NORTH CAROLINA

STATE MUSELIM OF

Natural

Sciences

FOUNDED 1879

ENDANGERED, THREATENED, AND RARE FAUNA OF NORTH CAROLINA

Part IV. A Reevaluation of the Freshwater Fishes

* Occasional Papers of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and the North Carolina Biological Survey Number 1 1

Edited by EDWARD E. MENHINICK and ALVIN L. BRASWELL

NORTH CAROLINA STATE MUSEUM OE NATURAL SCIENCES

FOUNDED 1879 MISSION

The purpose of the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences is to enhance the public's understanding and appreciation of the natural environment in ways that emphasize the biodiversity of North Carolina and the southeastern United States and relate the region to the natural world as a whole.

NORTH CAROLINA BIOLOGICAL SURVEY

FOUNDED 1976

Member of The Consortium of State Biological Sun'eys

MISSION

The mission of the North Carolina Biological Survey is to acquire, organize, preserv e, and interpret the natural history collections and data associated with the state's biological resources housed at the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences.

Occasional Papers of the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences and the North Carolina Biological Survey

Number 1 1

$15.00, postpaid

© 1997 North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences

ISBN 0-917134-17-7

Endangered, Threatend, and Rare Fauna of North Carolina

Part IV. A Reevaluation of the Freshwater Fishes

Edited by

EDWARD E MENHINICK and ALVIN L. BRASWELL

in cooperation with other members of the North Carolina Freshwater Fishes Committee

John Alderman Brooks M. Burr Peter S. Coleman David A. Etnier Byron J. Freeman Robert E. Jenkins Richard J. Neves Gerald B. Pottern Fred C. Rohde Steve \\. Ross J. R. Shute

Timothy D. Simonson Melvin L. Warren, Jr.

Illustrated by JoEllen Trecartin Copeland and Edward E. Menhinick

Occasional Papers of the

North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences and the North Carolina Biological Survey

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from I MLS LG-70- 15-01 38- 15

https://archive.org/details/endangeredthreat00unse_3

Endangered, Threatened, and Rare Fauna of North Carolina

Part IV. A Reevaluation of the Freshwater Fishes

Table of Contents

How to use this document	1	State Threatened
Acknowledgments	0	Aplodinotiis griinniens. Freshwater Drum	23
Introduction Federally Endangered	3	Edward F. Menhinick Cottas carolinae. Banded Sculpin David A. Etnier	25
Acipenser hrevirostriini. Shortnose Sturgeon Steve W. Ross	5	Cyprinella (=Hyhopsis) numacha. Spotfin Chub John Alderman	9
Notropis mekistocholas, Cape Fear Sliiner Gerald B. Pottern	7	Elassonia boehlkei, Carolina Pygmy Sunfish Fred C. Rohde	27
Federally Threatened	9	Etheostoma acuticeps, Sharphead Darter Richard J. Neves	29
Cyprincllu ( =Hyhopsis) monachu. Spotfin Chub
John Alderman		Etheostoma perlonguni. Waccamaw Darter	31
Menidia extensa. Waccamaw Silverside	11	J. Randy Shute
J. Randy Shute State Endangered		Hybopsis rubrifrons, Rosyface Chub Edward F Menhinick Lampetra appendix, American Brook Lamprey	33 34
Acipenser hrevirostrnni, Shortnose Sturgeon Steve W. Ross	5	Fred C. Rohde Luxihts (=Notropis) chiysocephalus, Striped Shiner	36
Exoglossiiin niaxillingua, Cutlips Minnow Edward F. Menhinick	12	Edward F Menhinick Menidia extensa, Waccamaw Silverside	1 1
Notropis mekistocholas. Cape Fear Shiner Gerald B. Pottern	7	J. Randy Shute Percina caprodes, Logperch	38
Notiirus flavus, Stonecat Brooks M. Burr	13	David A. Etnier
Noturns gilherti, Orangefin Madtom	15	State Special Concern
Timothy D. Simonson		Acipenser fidvescens. Lake Sturgeon	40
Percina hurtoni. Blotchside Fogperch	17	Edward F. Menhinick
Da\ id A. Etnier		Acipenser oxyrhynchus, Atlantic Sturgeon	42
Percina sciera. Dusky Darter	18	Steve W. Ross
David A. Etnier		Carpi odes carpio. River Carpsucker	44
Polyodon spathula, Paddlefish	20	Edw'ard F. Menhinick
•Brooks M. Burr		Carpiodes velifer, Highfin Carpsucker	46
Thoburnia f =Moxostoina) hamdtoni. Rustyside	so	Edward F. Menhinick
Sucker Edward F. Menhinick		Clinoslonnis fiinduloides ssp.. "Little Tennessee Rosyside Dace" Brooks M. Burr	48

CypnneUa I =Hyh(>psis) zanciua form. Thinlip Chub 50 Edw ard F. Mcnhinick

83

Etheostoma collis, Carolina Darter 5 1

Alvin L. Braswell

Etheostoma inscriptum. Turquoise Darter 52

Peter S. Coleman

Etheostoma jessiae, Blueside Darter 53

David A. Etnier

Etheostoma mariae, Pinewoods Darter 54

Fred C. Rohde

Etheostoma podostemoue, Riverweed Darter 56

Edward F. Menhinick

Etheostoma simoterum, Snubnose Darter 57

Alvin L. Braswell

Etheostoma vidneratiim. Wounded Darter 59

David A. Etnier

Eimdiihis waccamensis, Waccamaw Killifish 61

J. Randy Shute

Hetenmdria formosa. Least Killifish 63

Edward F. Menhinick

Hiodon tergisus. Mooneye 64

Edward F. Menhinick

Lampetra aepyptera. Least Brook Lamprey 66

Fred C. Rohde

Lucania goodei, Bluefin Killifish 68

Edward F. Menhinick

Notropis bifrenatus. Bridle Shiner 70

Peter S. Coleman

Notropis lutiphmis, Yellowfin Shiner 72

Edward F. Menhinick

Notunis eleuthenis. Mountain Madtom 73

Brooks M. Burr

Notunis furiosns, Carolina Madtom 75

Brooks M. Burr

Notunis sp.. Broadtail Madtom 77

Edward F. Menhinick

Fercina macrocephala, Longhead Darter 78

David A. Etnier

Fercina oxyrhynchus, Sharpnose Darter 79

Melvin L. Warren, Jr.

Fercina squamata, Olive Darter 81

Edward F. Menhinick

Fhenacohius teretulus, Kanawha Minnow 82

Edward F. Menhinick

Scartomyzon (=Moxostoma) ariommus,

Bigeye Jumprock Edward F. Menhinick

Semotilus lumbee. Sandhills Chub 84

Fred C. Rohde

Other Species of Interest

Game Fish	85
Ambloplites cavifrons, Roanoke Bass Melvin L. Warren. Jr.	85
Lepomis megalotis, Longear Sunfish Edward F. Menhinick	86
Nongame Fish	87
Addenda
Moxostoma robustum, “Robust Redhorse” Robert E. Jenkins and Byron J. Freeman	88
Moxostoma sp., “Sicklefin Redhorse” Robert E. Jenkins and Byron J. Freeman	89
Appendix A: Maps
Counties and Physiographic Provinces of North Carolina	90
Major Drainage Systems of North Carolina	91
Appendix B: Tables
Comparison of State Conservation Status between 1977 and 1991	92
Changes since 1991 Report to N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission	94
Distribution of Protected Species by Drainage Systems	95
Appendix C:
Protected Species and the North Carolina Counties They Inhabit	99
Appendix D:
North Carolina Counties and the Protected Species They Contain	101
Index to Common and Scientific Names	103

How To Use This Document

This document is published by the North Carolina Sttite Museum of Natural .Sciences as a service to academic, private, and governmental agencies engaged in c(mser\'ation-hascd activities. Although the information contained within will be of value to ichthyologists and natural historians involved in diverse pursuits, we anticipate that it will also ser\'e the systematic/taxo¬ nomic layperson and public works project manager.

• To find a fish by either vernacular or scientific name, con¬ sult the index. All fish are listed alphabetically by genus and species (common practice); by species name first, fol¬ lowed by the genus (genera) in which that name occurs (useful if you are not sure of the genus name or its correct spelling); and by common name.

• Because common names may var\' from person to person and among geographic regions, we have standardized the common names used in this document to those recommend¬ ed by the American Fisheries Society (Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States and Canada. Special Publication 20 [1991]). Common names are indexed in two ways;

a. by general classification; the Roanoke Bass will be found under "Bass. Roanoke," along with any other fish whose common name contains the word "Bass";

b. by modifier; the Roanoke Bass will also be found under "Roanoke Bass."

• If you know the fish's federal or state legal classification, the Table of Contents will pro\ ide the quickest gateway to the information available on this species.

To further facilitate accurate and timely retrieval of infor¬ mation. we provide;

• a North Carolina map showing counties and physiographic pro\ inces (.see Appendix A);

• a North Carolina map showing major drainage systems (see Appendix A);

• a listing of protected species arranged by drainage systems (see Appendix B. Table 3);

• a listing of protected species and the North Carolina coun¬ ties they inhabit (see Appendix C);

• and a listing of North Carolina counties and the protected species they contain (see Appendix D).

We hope that the cross-references serve to provide fingertip access to any interested party, regardless of his/her level of familiarity with fishes.

.Stephen D. Busack. Ph.D,

Director of Research and Collections N.C. State Museum of Natural Sciences

Acknowledgements

The editors express their appreciation to Mary Kay Clark, curator of mammals, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, for her persistence and patience throughout the prepa¬ ration of this document. Stephen D. Busack, newly selected director of research and collections. North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, accepted this project as his own and, on very little notice, accepted responsibility for shepherd¬ ing the manuscript from final edit to eventual issue; his concern for a quality publication, reflected in his attention to detail, is greatly appreciated.

Leslie T. Henry, copyeditor, read and typed, then reread and retyped the entire document with suped attention to detail. Without her persistence and tenacity, this manuscript would still be “in press." The editors, the contributors, and the director of research thank Leslie for her professionalism and unfailing support.

Em)an{;krei), Threatened, and Rare Fai na oe North Carolina

Part IV. A Ree valuation of the Freshwater Fishes

The conservation community has long recognized the need to monitor wild populations of plants and animals so that appro¬ priate laws and management practices can be instituted to help prevent the loss of natural diversity. An integral step in this process is informing academic, governmental, and private .sec¬ tors of the problems confronting a given species or population and the reasons for tho.se problems, suggesting possible solu¬ tions to the problems, and identifying areas where additional study may he needed. In 1975 the N.C. State Museum of Natural Sciences sponsored a symposium on the endangered and threatened plants and animals of North Carolina (Cooper et al. 1977); a decade later the mu.seum initiated a reevaluation of the faunal portion of the 1975 proceedings. Reports from the 1985 symposium concerning mammals (Clark 1987). marine and estuarine fishes (Ross et al. 1988), and birds (Lee and Parnell 1990) have previously been published, and this report is the fourth in the series reporting findings from that symposium. Because it has been quite some time since the second sympo¬ sium was held, each species account author has been provided an opportunity to update his account; the data contained in this document are considered current as of January. 1997. Information concerning the objectives of the 1985 symposium and a discussion of the legal aspects of rare and endangered species protection at the state and federal levels is provided by Clark ( 1987).

Status Definitions

Confusion between legal status and biological status has prompted modification of the conservation status categories used in Cooper et al. ( 1977). Following is a summary of the cat¬ egories that currently afford legal protection to animal species under U.,S. federal or N.C. state wildlife statutes.

Federally Endangered refers to species listed as Endangered by the LkS. Fish and Wildlife Service under provi¬ sions of the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 197.7 as amended; it includes any species whose continued existence is in jeopardy throughout its range.

Federally Threatened refers to species listed as Threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under provisions of the U.Sr Endangered Species .Act of 1973 as amended; it includes any species that is likely to become a LIS. Endangered species within the foreseeable future.

Slate Endangered refers to species listed as Endangered by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission under provisions of the .state's nongame endangered wildlife law of 1987; it includes any native species whose continued existence as a viable component ot the state's fauna is determined to be in jeopardy. Species

residing within the state that are assigned U.S. Endangered species status automatically assume State Endangered species status.

State Threatened refers to species listed as Threatened by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission under provisions of the state's nongame endangered wildlife law of 1987; it includes any native species that is likely to become a State Endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a signifi¬ cant portion of its range within the state. Species residing within the state that are assigned U.S. Threatened species status auto¬ matically assume State Threatened species status.

State Special Concern, a category that has no U.S. federal counterpart, refers to native species having a level of threat to their existence that is legally recognized as being significant under provisions of the state's nongame endangered wildlife law of 1987. This category applies to species that are likely to become threatened, and to species known or thought to be extirpated from the state.

Because some fish species are currently recognized by field biologists as potential candidates for legal status, or are regulated as sport or game animals, we include sur\ ival status information for these species in a section we have labeled "Other Species of Interest." This category has no U.S. federal or state legal standing, but our concern for the continued sur\ ival of these fish species in North Carolina dictates our including these data in this publication.

Discussion and Summary of Recommendations

As part of the 1985 reevaluation process, members of the original Freshwater Fishes Committee reviewed fish species thought to have significant population problems, including all species listed in Cooper et al. ( 1977;265-298). This committee's recommendations were adopted in their entirety by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and incorporated into the North Carolina .Administrative Code effective I No\ember 1991.

Table 1 presents a comparison of state conservation status for North Carolina freshwater fishes in 1977 and 1991 (see Appendix B). .Status assignments in 1977 did not utilize State Endangered and State Threatened legal categories because the state's nongame endangered w ildlife law had not yet been enacted. Species considered endangered, threatened, or rare within the state were assigned Special Concern status, a nonle- gal. biological status. Table 2 summarizes changes in information since the 1991 report was submitted to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, including revised nomenclature, addi¬ tional species accounts, one replaced species account, and rec¬ ommended changes in status (see .Appendix Bi. Indi\ idual accounts detail the rationale for the le\ els of protection assigned

3

to the species and include recommendations for managing, monitoring, regulating, and periodically reevaluating listed species. Table 3 provides a listing of all protected species and their distributions within the major drainage systems of North Carolina (see Appendix B).

Native populations of the Roanoke Bass have problems associated with hybridization, whereas the Longear Sunfish rep¬ resents a species with a very limited range in North Carolina. Detailed accounts of these species are included for information¬ al purposes in the section labeled "Other Species of Interest." The committee also recognized a group of species that has been shown to be more abundant or widespread than previously believed and/or are no longer subject to any definable threat; should further research or changes in land use indicate signifi¬ cant decline in any of these species, they will need to be reeval¬ uated for conservation status. Species having marginal status should also be periodically monitored. Brief accounts of species falling into these categories are also included in this section to bring their attention to the biological community.

The Freshwater Fishes Committee encourages continued research on rare, endangered, and threatened freshwater fishes, with particular emphasis to be placed on those species requiring habitats that are in danger of impoundment or other permanent modification. Species given protection under the nongame law should be reexamined periodically, preferably every three years, so that new information can be incorporated into their status evaluations. Biologists are encouraged to include in their research initiatives those species identified as an "other species of interest" so that appropriate information becomes available for making informed decisions about the need for legal protec¬ tion. The official conservation status of any species may change over time; if in doubt regarding current legal status, contact the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

Plans for the introduction of sport fish should require the review of potential impact on native populations of nongame species, as well as an assessment of the effect on the genetic integrity of that particular game species. Native populations of Roanoke Bass should receive some protection to prevent pollu¬ tion of the remaining original genetic stock. Introductions of alien species should be closely regulated to prevent harm to vul¬ nerable native populations through competition or predation. Miller et al. ( 1989) state that the effects of alien species are the second most-common cause contributing to the extinction of North American freshwater fishes.

Williams et al. ( 1989) point out that there is a continuing decay of aquatic habitats in North America as reflected by a decline in fish populations and the lack of successful recovery efforts because of problems with destruction, modification, or curtailment of range or habitat. None of the North American fish species they listed with Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern status have significant problems as a result of overuse for recreational, scientific, or educational purposes. They give two recommendations for future conser\ ation efforts: devote

conserc ation efforts to entire ecosystems rather than to individ¬ ual species, and establish long-term monitoring programs to gather accurate baseline status information on fish populations and aquatic habitats.

Protection of natural diversity in our aquatic ecosystems should be given a high priority. North Carolina’s freshwater fishes are potentially one of our most important allies in the task of environmental monitoring of major aquatic ecosystems. The continued welfare of the state’s rivers, streams, and lakes is essential to the health of its citizenn,' and its economy. When used properly, aquatic indicator organisms can provide fore- u arning of many developing environmental problems. Intact and diverse natural communities are useful as biomonitoring tools because they provide baseline information and can be used to study biotic interactions in the absence of perturbations. Disturbed communities, while providing much needed data, cannot tell us what was present before environmental changes took place. It is hoped that the information presented in this publication will be useful to individuals whose tasks include the monitoring and/or management of the state's aquatic ecosystems.

LITERATURE CITED

Clark. M. K. (editor). 1987. Endangered, Threatened, and Rare Fauna of North Carolina, Part I. A Re-evaluation of the Mammals. Occas. Pap. N.C. Biol. Surv. 1987-3. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Sci., Raleigh.

Cooper. J. E.. S. S. Robinson, and J. B. Funderburg. Jr. (edi¬ tors). 1977. Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals of North Carolina. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist.. Raleigh.

Lee. D. S.. and J. F. Parnell. 1990. Endangered. Threatened, and Rare Fauna of North Carolina. Part III. A Re-evaluation of the Birds. Occas. Pap. N.C. Biol. Sur\'. 1990-1. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Sci.. Raleigh.

Miller, R. R.. J. D. Williams, and J. E. Williams. 1989. Extinctions of North American fishes during the past century, fisheries 14(6):22-38.

Ross, S. W.. F. C. Rohde, and D. G. Lindquist. 1988. Endangered, Threatened, and Rare Fauna of North Carolina. Part II. A Re-evaluation of the Marine and Estuarine Fishes. Occas. Pap. N.C. Biol. Surv. 1988-7. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Sci.. Raleigh.

Williams. J. E. , et al. 1989. Fishes of North America: endan¬ gered. threatened, or of special concern: 1989. Fisheries 14(6):2-20.

4

Federally Endanj^ered Freshwater Fishes of North Carolina

Shortnose Sturgeon

Acipenser hrevirostriun Lcsueur

Description. I’he Shortnose Sturgeon is easily eonfused witli young Allantie Sturgeon, o.xyrhynchns, t'roni whieh it differs by ha\ing a wider nunith (mouth width greater than 62% interorhital width), a shorter snout, usually no plates between the anal fin base and the lateral scute row, and a smaller size (seldom exceeding 1, ()()() mm TL). It has a heteroeereal tail; an interior, protrusible mouth preeeded by four barbels the length of which are less than half the w idth of the mouth; and a body covered w ith five rows of bony scutes. Body color is yellowish brown with a darker, blackish head and back. Venlrally, the fish is pale, white to yellowish. Young have melanistic blotches; the viscera are blackish (Dadswell et al. 1984).

Rcinge. The Shortnose Sturgeon ranges from the Saint ,lohn River, New Brunswick, Canada, to the Indian River, Florida. In North Carolina before 1985 there were plausible records only from the Beaufort area. Neuse River, and Salmon Creek of the lower Chowan River. Salmon Creek is the only historical record (.April 1881 ) confirmed by a museum specimen (Ross 1988). In February 1985 a gravid female Shortnose Sturgeon was taken from the Pee Dee Ri\ er below Blewett Falls Dam. but this fish's affinity was with the South Carolina Pee Dee Ri\er population. Shortnose Sturgeon are currently only known from the Cape Fear drainage in North Carolina. Since discovered there in 1987 (Ross 1988). nine adults ha\e been captured in the lower Cape Fear Ris er and its tributaries, the Brunswick Ris er and mouth of the Black River (Ross 1988; Moser and Ross 1989. 1993.

1995). Ultrasonic tracking, gill net surveys, and surs eys of fish- ernien indicate that this species occurs frequently and uses a large part of the drainage betsveen Wilmington (river km 45) and Lock and Dam No. 1 (river km 96); but the population is small, and its reproductive status is unknosvn (Moser and Ross 1993). .Shortnose Sturgeon reproductive migrations are likely blocked by the Lock and Dam (Moser and Ross 1993. 1995), and the population is also \ ulnerable to water quality and habi¬ tat degradation and fishing mortality (as by-catch in the shad and Striped Bass gill-net fisheries).

Habitat. The Shortnose Sturgeon is probably restricted to rivers and estuaries; it is a benthic, anadromous species but one w ith some land-locked populations. This fish seems to prefer deep areas w ith soft substrate and \ egetated bottoms. It may

Status: Federally Fndangered.

move from shallow to deep waters during winter and may exhibit diurnal movements. For spaw ning it requires freshwater swamps or areas with fast flow and rough bottoms (Dadswell et al. 1984). Southern spawning sites may be characterized by sub¬ merged timber and mixtures of sand, clay, and gravel in depths between 6 to 9 m (Mall et al. 1991 i.

Life History and Ecology. The following account pertains to South Carolina and Georgia populations and is Irom Dadswell et al. ( 1984). Spawning takes place from January to April. Females probably spaw n once every 3 years at maximum, but males may spawn more frequently. Each female may deposit 27. ()()() to 208. (KM) adhesive eggs. Juveniles may remain upriver for sever¬ al years. By the time the fish are 2 to 4 years old they are about 500 mm long. Males reach maturity when 3 to 5 years old and females when 6 to 7 years old. Longevity is probably less than 30 years, and the species seldom grow's larger than 1.000 mni. Shortnose Sturgeon eat benthic polychaetes. crustaceans, insects, and small mollusks; they also ingest quantities of sediment, detritus, and surface-floating vegetation. They may feed largely at night.

Special Significance or Uincpie Characteristics. Because healthy populations tend to be relatively few' and scattered, pro¬ tection is critical to the overall survival of this species.

Rationale for Evaluation. Both range and population size have declined through the tw'entieth century, primarily because upriver areas necessary for spawning and nurseries have been increasingly modified or destroyed. Late maturation, periodic spawning, and slow growth make Shortnose Sturgeon unusual l_\' vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbance.

Current Protection. The Shortnose Sturgeon is currently protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amend¬ ed. Since 1 Septeniber 1991 it has been illegal to pcissess any species of sturgeon in North Carolina.

Reconnnendations. Surveys of the Cape Fear Ri\ er system should be continued to determine habitats. reproducti\'e use. and population structure of the Shortnose Sturgeon. Effects of locks and dams on sturgeon migrations need to be studied, and other North Carolina rivers (especially the Roanoke and Chowan Ri\ers) need to be examined for populations of this species. Genetic studies are needed along the LkS. East Coast to deter¬ mine the degree of gene flow and population isolation.

Shortnose Sturgeon

Acipenser hrevirostnim Lesueur

• stream recorded >t extirpated

LITERATURE CITED

Dadswell. M. J., B. D. Taubert, T. S. Squiers. D. Marchette, and J. Buckley. 1984. Synopsis of biological data on Shortnose Sturgeon, Acipenser brevirostntm LeSueur (sic) 1818. NOAATech. Rept. NMFS 14.

Hall. J. W.. T. I. J. Smith, and S. E. Lamprecht. 1991.

Movements and habitats of Shortnose Sturgeon, Acipenser hrevirostnim. in the Savannah River. Copeia 1991:695-702. Moser. M. L.. and S. W. Ross. 1989. A preliminary survey of the distribution of the endangered Shortnose Sturgeon, Acipenser hrevirostnim, in the upper Cape Fear estuary. North Carolina. Final Rept. to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Wilmington District.

- . 1993. Distribution and movements of Shortnose

Sturgeon (Acipenser hrevirostnim) and other anadromous fishes of the lower Cape Fear River, North Carolina. Final Rept. to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Wilmington District.

- . 1995. Habitat use and movements of Shortnose and

Atlantic Sturgeons in the lower Cape Eear River, North Carolina. Trans. Amer. Eish. Soc. 124:225-234.

Ross. S. W. 1988. Acipenser hrevirostnim Lesueur, Shortnose Sturgeon. Pages 4-5 in Endangered. Threatened, and Rare Eauna of North Carolina. Part III. A Re-evaluation of the Marine and Estuarine Eishes. S. W. Ross. E. C. Rohde, and D. G. Lindquist, editors. Occas. Pap. N.C. Biol. Surv. 1988- 7. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Sci., Raleigh.

Prepared by Steve W. Ross

6

Cape Fear Shiner

Notropis mekistocholas SnelstJii

Description. The Cape Fear Shiner is a straw-colored to yellowish minnow, 45 to 65 mm SL. with clear fins and a nar- i\)w, black lateral stripe extemling from the snout to a black wedge spot on the caudal peduncle (Snelson 1671 ). A long, transversely looped intestine and black peritoneum distinguish it from all other N.C. shiners. E.xternally, it may be confu.sed with the sympatric species N. procne, N. cilhorus, N. huclsoniiis, and N. petersoni. hut the Cape Fear Shiner is distinguished by a combination of 8 anal rays, a small, nearly horizontal mouth, black tips on the upper and lower lips, 1 1 to 13 predorsal cir¬ cumferential scales, dorsal fin insertion directly above or anteri¬ or to pelvic fin insertion, and eye midway between the dorsal and \entral profiles of head (Snelson 1671, Menhinick 1661).

Range. This species is endemic to the Cape Fear River basin, North Carolina, in Randolph, Moore, Chatham, Lee, and Harnett Counties. Since its disco\'ery in 1662, specimens have been taken from the Haw Ri\ er and Robeson Creek near Pittsboro, the Rocky River and Bear Creek below Siler City, the Deep River between Coleridge and Carbonton, the Deep River below its conlluence with the Rocky River, and the Cape Fear River (including its tributaries Parkers Creek and Neills Creek) between Buckhorn Dam and Lillington (Snelson 1671; Pottern and Huish 1685, 1686; J. Alderman, pers. comm.).

