow with an unusually large eye. Despite being a candidate for the endangered species list (Department of the Interior, 2011), little life-history data have been published, which are needed to make conservation management decisions.https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/celebration_posters_2023/1003/thumbnail.jp

Age and Growth of the Highland Shiner (Notropis micropteryx) in Rockcastle County, Kentucky

Notropis micropteryx, the Highland Shiner, is common in small to large streams of the Cumberland, Tennessee, and upper Green River drainages. It usually inhabits rocky riffles (Eisenhour and Eisenhour 2004)). While their population size was assessed as stable by the IUCN in 2012, little is known about the age and growth of this minnow species. Despite being a small fish, attention must be given to the health of its population as it serves an ecological niche and impact on the surrounding ecosystem.https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/celebration_posters_2023/1002/thumbnail.jp

Updated Distributional Records of Selected Kentucky Fishes

Distribution records for 15 fish species of conservation interest are included for Kentucky. Notropis dorsalis, previously undocumented in Kentucky, is reported for the first time (Mayfield Creek drainage). Also reported are state rediscoveries of three species thought to be extirpated from Kentucky: Ichthyomyzon gagei (Tennessee River drainage), Hemitremia flammea (Lower Cumberland and Green river drainages), and Hybopsis amnis (upper Cumberland River drainage). Unreported drainage records comprise nine species: Ichthyomyzon castaneus (Salt River drainage and Upper Green River drainage); Ichthyomyzon unicuspis (Salt River drainage and upper Big Sandy River drainage); Campostoma pullum (Tennessee River drainage); Umbra limi (Obion Creek drainage); Lepomis marginatus (Blood River system); Ammocrypta pellucida (Tygart’s Creek drainage); Nothonotus camurus (Kinniconick Creek drainage); Percina sciera (Salt River drainage); and Percina squamata (Laurel River system). Finally, we report range extensions of Notropis maculatus (Mayfield Creek drainage and Clarks River system) and Typhlichthys subterraneus (Cumberland River drainage). All but four species (I. unicuspis, C. pullum, N. camurus, and P. sciera) have a state conservation status designation because they are rare or have limited (e.g., peripheral) distributions in Kentucky

Declining Status of Two Species of the Macrhybopsis aestivalis Complex (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in the Arkansas River Basin and Related Effects of Reservoirs as Barriers to Dispersal

From 1991 to 1997, we made 323 seine collections at 187 sites to determine the distributional status of two species of the Macrhybopsis aestivalis complex, M. tetra- nema (Gilbert) and M. hyostoma (Gilbert), in the Arkansas River Basin. A total of 545 M. hyostoma and 112 M. tetranema were taken in 39 collecting visits to 30 sites. Our survey indicated that the endemic M. tetranema has been extirpated from about 90% of its historic range, whereas the more widespread M. hyostoma has been extirpated from about 55% of its former range in the basin. Approximate year of extirpation for six populations of M. hyostoma in major stream segments was significantly correlated with year-of-completion for reservoirs that would have prevented recolonization from existing populations. This is consistent with the hypothesis that extirpations resulted from disruption of previously existing source/sink relationships among populations. No such correlation was detected for extirpations of seven populations of M. tetranema. This result would be expected from the metapopulation model in which the now-extirpated populations of M. tetranema were self-sustaining except during unusually harsh conditions (e.g., droughts). This factor apparently explains recolonization of the Cimarron River by M. hyostoma subsequent to extirpation of both species of Macrhybopsis from this river. The recolonization was delayed by about 25 years, apparently because of reservoir habitat between the Cimarron River and the other major stream draining into the reservoir, the upper Arkansas River, where there was a persistent population of the species

Systematics of Macrhybopsis tetranema (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

Morphometry, meristic features, pigmentation, and tuberculation were examined from 632 specimens of the Macrhybopsis aestivalis complex from the Arkansas River basin. Patterns of morphological variation support the recognition of two species in the basin: M. hyostoma in the middle and lower portions of the basin in Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma; and M. tetranema in the middle and upper portions of the basin in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Macrhybopsis tetranema is redescribed and compared to M. hyostoma, from which it can be distinguished by longer barbels, smaller eyes, smaller scales, reduced belly squamation, thicker lips, more conical head, and biserial pectoral fin tuberculation. These species are sympatric and maintain their identities in the Cimarron, Salt Fork of Arkansas, and Arkansas Rivers. Morphological intermediacy of M. tetranema in some areas of sympatry may reflect convergent adaptation to local conditions or hybridization with M. hyostoma

Genetic Variation in Western Members of the Macrhybopsis aestivalis Complex (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), with Emphasis on Those of the Red and Arkansas River Basins

We used protein electrophoresis of the allozyme products of 21 gene loci to examine relationships among five western species of the Macrhybopsis aestivalis complex (sensu Eisenhour, 1997), with emphasis on three species recognized from morphology in the Red and Arkansas river basins. Monophyly was supported for both species endemic to those basins, M. australis in the Red and M. tetranema, in the Arkansas. However, support was weak because of high genetic similarity between these species and the more wide-ranging species, M. hyostoma. Within the Arkansas and Red river basins, only 2% and 5%, respectively, of total genic diversity was attributable to differences between the endemic species and M. hyostoma. Across all samples from the two basins, only 14% of total diversity was attributable to among species differences. Phenetic and allele-frequency parsimony analyses grouped M. hyostoma from the Red and Arkansas river basins with the associated endemic in the respective basin rather than with populations of M. hyostoma from elsewhere. The results are consistent with the indication from morphology that M. tetranema and M. australis are sister species, if it is assumed that the present patterns of allozyme variation are a result of subsequent contact and introgressive hybridization with M. hyostoma. Collections of M. aestivalis from the Rio Grande Basin and M. marconis from the San Marcos River Basin were markedly divergent from each other and from other members of the complex

Reproductive Biology of the Frecklebelly Darter, Percina stictogaster (Teleostei: Percidae)

The reproductive biology of the Frecklebelly Darter, Percina stictogaster, was studied in the Red River, Menifee-Powell counties, Kentucky, from 2009-2012. Males and females mature at Age II. Spawning occurs from late February to early April in water temperatures of 7-16° C in areas with strong current (0.16-0.88 m/sec) and fine gravel substrates. A 52 mm SL female collected in early March had 100 mature ova. Aquarium observations confirm this species buries its eggs in a manner similar to other Percina darters. Fertilized eggs were about 2.5 mm in diameter, clear, demersal, and slightly adhesive. At 10° C eggs hatched in 18-25 days (100% survival) into larvae 7-8 mm TL. Larvae were initially benthic, but became pelagic 2- 3 days later. By about 11 mm TL, the yolk sac was absorbed, and the young returned to the bottom. In early June, young (about 2 months old) were 16-25 mm SL and had acquired diagnostic pigmentation. They occupied areas with Justicia sp. or coarse woody debris in low-velocity habitats, adjacent to riffles