Habitat. The Cape Fear Shiner prefers wide, shallow', rocky .segments of medium-size to large streams with forested banks, alternating riffles and pools, and abundant growths oi' Justicia, Podostemwn. and filamentous algae (Snelson 1671 ). The substra¬ tum is usually a mixture of sand, gravel, rubble, and boulders, with little silt. During high river flows and cold weather, they frequent mouths of tributaries, pools beside undercut banks, and secondary flood channels, in slower but not still water. Young-of-year w'ere collected in slow-moving, vegetated shallows among midchannel rocky islands in the Deep River (Pottern and Huish 1685).

Life History and Ecology. Spawning has not been observed. Snelson ( 1678) suggests a late spring to early summer spawning season. Pottern and Huish ( 1685) observed males with intensi¬ fied yellow coloration and apparently gravid females during May through .Inly and collected young-of-year ( 15 to 25 mm SL) from September through No\ember. Age at maturity, fecun¬ dity, and longevity are unknown. It is usually collected in large, mixed schools w ith Notropis scepticus, N. procne. N. ainoeniis, N. altipinnis. Ln.xilns alheohis. and Cyprinella analostana. The intestinal morphology suggests a more herbivorous or detritivo- rous diet than other Notropis species, but arthropods are readily consumed (Snelson 1678. Pottern and Huish 1685).

Special Significance or Unique Characteristics. This species and N. nuhiliis of the Mississippi River basin are the only two members of the genus with a convoluted intestine and black peri¬ toneum. They may be more closely related to the genus Dionda

Status. Lederally Lndangered.

of the Rio Grande basin than to other Notropis species. The C'ape Lear Shiner may therefore be important in reconstructing the evolutionary history and biogeography of this group of min¬ nows. Its herbivorous specialization among an assemblage of otherwise carnivorous minnows makes it of interest to physio¬ logical and community ecologists. Alsr). it has the smallest known natural range of any Notropis species.

Rationale for Evaluation. Collections during the past decade (Pottern and Huish 1685, 1686; J. Alderman, pers. comm.) indicate that the only large extant population (Kcurs near the confluence of the Deep and Rocky Rivers. Extensive riffle and pool habitat in the Haw River w'as destroyed when B. Everett Jordan Reservoir was impounded in 1681. .Small popu¬ lations persist in the Deep River between Coleridge and Carbonton and in the Haw' River above Jordan Reservoir. Populations in Robeson Creek, the Rocky River above Bear Creek, and the Cape Fear River and its tributaries near Lillington are apparently extir¬ pated or nearly so. The Deep River and Rocky River arc subject to numerous point-source discharges, urban and agricultural runoff, and flow diversions that may degrade habitat.

Current Protection. The Cape Lear Shiner is currently pro¬ tected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended. Lederally designated Critical Habitat includes two segments of the Rocky River (interrupted by a small hydroelectric impound¬ ment) and a segment of the Deep River between Coleridge and Highfalls. The Haw River and Cape Lear River locations are not designated Critical Habitat. The species may now be extirpated from the upper Rocky River segment.

Recommendations. Habitat degradation from impoundment, flow regulation, wastewater discharge, and urban and agricultur¬ al runoff appear to be major threats to this species. Research is needed on life history, physiological tolerance, and ecological requirements. Wastew'ater discharge permit renewal requests in the Rocky and Deep River basins should be considered in light of the needs of this fish. Minimum release flows should be assigned to any impoundments ha\'ing the potential to reduce flow's below seasonally determined crucial le\els. Controlled multiple-depth withdrawal structures may be useful if tailwater quality is determined to be a problem. New discharges, with¬ drawals. and impoundments on these streams should be discour¬ aged if feasible alternatives exist, and habitat protection and com¬ pensatory mitigation should be high priorities when permitting projects for which there are no feasible alternati\ es. Urban and agricultural stormw ater runoff controls, including wide forested buffers, should be encouraged on new dev elopment projects and major existing sources in the basin. .A capti\ e propagation and stocking program may be helpful if suitable streams are located elsev\ here in the Cape Fear Ri\er basin.

Cape Fear Shiner

Notropis mekistocholas Snelson

LITERATURE CITED

Menhinick, E. E. 1991. The Ereshwater Eishes of North Carolina. N.C. Wildl. Resour. Comm., Raleigh.

Pottern, G. B., and M. T. Huish. 1985. Status survey of the Cape Eear Shiner, Notropis mekistocholas, report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Coop. Fish. Res. Unit, N.C. State Univ., Raleigh.

- . 1986. Supplement to the status survey of the Cape Fear

Shiner, Notropis mekistocholas, report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Coop. Fish. Res. Unit, N.C. State LJniv., Raleigh.

Snelson, F. F. 1971. Notropis mekistocholas, a new cyprinid fish endemic to the Cape Fear River basin. North Carolina. Copeia 1971:449^62.

- . 1978. Notropis mekistocholas Snelson, Cape Fear

Shiner. Page 287 in Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes, D. S. Lee, C. R. Gilbert, C. H. Hocutt, R. E.

Jenkins, D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist., Raleigh.

Prepared by Gerald B. Pottern

8

Federally Threatened Freshwater Fishes of North Carolina

Spottin Chub

Cypriiiella monacha (Cope)

Description. This report is an updated excerpt from Boles ( 1983). Jenkins and Burkhead ( 1984) describe the Spotfin Chub as having a slightly compressed, elongated body ranging from about 20 mm SL early in the first year to about 83 mm SL in the third year of growth. Except for nuptial males, the color is a duskv green above the lateral line and silver on the lower sides; the body is bordered middorsally and dorsolaterally by gold and green stripes. There are no blotches or speckling on the body, but the dorsal fin has a dtirk area posteriorly, and a caudal fin spot is distinctive. The mouth is inferior with the upper lip expanded anteriad. Terminal small labial barbels are pre.sent. Pharyngeal teeth are 4-4. Scales are moderately small with those of the lateral line ranging from 32 to 62. The anal fin has 8 rays. Males have longer dorsal, anal, and peh ic fins than females, and dorsal fin in.sertion is more anterior. Nuptial males develop antrorse tubercles o\'er most of the top of the head and the front and side of the snout; they have a brilliant metallic blue color aboN'e the lateral line, and the fins bear white margins.

Range. The Spotfin Chub formerly ranged in montane Tennessee River drainage of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. It is presently extant in only four sys¬ tems: the Little Tennessee River, North Carolina; Duck and Emory Rivers, Tennessee; and the North Eork of the Holston River. Tennessee and Virginia. In North Carolina it is restricted to a 10. 3-mile section of Little Tennes.see Rix er above Fontana 1 Reservoir (Alderman 1987). Populations previously reported from the Tuckaseegee and French Broad drainages are appar- \ ently extirpated. The warm, dry summers experienced during I recent years ha\ e allowed the Spotfin Chub's Little Tennessee River population to expand sufficiently to permit reintroduction from there into Abrams Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Habitat. The Spotfin Chub appears to prefer clean, smooth bedrock during the summer through September (McLarney 1988). Later in the year the species prefers grax el/cobble bars, an uncommon habitat in the lower Little Tennessee River of North Carolina. The Spotfin Chub can be found in a river's

Status. Federally Threatened.

deep pools during the winter (Charley Saylor, pers. comm. 1986). The presence of alkaline bedrock, mostly of the Copperhill Formation, in the lower Little Tennessee River may be necessary for the development ol' fertilized eggs and thus may influence the distribution of the Spotfin Chub in North Carolina (Alderman 1987. McLarney 1988).

Life History and Ecology. Cyprinella monacha breeds in the Little Tennessee River from early June through mid-July. Spawning takes place in crevices under loose rock resting on bedrock (McLarney 1988). It matures in 1 year; life span is 4 years. Immature aquatic diptera (mostly chironomids and simulids) are the major food items for the species. It appears that feeding takes place diurnally by both sight and taste (Jenkins and Burkhead 1984).

Special Significance or Uniepte Characteristics. According to Boles ( 1983). "... the Spotfin Chub seems to be a phyletic key species linking two large, complex groups of eastern American minnows — shiners {Notropis} and certain non-nest building barbeled chubs (Hyhopsis).''

Rationale for Evaluation. Because of restricted distribution and sensitivity to pollution based on extirpation over much of its range, this species has been assigned federal threatened sta¬ tus. Until recent years the species was extremely rare in the lower Little Tennessee River. With continuing threats from impoundments, siltation. and other forms of pollution, the .Spotfin Chub's future existence in North Carolina is endangered.

Current Protection. Cyprinella monacha is listed as a Threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serx ice. It is currently protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1 973 as amended.

Recommendations. Monitoring and management of the species, its aquatic habitat, and associated ten'estrial habitats are important for the continued surx ival of this species in North Carolina. Reduction of pollution and siltation of the Little Tennes.see watershed is recommended. These forms of pollution are becoming increasingly critical, especiallx’ during times of low xxater floxv in late summer and fall.

9

Spotfin Chub

Cyprinella monacha (Cope)

LITERATURE CITED

Alderman, J. M. 1987. Population status and distribution of the Spotfin Chub, Hybopsis monacha (Cope), in the Little Tennessee River, North Carolina. Final Rept. to U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv.

Boles, H. 1983. Recovery plan for Spotfin Chub (Hybopsis monacha). U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Atlanta, Ga.

Jenkins, R. E., and N. M. Burkhead. 1984. Description, biology, and distribution of the Spotfin Chub, Hybopsis monacha, a

threatened cyprinid fish of the Tennessee River drainage. Bull. Ala. Mus. Nat. Hist. 8:1-30.

McLamey, W. O. 1988. Behavioral observation of the Spotfin Chub, Hybopsis monacha, in the Little Tennessee River with emphasis on reproductive behavior. Rept. to N.C. Wildl. Resour. Comm Nongame and Endangered Wildl. Program.

Prepared by John M. Alderman

10

VVaccaniavv Silverside

Menidia extensu Hiibbs and Raney Stciuis: Federally 'I'lireatened.

Description. The Waceamavv SiKerside is a slender, silvery, nearly transparent niinnow-like fish with an adult size ot 30 to 66 mm SL, It can be differentiated frt)m other North Carolina silversides by a combination of the following ciiaracteristics:

I bodv depth 7 to S times in standard length, lateral series scales ■| 40 to 44, and anal rays 10 to 21 . Both sexes are similar in |j appearance. Hubbs and Raney ( 1946) provide complete descrip¬ tions and a black and white photograph.

Raiii’e. This species is endemic to Lake Waccamaw in Columbus County, North Carolina (Shute et al. 1981 ).

Habitat. This sih erside is found throughout Lake W'accamavw It prefers open surface w aters and often occurs in schools numbering in the thousands.

Life History and Ecology. Menidia extensa is an open-water plankton feeder, preferring cladocerans (Lindquist and Yarbrough 1982). Peak reproduction occurs during April and May. with large females containing about 150 mature eggs and a maximum of 4,500 total eggs (Lindquist and Yarbrough 1982). .A few fish live through a second winter. Additional life history information is provided b\ Davis and Louder ( 1969).

.Special Sig)}ificance or Unique Characteristics. The Waccamaw Sih erside forms a \ ital link in the food web of this

unique lake, providing forage for the many game species occur¬ ring there. Additionally, because of its apparent sensitivity, the overall health of the silverside population serves as an environ¬ mental indicator of water quality conditions in the lake.

Ratioiude for Evaluatioii. Any species endemic to so small a geographic area as Lake Waccamaw deseiwes close and con¬ tinued monitoring. Lindquist and Yarbrough ( 1982) indicate that the status of Lake Waccamaw may be reaching a critical stage w ith regard to potential eutrophication. This threatens not only the Waccamaw Silverside but also the continued existence of the unique environment of the lake.

Current Protection. The Waccamaw' Silverside is currently protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended.

Reconunendations. Because Lake Waccamaw is a shallow lake with a long residence time, it is highly subject to eutrophi¬ cation from agricultural runoff, domestic sewage, and lawn fer¬ tilizers. Lindquist and Yarbrough ( 1982) provide extensive rec¬ ommendations for the continued monitoring of Lake Waccamaw and its endemic fauna. These include frequent analyses of water quality, algal monitoring, and fish sampling to determine trends in population dynamics. Special care should be taken to mini¬ mize eutrophication of the lake.

LITERA .E CITED

Davis. G. R.. and D. E. Louder. 1969. Life history and ecology of Menidia extensa. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 98:466—172. Hubbs. C. L.. and E. C. Raney. 1946. Endemic fish fauna of Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina. Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Mich. 65: 1-30.

Lindquist, D. G., and C. G. Y arbrough. 1982. Status of the

endemic ichthyofauna of Lake Waccamaw. North Carolina. N.C. Endangered Species Restoration Tech. Rept. E-l-Vl.

Shute. .1. R.. P. W. Shute. and D. G. Lindquist. 1981. Fishes of the Waccamaw Ri\er drainage. Brimleyana 6:1-24.

Prepared by J. R. Shute

State Endangered

Freshwater Fishes of North Carolina

Cutlips Minnow

Exoglossum maxillingua (Lesueur) Status: State Endangered.

Description. The Cutlips Minnow is a medium-sized chubby minnow with a trilobed lower lip with no barbels; the upper lip is not protractile. The olive-brown dorsal grades into the pale venter. Adults reach 95 to 120 mm SL (Gilbert and Lee 1980).

Range. This species occurs in Atlantic drainage streams from the Saint Lawrence River to the Roanoke River (Gilbert and Lee 1980). In North Carolina it has been found only in a quarter-mile section of the Dan River in northern Stokes County (Roanoke River drainage).

Habitat. The Cutlips Minnow prefers clear streams running over gravel, rubble, and boulders relatively free of rooted plants, silt, and sand. It is a bottom-dwelling species found under or near rocks in quiet pools (Gilbert and Lee 1980; pers. obs.).

Life History' and Ecology. This species constructs mound- nests of gravel under or near protective logs or rocks and spawns in mid-May through mid-June at temperatures of 18 to 20°C (Maurakis et al. 1991 ). Young remain in the nest for about 6 days after hatching (Scott and Crossman 1973). The Cutlips Minnow feeds primarily on benthic insect larvae and, to a lesser extent, on worms, crayfish, snails, fish eggs, and algae (Haase and Haase 1975, Jenkins and Burkhead 1994). Normal life span is 2 to 5 years.

Special Significance or Unique Characteristics. Jenkins and Burkhead ( 1994) provide an excellent literature review of the use of the unusual mouth of this species. Individuals have been known to gouge out the eyes of other fishes in crowded conditions using the unusual hard lower jaw, which may also be used to dislodge snails and insect larvae from surfaces or to crush mollusks against the roof of the mouth. The fleshy later¬ al lobes may aid in the detection of food and the centering of food when eating. The Cutlips Minnow is an indicator of good water quality, along with the Orangefin Madtom (Jenkins and Burkhead 1994). This is a peripheral population, and North Carolina represents the southernmost range of the species.

Rationale for Evaluation. The Cutlips Minnow occurs rarely in a limited section of a single stream in North Carolina, and it is unusually susceptible to siltation.

Current Protection. The Cutlips Minnow is currently pro¬ tected under Article 25, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern,” added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987.

Recommendations. Habitat improvement with emphasis on reduction of siltation is needed to sustain viable populations of this species.

LITERATURE CITED

Gilbert. C. R.. and D. S. Lee. 1980. Exoglossum maxillingua (Lesueur). Cutlips Minnow. Page 158 in Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes. D. S. Lee, C. R. Gilbert. C. H. Hocutt, R. E. Jenkins, D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist.. Raleigh. Haase. R.. and B. L. Haase. 1975. Feeding ecology of the Cutlips Minnow. E.xoglossuni maxillingua. in the Delaware River at Biishkill. Pennsylvania. Proc. Pa. Acad. Sci. 49:67-72.

stream recorded

Jenkins, R. E.. and N. M. Burkhead. 1994. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. Amer. Fish. Soc., Bethesda, Md.

Maurakis, E. G.. W. S. Woolcott, and M. H. Sabaj. 1991. Reproductive behavior of E.xoglossuni species. Bull. Ala. Mus. Nat. Hist. 10:11-16.

Scott. W. B., and E. J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada Bull. 184.

Prepared by Edward F. Menhinick

Stonecat

Notiiriis flavus Ratliiesqiie

Dcscripliou. Madloni catfishes are cliaracterized by their •generally small size and by hav ing the posterior part of the adi¬ pose fin attached to the body. The Stonecat differs from other madtoms by having the band of teeth in the upper jaw with backward lateral e.xtensions, a pale bar behind the head, no ser- rae on the posterior edge of the pectoral spine, and the caudal and adipose fins edged with yellow (Menhinick 1991 ), ,4dults usually vary from 80 to 180 mm SL (Walsh and Burr 1985),

Rcmge. The Stonecat occurs in the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red River), and Mississippi River basins from Quebec to Alberta and south to northern Alabama, north- 1 ern Mississippi, and northeastern Oklahoma; it is also found in I the Hudson River drainage. New York (Page and Burr 1991 ). In North Carolina it is represented by an isolated population in the lower Cane River of the Toe River drainage, w'here it was first collected in 1984 (Menhinick 1986). Recent records are now available for the Little Tennessee River (one record) and the French Broad River (one record) drainages.

Habitat. The Cane River population occurs in a medium-sized stream in riftles and slow rapids over cobble (pers. obs.). Young prefer slow sand and gravel riftles, often near vegetation (Trautman 1981 ). Occasionally the species is found in lakes near sand or grav¬ el bars where there is wave action (Trautman 1981 ).

Life Histon- and Ecology. Life history and ecology are from Walsh and Burr ( 1985), w ho provide original data and a review of the literature. This madtom spawns in .tune and July at a tem-

Stata.s; State Endangered.

perature of 28°C. The mass of sticky eggs, deposited in a com¬ pact cluster beneath flat stones, is guarded by the male. There are 189 to 570 vitellogenic oocytes; 104 to 208 eggs are present in a nest clutch. The Stonecat lives up to 9 years. It hides under large rocks during the day; at night it feeds on riftle-dwelling insect larvae, crayfish, and small fish.

Special Significance or Uniipie Characteristics. This species occurs in low numbers at only four sites in the Toe,

Little Tennessee, and French Broad River drainages.

Populations of the Stonecat in the Cumberland and Tennessee River drainages, including all sites in North Carolina, have a unique pigment pattern on the head and nape and may represent an undescribed species (pers. obs.).

Rationale for Evolution. This species ' limited distribution in three isolated streams warrants its assignment to Endangered status in North Carolina

Current Protection. The Stonecat is currently protected under Article 25, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern," added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987.

Reconnnendations. It is recommended that additional sam¬ pling be made to better determine the range of this species. Periodic monitoring would then indicate changes in the status of the population. These studies would provide the basis for a recovery plan, ensuring the continued existence of the North Carolina population

Stonecat

Noturus flaviis Rafinesque

LITERATURE CITED

Menhinick, E. F. 1986. A numerical method for ranking of endan¬ gered species and its application to North Carolina freshwater fishes. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 102:54-86.

- . 1991. The Freshwater Fishes of North Carolina. N.C.

Wildl. Resour. Comm.. Raleigh.

Page , L. M., and B. M. Burr. 1991. A Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass.

Trautman, M. B. 1981. The Fishes of Ohio. 2d ed. Ohio State Univ. Press, Columbus.

Walsh. S. J., and B. M. Burr. 1985. Biology of the Stonecat, Notunis flavus (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae), in central Illinois and Missouri streams, and comparisons with Great Lakes populations and congeners. Ohio J. Sci. 85(3):85-96.

Prepared by Brooks M. Burr

Oransetin Madtom

Notunis gilberti Jordan and Evermann

Descriptio?!. A moderate-si/ed inadloiii reaching 100 nini SL, N. gilberti is charaelcrized by a narrovv head, suhterniinal mouth, sliort barbels, reduced eyes, and short spines. The dor¬ sum is medium brown to gray w ith a yellow-olive cast. Ventral surt'aces are yellow-olive to white with a slight pink cast, d'he Oranget'in Madtom is distinguished from the Margined Madtom {N. iiisignis). a common, sympatric congener, by caudal fin col¬ oration: N. gilberti has a dusky tail with a \ery narrow; pale posterior and wide, pale dorsal margin, whereas N. insigiiis usu¬ ally has a pale caudal fin with an entire dark margin. Also, the Orangefin Madtom lacks the black edge on the dorsal, caudal, and anal fins typical of V. iiisignis in the Dan River system of North Carolina. See Taylor ( 1969) for detailed meristics and a photograph.

Range. The Orangefin Madtom occurs in systems of the upper Roanoke River drainage and in one tributary to the James River drainage. In North Carolina it is known from six locations in the upper Dan Ri\er proper from the Virginia border down¬ stream to Danbury (Stokes Count) ).

Habitat. The Orangefin Madtom typically occurs in mon¬ tane. warm-water streams; juveniles and adults are associated with swift, silt-free riffles dominated by cobble substrate. Notunis gilberti is consistently found in riffles with local gradi¬ ents of 29c or greater (Simonson 1987).

Life History and Ecology. This species spawns from late April to June during its third summer of life. The male probably e.\ca\ ates a nest ca\ ity and remains w ith embryos and larvae (Bailey and Committee 1977). Females average only 47 eggs during the reproductive period (Burkhead 1983). Notunis

Status: State Endangered.

gilberti feeds on immature benthic insects, primarily small dipteral! and trichopteran larvae.

Special Significance or Unicpie Characteristics. The Orangefin Madtom is possibly the first madtom diverging from the Notiirus-Pylodictis hypothetical common ancestry (LeGrande 1981 ). The stream length occupied by N. gilberti in North Carolina is about 20% of the species’ total range (Simonson and Neves 198.3).

Rationale for Evaluation. Although Orangefin Madtom densities in the Dan River have remained relatively stable for the last few years, they are substantially lower than those of the four Virginia populations, despite the availability of apparently suitable habitat (Simonson 1987). The low' population levels may be a result of an altered reproductive period because of cool, hypolimnetic discharges from upstream reservoirs. One apparently ripe female was taken from the Dan River in June 1977, when water temperature was 17°C (Burkhead 1983), about a month after the spawning period peaks in other streams.

Current Protection. The Orangefin Madtom is currently protected under Article 2.3, "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern,” added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. Although it has no current federal status, it is considered Threatened in Virginia (Jenkins and Musick 1980. Jenkins 1977).

Reconunendations. Because impoundment discharges are apparently a major factor limiting the Orangefin Madtom in the Dan River, special care should be taken to ensure that release of cold discharges does not disrupt conditions for continued sur¬ vival of this species.

Orangefin Madtom

Noturiis giberti Jordon and Evermann

LITERATURE CITED

Bailey. J. R., and Committee. 1977. Ereshwater fishes. Pages 265-268 in Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals of North Carolina. J. E. Cooper. S. S. Robinson, and J. B. Funderburg. editors. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist.. Raleigh.

Burkhead. N. M. 1983. Ecological studies of two potentially threatened fishes (the Orangefin Madtom. Noturus gilberti, and the Roanoke Logperch. Percina rex) endemic to the Roanoke River drainage. Rept. to Wilmington District Corps of Engineers. Wilmington. N.C.

Jenkins. R. E. 1977. Orangefin Madtom. Noturus gilberti Jordan and Evermann 1889. Status Rept.. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv.

Jenkins. R. E.. and J. A. Musick. 1980. Freshwater and marine fishes. Pages 319-373 in Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals of Virginia. D. W. Lindsay, editor. Univ.

Virginia Press, Charlottesville.

LeGrande. W. H. 1981. Chromosomal evolution in North

American catfishes (Siluriformes; Ictaluridae), with particu¬ lar emphasis on the madtoms. Noturus. Copeia 1981:33-52.

Simonson. T. D. 1987. Distribution, ecology, and reproductive biology of the Orangefin Madtom (Noturus gilberti). M.S. the¬ sis. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ.. Blacksburg.

Simonson. T. D.. and R. J. Neves. 1985. A status survey of the Orangefin Madtom (Noturus gilberti). Annual Rept. to Va. Comm. Game and Inland Fish.. Richmond.

Taylor. W. R. 1969. A revision of the catfish genus Noturus Rafmesque, with an analysis of higher groups in the Ictaluridae. U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 282:1-315.

Prepared by Timothy D. Simonson

16

Hlotchside Logperch

Percina hiirtoni Fowler

Description. The Blotchside Logperch is a large darter ranging in size from 90 to 160 mm TL with a conical fleshy snout and 79 to 04 lateral-line scales. The dorsal fin has 15 to IS spines and 14 to 16 soft rays. Anal fin soft rays number I I to 13, pectoral fin rays 14 to 15, and principal caudal fin rays 16 to 17. The modified midventral scales are well developed. The ground color of body and fins is pale yellowish green, and the dorsum has about 1 1 quadrate saddles interspersed with narrow lines and vermiculations. Vermiculations in the dorsolateral area vary in intensity, as do the 8 or so lateral blotches and suborbital bar. A distinct caudal spot is usually present. The Blotchside Logperch differs from the common logperch (P. caproclesj in that it has a broad red margin on the spinous dorsal fin and a series of large black blotches along the lateral-line area. ,See Etnier and Starnes ( 1993) for more detailed information.

Range. The Blotchside Logperch is widespread but extremely rare in the Tennessee River drainage. Outside of Tennes,see's Little River and Duck/Buffalo River system, it is known to persist in only five additional areas, one of which is a small .section of the South Toe River in Yancey County, North Carolina. Populations formerly occurring in the Cumberland River drainage, the Holston River system (except the North Fork) of Tennessee and Virginia, the Little Tennessee River system of Tennessee, and the French Broad River system of North Carolina (Cane Creek and Swannanoa River) are apparently extirpated.

Stains. State Endangered

Habitat. Blotchside Logperch occur in flowing pool areas of small to medium rivers with excellent water quality.

Life History and Ecology. This species' biology is unstud¬ ied, but clo.sely related species spawn over gravel riffle areas in April and May, are sexually mature at age 2, and live for 5 to 6 years. When feeding they turn over stones with their long snout to gain access to hiding insect larvae (Etnier and Starnes 1993).

Special Significance or Unique Characteristics. Near pris¬ tine water conditions are required for this species; it is probably the most sensitive of all North Carolina fishes to pollution.

Rationale for Evaluation. The species' overall rarity, the fact that it is known to persist in only the finest of our remain¬ ing rivers, and the extirpation of many populations, coupled with its largely unknown biology, dictates its Endangered status. Should the North Carolina population be lost, it is unlikely that it could naturally recolonize.

Current Protection. The Blotchside Logperch is currently protected under Article 25, "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern." added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987.

Reconimendations. Maintenance of virtually pristine condi¬ tions for the South Toe River is probably essential to the sur¬ vival of P. hiirtoni. Maximal efforts should be employed to reduce pollution and siltation in this stream.

LITERATL^RE CITED Prepared by Da\ id A. Etnier

Etnier. D. A., and W. C. Starnes. 1993. The Fishes of Tennessee.

Univ. Tennessee Press. Knoxville.

17

Dusky Darter

Percina sciera (Swain)

Description. The Dusky Darter is an elongate fish with no dark subocular bar. Adult size varies from 40 to 110 mm SL. Coloration of the dorsum is grayish with 7 to 9 dark dorsal sad¬ dles, which may be distinct, vague, or essentially absent. Males lose their color pattern during the breeding season and become rather uniformly charcoal gray. The cheeks, opercles, and nape are scaled. The anterior belly is often naked. The prepectoral area and the posterior half and lateral margins of breast usually are scaled; the anterior portion of the breast is typically naked but may be fully scaled in males. The preopercular margin is serrate. Modified midventral scales are well developed in males. See Etnier and Starnes (1993) and Page ( 1983) for more detailed descriptions.

Range. The Dusky Darter occurs in Gulf Coastal drainages from the Tombigbee River portion of Mobile Basin west through the Guadalupe River, Texas, and extending up the Mississippi River drainage to northern Indiana. It is more com¬ mon in the low gradient habitats of the Coastal Plain but is widespread and locally abundant in the upper Tennessee River drainage of east Tennessee. The only North Carolina record is from a single site in Spring Creek, French Broad River system, Madison County, in 1966.

Habitat. This species occurs in flowing pool areas of medi¬ um to large streams over sand or gravel usually in areas of aquatic vegetation, leaves, or underbrush. Young prefer more shallow riffles. Winter is apparently spent in deep pools (Kuehne and Barbour 1983).

Life History and Ecology. Dusky Darters spawn during late spring and early summer (Suttkus and Ramsey 1967), most often in June (Kuehne and Barbour 1983). Eggs are scattered over gravelly riffles 30 to 90 cm deep and are abandoned by the

Status. State Endangered

parents. In Illinois, females produce 80 to 200 eggs per year, eggs hatch in about 4 days, and young reach 70 mm total length at age 1. They grow an additional 10 to 12 mm per year during later years, and life span is over 4 years (Page and Smith 1970). Young feed on small riffle-dwelling insects, such as midge and blackfly larvae; adults eat large aquatic insects, such as caddis- fly, mayfly, and stonefly immatures (Page and Smith 1970, Miller 1983). They overwinter in deep downstream habitats (Page 1983).

Special Significance or Unique Characteristics. Percina sciera is the only member of the subgenus Hadropterus that occurs in North Carolina. The single collection record may rep¬ resent an isolated remnant of a once more widespread distribu¬ tion in the state.

Rationale for Evaluation. Considering the extent of collect¬ ing efforts in the French Broad River system, P. sciera is pre¬ sumed to be extremely rare. Recolonization from Tennessee is blocked by a reservoir, and the species could be extirpated by a single catastrophic event.

Current Protection. The Dusky Darter is currently protected under Article 25, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern,” added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987.

Recommendations. The extent and strength of the North Carolina population should be monitored by additional collect¬ ing in Spring Creek, in nearby Laurel Creek, and in the French Broad River. This may be a difficult species to collect with seines, as it occurs (usually as a single specimen) in fewer than 1 of 10 collections from known localities in Little River. Tennessee. Efforts to improve water quality in the French Broad River system should be encouraged.

18

Dusky Darter

Percina sciera (Swain)

IJTERATl RE CITED

Etiiier. D. A., and W’. C. Starnes. 1993. The Fishes of Tennessee.

Univ. Tennessee Press. Kno.w ille.

Knehne, R. .A., and R. W. Barbour. 1983. The American Darters.

L'niv. Press Kentucky, Le.xington.

Miller, G. L. 1983. Trophic resource allocation between Percina sciera and P. ouachitae in the Tonibigbee River,

Mississippi. .Amer. Midi. Nat. 1 10:299-313.

Page. L. M. 1983. Handbook of Darters. T. F. H. Pubk, Inc.. Neptune City, N.J.

Page, L. M., and P. W. Smith. 1970. The life history of the Dusky Darter, Percina sciera. in the Fmbarras River. Illinois. Ill. Nat. Hist. Surw Biol. Notes 69:1-15.

.Suttkus. R. D., and J. S. Ramsey. 1967. Percina aiirolineata, a new percid fish from the Alabama River system and a dis¬ cussion of ecology, distribution, and hybridization of darters ot the subgenus Hadropterns. Tulane Stud. Zool. 13:129-145.

Prepared by David A. Etnier

19

Paddlefish

Polyodon spathula (VValbaum)

Description. The Paddlefish is a large, gray fish with a long snout shaped like a canoe paddle. The upper caudal fin lobe is elongate, scales are not apparent, the jaws are toothless in adults, and there are several hundred very long gill rakers. Adults vary from 890 to 1577 mm TL and weigh up to 68 kg.

Range. This unusual fish formerly ranged throughout much of the Mississippi Valley and adjacent Gulf slope drainages, from the San Jacinto River, Texas, east to the Mobile Bay basin, Alabama (Burr 1980). It is considered extirpated from the Great Lakes basin and other areas on the periphery of its range (Gengerke 1986). It is generally declining throughout much of its range because of habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing. In North Carolina early reports indicated that it once ascended the French Broad River up to Asheville (Cope 1870). There is a recent report that a fisherman caught one during the week of 10 October 1983, but this catch was not verified (Gengerke 1986). It is present in Douglas Reservoir, the first downstream reser¬ voir on the French Broad River in Tennessee.

Habitat. The Paddlefish occurs in large rivers and the lower reaches of major tributaries that are rich in zooplankton. It also is found in bayous, river-lakes, and impoundments with access to spawning sites. Individuals tend to congregate in pools below sand bars, near big islands, or near shoreline inegularities, dikes, and bridge supports, where water velocity is reduced (Russell 1986).

Life History and Ecology. The following comments are summarized and paraphrased from Russell ( 1986). Paddlefish may travel great distances to reach spawning areas; migration is triggered by increased stream flow associated with spring rains. Spaw ning occurs mainly from March to June at water tempera¬ tures of around 13°C in flowing water over gravel substrate. Females may spawn only once every 2 to 5 years; mean egg production in Mississippi River fish is about 17,000 per kg of body weight. It is believed that several males accompany a female in a spawning "rush" to the surface, where eggs are

Status. State Endangered

released and fertilized. The adhesive eggs attach to the gravel and hatch in 9 days. Paddlefish mature in 8 to 12 years and live up to 30 years. The species grows rapidly; when food is unlimit¬ ed, young may reach more than 500 mm TL during their first year. By about age 5 the species grows at a rate of approximate¬ ly 50 mm per year. Betw een 5 and 10 years of age they may double or triple their weight. Females ( 14 kg) are larger than males (7 kg). Paddlefish use sensory receptors on the snout to detect concentrations of zooplankton, which are filtered with the numerous long, thin gill rakers; fish and insects are eaten rarely.

Special Significance or Unique Characteristics. The Paddlefish is one of the most unusual animals in the world and is one of only two living species of an ancient order (the other species occurs in China). Its unique phylogenetic position, bizarre appearance, large size, high value of the roe ($200 per fish), and fine flesh make it of extraordinary significance.

Rationale for Evaluation. Because siltation and pollution have destroyed the prime spawning site on the French Broad River for the Douglas Reservoir population, this species is in serious danger of disappearing from the state and from Douglas Reservoir.

Current Protection. The Paddlefish is currently protected under Article 25, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern,” added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987.

Recommendations. Efforts to restore the species must con¬ centrate on cleaning up the Erench Broad River. Searches in the lower French Broad River and other major tributaries of Douglas Reservoir should be made during the spring spawning season to determine if seasonal migrations occur in North Carolina. Destruction of unidentified spawning sites could become the most serious threat to the Paddlefish resource. | Although techniques for producing and stocking this species are known, stocking w'ould be useless without habitat improvement, j

I

I

1

I

i

!

j

20

Paddleflsh

Polyodon spathula (Walbaiini)

# stream recorded X extirpated

LITERATURE CITED

Burr, B. M.1980. Polyodon spalhida (Walbaum),

Paddlefish. Pages 45-46 in Atlas of North American Ereshwater Eishes, D. S. Lee, C. R. Gilbert, C. H. Hocutt, R. E. Jenkins, D. E. McAllister, and .1. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist., Raleigh.

Cope, E. D. 1870. A partial synopsis of the fishes of the fresh waters of North Carolina. Proc. Amer. Phil. Soc.

1 1:448-195.

Gengerke, T. W. 1986. Distribution and abundance of the Paddlefish in the United States. Pages 22-35 in The

Paddlefish: Status. Management, and Propagation. J. G. Dillard, K. L. Graham, and T. R. Russell, editors. North Central Division, Amer. Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ. No. 7.

Russell, T. R. 1986. Biology and life history of the

Paddlefish — a review. Pages 2-20 in The Paddlefish: Status, Management, and Propagation. J. G. Dillard. K L. Graham, and T. R. Russell, editors. North Central Division. Amer. Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ. No. 7.

Prepared by Brooks M. Burr

Rustyside Sucker

Thohiirnia hamiltoni (Raney and Lachner)

Description. This is a small, striped sucker with two large light blotches at the base of the caudal fin. It belongs to a group of suckers characterized by a sucker-like mouth, a cylindrical body, and 10 dorsal rays. It has 16 caudal peduncle scales, hori¬ zontal dark and light stripes on the sides of the body, a plicate upper lip, and a lower lip that is papillose posteriorly and Hared posteriorly to form a free flap (Menhinick 1991 ). Coloration is olive brown above with diffuse dark spots and pale below. Adults reach 75 to 125 mm SL (Jenkins 1994).

Raii^e. The Rustyside Sucker is endemic to the upper Dan River system of the Roanoke drainage (Jenkins 1980). In North Carolina it has been known since 1986 from one site on the Little Dan River near the Virginia state line (Menhinick 1986). There is a recent record from the Dan River in Virginia (Jenkins and Bulkhead 1994).

Habitat. This species prefers small, cold to warm, high gra¬ dient, clear streams. Adults prefer runs and riffles over gravel, rubble, boulder, and bedrock (Jenkins 1980); however, speci¬ mens collected at the Little Dan River location were in about 60 cm deep pools (pers. obs.). Juveniles occur in flowing pools and

Status. State Endangered

are sensitive to moderate siltation (Jenkins 1979).

Life History and Ecology. The Rustyside Sucker spawns in April, matures in 2 to 4 years, and lives up to 4 years. It feeds o organic floe and also eats small numbers of insect larvae (Jenkins 1980).

Special Significance or Unique Characteristics. This species is more common in nearby streams in Virginia, but the small popula¬ tion in the Little Dan River is the only one known in North Carolina.

Rationale for Evaluation. This species’ very limited distrib¬ ution and sensitivity to siltation warrants its assignment to Endangered status in North Carolina.

Current Protection. The Rustyside Sucker is currently pro¬ tected under Article 25, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern,” added to Chapter 113 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987.

Recommendations. Further research should concentrate on pollution sensitivity and biology. Introduction into other stream; in the upper Dan system of North Carolina, where it may have once occurred, might be investigated.

LITERATURE CITED

Menhinick, E. F. 1986. A numerical method for ranking of endangered species and its application to North Carolina freshwater fishes. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 102:54-86.

- . 1991. The Freshwater Fishes of North Carolina. N.C.

Wildl. Resour. Comm., Raleigh.

Jenkins, R. E. 1979. Rustyside Sucker — Mo.xostoma hamiltoni (Raney and Lachner). Page 348 in Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals of Virginia, D. W. Linsey, editor. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State IJniv., Sea

Grant Program, Publication VPI-SG-79-13, Blacksburg.

- . 1980. Mo.xostoma hamiltoni (Raney and Lachner),

Rustyside Sucker. Page 423 in Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes, D. S. Lee. C. R. Gilbert, C. H. Hocutt. R. E. Jenkins, D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist.. Raleigh.

Jenkins, R. E., and N. M. Burkhead. 1994. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. Amer. Fish. Soc., Bethesda. Md.

Prepared by Edward F. Menhinick

22

State Threatened

Freshwater Fishes of North Carolina

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus pritnuiens Katlnescjiie

Description. This spitiy-rayed fish has a compressed body and a rounded snout. The Freshwater Drum differs from other spiny-rayed fishes by the presence of 2 anal spines, the secr)nd of which is thick and at least times longer than the first; the .soft part of dorsal fin is unusually long and has 26 to 32 rays; the lateral line extends into the round or slightly pointed caudal fin; and the head contains large cavernous canals. The gray col¬ oration of the back gradually fades to silvery gray below. Adult size varies from 420 to 710 mm SL (Pflieger 197.3).

Rcinge. This species occurs in large streams of most Gulf of .Mexico drainages and extends north to Hudson Bay; it is also in the .Saint Lawrence drainage. In North Carolina it occurs only in Spring Creek and in the lower French Broad River below Redmon Dam. Madison County, where it is uncommon (Menhinick 1986).

Hahitcil. The Freshwater Drum li\es near the bottom of large pools of ri\ers and lakes (Pflieger 1975). Although it prefers clean water, it ma\' be found in a wide \'ariety of habitats and can tolerate turbid waters and silty substrates (Trautman 1981 ).

Life History and Ecology. Life history and ecology data are from Etnier and Starnes ( 1993), Pflieger ( 1975), and Fremling 1 1978, 19801. The Freshwater Drum is a bottom feeder and moves stones w ith its snout to expose insect larvae, crayfish, and fishes upon which it feeds; its stout molariform pharyngeal teeth may be used to crush mollusks. another food source. In late .April to May, w hen water temperatures reach 18 to 20°C.

Status. State Threatened.

this species migrates from ri\crs to small streams for spawning. By rubbing muscles against their air bladders, sexually mature males produce a drumming sound thought to be associated with spawning activities. Spawning takes place in midwater; the female lays about 50. ()()() eggs, which float downstream; the fry are planktonic. Crow-lh for the first three years is about 12. 26. and 34 cm, respectively, after which it grows about 4 cm per year; it lives about 1 1 years.

Special Significance or Uniciiie Characteristics. This is the only species of drum in the fresh waters of North America. Because of its large size, fighting abilities when hooked, and edible flesh, it is an important sport and commercial fish where it occurs commonly.

Rationale for Evaluation. The restricted distribution and uncommon occurrence of the Freshw'ater Drum would indicate Endangered status; however, because of the potential of upstream migration from Tennessee, it is assigned Threatened status in North Carolina.

Current Protection. The Freshwater Drum is currently pro¬ tected under Article 25. “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern." added to Chapter 1 1 3 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987.

Recommendations. Reducing pollution in the French Broad River should be the primary goal directed toward maintaining pre¬ sent populations of this species. .Attempts to reintroduce it into the French Broad River abo\e Redmon Dam should be inxestieated.

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens Rafinesque

LITERATURE CITED

Etnier, D. A., and W. C. Starnes. 1993. The Eishes of Tennessee.

Univ. Tennessee Press. Knoxville.

Fremling. C. R. 1978. Biology and functional anatomy of the Freshwater Drum, Aplodinotus grunniens Rafinesque. N.ASCO. Fort Atkinson. Wis.

- . 1980. Aplodinotus grunniens Rafinesque, Freshwater

Drum. Page 756 in Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes. D. S. Lee. C. R. Gilbert, C. H. Hocutt. R. E.

Jenkins. D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C.

State Mus. Nat. Hist., Raleigh.

Menhinick. E. F. 1986. A numerical method for ranking of endangered species and its application to North Carolina freshwater fishes. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 102:54-86.

Pflieger. W. L. 1975. The Fishes of Missouri. Mo. Dept Cons.. Jefferson City.

Trautman, M. B. 1981. The Fishes of Ohio. 2d ed. Ohio State Univ. Press, Columbus.

Prepared by Edward F. Menhinick

24

anded Sculpin

ottiis carolinae (Jill

Description. The Banded Sculpin ranges in size from 70 to f5 mm SL. The ground color is most often rusty brown with 4 irk dorsal saddles, at least the posterior 3 of which are typical- distinct. The color of the body is variable depending on sub¬ rate and water clarity. Banded Sculpins can easily be confused ith western North Carolina forms of C. hciirdi (Mottled culpin) but differ from them in that the Banded Sculpin has a lode of 16 or 17 pectoral fin rays (15 in C. hdinli).

Range. Banded Sculpins are widespread and abundant in le Ozarks. the Tennessee, Cumberland, and Ohio River rainages, and in Mobile Basin. They e.xtend upstream nearly ) the North Carolina border in Tennessee Ri\'er tributaries in ist Tennessee. North Carolina records are from the French Broad iver system near the Tennessee border (Robins 1954) and Sheetin reek near Hot Springs ( 1994; Menhinick, pers. comm.).

Habitat. This species occurs in riffle areas from tiny spring ins to large ri\ ers. W here C. carolinae and C. hairdi occur in le same stream, C. carolinae typically occurs in the more D\\ nstream areas, but broad areas of syntpatry often occur.

Life History and Ecology. Banded Sculpins breed during inter and early spring, with the male defending a nest site ader a stone or other object. Kentucky females produce about 75 eggs per year, and in these populations total lengths of 50 ) 80, 100 to 130, and over 160 mm were reached at ages 1, 2,

Status. State Threatened.

and 3, respectively; maximum life span is probably 4 years (Craddock 1965). Banded Sculpins are voracious predators, feed¬ ing as adults on large aquatic insects, small fishes (especially darters), salamanders, and crayfish (Small 1975, Starnes 1977).

Special Significance or Unicp(e Characteristics. Recent col¬ lections show that the Banded Sculpin is now absent in Laurel Creek and Spring Creek, indicating unusual sensitivity to pollution.

Rationale for Evalnation. Although C. carolinae has apparently been extirpated from Laurel and Spring creeks (Madison County), Harned ( 1979) collected it very close to North Carolina in the French Broad River in Tennessee and Menhinick collected it from Sheetin Creek. Reduction of the distribution in North Carolina coupled with the very small range in this state suggests a high protection status for this species. However, the possibility of natural recolonization from an adja¬ cent Tennessee population and the fact that it is a peripheral species that is common elsewhere supports its Threatened status.

Cnrrent Protection. The Banded Sculpin is currently pro¬ tected under Article 25, "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern,” added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987.

Recommendations. Efforts to improve water quality in the French Broad River system should he strengthened. Periodic sampling to monitor the species’ status should be conducted.

Banded Sculpin

Cottus carolinae (iill

• stream recorded it extirpated

LITERATURE CITED

Craddock. J. R. 1965. Some aspects of the life history of the Banded Sculpin, Cottus carolinae in Doe Run, Meade County. Kentucky. Ph.D. dissertation. Univ. Eouisville, Kentucky.

Harned. D. W. 1979. A qualitative survey of fish and macroin- vertebrates of the French Broad River and selected tribu¬ taries. June-August 1977. Tech. Note B35. Office Nat. Resour., Tenn. Valley Authority. Norris, Tenn.

Robins. C. R. 1954. A taxonomic revision of the Cottus caroli¬

nae species group in eastern North America (Pisces: Cottidae). Ph.D. dissertation, Cornell Univ., Ithaca. New York.

Small, J. W., Jr. 1975. Energy dynamics of benthic fishes in a small Kentucky stream. Ecology 56:827-840.

Starnes, W. C. 1977. The ecology and life history of the endan¬ gered snail darter, Percina tanasi Etnier. Tenn. Wildl. Resour. Agency Tech. Rept. 77-52.

Prepared by David A. Etnier

I

26

Carolina Pysniy Sunfish

Elassoina hoehlkei Rohde and Arndt

Dcscri/uioii. This is one of the smallest Elassouui. with a mean adnll size ot 19 mm SL. There is a series of 10 to 16 "mode 13) narrow, dark bars on the trunk. It lacks the shoulder nlotches, subocular bar, and postocular stripe that are prominent m the banded pygmy suntish, E. zonLituiii. In life the male has brilliant green-blue bars on the trtmk between the dark bars; temales are nondescript, with faint dark trunk bars (Rohde and Arndt 1987).

Rtinge. The Carolina Rygmy Sunfish is known only from hree areas. In South Carolina it occurs at one locality in the iiiddle Santee River drainage and in rice fields in the lower Waccamaw River drainage. In North Carolina it is known froni t roadside ditch adjoining Big Creek, a tributary of Lake vVaccamaw, Columbus County, and in the Juniper Creek system, A’hich joins the VVaccamaw River below Imke Wkiccamaw, Brunswick and Columbus Counties.

Habitat. This sunfish prefers the heavily vegetated edges of >low-moving streams and water-filled roadside ditches; Jaaciis -epens and Sphai’iiam sp. are often common in its habitat. It is rften associated with the Exerglades Pygmy Sunfish, E. evcr- ’ladt’i. It occurs in unusually acidic streams.

Lifi’ History and Ecology. The Camlina Pygmy Sunfish breeds n late spring ( April-May). If it is similar to other Elassoina. it ays 2,3 to 3() eggs per lot (female lays 200 eggs per year) in iquatic vegetation, with an incubation time of about 6,3 hours; naturity occurs in 1 year. Few fish sur\ ive beyond an age of 12 o 13 months. It feeds by sight, primarily on copepods, ostra-

Statns. State riireatencd.

corls, and cladocerans (pers. obs.).

Special Siynijicance or Unicpie ('luu'actcri.stics. This species was first collected in the state in 1961. Unusual restric¬ tion to areas of acidic conditions makes this a species ol special interest in studies of resistance to acid precipitation.

Rationale for Evalnation. Despite extensive collecting in the region of North Carolina where it occurs (Shute el al.

1981; E. E. Menhinick, irers. ccmim.), the Carolina Pygmy Sunfish is known from only two creeks. The population adjoining Big Creek is small and thus especially x idnerable to any habitat alteration. Juniper Creek supports a healthy popu¬ lation. A large population in a roadside ditch adjacent to lower Juniper Creek was threatened by a proposed North Carolina Department of Transportation bridge relocation until person¬ nel from several regulatory agencies made suggestions on how to save it.

Current Protection. The Carolina Pygmy Sunfish is current¬ ly protected under Article 23, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern." added t(i Chapter 1 1 3 of the General Statutes of the Stale of North Carolina in 1987. It was listed in the LI.S. Federal Register. Vol. 30. No.

181. p. 37961. 18 September 1983, and is under consideration for addition to the Federal Threatened Species List.

Reconnnendations. The Juniper Creek watershed should be maintained in its present, fairly pristine condition. Further stud¬ ies on the species life history, ecology, and tolerance to acidic- conditions are needed.

27

Carolina Pygmy Sunfish

Elassoma hoehlkei Rohde and Arndt

LITERATURE CITED

Rohde, F. C., and R. G. Arndt. 1987. Two new species of pygmy sunfishes (Elassomatidae, Elassoma) from the Carolinas. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 139:65-85.

Shute, J. R., P. W. Shute, and D. G. Lindquist. 1981. Fishes of the Waccamaw River drainage. Brimleyana 6:1-24.

Prepared by Fred C. Rohde

Sharphead Darter

Etheostoma aciiticeps Bailcv

Description. The Sharphead Darter is a moilerate-sized darter with an elongate and narrow snout. Longitudinal streaks oeeur along eaeh scale row, the operele and nape ha\'e no scales, and the gill nienibranes are moderately Joined. Adults vary from 40 to 70 mm SL. Males are dark olive with 1 1 to 16 brown \ ertieal bars, and their \ entrolateral areas, including the breast, are cast with blue-green. The first dorsal fin is dark olive with a black anteriodorsal spot; other fins are marginally to almost completely blue-green. Breeding females are straw olive with less conspicuous vertical bars, have olive-browm pectoral fins, and are straw yellow to yellow ventrolaterally. See Bailey ( 1959) and Page ( 1983) for a more complete description.

Range. This fish is endemic to the South Fork of the Holston River in Virginia and Tennessee and the Nolichucky (Toe) River of Tennessee and North Carolina, It is extirpated from the South Fork Flolston in Tennessee and the North Toe River above Spruce Pine in North Carolina, In North Carolina it occurs in the lower Cane River, and, because of reduction of sil- tation from mica mining and a 100-year flood that removed much accumulated silt, populations now occur also in the North Toe-Noliehueky River near the confluence of the Cane River (Haxo and Ne\es 1984).

Habitat. This darter typically occurs in the faster runs and riffles of w arm-w ater streams o\ er gra\ el and cobbles, often encrusted with riverweed ( Podostennnn). It appears to he eco¬ logically separated from closely related species by its mouth position, preference for fast water, and common association with riverweed (Bryant 1979).

Life History and Ecology. This species probably spawns from late June through mid-August and hence is considered a late spawner (Stiles 1972, Bryant 1979). Sexual maturity is

Status. State Threatened.

attained at age I, and longevity is 3 years (Kuehne and Barbour 1983). Spaw ning females apparently bury their eggs in sandy substrate among rocks in riffle areas (Bryant 1979). Fecundity ranges from 100 to 300 eggs and is aiiparently correlated w ith body size (Bryant 1979). The species feeds on benthic in\erte- brates. particularly blackflies. mayflies, and midges (Jenkins and Bulkhead 1975, Bryant 1979).

Special Signifii ance or Unicjiie Cliaraclerislics. This species is the only member of the subgenus Nothonotns that has an unsealed operele and that lacks red-orange pigmentation (Page 1983).

Ratioiude for Evaluation. Based on extirpation of the popu¬ lation in the North Toe River and on near extirpation of the Cane River population after construction of a bridge on the Cane River, this species is unusually sensitive to siltation. Because of this and because of its limited range, the Sharphead Darter is assigned Threatened status in North Carolina.

Cnrroit Protection. The Sharphead Darter is currentiv’ pro¬ tected under Article 25. "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern." added to Chapter I 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987.

Reconiniendations. The extirpation in the North Toe River and the decline in other areas probably resulted I'rom deteriora¬ tion of water quality caused by mica and silicon mining, indus¬ trial and municipal wastes, and siltation. Better enforcement of pollution and mine siltation standards will improve conditions for this species and its food organisms. With these corrective actions, the species should maintain or slightly expand its pre¬ sent range; however, siltation is presently increasing in the lower Nolichucky River. If w ater quality is now satisfactorv in the North Toe River above Spruce Pine where the species once oceurred. reintroductions might be attempted.

Sharphead Darter

Etheostoma acuticeps Bailey

LITERATURE CITED

Bailey. R. M. 1959. Etheostoma acuticeps, a new darter from the Tennessee River system, with remarks on the subgenus Nothonotus. Occas. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Mich.

603:1-10.

Brvant. R. T. 1979. Life history and comparative ecology of the Sharphead Darter (Etheostoma acuticeps). Tenn. Wildl. Resour. Agency Tech. Rept. No. 79-50.

Haxo. W. H., and R. J. Neves. 1984. A status survey of the Sharphead Darter (Etheostoma acuticeps). Einal Rept.. Endangered Species Field Office. Asheville, N.C.

Jenkins. R. E.. and N. M. Burkhead. 1975. Recent capture and

analysis of the Sharphead Darter. Etheostoma acuticeps, an endangered percid fish of the upper Tennessee River drainage. Copeia 1975:731-740.

Kuehne. R. A., and R. W. Barbour. 1983. The American Darters. Univ. Press Kentucky, Lexington.

Page, L. M. 1983. Handbook of Darters. T. F. H. Publ., Inc., Neptune City, N.J.

Stiles, R. A. 1972. The comparative ecology of three species of Nothonotus (Percidae: Etheostoma) in Tennessee’s Little River. Ph.D. dissertation. Univ. Tennessee. Knoxville.

Prepared by Richard J. Neves

30

VVaccamaw Darter

Etheostonui perlongum (Hubbs and Raney)

Description. The Waccamavv Darter (.lil'fers from other members of the subgenus Boleosonui in that it is a more attenu¬ ate, finer sealed speeies. There are 59 to 64 lateral-line scales, and the nape and the cheek are well sealed. Adults range from 45 to 75 mm SL and males are larger than females (Shute et al. 1982). Breeding males become considerably darker than females and nonbreeding males. Page ( 1983) and Kuehne and Barbour ( 1983) provide detailed analy.ses and color photographs of this species.

Riinge. Although this ta.xon was originally described as a species endemic to Lake Waecamaw (Hubbs and Raney 1946),

Shute ( 1984) demonstrated that it ranges down the Waecamaw River, where it intergrades clinally with the Tessellated Darter, E. ohnstedi.

Habitat. The Waecamaw Darter is common in the nearshore waters of Lake Waccamavs' during spring and summer months and undergoes a migration to the middle areas of the lake in late fall and winter. Both in the lake and in the Waecamaw River it .seems to prefer relatively clean, sandy substrate.

Life History and Ecology. This darter is unique among other Boleosonui studied because it is an annual species (Shute et al. 1982). Breeding occurs from early April through late June (Lindquist et al. 1981 ). Males excavate a cavity under nearly any stationary object (typically, submerged wood is the avail¬ able substrate in Lake Waecamaw), and eggs are laid on the undersurface of that object (Lindquist et al. 1981 ). One female spawns 40 to 50 eggs at a time. A nest typically consists of eggs deposited by more than one female and can contain about 1 ,2()() eggs, which are guarded by a male until hatching occurs. These darters feed primarily on benthic insect larvae. Lindquist et al. (1981 ) and Shute et al. ( 1982) provide extensive life history

Status. State Threatened.

information on this fish.

Special Significance or Uniiiue Characteristics. Shute ( 1984) conducted morphological and biochemical analyses of the E. perlonguin/E. ohnstedi complex. Popidations in the upper W'accamaw River grade to E. ohnstedi in the lower Waecamaw River, and electrophoretic studies using 16 enzymes revealed few differences with E. ohnstedi. Shute concluded that, altht)ugh the Waecamaw Darter should not receive specific taxonomic status, it is a unique and interesting form from an evolutionary standpoint. In addition, the annualism exhibited by the lake form is rare among darters and unknown in any other Boleosonui.

Rationale for Evaluation. Density of Waecamaw Darters is presently stable. The lake dwelling, annual form is especially vulnerable, however, as a short-term event could eliminate the population by interfering with successful reproduction. Habitat modification and/or water quality degradation, particularly eutrophication (Lindquist and Yarbrough 1982). could threaten this population and the ecology of Lake Waecamaw in general.

Current Protection. The Waecamaw Darter is currently pro¬ tected under Article 25, “Endangered and Threatened W'ildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern,” added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. It also has indirect protection because of its occurrence with the Federally Threatened Waccamavv Silverside. Menidia extensa.

Reconunendations. The Waecamaw watershed should be monitored and steps should be taken to ensure the well-being of this unique area. In addition, because of the short life span of the Waecamaw Darter, regular monitoring should be done to ob.serve any population trends.

31

Waccamaw Darter

Etheostoma perlongum (Hubbs and Ranej )

• stream recorded O lake or reservior recorded

LITERATURE CITED

Hubbs, C. L.. and E. C. Raney. 1946. Endemic fish fauna of Lake Waccamaw. North Carolina. Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Mich. 65: 1-30.

Kuehne, R. A., and R. W. Barbour. 1983. The American Darters.

Univ. Press Kentucky, Lexington.

Lindquist, D. G.. J. R. Shute, and P. W. Shute. 1981. Spawning and nesting behavior of the Waccamaw Darter.

Etheostoma perlongum. Environ. Biol. Eishes 6:177-191. Lindquist. D. G.. and C. G. Yarbrough. 1982. Status of the endemic ichthyofauna of Lake Waccamaw. North Carolina. N.C. Endangered Species Restoration Tech. Rept. E-l-VI.

Page, L. M. 1983. Handbook of Darters. T. E. H. Publ.. Inc., Neptune City, N.J.

Shute. J. R. 1984. A systematic evaluation of the Waccamaw Darter. Etheostoma perlongum (Hubbs and Raney), with comments on relationships within the subgenus Boleosoma (Percidae: Etheostomatini). M.S. thesis, Univ. Tennessee, Knoxville.

Shute, P. W., J. R. Shute, and D. G. Lindquist. 1982. Age, growth, and early life history of the Waccamaw Darter, Etheostoma perlongum. Copeia 1982:561-567.

Prepared by J. R. Shute

Rosyface Chub

Hyhopsis nihrifrons (Jordan)

Description. The Rosylace Chub is a cylindrical fish with bright red breeding colors and a well-developed barbel. It dit- fers front other chubs by a combination of the following charac¬ teristics: the month is inferior; there is a dusky stripe on the sides; the eye is large; and there are 8 anal rays and 1.4-4, 1 pha¬ ryngeal teeth. Adults reach 70 mm SL (Clemmer 1971, 1980).

Range. The Rosyface Chub occurs in the Piedmont of the Savannah River drainage of North Carolina and South Carolina to the .Altamaha River in Georgia; it also occurs in the main stream of the Savannah River below the Fall Line (Clemmer 1980). In North Carolina it is restricted to lower stretches of the I Horsepasture and Toxavvay Rivers between the falls and Lake Jocassee of the Savannah River drainage (Menhinick 1986).

Habitat. Its preferred habitat is small to moderate-sized streams in slightly moving water near the break of a ritfle or edge of a depression or a pool (Clemmer 1971 ). In larger streams it is usually found near the banks in eddy currents over relatively unsilt¬ ed areas of hard packed sand or gravel (Clemmer 1980).

Life History and Ecology. The Rosyface Chub spawns from mid- April through June at waiter temperatures of 19 to 20°C.

1 LITER.ATURE CITED

I Clemmer. G. H. 1971. The systematics and biology of the Hyhopsis anihlops comple.\. Ph.D. dissertation. Tulane Univ.. New Orleans. Louisiana.

- . 1980. Hyhopsis rubrifrons (Jordan). Rosyface Chub.

Page 193 in Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes. D. S. Lee. C. R. Gilbert. C. H. Hocutt. R. E. Jenkins. D. E.

Status. .State Threatenetl.

(Clemmer 1980). Little is known of the feeding habits of this species; it probably feeds mostly by sight on small aquatic and terrestrial arthropods.

Special Significance or Unique Characteristics. The North Carolina kicalities represent the northernmost populations of this peripheral species.

Rationale for Evaluation. Because of its limited distribution and the blockage of access from downstream areas by Lake Jocassee, this species is assigned State Threatened status.

Current Protection. The Rosyface Chub is currently pro¬ tected under Article 25, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern," added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987.

Reconnnendations. Although Horsepasture Gorge is listed as a wild and scenic river, and the Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the North Carolina Natural and Scenic Rivers Act ensure the free-lJowing nature of the river, neither act con¬ trols siltation or discharge to any great extent. Therefore, emphasis should be placed on improving waters in the upper Savannah drainage, especially in view of the rapid development of the area between Highlands and Lake Toxaw’ay.

• strfiun ri'cordfd

McAllister, and .1. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. State .Mus. Nat. Hist.. Raleigh.

Menhinick. E. F. 1986. A numerical method for ranking of endangered species and its application to North Carolina freshwater fishes. .1. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. in2;54-86.

Prepared b_v Edward F. Menhinick

33

American Brook Lamprey

iMmpetra appendix (DeKay)

Description. Lampreys are snake-shaped fishes with no scales; they have a funnel-shaped mouth, 7 gill apertures on each side of the body, a single median nostril, and no paired fins. The American Brook Lamprey is the only Tennessee drainage lamprey with a deeply notched dorsal fin. Adults have moderately developed dorsal teeth and 63 to 70 myomeres. Adults reach 99 to 212 mm TL.

Range. This lamprey occurs in the Saint Lawrence River basin, the Mississippi (but not Missouri) River basin, and the Atlantic slope from New York to the Chowan River basin of Virginia. Rohde ( 1979) recognized three subspecies, one of which, L. a. wilderi, is found in the lower Chowan River drainage of Virginia just above the North Carolina state line. It is also fairly common in tributaries of the Tennessee River in eastern Tennessee (Rohde 1979). In fall 1980 the first record of the American Brook Lamprey from North Carolina was collect¬ ed in Spring Creek near its junction with the French Broad River at Hot Springs, Madison County, a few kilometers above the Tennessee state line.

Habitat. Ammocoetes larvae of the American Brook Lamprey are found in quiet waters with silt substrate in small creeks to small rivers. The Spring Creek population occurs in silt beds along both sides of the stream below a riffle area.

Life History and Ecology. Spawning occurs in April. Adults move to the upper end of gravel areas near lar\ al beds and use

Status. State Threatened.

their suction mouths to move stones to construct a pit into which about 1 ,000 eggs are spawned. In about 4 days these hatch into ammocoetes larvae that burrow into silt. They obtain nourishment by straining plankton and organic particles from the water and from bottom sediments. They develop for 5 years and transform into adults in late summer over a period of sever¬ al weeks. Adults do not feed, and they die shortly after spawn¬ ing in the spring.

Special Significance or Unique Characteristics. This is the only known population of this species in the state.

Rationale for Evaluation. Because of limited distribution, this population is in potential danger of extirpation. However, it might be repopulated via migration up the French Broad River from Tennessee.

Current Protection. The American Brook Lamprey is cur¬ rently protected under Article 25. "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern,” added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987.

Recommendations. Silted areas are seldom sampled in rou¬ tine fish surveys, and lampreys are seldom collected with seines or rotenone. Additional samples, using electrofishing equip¬ ment. need to be taken both in Spring Creek and nearby streams and in other Tennessee drainage streams where lampreys might occur to better determine their distribution and abundance.

34

American Brook Lamprey

iMntpetra appendix (I)eKay)

i

I

i

I

• stream recorded

LITERATURE CITED

Rohde, F. C. 1979. Systematics of the American Brook Eamprey, Lampetra (Lethenierou) lainottenii (Lesiieiir)

I Pisces: Petromyzonidae). M.A. thesis, Univ. North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

- . 1980. Lampetra appendix (DeKay), American Brook

Lamprey. Page 23 in Atlas of North American Freshwater

Fishes, D. S. Lee, C. R. Gilbert, C. H. Hocutt. R. E. Jenkins, D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C State Mus. Nat. Hist., Raleigh.

Prepared by Fred C. Rohde

Striped Shiner

Liixiliis chrysocephalus (Rafinesque)

Description. The Striped Shiner is a large, thick-bodied shiner with 2 to 3 wavy, dark, horizontal lines of scales along the upper sides. As a minnow it is characterized by a single dor¬ sal fin with no spines and the absence of scales on the head. It differs from other minnows by a combination of the following characteristics: thick body; 2 to 3 wavy, dark, horizontal lines along the upper sides; deep anterior lateral-line scales; and thin, dark, vertical lines on the sides of adults. There are 13 to 16 large predorsal scales, 9 anal rays, and 2,4-4,2 pharyngeal teeth. Background coloration is silvery (pink in breeding males). Adults var>' from 65 to 100 mm SL (Gilbert 1980). See Gilbert (1964) for a detailed consideration of this species, which he sep¬ arated from L cornutus.

Range. The Striped Shiner is common in the Mississippi River drainage (excluding the Missouri) and in the Mobile River basin (Gilbert 1980). In North Carolina it is known from six locations in the Cane River near Burnsville. Yancey County, Toe River drainage.

Habitat. This shiner occurs in schools in midwater areas of small to medium, clear, weedless streams of moderate to swift current with sand, gravel, or rubble substrate, often with some silt (Gilbert 1980). Pool areas with gravel and pebble substrate pro¬ tected by brush are often preferred in North Carolina (pers. obs.).

Life History and Ecology. In the spring this species migrates to brooks and smaller streams of moderate to high gradient, clear w'ater, with substrate of gravel, boulders, bedrock, and sand (Trautman 1981 ). It spawns from late April to mid-June at water temperatures over 16°C. Spawning occurs over gravel (Pflieger 1975. Etnier and Starnes 1993) or

Status. State Threatened.

I

over a shallow pit evacuated by the male (Gilbert 1980). The j Striped Shiner is a surface, midwater, and bottom feeder and ! eats aquatic and terrestrial insects, fish, small crayfish, fila¬ mentous algae, and detritus (Gilbert 1980, Etnier and Starnes 1993). It moves downstream in winter to larger, deeper waters of lower gradient. I

Special Significance or Unique Characteristics. The Striped Shiner, along with the Stonecat and the Sharphead Darter, are | three species of special status that, in North Carolina, occur in i the Cane River drainage. All major rivers entering Tennessee I may have permitted access of this species to North Carolina from Tennessee at one time; dams now block entrance from the i Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, and Watauga Rivers. Pollution | restricts entrv' from the Pigeon and. to a lesser extent, from the I French Broad, leaving only the Toe with relatively free access. I Rationale for Evaluation. Because of its restricted distribu-| tion and because of the information that it may provide on the , continued well-being of small disjunct populations, the Striped , Shiner is assigned Threatened status in North Carolina. '

Current Protection. The Striped Shiner is currently protect-^ ed under Article 25. "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and j Wildlife Species of Concern," added to Chapter 1 13 of the j General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. |

Recommendations. This is one of four species proposed for' special status that occur in the Toe River drainage, indicating a . special need to keep streams of this area as pristine as possible, j It is recommended that more extensive surveys be undertaken tcl determine the range of the Striped Shiner more accurately and ultimately to ascertain if changes in range are occurring.

36

i Striped Shiner

j Lttxiliis chrysocephalus (Raflnestiue)

LITERATURE CITED

Etnier, D. A., and W, C. Starnes. 1993. The Eishes of Tennessee.

Univ. Tennessee Press. Knoxville.

Gilbert. C. R. 1964. The .American cyprinid fishes of the suh- genus Luxilus (genus Notropis). Bull. Ela. State Mus. Biol. Sci. 8:9.6-195.

- . 1980. Notropis chrysocephalus (Rafinesque). Striped

Shiner. Page 256 in .Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes. D. S. Lee. C. R. Gilbert. C. H. Hocutt. R. E.

Jenkins. D. E. Mc.Allister. and J. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C.

• stream recorded

State Mus. Nat. Hist.. Raleigh.

Pfiieger. W. L. 1975. The Fishes of Missouri. Mo. Dept. Cons.. Jefferson City.

Scott. W.B., and E. J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada Bull. 184.

Trautman. M. B. 1981. The Fishes of Ohio. 2d ed. Ohio State Llni\'. Press. Columbus.

Prepared by Edward F. Menhinick

37

Logperch

Percina caprodes (Rafinesque)

Description. The Logperch is a large darter (100 to 165 mm maximum SL) with a pale yellowish ground color traversed by thin, dark, dorsal saddles that extend well down the sides and give a distinctive "tiger stripe" appearance. The 8 to 12 primary saddles (usually darker) extend well below the lateral line, and their lower ends may expand slightly to form small blotches; 7 to 14 intervening secondary saddles extend only to or above the lateral line. Lateral-line scales number 82 to 92 in our area. The dorsal fin has 14 to 16 ( 12 to 17) spines and 15 to 17 ( 14 to 18) soft rays. Anal fin soft rays number 9 to 12 (8 to 13). Pectoral fm rays number 14 to 15 (12 to 16). There are 17 principal caudal fin rays. See the P. burtoni account for differences from that species. More elaborate descriptions are in Etnier and Starnes ( 1993) and Page ( 1983).

Range. The Logperch is widespread and abundant throughout most Mississippi River drainages, the Great Lakes and eastern Canada, and the Atlantic drainages of New York and Maryland. It is peripheral in North Carolina, where it is known to occur in the French Broad River and Spring Creek near the Tennessee border. There is also one record from New River near the Virginia line (UNC-Charlotte). It is also antici¬ pated to occur in the Toe and Watauga systems near the Tennessee border.

Habitat. The Logperch typically occurs in creeks to large rivers. It prefers clear riffles or runs over sand or gravel, or pool areas often near large boulders; it avoids silty areas. This is one of only a very few darter species that is tolerant of reservoirs. Many reservoir and big river populations probably migrate to smaller streams to spawn (Etnier and Starnes 1993).

Life History and Ecology. Spawning occurs over gravel rif-

Status. State Threatened.

fles from April through the first half of May. The male mounts the female, and the two fish vibrate into the sand, where 10 to 20 eggs are laid per spawning act; 1,000 to 3,000 eggs are laid per female per year (Winn 1958). Eggs are unguarded and hatch in 7 days. In Illinois total lengths of about 70, 100, and 120 mm were reached at ages 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and 4-year-olds were not seen. Logperch feed on a large variety of aquatic insects and snails, which they often find by flipping over small stones with their snout (Turner 1921, Thomas 1970, Starnes 1977).

Special Significance or Unique Characteristics. Because of the widespread and common occurrence of the Logperch. it is one of the most studied darters, making it potentially valuable as an indicator of environmental quality.

Rationale for Evaluation. The broad distribution of the species elsewhere and the potential for reintroduction, either natural or artificial, supports Threatened status rather than Endangered status that might otherwise be appropriate based solely on the species' North Carolina distribution. More work is needed on the ecology and reproductive biology of the Logperch in North Carolina.

Current Protection. The Logperch is currently protected under Article 25, "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern," added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987.

Recommendations. Monitoring the populations is warranted to watch for changes, and efforts should be made to identify critical habitat for the Logperch. Survey efforts specifically for this species should be conducted in other systems where there is potential for occurrence.

38

^ogperch

*ercina caprodes (Rafinesque)

• stream recorded

LITERATURE CITED

Etnier, D. A., and \V. C. Starnes. 1993. The Fishes of Tennes.see.

Univ. Tennessee Press. Knoxville.

Page, L. M. 1983. Handbook of Darters. T. F. H. Publ,. Inc.. Neptune City. N.J.

l' Starnes, W. C. 1977. The ecology and life history of the endan¬ gered snail darter, Percimi tanasi Etnier. Tenn. Wildl. Resour. .Agency Tech. Rept. 77-52.

Thomas. D. L. 1970. An ecological study of four darters of the

genus Percina (Percidae) in the Kaskaskia Ri\er. Illinois.

Ill. Nat. Hist. Surv. Biol. Notes 70:1-18.

Turner. C. L. 1921. Food of the common Ohio darters. Ohio J. Sci. 22:41-61.

Winn. H. E. 1938. Comparative reproducti\'e behavior and ecol¬ ogy of fourteen species of darters (Pisces: Percidae). Ecol. Monogr. 28:155-191.

Prepared by David A. Etnier

I

i

39

State Special Concern Freshwater Fishes of North Carolina

Lake Sturgeon

Acipenser fulvescens Rafinesque

Description. The Lake Sturgeon is a mottled sturgeon that has 5 rows of bony plates on the body, a flat triangular snout with 4 large barbels in front of the mouth, and a strongly bilobed tail. It differs from other North Carolina sturgeons in that its yellowish brown to gray body is often mottled with black; there are 25 to 40 gill rakers on the entire first gill arch, and a spiracle is present. Fork length of adults ranges from 750 to 1,200 mm (Gruchy and Parker 1980).

Range, Habitat, and Biology. The Lake Sturgeon occurs in the Mississippi drainages of eastern North America, north to Hudson Bay, and in the St. Lawrence system (Gruchy and Parker 1980). In North Carolina it is known only from a report of 8 sturgeons taken from the French Broad River near Hot Springs in 1945 (Brimley 1946). This bottom-living species occurs in the shoal areas of lakes and large rivers, usually in water 5 to 9 m deep; it infrequently enters brackish water (Gruchy and Parker 1980). It feeds mainly over a clean bottom of sand, gravel, and rocks and avoids soft muddy bottoms (Trautman 1981 ). It uses its highly protrusive lips to suck up bottom material from which crayfish, clams, snails, insect larvae (especially midges), and fish eggs are selectively removed (Gruchy and Parker 1980). See Trautman (1981). Gruchy and Parker ( 1980), Scott and Crossman ( 1973), and Etnier and Starnes (1993) for life history data. Adults may spawn in rocky areas of lakes or may migrate up rivers distances up to 200 km. Spawning occurs from April through June at temperatures of 12 to 18°C. In rivers it

spawns in fast water over gravel and may spawn in waters only 1 foot deep (the French Broad River is quite shallow near Hot Springs). Females typically lay 50,000 to 70,000 eggs and spawn only once every 4 to 9 years. The adhesive eggs are scat tered over gravel, rocks, and logs, and they hatch in 5 to 8 days The fish matures in 14 to 20 years and may live 120 years.

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Recommendations. The Lake Sturgeon has declined over most of its former range because of dams, which prevent entry to sat isfactory spawning areas, destruction of spawning areas by silta tion and pollution, and overfishing. Its flesh is highly valued as food, and the eggs make excellent caviar. Other than the 1945 Hot Springs record, this species has not been recorded from the, state. It was not taken in the 1978 survey of the French Broad J River of North Carolina and Tennessee by the Tennessee Valley Authority. However, it apparently still occurs rarely in Douglas Reservoir, the first major reservoir downstream on the French Broad River (Etnier and Starnes 1993). If this is the case, the 6‘ stream km to Hot Springs is within the species’ migration range The Lake Sturgeon is assigned State Special Concern status ane is currently protected under Article 25, "Endangered and | Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern,” added h Chapter 113 of the General Statutes of the State of North j Carolina in 1987. Efforts should continue to be made to '

improve waters of the Erench Broad drainage, and the possibilij ty of restocking should be investigated. j

!

1

40

Lake Sturgeon

Xcipenser fiilvescens Ratlnesquc

j LITERATURE CITED

j Brimley. C. S. 1946. The freshwater fishes of North Carolina.

Installment 1 . Carolina Tips 9:11. jlEtnier, D. A., and W. C. Starnes. 1993. The Fishes of Tennessee. Lhiiv. Tennessee Press. Know ille.

Griichy. C. G., and B. Parker. 1980. Acipeiiser fiilvescens Rafinesque, Lake Sturgeon. Page 39 in Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes, D. S. Lee, C. R. Gilbert, C.

H. Hocutt, R. E. Jenkins, D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist., Raleigh. Scott, W. B., and E. J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada Bull. 184.

Trautman, M. B. 1981. The Fishes of Ohio. 2d ed. Ohio State Univ. Press, Columbus.

Prepared by Edward F. Menhinick

41

Atlantic Sturgeon

Acipemer oxyrhynchiis Mitchill

Description. Most of this summary was condensed from Ross ( 1988). The Atlantic Sturgeon is covered with 5 rows of hony plates; the snout is flat and triangular with 4 large barbels in front of the mouth; and the tail is strongly bilobed. It differs from the Shortnose Sturgeon by having 2 longitudinal rows of scales in front of the anus; the length of the barbels is less than 55% of the interorbital width; the viscera are pale; the snout is long in fish under 1,000 mm; the anal rays are 23 to 27; and the fork length of adults in North Carolina is usually 880 to 2,000 mm.

Range. Habitat, and Biology. The east coast subspecies, A. o. o.xyrhynchiis occurs along the Atlantic coast from Labrador to northeastern Florida. The Gulf of Mexico subspecies, A. o. des- otoi. ranges from the Mississippi delta to Charlotte Harbor, Florida. The Atlantic Sturgeon occurs throughout coastal waters and in most large coastal rivers and estuaries. Some fish proba¬ bly move south in the fall and north in the spring (Van Den Avyle 1984. Smith 1985).

Atlantic Sturgeon ascend major freshwater rivers of Albemarle Sound and the Pamlico, Neuse, and Cape Fear Rivers during spawning runs beginning in February and peaking in March and April. Spawning occurs in fresh water mostly dur¬ ing April and May. It is not known if Atlantic Sturgeon spawn each year or rest for one or more years between spawnings. Females lay from 100,000 to 2.5 million demersal adhesive eggs on hard or rough bottoms; the eggs are then abandoned by the parents (Scott and Crossman 1973) and hatch in about 7 days. One-year-old sturgeon may reach fork lengths of 200 to 400 mm. They can be 500 to 1,000 mm at 5 years of age, 1,000 to 1.650 mm by age 10, and 1,050 to 1,800 mm by age 15; they usually reach maturity in 7 to 10 years (Murawski and Pacheco 1977. Van Den Avyle 1984). Juveniles generally stay in rivers or estuaries for their first 6 years before migrating into the ocean

Status: State Special Concern

to mature (Smith 1985; Moser and Ross 1993, 1995). Atlantic ! Sturgeon live more than 50 years. They forage opportunisticalhi on soft bottoms, feeding upon crustaceans, mollusks, annelids, small fishes, vegetation, aquatic insects, and sediments (Murawski and Pacheco 1977). They may not feed during spawning migrations (Scott and Crossman 1973, Smith 1985).

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and \

Recommendations. Eggs and flesh of the Atlantic Sturgeon are j valued commercially. Most North Carolina catches have been | from the Cape Fear River and adjacent ocean, or from the ’ Albemarle Sound area. The Atlantic Sturgeon is assigned State j Special Concern status and is currently protected under Article i 25, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species, of Concern,” added to Chapter 113 of the General Statutes of j the State of North Carolina in 1987. Population sizes, ranges, and fisheries have declined rapidly throughout the twentieth i centur)' because of degradation of marine and estuarine habitat' and spawning areas. Population characteristics, particularly lata maturation, possible periodic spawning, restricted spawning I sites, and slow growth make Atlantic Sturgeon unusually vul- I nerable to overfishing and environmental disturbance. As of 1 | September 1991 it is illegal to possess any species of sturgeon in North Carolina; this moratorium may be lifted at the discre¬ tion of the Division of Marine Eisheries. Sturgeon fishing is al? prohibited in Florida. Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia. 1

Surveys of abundance, population dynamics, and local i migrations in major watersheds are needed; effect of locks, dams, and river flow should also be investigated. Special con- : sideration of water quality and access to spawning areas shouki be accorded as soon as possible to the Cape Fear River and to western Albemarle Sound. Smith (1985) recommends a com¬ plete fishing moratorium throughout the Atlantic Sturgeon's range until its status can be determined.

42

Atlantic Sturgeon

Acipenser oxyrhyncliits Mitchill

LITERATURE CITED

Moser, M. L., and S. \V. Ross. 1993. Distribution and move¬ ments of Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser hrevirostniin) and other anadromous fishes of the lower Cape Fear River. North Carolina. Final Rept. to LhS. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District.

- . 199.3. Habitat use and movements of Shortnose and

Atlantic Sturgeons in the lower Cape Fear River. North Carolina. Trans. .Amer. Fish. Soc. 124:22,3-234.

Murawski, S. A., and A. L. Pacheco. 1977. Biological and fish¬ eries data on Atlantic Sturgeon. Acipenser oxyrhynchns Mitchill. Nat. Mar. Fish. Serv.. Sandy Hook Lab. Tech.

Serv. Rept. No. 10.

Ross, S. W. 1988. Acipenser o.xyrhynchus Mitchill. Atlantic Sturgeon. Pages 7-8 in Endangered. Threatened, and Rare Fauna of North Carolina. Part IF A Re-evaluation of the

Marine and Estuarine Fishes, S. W. Ross. F. C. Rohde, and D. G. Lindquist, editors. Occas. Pap. N.C. Biol. Sur\. 1988-7. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Sci.. Raleigh.

Scott. W. B., and E. J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada Bull. 184. Smith. T. 1. .1. 1983. The fishery, biology, and manage¬ ment of Atlantic Sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrhynchns. in North America. Environ. Biol. Fishes 14( 1 ):61-72.

Van Den Avyie. M. .1. 1984. Species profiles: life histories and en\ ironmental requirements of coastal Ushes and invertebrates (South .Atlantic). Atlantic Sturgeon. LfS. Fish Wildl. Serv. FWS/OBS-82/1 1 .23.

Prepared by Steve W. Ross

43

River Carpsucker

Carpiodes carpio (Rafinesque)

Description. The River Carpsucker is one of several large thick-bodied suckers of the Mississippi drainages with elongat¬ ed anterior dorsal rays. It differs from other thick-bodied suck¬ ers by a combination of the following characteristics: the subop- ercle is triangular and widest below the middle; the anterior fontanel is open; the lower lip has a small fleshy knob at the tip; the snout is relatively pointed; and the body is unusually elon¬ gate (depth into SL varies from 2.7 in young to 3.3 in adults). Coloration is dull gray or brown dorsally and silvery on the sides and ventrally. Adults reach 330 to 636 mm TL (Trautman 1981. Etnier and Starnes 1993).

Range, Habitat, and Biology. The River Carpsucker occurs in the Mississippi-Missouri drainages from Pennsylvania to Montana and in the Gulf of Mexico drainages from Louisiana into northern Mexico (Lee and Platania 1980). There is a single North Carolina record from the main stream of the Trench Broad River at Hot Springs (Duke University Collection) and a record from the Trench Broad River in Tennessee near the North Carolina line (Etnier and Starnes 1993). Life history data are from Lee and Platania ( 1980), Etnier and Starnes ( 1993). Trautman (1981). and Pflieger ( 1975). See Jester ( 1972) for a detailed study of this species. The River Carpsucker occurs (often in large schools) in reser¬ voirs and in deep, quiet, silt-bottomed pools of rivers with low to moderate gradients. It is often found in silty or turbid

Status: State Special Concern

waters, where it sucks up and swallows bottom material con¬ taining filamentous algae and associated periphyton, insect lar¬ vae, worms, and mollusks. Individuals migrate upstream to spawn from early May to mid-June at temperatures of 19 to 24°C and return downstream in September. Eggs are broadcast in shallow w'ater over silty sand substrate; 100.000 to 300,000 eggs are spawned per year. Total lengths of fish at the end of years 1 through 4 are about 120, 250, 325, and 370 mm, respec¬ tively. The River Carpsucker matures after the second or third year and lives up to 10 years.

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Recommendations. Although apparently rare in North Carolina, this species' abundance probably has been underestimated because it is mainly collected by netting during spring migra¬ tions, an illegal operation in the Lrench Broad River in North Carolina. As a result of this uncertain estimate, its tolerance of j silty conditions, and the potential of natural restocking from Tennessee, this species is assigned State Special Concern status a lower status than its scarcity would indicate. It is currently protected under Article 25. “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern." added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. Joint studies with Tennessee biologists need to be under- ’ taken, especially during the spring spawning run. to better deter mine the distribution and abundance of this species.

I

44

<iver Carpsucker

^(irpiodes carpio ( Rafinestiiie)

Jester. D. B. 1972. Life history, ecology, and management of the River Carpsucker. Carpiodes carpio (Rafinesque), with ref¬ erence to Elephant Butte Lake. Univ. N.Mex. Expt. Sta. Rept. 243:1-120.

Lee, D. .S.. and S. P. Platania. 1980. Carpiodes carpio

(Rafinesque). River Carpsucker. Page 367 in Atlas of North

Ptlieger. W. L. 1975. The Pishes of Missouri. Mo. Dept. Cons. Jefferson City.

Trautman. M. B. 1981. The Pishes of Ohio. 2d ed. Ohio .State Uni\'. Press. Columbus.

Prepared by Edward F. Menhinick

45

Highfin Carpsucker

Carpiodes velifer (Rafinesque)

Description. The Atlantic drainage form of this large thick¬ bodied sucker has only moderately elongated anterior rays on the dorsal fin (as opposed to Mississippi drainage forms that have a high dorsal fin). It can be differentiated from other thick¬ bodied suckers by a triangular subopercle that is widest below' the middle, an open anterior fontanel, and a small fleshy knob at the tip of the lower lip. The tip of the lower jaw is nearly under the anterior nostril (well before it in similar species), and the snout is blunt and rounded. Nuptial tubercles cover the head except for the opercle and cheeks. Body color is dull gray to brown dorsally and silvery on the sides and ventrally; the fins are silver)' and are often slightly tannish medially. Adult size is from 225 to 305 mm TL; the largest Atlantic drainage fish the author has examined is 280 mm SL.

Range. Habitat, and Biology. The Highfin Carpsucker occurs in the Mississippi and lower Missouri drainages and in other Gulf of Mexico drainages from the Florida panhandle to Alabama (Lee and Platania 1980). It also occurs in the Piedmont of North Carolina, the only Atlantic drainage records for the country. There is one stream record, and there are several records from reservoirs. The record reported for Lake Appalachia in Cherokee County (Messer 1966) has not been verifed and should be considered questionable. This fish prefers

Status: State Special Concern

clean water and firm substrate of larger streams and reservoirs j and is much less tolerant of siltation and turbidity than other carpsuckers (Pflieger 1975). Although it prefers moderately deep water, the Highfin Carpsucker may also be found in shal- ' low backw ater areas. It migrates upstream and spawns in July over deep gravelly riffles (Pflieger 1975). Males predominate ir winter and spring in the Apalachicola River, Florida. During the summer and fall females predominate; males may move down-| stream at that time (Beecher 1977). Total lengths are 22, 29, 31 j 33, and 36 cm for the first 5 years, respectively (Carlander 1953). I

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Recommendations. Atlantic drainage forms ha\ e shorter anterior , dorsal rays and are otherwise distinctive from Mississippi drainagi; forms; they may represent an undescribed subspecies. The distinc¬ tiveness of Atlantic drainage individuals indicates that they may ■ not be introductions; little is known about their distribution, abun-' dance, taxonomy, or biology. This population of the Highfin * Carpsucker is assigned State Special Concern status and is currenli ly protected under Article 25, "Endangered and Threatened : Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern," added to Chapter 113 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. I Appropriate status sur\eys and taxonomic work need to be done. !

Highfin Carpsucker

Carpiodes vidifer (Rafinesque)

LITERATL'RE CITED

Beecher. H. A. 1977. Co-existence of Carpiodes cypri)uis and Carpiodes \'c//7c/' (Catostomidae) in northwest Elorida. •Abstract. 57th Annual Meeting. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Gainesville. Florida. 19-25 June 1977.

Callander. K. D. 195.5. Handbook of Freshwater Biology with the First Supplement. W. C. Brown Co.. Dubuque. Ohio. Lee. D. S.. and S. P. Platania. 1980. Carpiodes velifer

( Rafinesque). Highfin Carpsucker. Page .569 in Atlas of

North American Freshwater Fishes. D. S. Lee. C. R. Gilbert. C. H. Hocutt. R. E. Jenkins. D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist.. Raleigh.

Messer. J. B. 1966. Mountain Reser\'oirs — 1965 Sur\ eys. N.C.

Wildl. Resour. Comm.. Raleigh.

PtJieger. W. L. 1975. The Fishes of Missouri. Mo. Dept. Cons.. Jefferson City.

Prepared by Edward F. Menhinick

47

“Little Tennessee Rosyside Dace”

Clinostomus fiindiiloides ssp.

Description. The Rosyside Dace is a moderately compressed minnow with small scales. The mouth is large and slightly superior, and there are 48 to 57 lateral-line scales. The lateral stripe is broad and dusky, and adults usually are rosy orange.

Range, Habitat, and Biology. The Little Tennessee River subspecies of C. fundnloides is an undescribed montane form apparently confined to the Little Tennessee River system in the Great Smoky Mountains and adjacent areas of southeastern Tennessee and southwestern North Carolina. This subspecies occupies sand and rock-bottomed pools and backwaters of cool, clear, swift, shallow streams of small to medium size.

Deubler 1 1 955 ) reviewed the C. fundnloides species com¬ plex and noted a small contact zone between C. fimdnloides ssp. and C. f. fundnloides in the extreme headwaters of the Little Tennessee River system and the headwaters of the Savannah Ri\ er in northeastern Georgia. He further suggested that the Hiwassee River appears to represent a zone of contact between C. fundnloides ssp. and C. f. estor, although this statement was tentative and based on small sample sizes. The taxonomic status of C. fundnloides and its subspecies is presently under study by B. M. Burr, S. J. Walsh, and E. E. Deubler Jr. A preliminary judgment based on examination of fresh material is that the Little Tennessee River subspecies of C. fundnloides may war¬ rant full species status. Eor specific details on the taxonomy and

Status: State Special Concern

distribution of C. findnloides ssp., see Deubler ( 1 955). j

Little is known about the basic biology of this unique sub¬ species. See Breder (1920a.b), Elemer and Woolcott (1966), and Davis ( 1972) for information on age, growth, food habits, and fecundity of C. fundnloides. Recent studies on the Little Tennessee River subspecies conducted in Coweeta Creek, North Carolina, have focused on foraging, habitat use, oxygen con¬ sumption, home range, and competition (e.g.. Hill and Grossman 1987; Eacey and Grossman 1990, 1992; Freeman and Grossman 1992).

Signifcance, Status, Current Protection, and Recommendations. Because of its limited distribution and habi- | tat in Graham, Macon, and Swain (and possibly Cherokee) | Counties, North Carolina, this undescribed subspecies is poten- \ tially vulnerable to the activities of man (e.g., siltation, clear- | cutting, surface mining, agricultural chemical pollutants). ,

Recent ( 1987) survey work in the upper Little Tennessee River ! system indicates that this subspecies is rare at localities where it was formerly common. It is assigned State Special Concern sta¬ tus and is currently protected under Article 25, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern,” added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. Attempts should be made to protect and improve water quality in the upper Little Tennessee River system, i

I

48

“Little Tennessee Rosysicle Dace”

Clinostonius fiinduloides ssp.

LITERATURE CITED

Breder, C. M., Jr. 1920a. Some notes on Leucisciis vcindoistdus (Cuv. & Val.). Copeia 1920:37-38.

- . 1920b. Further notes on Leucisciis vandoisulus (Cuv. &

Val.). Copeia 1920:87-90.

Da\ is. R. M. 1972. Age, growth, and fecundity of the Rosyside Dace, CUnostomiis fuiuhiloides Girard. Chesapeake Sci. 13:63-66.

Deubler. E. E., Jr. 1955. ,A ta.\ononiic study of the cyprinid fish Clinostonius vandoisulus (Valenciennes) in the eastern United States. Ph.D. dissertation, Cornell Univ., Ithaca.

New York.

Facey. D. E., and G. D. Grossman. 1990. The metabolic cost of maintaining position for four North American stream fishes: effects of season and velocity. Physiolog. Zool. 63:757-776.

- . 1992. The relationship between water \ elocity. ener¬ getic costs, and microhabitat use in four North .American stream fishes. Hs drobiologia 239:1-6.

Flemer, D. A., and W. S. Woolcott. 1966. Food habits and distri¬ bution of the fishes of Tuckahoe Creek. Virginia, with spe¬ cial emphasis on the bluegill. Leponiis ni. niacrocliiriis Rafinesque. Chesapeake Sci. 7:75-89.

Freeman. M. C.. and G. D. Grossman. 1992. Group foraging by a stream minnow: shoals or aggregations? .Anirn. Behav. 44:393^03.

Hill. .1.. and G. D. Grossman. 1987. Home range estimates for three North .American stream fishes. Copeia 1987:376-380.

Prepared by Brooks M. Burr

49

Thinlip Chub

Cyprinella zanema (Jordan and Brayton) form

Description. This elongate chub may be a form of the Santee Chub, C. zanema (Jordan and Brayton) [formerly Hyhopsis zanema (Jordan and Brayton)] (R. E. Jenkins, pers. comm.). It is characterized by an inferior mouth with short max¬ illary barbels, an elongate body, a dusky lateral stripe, large eyes, 8 anal rays, 1 ,4-4, 1 pharyngeal teeth, and darkened poste¬ rior rays on the dorsal fin. Adults reach 40 to 60 mm SL.

Range. Habitat, and Biology. The Thinlip Chub is endemic to upper Coastal Plain streams of the Cape Fear drainage, the Lumber drainage near Wagram, and the Yadkin in North Carolina, and the Lynches River in South Carolina. It is com¬ mon in the Black River tributary to the South River in Sampson County (F. C. Rohde, pers. comm.); although once common in the main stream of the South River (Sampson County), it has not been taken there recently (Menhinick 1986). It prefers pool areas of medium-sized streams with moderate velocity, over

Status: State Special Concern

sandy substrate; it often schools near stumps or other cover.

Little is known of its life history and ecology; it probably spawns in early summer (Jenkins and Lachner 1980).

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Recommendations. This species is important to our understand¬ ing of the systematics and biogeography of Cyprinella. Because 1 of its restricted distribution, sensitivity to siltation and other ]| forms of environmental degradation, and taxonomic uncertainty, the Thinlip Chub is assigned State Special Concern status. It is | currently protected under Article 25, “Endangered and |

Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern.” added to j Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. Appropriate systematic studies and research on its biology need to be undertaken. There should be an effort to upgrade the water quality of the South River and other streams where it occurs.

I

• stream recorded

i

LITERATURE CITED

Jenkins, R. E.. and E. A. Lachner. 1980. Hyhopsis zanema (Jordan and Brayton). Santee Chub. Page 197 in Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes, D. S. Lee. C. R. Gilbert, C. H. llocutt, R. E. Jenkins, D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. State Mus.

Nat. Hist., Raleigh.

Menhinick. E. F. 1986. A numerical method for ranking of

endangered species and its application to North Carolina freshwater fishes. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 102;5-l-86.

Prepared by Edward F. Menhinick

50

Carolina Darter

Etheostoma collis (Hubbs and Cannon)

Description. I'he Carolina Darter is tlie only darter in streams of the Piedmont with an arched, incomplete lateral line; there is 1 anal spine. Adults range from 30 to 43 mm SL.

Collette ( 1962) reviews the species and describes the subspecies E. c. lepiclinion. Hocutt ( 1980) summarizes the distribution, sys- tematics, and biology. Kuehne and Barbour ( 1983) and Page 1 1983) provide accounts of the species along with color photos and distribution maps.

Rcini>e. Habitat, and Biology. Tv\o subspecies of E. collis occur above the Fall Line in the lower and mid-Piedmont of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina: E. c. collis occurs iin the Pee Dee and Santee drainages, and E. c. lepiditno?i is found in the Roanoke, Neuse. and possibly the Cape Fear and Tar drainages. Specimens are infrequently taken, and the species is rare throughout most of its range. This fish inhabits backwa¬ ters and slack areas near banks of small streams ( 1.5 to 12 m wide and 0.6 to 1.2 m deep) with sand. mud. or rubble substrate covered by silt or detritus (Collette 1962). It is uncommon in Rocky River (Cabarrus County) and abundant in Crooked Creek (Union County), both of which are heavily silted and located

I

literature CITED

t Collette, B. B. 1962. The swamp darters of the subgenus Hololepis (Pisces: Percidae). Tulane Stud. Zool. 9(4): 1 15-21 1.

Hocutt. C. H. 1980. Etheostoma collis (Hubbs and Cannon). Carolina Darter. Page 637 in Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes. D, S. Lee. C. R. Gilbert. C. IL Hocutt.

; R. E, Jenkins. D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, editors.

Status: State Special CTuicern

downstream from wastewater treatment plants (E. F. Menhinick, pers. comm.). Biological information is scarce; E. collis appar¬ ently breeds near the end of March. If similar to E. [usifonne, eggs are laid singly on leaves. It lives 1 year. Food consists of lly larvae, amphipods and other small crustaceans, and insect larvae.

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Recommendations. Etheostoma collis is of special interest and concern because of its rarity, questionable systematics, and lack of natural history information. This fish and its close relative E. saludae are probably the most ad\ anced species of the subgenus Hololepis. The state of .South Carolina lists E. saludae as Endangered. State Special Concern status is assigned to the North Carolina populations of £. collis, and they are currently protected under Article 25. “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern," added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. In light of the current high rate of development and mounting stresses on streams in the Piedmont of North Carolina, a status survey of this species is needed. It may be a species that is disappearing (Kuehne and Barbour 1983).

• stri'am rccordi'd

N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist.. Raleigh.

Kuehne. R. .V.. and R. W. Barbour. 1983. The .American Darters.

I'niv. Press Kentucky, Lexington.

Page. L. M. 1983. Handbook of Darters. T. F. FI. Publ.. Inc.. Neptune City. N.J.

Prepared b_\ ,A1\ in L. Braswell

51

Turquoise Darter

Etheostoma inscriptum (Jordan and Brayton)

Description. The Turquoise Darter can be separated from its closest relatives in the subgenus Etheostoma by a mean later¬ al-line count of 48 (mean of 42 in E. thalassinwn and 54 in E. swannanoa). It can be differentiated from other Savannah drainage darters by the following characters: 5 to 7 scales below the lateral line, and lateral blotches that do not encircle the cau¬ dal peduncle. Adults are 55 to 65 mm SL.

Range, Habitat, and Biology. The Turquoise Darter occurs in the Altamaha. Savannah, and Edisto River systems, typically in the Piedmont and lower Blue Ridge provinces but occasional¬ ly in the upper Coastal Plain. In North Carolina it is restricted to low'er Horsepasture and Toxaway Rivers of the Savannah River basin. Its preferred habitat is riffle areas over gravel/rubble sub¬ strate in moderately swift streams. The headwaters of the Savannah River drainage enter North Carolina in the region of the Nantahala National Forest, an extremely mountainous por¬ tion of the state. Here E. inscriptum is found below the falls of the Horsepasture and Toxaway Rivers in fast-flowing riffles over cobbles at depths of 10 to 30 cm. This species probably spawns between 25 March and 3 June (Richards 1966). Based on information about other members of the subgenus, its food

Status: State Special Concern

probably consists of immature aquatic insects gleaned from the bottom. (

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Recommendations. The Horsepasture Gorge is protected to son degree under the Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the Nort Carolina Natural and Scenic Rivers Act. but there is still a potentii threat to this habitat from the increasing development in the * Highlands area. Because the range of E. inscriptum in North l Carolina is very limited, its habitat is fragile, and Fake Jordan blocks downstream repopulation, this species is assigned State Special Concern status. It is currently protected under Article 25, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of i Concern." added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the Stat( of North Carolina in 1987. This North Carolina section of the Savannah drainage is also home to two cyprinid species considered in this volume: the Yellowfin Shiner, Notropis lutipinnis, and the Rosyface Chub, Hybopsis rubrifrons. Menhinick ( 1986) discusse the status of these species in North Carolina and provides a ranking system for evaluating endangered species. Additional work is needed in this part of the state to determine the status o this and other species.

stream recorded

FITERATURE CITED

Menhinick. E. F. 1986. A numerical method for ranking of endangered species and its application to North Carolina freshwater fishes. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 102:54-86.

Richards. W. J. 1966. Systematics of the percid fishes of the Etheostoma thalassinum species group w ith comments ti] the subgenus Etheostoma. Copeia 1966(4):823-838.

Prepared by Peter S. Coleman

52

1 1 Blueside Darter

I Etheostoma jessiae (Jordan and Brayton)

j Descripiioii. The Bkieside Darter is eharaelerized by iiar- ‘ rovviy Joined gill luembranes, a pointed snout that does not pro- j trade beyond the upper lip. a eoinplete lateral line, sides without i longitudinal streaks along each seale row. lateral blotehes that ,| do not eneirele the eaudal pedunele. and a sealed operele. Males i| retain some eolor all year, but they are speetaeular during the ' breeding season, with turquoise blotehes on the side and laee,

,i turquoise and red bands on the dorsal and anal fins, and orange [ spots on the eaudal and peetoral fins. With an adult size of .^4 to I 77 mm SL, the Blueside Darter is the largest member of the E. sti^nuiciim eomplex.

i Range. Habitat, aticl Biology. The taxonomie status of the '! E. stigttiaeuiu eomplex of the subgenus Doration is uneertain; ji as few as one or as many as five speeies may be recognized '■ eventually (Etnier and Starnes 1993). The only member of the (j complex oceurring in North Carolina is E. je.ssiae. which is !■ widespread in the Tennes.see Rix er drainage of Alabama.

I Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. In North Carolina it is knowm ' only from three collections from the West Branch of the Mills

i

Status: State Special Concern

Ri\'er system in Henderson C'ounty, where it was last collected in 1950. During most of the year this species inhabits pool areas with sand and detritus substrates, but it moves into shalktw gravel riffle areas during the April breeding season. It buries eggs in the gravel.

Siguijicauce. Status. Current Protection, and Revonnnendations. The Blueside Darter apparently has disap¬ peared from a number of areas it formerly occupied, especially in the Holston River system, and it has been shown to be intol¬ erant of habitat alteration (Etnier 1972). The species may be extirpated and is assigned .Slate Special Concern status. It is cur¬ rently protected under Article 25, "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern." added to Chapter 1 1 3 of the General Statutes of the Stale of North Carolina in 1987. Efforts should be made to determine if it still occurs in the Mills River system. Adjacent French Broad Ri\er tributaries should offer suitable habitat for this species, and it is possible that improvement of water quality in the French Broad River would result in expansion of the species' range in North Carolina.

X extirpated

LITER.ATURE CITED

Etnier, D. ,A. 1972. The effect of annual rechanneling on a stream fish population. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc.

10 1:372-375.

Etnier. D. A., and W. C. Starnes. 1993. The Fishes ol' Tennessee. lhii\'. Tennessee Press. Kno.xxille.

Prepared b> Da\ id A. Etnier

Pinewoods Darter

Etheostoina mariae (Fowler)

Description. The Pinewoods Darter is a moderate-sized, fairly robust darter with a rounded caudal fin; adults range from 40 to 63 mm SL. Black spots are present on the cheek, opercle, and breast. The margin of the spinous dorsal fin is clear to white; immediately below is a wide orange-red band. Dark blotches on the sides tend to merge; the dorsum is gold, as is the lateral line. Females are less colorful, shorter, and heavier than males. The hranchiostegals are moderately connected. See Kuehne and Barbour ( 1983) and Page ( 1983) for more detailed descriptions and for color photographs.

Range, Habitat, and Biology. This species is endemic to streams of the Lumber and Little Pee Dee River drainages just below the Fall Line (Rohde and Arndt 1991 ). Although one record exists from South Carolina, it may be extirpated from that state. All other records are from the Sandhills region of North Carolina (Richards 1963, Rohde and Ross 1987, Rohde and Arndt 1991 ). This darter prefers streams with riffles that contain gravel and/or rubble; vegetation is often present. All life history data are from Rohde and Ross ( 1987). Females are usu¬ ally twice as abundant as males. Spawning occurs from April to July in water ranging from 14 to 21°C. The shape of the genital papilla and the diameter of mature ova (mean of 1.6 mm) indi¬ cate that this species may bury its eggs. Rapid growth permits most individuals to mature at the end of the first year; maxi-

Status: State Special Concern

mum age appears to be 3 years. Commonly eaten foods are dipteral! larvae and other immature insects.

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Recommendations. Along with the Sandhills Chub, Semotilus lumbee, the Pinewoods Darter has a range restricted to the Carolina Sandhills. Few other darters occur in this area. Rohde and Arndt (1991) found the Pinewoods Darter to be extirpated at 8 of the 28 historic localities, while discovering it at 17 new localities. This species was listed in the U.S. Federal Register, Vol. 50, No. 181, p. 37961, 18 September 1985, as being considered for addition to the Federal Threatened Species List. It is assigned State Special Concern status and is currently protected under Article 25, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern,” added to Chapter 1 1 3 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987.

The integrity of the streams in the Carolina Sandhills is threatened by increasing demands by residential, industrial, and military interests. Because of the species’ limited distribution, any degradation of the streams of the area could seriously affect this darter’s survival. Flahitat alteration plans that affect streams in the Sandhills should be reviewed by the appropriate agencies to ensure that these activities will not adversely affect this species. Its status should be monitored periodically.

54

Pinevvoods Darter

Etheostoma mariae (Fowler)

LITERATURE CITED

Kuehne, R. A., and R. W. Barbour. 1983. The American Darters.

laiiv. Press Kentucky, Lexington.

Page. L. M. 1983. Handbook of Darters. T. E. H. Publ.. Inc., Neptune City, N.J.

Richards, \V. J. 1963. Systematic studies of darters from south¬ eastern Lhiited States (Pisces: Percidae). Ph.D. dissertation, Cornell Lhiiw, Ithaca, New York.

Rohde, E. C., and R. G. .Arndt. 1991. Distribution and status of

'j

• Stream recorded

the Sandhills Chub. Semotihis liinihee. and the Pinewoods Darter. Etheostoma Dtariae. .1. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. l()7(2):61-70.

Rohde, F. C.. and S. W. Ross. 1987. Life history of the Pinewoods Darter. Etheostoma mariae (Osteichthyes: Percidae). a fish endemic to the Carolina Sandhills. Brimleyana 13:1-20.

Prepared by Fred C. Rohde

f

Riverweed Darter

Etheostoma podostemone Jordan and Jenkins Status: State Special Concern

Description. This large-scaled darter has a complete lateral line of 37 to 39 scales; a dark spot on each scale forms dark lines on the sides that become faint on the dusky underside. Juveniles often have dark W or X markings near the lateral line. The gill mem¬ branes are broadly joined, and the caudal fin is rounded (occasion¬ ally truncate). Adults vary from 35 to 70 mm SL.

Range, Habitat, and Biology. The Riverweed Darter is endemic to the upper and middle Roanoke drainage of Virginia and North Carolina (Jenkins and Burkhead 1994). In North Carolina it is restricted to the Dan River system, where it occurs commonly in medium-sized streams. It prefers riffles with grav¬ el to cobble substrate of typically clear streams, often associated with riverweed iPodostemuin, from which it gets its specific name). Kuehne and Barbour ( 1983) also collected it over pre¬ dominantly sandy and gravelly riffles with moderate current.

The proposed Dan River Dam. would haxe been a serious threat to this species. The Riverweed Darter probably spawns from May to early June. A male leads females to a partially embed¬

LITERATURE CITED

Jenkins. R. E.. and N. M. Burkhead. 1994. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. Amer. Fish. .Soc.. Bethesda. Md.

Kuehne. R. A., and R. W. Barbour. 1983. The American Darters.

Univ. Press Kentucky. Lexington.

Matthews. W. J.. J. Beck, and E. Surat. 1982. Comparative

ded stone. Adhesive eggs are laid on the underside of the stone by several females and are guarded by the territorial male until they hatch. Longevity is up to 4 years (Jenkins and Burkhead 1994). The Riverweed Darter feeds primarily on midge larvae (a diet related to its small mouth opening), although other insect larvae and pupae are also eaten (Matthews et al. 1982).

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Recommendations. Because this species is restricted to waters ol a limited region, the Riverweed Darter is assigned State Special Concern status. It is currently protected under Article 25, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of I Concern," added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. The Riverweed Darter is appar¬ ently intolerant of heavy siltation (Jenkins and Burkhead 1994). The restriction of this species, the Tonguetied Minnow, the Orangefm Madtom, the Bigeye Jumprock. and the Rustyside ' Sucker to the headw aters of the Dan River indicates the impor¬ tance of maintaining good stream conditions in the river.

I

I

• stream recorded I )

I

I ‘

IJ

ecology of the darters Etheostoma podostemone, E. flabel- if' lore, and Percina roanoka in the upper Roanoke River ( drainage, Virginia. Copeia 1982:805-814. '

I

Prepared by Edward F. Menhinick

56

liSnubnose Darter

Etheostonia sinioleriini (Cope)

Description. This small darter (40 to 60 mm SL) lias large ;t'ins and a very blunt, rounded snout. The operele and cheek are at least partially scaled. The body is greenish above and yellowish ijhelow, with about S or b dark green, squarish blotches along each I side, which may be confluent or partly so. .Small red and yellow dorsal spots are sometimes present. Females and young are less colorful than males. See Kuehne and Barbour ( IbS.^) and Page :|I983) for more detailed information and for color photos.

Range. Habitat, and Biology. The Snubnose Darter occurs in the upper Tennessee River basin from northern Alabama to southwestern Virginia, and is densely distributed to just short of the North Carolina state line, perhaps in association with the 'abrupt gradient change at this boundary. In North Carolina there I is one early record: Cope ( 1870) included E. siinoterinn in a list 'of fishes from the French Broad River in North Carolina; the . single specimen that he collected is in the National Museutn of Natural Flistory. There are two other questionable records from the region of the lower French Broad River (Etnier 1980.

: Menhinick 1986); the origin of these records is uncertain (D. A. Etnier and E. F. Menhinick. pers. comm.), and they should be disre¬ garded until atiy \ ouchers that may exist are found. The Snubnose Darter occurs in small clear streams with gra\ el bottom or bedrock

.Status: State Special C'oncern

strewn with rubble and in larger streams where it prefers shal¬ low gravel riffles (Kuehne and Barbour 1983). Etheostonia siinoterinn breeds in late spring (Etnier 1980). If it is similar to other species in the subgenus Ulocentra in Tennessee, spawning probably takes place from late April to early May on rocks in pool areas; males guard the eggs.

Significance. Stains. Current Protection, and Reconnnendations. Although there are no other records of this fish in North Carolina and it is considered extirpated, there is a chance that a peripheral population may be found. It is locally abundant in eastern Tennessee (Kuehne and Barbour 1983). The species is assigned State Special Concern status and is currently protected under Article 2,3, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern," added to Chapter 1 1 3 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. The unusual distribution of the Snubnose Darter (stopping right at the North Carolina border) permits some interesting studies on habitat selection and tolerance. Appropriate streams should be surveyed for this species near the Tennessee state line. Reintroduction into the lower stretches of the Trench Broad River drainage might be considered if a suitable combination of habitat and water quality can be located.

57

Snubnose Darter

Etheostoma simoteriim (Cope)

LITERATURE CITED

Cope. E. D. 1870. A partial synopsis of the fishes of the fresh waters of North Carolina. Proc. Amer. Phil. Soc. 11:448-495.

Etnier. D. A. 1980. Etheostoma simoterum (Cope), Tennessee Snubnose Darter. Page 693 in Atlas of North American Ereshwater Eishes. D. S. Lee, C. R. Gilbert. C. H. Hocutt, R. E. Jenkins. D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist., Raleigh.

Kuehne, R. A., and R. W. Barbour. 1983. The American Darters' Univ. Press Kentucky, Lexington. j

Menhinick. E. E. 1986. A numerical method for ranking of | endangered species and its application to North Carolina i freshwater fishes. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 102(2):54— 86 Page, L. M. 1983. Handbook of Darters. T. E. H. Publ., Inc., Neptune City. N.J.

Prepared by Alvin L. Braswell |

i

I

1

1

!

i

I

i

f

58

Wounded Darter

Etheostonia viilneratuin (Cope)

Description. Hlnier and W illiams ( 1989) rccogni/ed die ' Wounded Darter as a species rather than as a subspecies of E.

I niciciilatiini and recommended tlie common name ol' Wounded ; Darter. This darter is characterized by a pointed snout, longitu¬ dinal stripes along each scale row, cheeks with a lew scales behind the eye, nape with no scales, scattered red spots on the sides, and soft dorsal, caudal, and anal fins v\ ith a black margin but lacking a pale submarginal band. Adults normally range ; from 40 to 70 mm SL. Females lack bright colors and have j speckled fins (lower figure). Males reach larger sizes (up to 81 mm) than females; they retain their breeding colors of red spots on the sides and a red blotch on the anterior and posterior por- i tions of the spinous dorsal fin all year (upper figure).

Rai!i>c. Habitat, and Bioloi>y. The Waiunded Darter occurs 1 in the Tennessee Ri\er drainage above the Hiwassee River. All recent North Carolina records are from the Little Tennessee Ri\'er system, where it is fairly common. A recent collection (Harned 1979) from the French Broad Ri\ er in Cocke County,

. Tennessee, suggests that it may recolonize that area if water conditions improve. This fish occurs in flowing pool areas and i strong riffles w ith cobbles and boulder substrates in small to I

<

I

I

l

I

Status: Stale Special Concern

medium ri\ers. It spaw ns from late May to etirly June at 16 to 2()°C in quiet areas near the heads of riffles. Males establish breed¬ ing territories under large rocks. v\ here one or several females lay their eggs in a cluster that is then guarded by the male. In Tittle River, Tennes.see. nests contained an average of 48 (17 to 166) eggs (Stiles 1972). Se.xual maturity occurs at age 2. and life span is 4 to .8 years. Food is primarily midge larvae.

Siynijivance, Status, Current Protection, aitd Reconnnendations. W'ounded Darters, like their close relatives in the E. niacniatnin species group, do not occur in small streams and appear to be intolerant of habitat changes. Based on its sen¬ sitivity to habitat alterations and reduced range in the slate, this species is assigned Slate Special Concern status. It is currently protected under Article 25, "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern." added to Chapter I 1 3 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. The distribution and abundance of this species are well known. Research should center on life history and environmen¬ tal studies. Reinlroduction into the French Broad system might be attempted if pollution is sufficiently reduced there and rcin- vasion does not occur.

59

1

Wounded Darter

<

• stream recorded X extirpated

LITERATURE CITED

Etnier, D. A., and J. D. Williams. 1989. Etheosloma (Nothonotus) wapiti (Osieichthyes; Percidae). a new darter from the south¬ ern bend of the Tennessee River system in Alabama and Tennessee. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 102:987-1000.

Harned. W. D. 1979. A qualitative survey of fish and macroin¬ vertebrates of the Trench Broad River and selected tribu¬

taries. June-August 1977. Tech. Note B35. TVA Div. Nat. Resour.. Norris. Tenn. j

Stiles. R. A. 1972. The comparative ecology of three species oj' Nothonotus (Percidae: Etheostoma) in Tennessee's Little |! River. Ph.D. dissertation. Univ. Tennessee. Knoxville.

Prepared by David A. Etnier

60

VVaccamavv Killifish

Fuiululiis waccainensis Hubbs and Raney

Description. The Waccamaw Killil'ish is ihe only killit'ish ^ normally present in Lake Waccamaw. It can be separated ria)m I other killil'ishes by a combination of the following characteris¬ tics: lateral series 52 to 58, gill rakers 4 to 5, males with 15 to I 20 dark bars usually wider than light interspaces (upper figure),

! and females with 12 to 16 narrow dark bars (lower figure).

' Adults are 45 to 85 mm SL.

! Rciiiitc, Hahitcit. and Biology. The Waccamaw Killifish is : endemic to Lake Waccamaw and its immediate surrounding waters (.Shute et al. 1981 ). Bailey ( 1977) reported this species in I Phelps Lake in northeastern North Carolina; however, these t specimens differ morphologically from those found in Lake i Waccamaw (Shute et al. 1981; E. F. Menhinick, pers. comm.), which indicates that they are probably not accidental introduc¬ tions from Lake Waccamaw. This systematic problem is current¬ ly under study (R. Cashner. pers. comm.). The Waccamaw' j Killifish is common throughout Lake Waccamaw and is most I often found in association with submerged vegetation in shallow water (Shute et al. 1983). During spawning, which occurs from April through August, males defend territories with lateral dis¬ plays and spawn with passing females on silty substrate. Adult

Status: State Special Concern

females contain about 30 to 50 mature eggs (Shute et al. 1983). The Waccamaw Killifish .seems to be an opportunistic feeder; it primarily consumes benthic chironomid larsae and amphipods (Lindquist and Yarbrough 1982).

Significance, Stcans, Current Protection, and Reconnnendations. Lake Waccamaw is a rather fragile envi¬ ronment and may be in danger of eutrophication (Lindquist and Yarbrough 1982); the Waccamaw Killifish and all endemic or unique organisms occurring in the lake deserve special atten¬ tion. The species is assigned State Special Concern status and is currently protected under Article 25. "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern." added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. The shallow littoral zone used as spawning areas by killifish in Lake Phelps is being destroyed by large amounts of wdnd-blown silt resulting from extensi\e agricul¬ ture in the area; special attention should be gi\en to prevent¬ ing this problem in Lake Waccamaw. A detailed study includ¬ ing electrophoretic comparisons of this species, the Lake Phelps Killifish. and the Banded Killifish. Fandidus diaphanas, is needed.

61

Waccamaw Killiflsh

Fundulus waccamensis Hubbs and Ranev

LITERATURE CITED

Bailey. J. R. 1977. Ereshwater fishes. Pages 265-298 in

Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals of North Carolina. J. E. Cooper. S. S. Robinson, and J. B. Eunderburg. editors. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist.. Raleigh. Lindquist. D. G.. and C. G. Yarbrough. 1982. Status of the

endemic ichthyofauna of Lake Waccamaw. North Carolina. N.C. Endangered Species Restoration Tech. Rept. E-l-VI.

Shute. P. W.. D. G. Lindquist, and J. R. Shute. 1983. Breeding behavior and early life histor>' of the Waccamaw Killifish, Fundulus waccamensis. Environ. Biol. Fishes 8:293-300. Shute. J. R., P. W. Shute. and D. G. Lindquist. 1981. Fishes of the Waccamaw River drainage. Brimleyana 6:1-24.

Prepared by J. R. Shute

Least Killifish

Heterandriu fonnosa Agassiz

Descripiion. This is the smallest freshwater fish in the stale; adults reaeh only 12 to 30 mm SL. It has 6 to 9 dark bars on the sides, a dark lateral stripe, and a dark spot on the base of the dorsal fin; the female alsti has a spot on the anal fin. Dorsal baekground eolmalion is brown to gray; ventral eoloration is light. Most of the head is sealed; the lop of the head is flat and unsealed. The lateral line is absent, the mouth opens dtnsally. the origin of the dorsal fin is posterior to that of the anal fin, and the anal fin of the male is ek)ngated into a reprodtielive organ. There are 24 to 28 lateral series seales and no dark sub¬ ocular bar.

Range, Uuhitat, and Biology. The Least Killifish oeeurs in the lower Coastal Plain from southern North Carolina to west¬ ern Louisiana, ineluding the entire state of Florida (Marlin 1980). In North Carolina there are four reeords from the vieinity of Wilmington, all of whieh are about 30 km from the nearest population just across the border in .South Carolina. The Least Killifish occurs in shallow weedy areas of ponds, roadside ditches, and stream margins; it can tolerate brackish waters.

i

Slatn.s: State Special Concern

Natural history informtilion is from Reimer ( 1970), Scrimshaw ( 1944), and Rhode el al. ( 1994). A daytime feeder, the Least Killifish gleans the water surface for water fleas, copepods. small insects, other arthropods, snails, rotifers, algae, vascular plants, and detritus. Breeding is from early spring to late summer. Fertilization is internal; up to 8 different-sized embryos may be present at any one lime, and females give birth to 1 to 8 young at interx als of about 10 days between broods. Sexual maturity is often reached the first year; maximal life span is 2 years.

Significance, Slatn.s, Current Protection, and Reconnnendation.s. This is possibly a relict population; its small, isolated distribution could make it valuable biogeographically, and genetically if it is not an introduction. The Least Killifish is assigned State Special Concern status and is currently protected under Article 25, “FOidangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern," added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. Appropriate studies are recommended to ascertain the origin of the population.

1

i

1

I

I

LlTER.ATliRH CITED

Martin, F. D. 1980. Hete randria fonno.sa Agassiz. Least \ Killifish. Page 547 in Atlas of North .American Freshw ater Fishes. D. S. Lee. C. R. Gilbert. C. H. Hocutt. R. F. Jenkins. D. E. Mc.-\llister. and J. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist.. Raleigh.

Reimer. R. D. 1970. .A food study oi Heterandria fornio.sa Agassiz. Amer. Midi. Nat. 83( 1 );31 1-315.

Rohde. F. C.. R. G. .Arndt. D. Ci. Lindquist, and J. F. Parnell. 1994. Freshwater Fishes of the Carolinas. A'irginia. .Maryland, and Delaware. I'niw North Carolina Press. C'hapel Hill.

Scrimshaw. N. S. 1944. Superfetation in poeciliid fishes. Copeia 1944:180-183.

Prepared by Edw ard F. Menhinick

63

Mooneye

Hiodon tergisus Lesueur

Description. The Mooneye resembles shads in that it is a laterally flattened, silvery fish; adipose eyelids are present; and the ventral surface between the pelvic fins and the anal fin is keeled. It differs from shads by the presence of a lateral line; it has prominent teeth on the tongue, the breast lacks a sawtooth margin, and there is no long, posterior filamentous extension of the dorsal fin. Adults reach 450 to 508 mm TL.

Range, Habitat, and Biology. This species ranges through¬ out larger streams of the Mobile Bay and the Mississippi River basin (except in the upper Missouri) of the eastern United States and occurs from the Great Lakes north to Hudson Bay (Gilbert 1980). In North Carolina, although it previously ranged upstream in the French Broad River into Henderson County, it presently occurs only in a 15-mile stretch of the lower French Broad River from Redmon Dam to the Tennessee border (Menhinick 1986). It occurs in open waters of reservoirs and in medium to large clear rivers, generally in deep swift currents over firm bottom (Smith 1979). It migrates up streams to spawn, probably from April to May in Tennessee (Etnier and Starnes 1993). A female may lay 10,000 to 20,000 eggs per year. It grows 200 mm the first year but requires 6 to 7 years to reach 300 mm (Scott and Crossman 1973. Pflieger 1975). The

Status: State Special Concern

Mooneye matures in 3 to 5 years and lives up to 8 years. It is primarily a sight feeder, and its large eyes permit it to feed at dusk on surface insects. Small fishes and terrestrial and aquatic insects are preferred; benthic insects, crustaceans, and mollusks are taken to a lesser extent, especially by young fishes (Pflieger 1975, Gilbert 1980). Benthic mayfly, caddisfly, and midge larvae are preferred by young Mooneyes (Glenn 1978).

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Recommendations. The Mooneye is the only species in the fam¬ ily Hiodontidae in North Carolina. Its susceptibility to turbidity and siltation and to pollution from Brevard has probably been the major cause of its disappearance above Redmon Dam. Because of its susceptibility to pollution and its restricted distri¬ bution. the Mooneye is assigned State Special Concern status. This is a lower status than might be expected because of the possibility of recruitment from Tennessee. The Mooneye is currently protected under Article 25, "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern,” added to Chapter 1 1 3 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. Efforts to aid this species in North Carolina should concentrate on improving water quality of the French Broad River.

64

Mooneye

Hiodon tergisus Lcsiieur

• stream recorded X extirpated

LITERATURE CITED

Etnier, D. A., and W. C. Starnes. 1993. The Fishes of Tennessee.

Lhiiv. Tennessee Press. Kno.wille.

Gilbert. R. J. 1980. Hiodon tergisus Lesueur. Mooneye. Page 7.3 in Atlas of North .American Freshwater Fishes. D. S. Lee.

C. R. Gilbert. C. H. Hocutt. R. E. Jenkins. D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist., Raleigh.

Glenn, C. L. 1978. Seasonal growth and diets of young-of-year Mooneye {Hiodon tergisus) from Assiniboine River. Manitoba. Trans. .4mer. Fish. Soc. l()7:.387-589.

Menhinick, E. F. 1986. A numerical method for ranking of endangered species and its application to North Carolina freshw'ater fishes. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 102:.34-86.

Pllieger, W. L. 197.3. The Fishes of Missouri. Mo. Dept. Cons Jefferson City.

Scott, W. B.. and E. J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada Bull. 184.

Smith. P. W. 1979. The Fishes of Illinois. Univ. Illinois Press. L’rbana.

Prepared by Edward F. Menhinick

Least Brook Lamprey

iMmpetra aepyptera (Abbott)

Description. Adults of the least brook lamprey have a deeply notched dorsal fin and weakly developed dorsal teeth; myomeres are 63 to 70; adults range in size from 91 to 151 mm TL.

Range, Habitat, and Biology. This species is found in the Atlantic slope from Pennsylvania to North Carolina, west of the Appalachians from Pennsylvania to Alabama and Mississippi, west to Oklahoma and Missouri, and northeast to Ohio and Pennsylvania. In North Carolina there are records from five widely separated streams of the Coastal Plain of the Tar and Neuse River drainages. Rohde et al. (1979) collected at three of these sites and found a few ammocoetes at two of them. Approximately 30 adults were captured in mid-March 1979 at a location in southern Wake County. Lampreys used to be more common in the area (B. Byrd, pers. comm.). When this site was revisited in February 1985. no lampreys were found; in fact, they had not been seen there for several years (B. Byrd. pers. comm.). Several populations were discovered in the upper Tar River drainage in 1992 and 1993 by Division of Environmental .Management biologists (V. Schneider, pers. comm.). Adults and larvae lie buried in silty areas along the banks of small, quiet streams with mud substrate. Spawning occurs over sand and gravel. The Least Brook Lamprey is a nonparasitic species, and the adults die after they spawn in early March (spent females were collected at one site in mid-March). The larval period lasts 5 to 6 years, after which they transform to adults over a 5- to 6- week period in late summer.

Status: State Special Concern

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Recommendations. Based on its severe reduction in dentition, which is extreme among lampreys, L. aepyptera is probably the most degenerate (or specialized) of lampreys (Bailey 1980). Analyses of systematics in Vladykov (1982) and Vladykov and Kott ( 1982) attempt to straighten out the nomenclature of this species but instead add to the confusion. A further taxonomic problem involves the description of certain southeastern popula¬ tions as Lethenteron meridionale (Vladykov, Kott. and Pharand- Coad), a form that Bailey ( 1980, 1982) and Walsh and Burr ( 1981 ) consider a synonym of L. aepyptera.

The Least Brook Lamprey is assigned State Special Concern status and is currently protected under Article 25, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern," added to Chapter 113 of the General Statutes of the | State of North Carolina in 1987. Because of limited distribution,, unusual susceptibility to turbidity, and increased development ofj the Wake County area ( with resultant stress on streams), this species is in danger of extirpation in North Carolina. This and , the species’ taxonomic uncertainty suggest that the Least Brook j

I

Lamprey is a future candidate for State Threatened status. |

The distribution of this species is poorly known because of ; its rarity; also, small silted streams are seldom sampled in rou¬ tine fish surveys, and lampreys are seldom collected with seines or rotenone. A status survey of this species is needed using appropriate collecting techniques (e.g., electrofishing). Streams i w here known populations occur should be protected. j

!

\

!

I

66

Least Brook I.amprey

iMitipelra aepyptera (Abbott)

! LITERATURE CITED

Bailey, R. M. 1980. Comments on the classification and nomen¬ clature of lampreys — an alternative view. Can. J. Fish. .Aquat. Sci. 37:1626-1629.

Bailey, R. M. 1982. Reply. Can. J. Fish. Aqtiat. Sci. 39:1217-1220.

Rohde, F. C.. G. H. Burgess, and G. W. Link Jr. 1979. Freshwater fishes of Croatan National Forest, North Carolina, with comments on the zoogeography of Coastal Plain fishes. Brimleyana 2:97-1 18.

I Vladykov, V. D. 1982. Comment on Ree\e M. Bailey’s view of

I

I

lamprey systematics. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 39:1215-1217.

Vladykov, V. D., and E. Kott. 1982. Correct scientific names for the Least Brook Lamprey and the American Brook Lamprey (Petromyzontidae). Can. .1. Zook 60:856-864. Walsh. S. J.. and B. M. Burr. 1981. Distribution, morphology, and life history of the Least Brook Lamprey. Lampetra aepyptera (Pisces: Petromyzontidae), in Kentucky. Brimleyana 6:83-100.

Prepared by Fred C. Rohde

I

(

67

Bluefin Killifish

Liicania goodei Jordan

Description. This small killifish has a grayish while body with a black lateral stripe, a scaled head, no lateral line, and a superior mouth; the dorsal fin origin is located anterior to the anal fin origin. The anal fin of females has a reproductive pouch; the dorsal and anal fins of males are bluish with black bases and black margins; the female has clear fins. Adults are 16 to 42 mm SL.

Range. Habitat, and Biology. This attractive little killifish occurs throughout most of Florida and in southern Alabama. Isolated populations occur near the coast in Georgia and in Charleston (Gilbert and Burgess 1980) and Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina (pers. obs.). In North Carolina it has been reported only from the Burnt Mill Creek drainage in the city limits of Wilmington. The Bluefin Killifish prefers heavily veg¬ etated ponds, drainage ditches, and streams, in areas of little or no current (Burnt Mill Creek is heavily vegetated and has con¬ siderable current for a Coastal Plain stream). It tolerates salini¬ ties up to 10 ppt. Individuals probably spawn from February to August in North Carolina. Arndt (1971) and Rohde et al. (1994) studied ecology and reproduction. The male sets up a territor)' and repeatedly raises and lowers his colorful fins to warn other males away and to attract females. Eggs are laid in dense vege¬ tation. Individuals live up to 2 years. Food consists of periphytic plants and animals and sometimes bits of vascular plants. The upturned mouth is used to gulp oxygen-rich surface waters

Status: State Special Concern

when dissolved oxygen is low (Lewis 1970).

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Recommendations. The North Carolina population of Bluefin Killifish is considerably isolated from populations in South Carolina; it is either a remnant from a pre\'iously wider range or an introduction, or perhaps undiscovered intermediate popula¬ tions exist (such as the Brookgreen Gardens population discov¬ ered in 1993). It is assigned State Special Concern status, a sta¬ tus considerably lower than its restricted distribution would indicate, because it may be an introduction. The species is cur¬ rently protected under Article 25. “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern,” added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. Biochemical and morphological studies should be under¬ taken to compare this population with those farther south, and with specimens sold in pet stores, to determine whether it is a relict population or an introduction. A pollution episode in 1994 killed almost all fish and plants in lower Burnt Mill ;

Creek (pers. obs.), but a healthy population remains in an I

upstream lake (F. C. Rohde, pers. comm.). Special steps should [ be taken to prevent reoccurrence of pollution of Burnt Mill | Creek, which passes through one of the nicer recreational parks j in Wilmington, and the Bluefin Killifish should be reintroduced as soon as the creek recovers.

I

I

I

68

t

t Bluefin Killifish

I Luiatiia goodei Jordan

[1

S

LITERATURE CITED

Arndt, R. G. 1971. Ecology and behavior of the cyprinodont 1 fishes Adiiiici xeuica, Liiccinici pcirva, Liicania goodei. and j Lcp!olucaui(i oiiiniata. Ph.D. dissertation. Cornell Lhiiv., Ithaca. New York.

I Gilbert. C. R., and G. H. Burgess. 1980. Liicanici goodei Jordan, Bluefin Killifish. Page ."i34 in Atlas of North American Ereshwater Fishes, D. S. Lee, C. R. Gilbert, C. H. Hocutt,

R. E. Jenkins, D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, editors.

• stream recorded O lake or reservior recorded

N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist., Raleigh.

Lewis. W. M. 1970, Morphological adaptations of cyprinodon- toids for inhabiting oxygen deficient waters. Copeia 1970:319-326.

Rohde. F. C., R. G. .A,rndt. D, G, Lindquist, and J. F. Parnell. 1994. Freshwater Fishes of the Carolinas. Virginia. Maryland, and Delaware. Lhtiv. North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.

Prepared by Edward F. Menhinick

1

69

i

Bridle Shiner

Notropis hifrenatus (Cope)

Description. The Bridle Shiner is an elongate minnow with a dark lateral stripe from the snout to the caudal fin; the lateral line is incomplete; there are 7 anal rays; and the pharyngeal teeth are 4-4. Adults var>' in size from 25 to 50 mm SL.

Range, Habitat, and Biology. The Bridle Shiner is found from the St. Law rence River in southeast Canada south to the Chowan River, Virginia, with disjunct populations in the Neuse River, North Carolina, and Lakes Marion and Moultrie, South Carolina. The Neuse River population is known from one col¬ lection from Tucker Creek. Croatan National Forest (Keup and Bayless 1964). This species occurs in warm-water small streams and ponds to large lakes and rivers. It is usually found over mud. silt, or debris in slack-water side areas with moderate to abundant vegetation. Breeding probably occurs in April to May in North Carolina; it spawns in vegetation located in still, quiet water near the shore. Food is small invertebrates and, occasion¬ ally. plant material.

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Recommendations. Bailey and Committee (1977) reported envi¬ ronmental modification of the original collecting site. Tucker Creek is a small coastal stream consisting of a series of deep pools surrounded by heavy underbrush and is unusually difficult to sample. Subsequent attempts to collect this species in North

Status: State Special Concern

Carolina have failed (Jenkins and Zorach 1970. Rohde et al. 1979). During their survey of the area. Rohde et al. (1979) found salinities had increased from 3.3 ppt (Keup and Bayless 1964) to 8 ppt near the original collecting site. The recent col¬ lections of this species from Lake Marion, Santee drainage of South Carolina (pers. obs.) and the identification of uncataloged material in the Charleston Museum collected in the 1 950s from Lakes Marion and Moultrie indicate old, established, and possi¬ bly native populations in South Carolina.

Notropis bifrenatus is of interest because of the information that disjunct and/or relict populations can contribute to our knowledge of past distribution and evolution of southeastern fish faunas. It is assigned State Special Concern status and is currently protected under Article 25, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern,” added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. Tucker Creek and other streams with satisfac¬ tory habitat in the area need to be resampled to determine if this species still occurs in the Neuse River drainage and whether this disjunct population is native or introduced. Because a major importance of this population lies in its genetic characteristics, no reintroductions should be attempted unless it can be shown to be definitely extirpated.

70

Bridle Shiner

Notropis hifrenatus (Cope)

K extirpati'd

LITERATURE CITED

Bailey. J. R.. and Committee. 1977. Notropis hifreiuitiis (Cope). Pages 286-287 in Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals of North Carolina, J. E. Cooper, S. S. Robinson, and J. B. Fnnderburg, editors. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist., Raleigh.

Jenkins. R. E.. and T. Zorach. 1970. Zoogeography and charac¬ ters of the American cyprinid fish Notropis hifrenatus. Chesapeake Sci. 2(3): 174- 182.

Kenp. L.. and J. Bayless. 1964. Fish distribution at varying

salinities in Neuse River basin. North Carolina. Chesapeake Sci. 5(3): 117-1 23.

Rohde. F. C.. G. H. Burgess, and G. W. Link Jr. 1979.

Freshwater fishes of the Croatan National Forest. North Carolina, with comments on the zoogeography of Coastal Plain fishes. Brimleyana 2:97-1 18.

Prepared by Peter S. Coleman

Yellovvfin Shiner

Sotropis hitipinnis (Jordan and Brayton)

Description. The Yellowfin Shiner is reddish brown above and light below. It has a dark, wide lateral stripe with no light stripe above it; the fins of breeding males are red in the Savannah and Little Tennessee drainages (an unusual color vari¬ ant); the lateral line is unpigmented; and the humeral bar is faint. There are 7 to 8 anal rays and 2.4-4,2 pharyngeal teeth. Adults reach 50 to 60 mm SL in North Carolina.

Range. Habitat, and Biology. This species occurs in Atlantic drainages from the Altamaha to the Santee of Georgia. South Carolina, and North Carolina and in the headwaters of the Chattahoochee and Coosa River drainages of Georgia (Gilbert and Burgess 1980). In North Carolina, populations of the "Yellowfin Shiner" from the Broad River drainage are interme¬ diate between N. hitipinnis and N. chlorocephalns and may rep¬ resent an undescribed species (Wood and Mayden 1992). The only true Yellowfin Shiners in the state are restricted to the Savannah drainage and to a recently expanding population in the Little Tennessee River drainage of Jackson County. The

Status: State Special Concern

Yellowfin Shiner occurs in pool areas of small, clear headwater creeks. Little is known about its life history. It probably feeds mainly on aquatic insect larvae. Several dozen brightly colored specimens were collected by the author over a gravel nest in central Georgia on 6 June, indicating a late spring-early summer spawning period.

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Recommendations. The Savannah-Little Tennessee popula¬ tions are important for biogeographical studies of the distrib¬ ution and genetic variability of the subgenus Hydrophlox of Notropis. Because it is found in only two small areas of the state, both of which are blocked by dams downstream, these populations are assigned State Special Concern status. The species is currently protected under Article 25, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern,” added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. A status survey needs to be made of these populations.

LITERATURE CITED

Gilbert, C. R., and G. H. Burgess. 1980. Notropis hitipinnis (Jordan and Brayton). Yellowfin Shiner. Page 284 in Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes. D. S. Lee, C. R. Gilbert, C. H. Hocutt. R. E. Jenkins. D. E. McAllister, and .1. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. State Mus.

I

Nat. Hist.. Raleigh. (

Wood. R. M., and R. L. Mayden. 1992. Systematics. evolution, j and biogeography of Notropis chlorocephalns and N. lutip- 1 znn/.v. Copeia 1992;68-8L

I

Prepared by Edward E Menhinick !

72

Mountain Madtom

Noturiis eleiillierus .lortlan

Description. The Mountain Madtom is a small, weakly mottled eatfish attaining a SL of 73 mm. The bi)dy is short and stoeky, the adipose fin is nearly Tree posteriorly, a dark bloteh in the adipose fin e.xtends only to its basal half, and a mideaudal crescent-shaped blotch is lacking from the catidal fin. There are usually 43 to 44 caudal fin rays, 6 to 8 long recurved serrae on the posterior edge of the pectoral spine, and faint dorsal saddles.

Rcnme. Hahital. cind Biolo}>y. I'he Mountain Madtom occurs in the Ohio River basin from western Pennsylvania thunigh Ohio and Kentucky to the Wabash Rixer drainage of Indiana and Illinois and the Cumberland Ri\er drainage, Tennessee. It is also found in the Tennessee River drainage of Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia and in the lower Mississippi River basin, including the Mississippi River mainstem and the Red, Ouachita, White, and St. Francis River Jrainages of Oklahoma, .Arkansas, and Missouri (Taylor 1969, Rohde 1980). In North Carolina there is one record from Spring Creek at Hot Springs, French Broad Ri\'er drainage in 1889 Jordan 1890) supported by material studied by Taylor ( 1969) in he National Museum of Natural History. In 1977 a Mountain Vladtom was taken in the French Broad River in Tennessee 15 iiiles below the North Carolina state line, and it occurs in other learby streams of Tennessee.

This madtom occurs frequently in, above, and below clean- >wept riffles and shoals of clear, large, swift streams and rivers 1 tver a cobble, pebble, and gravel bcHtom. Young-of-year are ! )ften found in shallow riffles. It also occurs in big rivers (Ohio

Status: .State Special C'oncern

and Mississipiri Rivers) in swift water around debris piles. A life history study of W eleiithenis (Starnes and Starnes 1985) con¬ ducted in the Little and Nolichucky Rivers, Tennessee, revealed that the species lives a maximum of 4 years; growth of males and females is similar; males live longer than females and attain greater lengths. The sex ratio is about 1:1. Spawning apparently occurs in June and July. Starnes and Starnes ( 1985) found one nest on 2 July in water 24°C in a shaded pool 0.7 m deep under an elliptical rock. The nest contained 70 embryos (eggs) guard¬ ed by a 66 mm SL male. Mature oocytes ranged from 55 to 1 15 in 21 females ranging in SL from 41 to 59 mm. This species feeds most intensely after sunset on a variety of aquatic insects; feeding occurs chiefly in riffles.

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Reconiinendations. With improved water quality of the French Broad River, the Mountain Madtom could return to North Carolina. Lntil then, it must be considered extirpated from the state; it is assigned State Special Concern status and is currently protected under Article 25, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern," added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. Field survey efforts should eoncentrate on appropriate habitat in the lower French Broad River and nearby streams to ascertain the present status of this species in North Carolina waters. If not found, reintroductions of the species into streams might be considered. However, reintroduction into the French Broad River probably is not warranted as long as recruitment from dow'iistream reaches is possible.

,1

i|

I

(

73

Mountain Madtom

Notiirus eleutherus Jordan

LITERATURE CITED

Jordan, D. S. 1890. Report of explorations made during the summer and autumn of 1888 in the Allegheny region of Virginia. North Carolina, and Tennessee and in western Indiana, with an account of the fishes found in each of the river basins of those regions. Bull. U.S. Eish Comm. 8:97-173.

Rohde. E. C. 1980. Notunis eleutherus Jordan, Mountain

Madtom. Page 451 in Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes, D. S. Lee, C. R. Gilbert. C. H. Hocutt. R. E.

Jenkins, D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. ! State Mus. Nat. Hist., Raleigh. !

Starnes, L. B., and W. C. Starnes. 1985. Ecology and life histo-j ry of the mountain madtom. Noturus eleutherus (Pisces: | Ictaluridae). Amer. Midi. Nat. 114:331-34. |

Taylor. W. R. 1969. A revision of the catfish genus Noturus I

Rafinesque. with an analysis of higher groups in the I

Ictaluridae. U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull. 282. *

Prepared by Brooks M. Burr

Carolina Madtoin

Not unis furiosus Jordan and Meek

Description. The Carolina Madtoni is the only saddled madtom in the Tar and Neuse drainages. It differs front other North Carolina niadtonis by having long recurved serrae on the posterior edge of the pectoral spine and dark dorsal saddles. Adults normally vary from 36 to 84 mm SL.

Ranine. Hahitiit, and Biolop,y. The Carolina Madtom is endemic to the lower Piedmont and upper Coastal Plain of the Neuse and Tar Rix er drainages of North Carolina. It occurs in ■ medium to large streams over sand, gravel, and detritus sub- ! strates. Taylor ( 1969) thoroughly re\ iewed the species and ! noted minimal variation among populations from the Neuse and I Tar drainages. Females produce between 79 and 298 mature [ oocytes per season. Nests w ith embryos or larvae have been ’ found in May in v\'ater 20 to 25°C and were located in cans and B bottles in pools or runs. All nests were guarded by males. Both sexes mature at 2 to 3 years of age and live at least 4 years, ii Adults and Juveniles feed upon a variety of benthic organisms.

S mostly insect larvae or nymphs (Burr et al. 1989).

! Sii’iiificancc. Status, Current Protection, and I' Reconiniendations. The Carolina Madtom is of special interest and concern because of its endemicity to North Carolina and I presumed disappearance from portions of its native historical i range. As a result, it was a candidate for prelisting studies by

Stains: .State Special Concern

the Office of Fndangered Species. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Recent survey work throughout the Neuse and Tar Rivers indicates that N. furiosus is reproducing and undergoing recruitment at .several localities (Burret al. 1989). Populations in the Neuse drainage have been affected adversely by the con¬ struction of Falls Lake, which has significantly altered water temperatures below the dam. These cool waters and general pol¬ lution problems around Raleigh have reduced N. furiosus habi¬ tat in the upper Neuse River. A toxic chemical spill into the Neu.se River near Raleigh on 10 .Inly 1980 caused a massive fish kill, but no N. furiosus were found. The Neuse drainage populations are assigned State Special Concern status and are currently protected under Article 25, "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern." added to Chapter 1 1 3 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. Conservation efforts should concentrate on improving water quality of the Neuse River.

The Tar drainage populations of N. furiosus have experi¬ enced fewer cases of severe habitat degradation, and they ha\'e no special status assigned to them. Flowever. the Tar River below Rocky Mount to about 20 km downstream shows evidence of extensive municipal and industrial effluents, and N. furiosus was not found during a survey of the area (Burr et al. 1989).

Carolina Madtom

Noturiis furiosiis Jordan and Meek

LITERATURE CITED

Burr, B. M.. B. R. Kuhajda. W. W. Dimmick, and J. M. Grady. 1989. Distribution, biology, and conservation status of the Carolina Madtom. Notiinis fiiriosns, an endemic North Carolina catfish. Brimleyana 15:57-86.

Taylor. W. R. 1969. A revision of the catfish genus Noturiis Rafinesque, with an analysis of higher groups in the Ictaluridae. U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull. 282.

Prepared by Brooks M. Burr

76

Broadtail Madtom

Noturus sp.

Description. Madtunis are small calfishes with a long adi¬ pose fin altaehed posteriorly. This small hiimped-baek madtom of the southeastern Coastal Plain of the Carolinas dilTers from other North Carolina madtoms hy having small serrae present only on the distal part of the peetoral spine; the fins are usually clear w ith dark streaks near the base; there are 1.^ to 16 anal rays, and the nasal barbel dries not e.xtend beyond the eye. The body is light with dark spots in the river form (upper figure) and uniform gray in the Lake Waecamaw form (lower figure).

Adults reach 40 mm SL.

Rtin^e, Habitat, and Biology. This species is endemic to North Carolina and to the Lynches River of South Carolina. In North Carolina it is restricted to the South River of the Cape Fear drainage and to Big Swamp Creek and the Lumber River of the Lumber drainage. A distinct population occurs in Lake Waecamaw and the Waecamaw River (Menhinick 1986). During the day the Broadtail Madtom lies partially buried on the bot¬ tom of medium-sized streams, in areas about 0.5 m deep with a good fkiw. generally o\ er gravel or coarse sand, often associat¬ ed with Potamogeton waterweed. In Lake Waecamaw it is most commonly collected near the shore in beer cans and bottles; it prefers sandy vegetated areas (pers. obs.). Little has been pub-

Statns: State Special Concern

lished on its life history and ecology. It probably feeds on ben¬ thic insect larvae at night. Based upon studies of other Coastal Plain madtoms. the Broadtail Madtom probably spawns in the summer ;md deposits eggs in clusters under logs or in tin cans and bottles. The eggs are probably guarded by one ol the par¬ ents. Individuals probably mature in one year and live 2 to 3 years.

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Reeonnnendations, The Waecamaw population differs from river populations (Menhinick 1991 ). and thus this species should pro¬ vide an unusually fine example of variation in madtoms. As it is relatively common in the moderately polluted South River, it is probably not a good environmental indicator. Because of its restricted distribution and taxonomic uncertainty, this small, undescribed species is assigned State Special Concern status. It is currently protected under Article 25, ’‘Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern." added to Chapter 1 1 3 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. Studies of its life history and behavior are needed. Its occurrence in streams affected by increasing devel¬ opmental pressure calls for special steps to be taken to control pollution in the South and Lumber Rivers.

LlTERATl'RE CITED

Menhinick. E. F. 1986. .A numerical method for ranking of endangered species and its application to North Carolina freshwater fishes. .1. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 102;54-86.

• vtiTiini rctordi'd O Kikf (ir ri‘sc'r\ior recorded

- . 1991 . The Freshwater Fishes of North Carolina. N.C.

Wildl. Resour. Comm.. Raleigh.

Prepared by Edward F. Menhinick

77

Longhead Darter

Perciiia macrocephala (Cope)

Description. The Longhead Darter is an elongate black- lined darter with no markings on the back or dorsal fin; lateral¬ line scales are 70 to 87. These darters lack bright colors but are handsomely patterned in brown, black, and white. Adults vary from 69 to 102 mm SL.

Range, Habitat, and Biology. The Longhead Darter is a rarely collected species that has a wide range in medium-sized rivers of the Ohio. Cumberland, and Tennessee River drainages. A single North Carolina specimen was taken in the French Broad River near Skyland. Buncombe County, around 1942 (Cornell University 10044) (Bailey and Committee 1977). It occurs in flow ing pool habitats, especially above and below rif- tle areas, often in association with boulders, water willow, or other cover. It is a difficult species to collect with standard sein¬ ing techniques. Spawning occurs in early spring; during this time adults move onto shallow gravel shoal areas (Etnier and Starnes 199.1). Page ( 1978) found Kentucky specimens to reach .60 to 60 mm SL at age 1. 75 mm at age 2. and greater than 90 mm at age 3; they live up to 4 years. Food is predominately small crayfish and mayfly nymphs.

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and

Status: State Special Concern

Recommendations. The Longhead Darter has disappeared from many localities where it formerly occurred, and remaining pop¬ ulations should be monitored periodically. Because no other records of this species have been taken in the French Broad River of North Carolina (even in the extensive efforts of the Tennessee Valley Authority), and water quality in the French Broad River has deteriorated considerably since the original col¬ lection w as made, the Longhead Darter is undoubtedly extirpat¬ ed from this drainage in North Carolina. The species is assigned State Special Concern status and is currently protected under Article 25, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern,” added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. As with many other species extirpated from the state, the Longhead Darter was an inhabitant of the main stream of the French Broad River. Recently the water quality of this river has been improved.

Once it is sufficiently restored to permit this species' survival, attempts should be made to reintroduce the Longhead Darter. Based on distribution in Tennessee, the species may also occur | in the lower Toe River or the Watauga, and collections should be made there to try to verify its status.

LITERATURE CITED

Bailey. J. R.. and Committee. 1977. Percina macrocephala (Cope), Longhead Darter. Pages 287-288 in Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals of North Carolina, J. E. Cooper, .S. .S. Robinson, and J. B. Funderburg, editors. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist., Raleigh.

Etnier, D. A., and W. C. Starnes. 1993. The Fishes of Tennes.see.

Univ. Tennessee Press, Knoxville.

Page, L. M. 1978. Redescription, distribution, variation, and life| history notes on Percina macrocephala (Percidae). Copeia 1978:655-664.

Prepared by David A. Etnier

78

Sharpnose Darter

Fenina oxyrhynchus (Hiibbs and Raney)

Dcscriplioii. The Sharpnose Darter has a sharply pointed snout and broadly joined gill membranes. The nape, eheek, and operele are sealed, and the breast is unsealed or with tew embedded seales. Adults vary from 70 to 97 mm SL.

Range, Habitat, and Biology. The Sharpnose Darter is indigenous to the Ohio River basin and occurs in southern tribu¬ taries to that basin from the Kentucky River drainage in eastern Kentucky to the Monongahela River drainage in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia (Page 1983). In North Carolina the species is known only from the New River and its south fork in Ashe and Alleghany Counties (Thompson 1980, Menhinick 1991 ). Adults occur in swift currents around large stones and boulders at depths to 1 m; juveniles occupy a variety of habitats ranging from shallow, sandy shoreline areas with slow current tci riflles of moderate current underlain by gravel and small rubble. Little biological information is available. Thompson ( 1977. 1980) infers a late April to possibly early June spaw ning period as judged from tuberculation and condi¬ tion of the gonads.

Significance. Statu.s, Current Protection, and Recommendation.s. Extensive collectin2 in North Carolina has

Statics: State Special Concern

resulted in fewer than 10 specimens, perhaps in part because of the difficulty of sampling fast, deep riffles. There has been lit¬ tle effort devoted to collecting juveniles. The Sharpnose Darter is reportedly common, but localized, in the New' River and its tributaries in adjacent Virginia (Hociitt and flambrick 1973, Denoncourt et al. 1977). Populations in North Carolina clearly are peripheral and presently are not subject to any apparent threat; however, the continued presence of the species in the New' River drainage of Virginia or North Carolina is contingent upon the biological integrity of that system. The Sharpnose Darter is assigned State Special Concern status and is cur¬ rently protected under Article 25, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern," added to Chapter 1 1 3 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. The Wild and Scenic River status of critical parts of the New River offers considerable protection to this species. Special care should he taken to ensure that the river retains its high water quality in this rapidly developing part of the state. Special emphasis should be placed on proper treatment of wastes released into the river and control of siltation both from clearing of land and from agricultural practices.

LITERATURE CITED

Denoncourt, R. E, C. H. Hocutt. and J. R. Stauffer Jr. 1977. Notes on the habitat, description, and distribution of the Sharpnose Darter, Percina o.xy rhyncha. Copeia 1977:168-171.

Hocutt. C. H., and R S. Hambrick. 1973. Hybridization between the darters Percina crassa roanoka and Percina oxyrhyncha (Percidae: Etheostomatini), with comments on the distribu¬ tion of Percina crassa roanoka in New Ri\ er. Amer. Midi. Nat. 90:397-103.

Menhinick, E. F. 1991. The Freshwater Fishes of North Carolina. N.C. Wildl. Resour. Comm., Raleigh.

Page. L. M. 1983. Handbook of Darters. T. F. H. Publ.. Inc..

Neptune City, N.J.

Thompson, B. A. 1977. An analysis of three subgenera I Hypohomus, Odontopholis, and Swainia) of the genus Percina (tribe Etheostomatini. family Percidae). Ph.D. dis¬ sertation. Tulane Univ.. New Orleans. Louisiana.

- . 1980. Percina oxyrhyncha (Hubbs and Raney).

Sharpnose Darter. Page 733 in Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes. D. S. Lee. C. R. Gilbert, C. H. Hocutt, R. E. Jenkins, D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist.. Raleigh.

Prepared by Melvin L. Warren Jr.

i

I

80

Olive Darter

Percina squamata (CJilbert and Swain)

Description. The Olive Darter is a sharpnose darter with broadly joined gill niembranes; the nape, eheeks. and opereles are sealed, and the breast is well sealed. The dorsum is olive gray with indistinet darker saddles; the venter is slightly lighter. Lateral blotehes are present in juveniles but fuse as an irregular lateral band that e.xtends from behind the head to a dark eaudal spot in adults. The spinous dorsal has a yellow-orange submar¬ ginal band. Adults \ ary from 70 to 108 mm SL.

Riinge, Habitat, and Biology. This fish oeeurs in mountain streams of the eastern Tennessee River drainage system of Tennes.see. Georgia, and North Carolina; there are isolated pop¬ ulations in the Cumberland Ri\er system of Kentueky and Tennessee (Thompson 1080, Page 198.7). It oeeurs sporadieally in most Tennessee drainage systems of North Carolina. The 01i\e Darter is found in deep sw ift rapids, runs over eobble and boulders, and in deep fast-flowing pools near large boulders (pers. obs.). Etnier and Starnes ( 1993) review the life history of

Status: State Speeial Coneern

this speeies. The Olive Darter feeds largely on eaddis fly and maytly larvae. Spawning probably oeeurs from mid-May to mid-July. Growth is rapid during the first year (80 mm) and deereases on sueeessive years (year 2, 30 mm; year 3, 3.3 mm). Ma.xinuim life expectancy is 4 years.

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Recommendations. Based on its extirpation from several streams in North Carolina and its restriction to unpolluted streams, the Olive Darter probably is unusually sensitive to sil- tation and other pollution. Because of its relative rarity and restriction to larger streams, this species is assigned State Special Concern status. It is currently protected under Article 2.3, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern," added to Chapter 1 1 3 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. A study of its biology in North Carolina is needed. Improving water quality in larger streams would certainly be beneficial.

1

• Stream recorded

LITERATURE CITED

' Etnier. D. A., and W. C. Starnes. 1993. The Eishes of Tennessee. ’ Univ. Tennessee Press. Knoxville.

Page. L. M. 1983. Handbook of Darters. T. E. H. Publ., Inc.,

; Neptune City. N.J.

j Thompson. B. .A. 1980. Percina scjuamata (Gilbert and Swain).

Olix e Darter. Page 742 /n Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes. D. S. Lee. C. R. Gilbert. C. H. Hocutt. R. E. Jenkins. D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist.. Raleigh.

Prepared by Edward F. Menhinick

Kanawha Minnow

Phenacobius teretulus Cope

Description. The Kanawha Minnow is a medium-sized cylindrical minnow with sucker-like papillose lips; it has 44 to 49 lateral-line scales. It is dusky above and pale below and has a wide, dark lateral stripe that is iridescent blue in life. Some scales in and above the lateral stripe are darker than others. Adults reach 55 to 85 mm SL.

Range. Habitat, and Biology. This species is endemic to the New River drainage. Most records are from North Carolina and Virginia; it is rare in West Virginia (Jenkins 1980). The Kanawha Minnow is uncommon in cool to warm, medium to large, clear streams, w here it prefers riffles and slower runs with substrate of gravel and small rubble. In North Carolina it is widely distributed in medium to large streams. This species spawns from late April to early June and lives up to two years (Jenkins and Burkhead 1994). It is probably a nocturnal or twi¬ light feeder and prefers midge, blackfly, and caddisfly larvae

Status: State Special Concern

(Hambrick et al. 1975) but also eats other immature benthic insects, tubificid worms, and small snails. The spotted pattern ofj dorsal scales is associated with regenerated scales that are dark¬ er than the original ones (Jenkins and Burkhead 1994).

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Recommendations. Based on reduction in range in West Virginia* and Virginia, this species is unusually sensitive to pollution. | This, along with its relative uncommonness in areas where it j occurs and its limited distribution in North Carolina, warrants | the species’ assignment to State Special Concern status. It is \ currently protected under Article 25, “Endangered and '

Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern,” added) to Chapter 113 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. Work is needed on the biology of the f

f

species. The water quality of the New River and its tributaries must be protected. j

LITERATURE CITED

Hambrick, R S., R. E. Jenkins, and J. W. Wilson. 1975. Distribution, habitat, and food of the cyprinid fish Phenacobius teretulus. a New River drainage endemic. Copeia 1975( 1 ); 172-176.

Jenkins, R. E. 1980 Phenacobius teretulus Cope, Kanawha Minnow. Rage 333 in Atlas of North American Freshwater

Fishes, D. S. Lee, C. R. Gilbert, C. H. Hocutt, R. E.

Jenkins, D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. •' State Mus. Nat. Hist., Raleigh.

Jenkins, R. E., and N. M. Burkhead. 1994. Freshwater Fishes * of Virginia. Amer. Fish. Soc., Bethesda, Md.

Rrepared by Edw ard F. Menhinick '

82

Bij*eye Jumprock

Scartoinyzon ariomnius Robins and Raney

Description. I'liis cylindrical sucker has large eyes and a sucker-like moulh with papillose lips; the lower lips are flared posteriori) to form free flaps. There are 15 to 16 caudal pedun¬ cle scales and 1 1 dorsal fin rays. Coloration is dusky gray dor- sally (olive gray in life) and pale ventrally. Fins are dusky to slightly reddish. .Adults are 1 10 to 188 mm SL.

Range. Habitat, and Biology. The Bigeye Jumprock is endemic to the upper Roanoke drainage of Virginia and North Carolina, where it is seldom common (Jenkins and Lahrmann 1980). It generally occurs in medium-sized, warm, clear to mod¬ erately turbid streams with moderate gradient. Larger Juveniles and adults congregate in well-lJowing pools and in deep runs, usually among large rubble, boulders, and outcrops where cur¬ rent is reduced; young also occur in shallower slower areas (Jenkins and Lahrniann 1980. Jenkins and Burkhead 1994). In North Carolina the author has collected indix iduals only from clear, fast-flowing sections of the niain stream and tributaries of the Dan and Mayo Rivers. Life history aspects have been stud¬ ied by Roanoke College students under the direction of Dr. Robert E. Jenkins. It feeds primarily on larval dipterans. mayflies, and caddisflies. and on detritus. Spawning probably

Status: State Special Concern

occurs in February and early March. The Bigeye Jumprock matures in 3 to 4 years and lives a maximum of 6 to 7 years. The large eye is apparently not used for locating food but rather niay be used to detect predators (Jenkins and Burkhead. 1994).

Signifiea)iee, Status. Current Protection, and Reeonnnendations. The Bigeye Jumprock is "highly divergent from other moxostomatins in .several aspects of lip and body form, frequent presence of a 4th gas bladder chamber, retrorse scale margin tubercles, and dark-headed nuptial coloration" (Jenkins and Burkhead 1994). It appears to be unusually sensi¬ tive to siltation and is consequently a good indicator of environ¬ mental quality. Because of its limited distribution, restriction to large streams, and low density, the Bigeye Jumprock is assigned State Special Concern status; however. State Threatened might be mcire appropriate. It probably would have been extirpated from the state if the Dan River Dam had been built. The species is CLirrentiy protected under Article 25, "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern." added to Chapter 1 1 3 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. Protection of water quality of the Dan and Mayo Rivers is critical.

LITER.ATURE CITED

lenkins. R. E., and N. M. Burkhead. 1994. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. Amer. Fish. Soc., Bethesda. Md. lenkins, R. E.. and P. H. Lahrmann. 1980. Mo.xostoma arioin- nnini Robins and Raney. Bigeye Jumprock. Page 41 1 in Atlas of North .American Freshwater Fishes. D. S. Lee. C.

R. Gilbert. C. H. Hocutt. R. E. Jenkins. D. E. Mc.Allister. and .1. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. Stale Mus. Nat. Hist.. Raleigh.

Prepared by Edward F. Menhinick

83

Sandhills Chub

Semutiliis lumbee Snelson and Suttkus

Description. The Sandhills Chub is a large, fairly robust cyprinid with a leaf-like barbel. Adults reach 80 to 192 mm SL. It is distinguished from other Semotilus species and most North American cyprinids in having 9 (rather than 8) dorsal rays. The anterior basidorsal spot is typically diffuse or absent. Young and juveniles have a broad, dark lateral stripe extending along the body from the caudal base across the head to the snout. In life adults exhibit faint pink or orange in all fins. Tubercles develop on the head, caudal peduncle, and some fins of the male. See Snelson and Suttkus ( 1978) for a complete description and photograph.

Range. Habitat, and Biology. This fish is restricted to the Sandhills region of south-central North Carolina and north-cen¬ tral South Carolina at or below the Fall Line (Rohde and Arndt 1991 ). Its center of distribution in North Carolina is the upper Lumber River system (Pee Dee drainage). There are also small populations in adjacent tributaries of the Cape Fear and Pee Dee Ri\ er drainages. It is rarely sympatric with its close relati\e. S. atroinaciilatiis. The Sandhills Chub prefers small headwater creeks with sand and gravel bottom. Little is published on its life history. The male builds a gravel mound-pit nest similar to that of other Semotilus species (Maurakis et al. 1990).

LITERATURE CITED

Maurakis. E. G., W. S. Woolcott. and J. T. Magee. 1990. Pebble- nests of four Semotilus species. Southeast. Pish. Counc. Proc. 22:7-12.

Rohde. E. C.. and R. G. Arndt. 1991. Distribution and status of the Sandhills Chub. Semotilus lumbee, and the Pineuoods Darter.

I

Status: State Special Concern |

Significance, Status, Current Protection, and Recommendations. The integrity of the streams in the Carolina Sandhills is threatened by increasing demands made on that area j by residential, industrial, and military' interests. Any alteration, 1 such as damming for small ponds or degradation of the streams, could seriously affect this cyprinid's sur^ ival. Damming of streams by beaver is also detrimental to this species' survival. . Rohde and Arndt ( 1991 ) found it to be extirpated at 8 of the 22 | historic localities while discovering it at 25 new localities. It ! was listed in the U.S. Pederal Register, Vol. 50, No. 181, P- 37961. 18 September 1985. as being considered for addition to j the Federal Threatened Species List. The Sandhills Chub is assigned State Special Concern status and is currently protected under Article 25, "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Concern." added to Chapter 1 13 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina in 1987. Any habitat alteration plans that affect streams in the Sandhills i should be review ed by the appropriate agencies to ensure that these activities will not adversely affect this species. Studies are ' needed to further define the species' distribution, relative abun¬ dance. and reaction to environmental factors.

Etheostoma mariae. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 107(2):61-70. ' 1^ Snelson, E. F. Jr., and R. D. Suttkus. 1978. A new species of ^ I Semotilus (Pisces: Cyprinidae) from the Carolinas. Bull. , ( Ala. .Mus. Nat. Hist. 3:1-11.

Prepared by Fred C. Rohde |

84

Other Species of Interest Game Fish

Roanoke Bass

Amhloplites cavifrons Cope

Description. The Roanoke Bass dilTers Iroiii ihe more eom- mon Roek Bass in lliat it has a partly sealed to unsealed eheek. 27 to 35 breast seale row s, and many irideseent gold to white spots on the upper side ol' the head and body. Adults reaeh 36 cm TL.

Rcntite. Ihihitcit. and Bioloi>y. The taxonomy, distribution, habitat, and aspects of the life history of the Roanoke Bass are largely from Cashner and .lenkins 1 19S(), 1982). The species is indigenous to the Tar and Neuse River drainages of North Carolina and the Roanoke and Chowan River drainages of Virginia. In North Carolina it was first noted and clearly distin¬ guished from its congener ,3. rupcstris by Smith ( 1972). Populations in North Carolina are limited largely to the Piedmont, although Smith noted some unverified angler reports from the Coastal Plain, It was stocked in the fliwassee system in 1975 and in the upper Cape Fear drainage between 1973 and 1975 by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (Menhiniek 1991 ). Stoeking has been discontinued, but a repro¬ ducing population exists in Deep Ri\'er (Cape Fear Drainage) based on juveniles collected in 1997 (VV. C. Starnes, pers. comm.). The species is moderately widespread in both the upper Tar and Neuse drainages but usually is uncommon to rare even in areas known to harbor populations.

Biologieal information is presented by Smith ( 1972) and MeBride et al. ( 1980) for North Carolina populations and Petrimoulx ( 1983. 1984) for Virginia populations. The species matures at age 2 ( 150 mm SL or 75 to 100 g) and breeds from

LITER.VTURE CITED

Cashner. R. C.. and R. E. Jenkins. 1980. .Amhloplites cavifrons Cope. Roanoke Bass. Page 579 in Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes. D. S. Lee. C. R. Gilbert, C. H. Hocutt.

R. E. Jenkins. D. E. McAllister, and .1. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C, State Mus. Nat. Hist.. Raleigh.

• - . 1982. Systematics of the Roanoke Bass. .Amhloplites

cavifrons. Copeia 1982:581-594.

Jenkins. R. E.. and R. C. Cashner. 1983. Records and distribu¬ tional relationships of the Roanoke Bass, .Amhloplites eav- ifrons. in the Roanoke River drainage, Virginia. Ohio .1. Sci. 83:146-155.

Menhiniek. E. E. 1991. The Ereshwater Fishes of North Carolina. N.C. Wildl. Resour. Comm., Raleigh,

May through June at waiter temperatures of 20 to 25°C; spawn¬ ing lakes place over a male-guarded nest, typical of most cen- trarchids. Crayfish form the predominant adult diet. The Roanoke Bass occurs most frequently in medium to large streams with permanent flow, firm substrates of gravel and fine rubble, abundant botdder and/or bedrock cover, low' siltation. and little or no aquatic vegetation.

Significance. Status, and Reconimeiulations. Although not specifically sought by most North Carolina anglers, the Roanoke Bass is considered a challenging gamefish w hen taken on rod and reel (Smith 1972). Some success in culturing the species in hatchery ponds was attained (Smith 1972), but attempts at transplanting the species in apparently suitable w'aters of North Carolina (W. B. Smith, pers. comm.) and Virginia (Jenkins and Cashner 1983. Petrimoulx 1983) largely w'ere unsuccessful.

Existing populations in North Carolina are stable and not con¬ sidered threatened (W. B. Smith, pers. comm.); however, the species has declined in abundance or been extirpated from se\ eral stream systems in Virginia, primarily as a result of habitat alter¬ ation. In addition, introductions of 4. rnpestris within the Virginia part of the range have resulted in hybridization and displacement of 4. cavifrons (Jenkins and Cashner 1983). In North Carolina existing populations should be subject to periodic monitoring. Further efforts aimed at establishing additional populations within the natixe range are encouraged to ensure that this unique sportfish remains a viable component of the North Carolina iehthyofauna.

McBride, F. T.. R. 1. Jones, and F. A. Harris. 1980. Grow th rates and food habits of Roanoke Bass in the Eno and Tar Rixers. North Carolina. Proc. 34th Annual Conf. .Southeast. .Assoc. Fish Wildl. Agency 34:341-348.

Petrimoulx. H. J. 1983. The life history and distribution of the Roanoke Bass. .Amhloplites cavifrons Cope, in Virginia. Amer. Midi. Nat. 110:338-353.

- . 1984, Obseiwations on the spawning behax ior of the

Roanoke Bass. Progressix e Fish-Culturist 46:120-125. Smith. W. B, 1972. The biology of the Roanoke Bass. .Amhloplites cavifrons Cope, in North Carolina. Proc. 25th .Annual Conf. Southeast. .Assoc. Fish Wildl. .Agency 25:561-570.

F’repared by Meix in L. Warren Jr.

85

Longear Sunfish

Lepomis megalotis (Raflnesque)

Description. The sides of the Longear Sunfish are colored with orange spots and blue streaks; the black opercular flap is long in adults and margined with white; there are about 4 wavy blue lines on the head; the gill rakers are only slightly longer than their mid-width; the pectoral fins are rounded; and the mouth is small. Adults \'ary from 41 to 200 mm SL.

Range, Habitat, and Biology. This fish occurs in the Gulf of Mexico drainages (excluding the upper Missouri drainages) of east-central North America from southern Quebec into north¬ ern Mexico (Bauer 1980). In North Carolina it was reported in 1940 from Richmond Creek below Lake Junaluska (Pigeon drainage) and in 1934 from the North Fork of the Swannanoa River (French Broad drainage) (Menhinick et al. 1974). There is also a recent unverified report from a pond on the flood plain of the Nottley Ri\'er southwest of Murphy, Cherokee County. (Hiwassee drainage) (Braswell, pers. comm.).

The Longear Sunfish is found in clear, medium-sized, low gradient streams and upland parts of rivers and along the shore¬ lines of clear water reservoirs (Pflieger 1975, Trautman 1981 ).

It prefers pool areas near logs or brush in silt-free streams with

LITERATURE CITED

Bauer. B. H. 1980. Lepomis megalotis (Rafinesque), Longear Sunfish. Page 600 in Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes. D. S. Lee. C. R. Gilbert, C. H. Hocutt. R. E.

Jenkins. D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, editors. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Flist., Raleigh.

Menhinick. E. F. T. M. Berton. and J. R. Bailey. 1974. An annotated checklist of the fresh water fishes of North

sandy to rocky substrate and is often associated with aquatic vegetation. The Longear Sunfish spawns at a temperature range of 23 to 25°C from mid-May to early August over nests that it fans out in gravelly margins of streams. The male courts the female by displaying his red-orange belly; he guards the nest for a week or more until the eggs hatch and the young leave the nest (Pflieger 1975). Size for years 1 to 6 is 33, 64, 92, 109,

122, and 127 mm TL, respectively (modified from Pflieger 1975). The fish reaches maturity in 2 to 4 years; life expectancy is up to 6 years. The Longear Sunfish feeds on larval insects, crayfish, and occasionally on small fishes, as well as mature insects taken at the surface.

Significance, Status, and Recommendations. This eco¬ nomically important sunfish is unusually sensitive to siltation and turbidity. Because there are no recent records from where it has been recorded previously, it may be extirpated from North Carolina. Original localities should be resampled to determine if relict populations exist; reintroductions should be considered if the original records w-ere not the result of introductions.

Carolina. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 90:24—50.

Pflieger. W. L. 1975. The Fishes of Missouri. Mo. Dept. Cons., Jefferson City.

Trautman, M. B. 1981. The Fishes of Ohio. 2d ed. Ohio State Univ. Press, Columbus.

Prepared by Edward F. Menhinick

86

Other Species of Interest N<)nj»anie Fish

Mountain Mullet

Agonostomus inoiiticohi (Bancroft)

A single specimen of the Mountain Mullet was collected in 1975 from Royal Oak Swamp Creek. Brunswick County. It is a catadromoLis marine migrant of sporadic occurrence in subtropi¬ cal and temperate portions of its range.

Santee Chub

Cyprinelid zanema (Jordan and Bray ton)

This species has until recently been confused with the Thicklip Chub, Hyhopsis lahrosci, and at the time of Cooper et al. ( 1977:265-298) its distribution was poorly known. We now have a better understanding of its distribution and ecology.

Fat Sleeper

Dormitator maculatiis ( Bloch )

Although there are only eight freshwater records of this species from weed-choked streams south of the Neuse River, it is relatively common in brackish waters.

Muskelliinge

Esox masquinongy .Mitchell

This species is being introduced into a number of reservoirs of the state; these introductions have swamped the gene pool of the “native" muskellunge, and the native muskellunge is no longer regarded as a distinct subspecies.

Kanawha Darter

Etheostonia kanawhae (Raney)

This colorful darter is restricted to the New River drainage, where it remains quite common and is no longer threatened by construction of the New River Dam.

Seagreen Darter

Etheostonia thalassinum (.Iordan and Brayton)

This species occurs commonly over a v\ ide area in upper Piedmont and mountain streams of the Catawba and Broad River drainages.

Tongiietied Minnow

Exoglossiim laiirae (Hubbs)

This unusual minnow occurs in most larger streams of the New Ri\er drainage. The New River Dam. which would have destroyed most sites, will not be built.

Roanoke Hog Sucker

Hypentelium roanokense Raney and I.achner

Healthy populations of this species occur in the Dan and upper Roanoke Rivers of North Carolina, and dams tentati\'ely proposed 5y the Corjis of Engineers will not be built on these rivers.

Bigmoiith Buffalo

Ictiohus cyprinelliis (Valenciennes)

This species, which occurs in Lake Wylie and possibly in Lake Tillery, is probably an introduction.

Redeye Bass

Micropterus coosae Hnbbs and Bailey

Native populations occur below the falls in Toxaway and Horsepasture Rivers of the Savannah drainage and the species has been stocked in several other drainages.

Bluehead Chub subspecies

Nocomis leptocephaliis interocularis Lachner and V\ iley

The subspecies N. 1. hellicus was assigned to the "Special Concern" category by Bailey and Committee (in Cooper et al. 1977) because it was restricted to the Savannah drainage. Because the Savannah drainage population of W leptocepJuilus is now assigned to N. I. interocularis, a subspecies that is com¬ mon in the Savannah drainage, it is not assigned status in North Carolina.

Bigniouth Chub

Nocomis platyrhynchus Lachner and Jenkins

The Bigmouth Chub (perhaps a subspecies ot' Nocomis micropogon, the River Chub) is restricted to larger streams of the New River drainage. It is no longer under threat by the New River Dam and is relatively common in the drainage.

New River Shiner

Notropis scahriceps (Cope)

This species is abundant in the New River drainage, which is no longer threatened by the New River Dam.

Tangerine Darter

Perciita aiirantiaca (Cope)

This large, colorful darter occurs rarely in large streams of all Tennessee River drainage basins and in Fontana Lake. Its occurrence is known o\ er a wide range.

Bluntnose Minnow

Pimephales notatiis (Rallnesrpie)

This species is no longer threatened b_\ the New Ri\ er Dam. and populations ha\e been disco\ ercd in the Toe Ri\ er drainage near Burnsville.

LITERATURE CITED

Cooper. .1. E.. ,S. ,S. Robinson, and ,1. B. Funderburg. .Ir. (edi¬ tors). 1977. Endangered and Threatened Plants and .Animals of North Carolina. N.C. .State .Mus. Nat. Hist.. Raleigh,

Prepared by .Ah in L. Brasw ell

87

Addenda

Since the preparation of accounts and materials for review during the 1985 reevaluation process, two additional species, whose conservation status is of considerable concern, have been identified for evaluation for legal protection. Detailed accounts for these species follow.

“Robust Redhorse”

Moxostoma rohustum (Cope)

Nomenclature. The scientific name of this recently redis¬ covered species, described from Yadkin River. North Carolina, by Cope ( 1870). was misapplied by Robins and Raney ( 1956) to a still undescribed species in the genus Scartomyzon. (During 1956-1993 the jumprock sucker was erroneously called the Smallfin Redhorse. Mo.xostoma rohustum.) The true Robust Redhorse had been regarded as a form of the Ri\'er Redhorse, Mo.xostoma carinatiim. but the two species are now known to be distinct.

Description. The "Robust Redhorse” is a large, wide-bod- ied sucker reaching 720 mm TL and 8 kg. It has a stout pharv n- geal arch and molariform teeth; the head is medium to large; lips are medium to large and fully plicate; the posterior margin of the lower lip is very slightly concave or straight, or posterior¬ ly prolonged (flaplike) medially; and the dorsal fm margin is slightly concave or straight. In breeding males the snout, cheek, opercle. underside of head, and anal and caudal fins are heavily tuberculate. It has (11)12 circumpeduncle scales. (28)29 to 31(32) circumbody scales. (40)41 to 44(45) lateral-line scales. 12 to 14 dorsal rays, and (9-9)10-10 pelvic rays. The body usually has a golden brown tone and brassy to coppery sheen; scale bases are dark olive to black; lower fins are typically orange; the caudal fin is partly red; and the dorsal fin is olive, sometimes partly red.

Range. The only known viable population is in Oconee River. Georgia. It is known from Savannah River. Georgia and South Carolina, in 1980 and 1982. In North Carolina it has been taken in the Catawba River ( 1869). Yadkin River ( 1869). Rocky River (ca. 1968). and Pee Dee River ( 1985); skeletal parts have been found near Yadkin River and Hunting Creek at sites of for¬ mer Native American inhabitation.

Habitat. This species occurs in medium to large, warm rivers of the Piedmont and upper Coastal Plain. In Oconee River it is associated with moderate to swift current, shallow to deep.

gravel bottom and snags. Individuals likely prosper in both mostly rocky and mostly sandy rivers, with sufficient food and gravel for spawning.

Life History and Ecology. The "Robust Redhorse” spawns on gravel in May in Georgia. Individuals mature at an unknown age after age 4 and when larger than 500 mm TL; maximum known longevity is 25 years. It eats insect larvae, small crus¬ taceans. mollusks (crushing them), and probably other inverte¬ brates; it feeds heavily on the Asian Clam, Corbicula.

Special Significance or Unique Characteristics. The "Robust Redhorse” was a food fish when formerly common in Pee Dee River. The species represents a large piscine symbol of how poorly known are some aspects of large rivers and how- much they have lost.

Status. None; this species is under evaluation for Federally Endangered status.

Rationale for Evaluation. All populations have declined, and perhaps all except the Oconee River population are extirpated.

Current Protection. None.

Recommendations. The Pee Dee. Catawba, and Broad Rivers and their largest tributaries should be searched for popu¬ lations. No more than moderate water releases from dams should be allowed during the spawning season. Populations of blue and flathead catfishes. both major predators of suckers, in these rivers (to which they are not native) should be greatly- reduced.

LITERATURE CITED

Robins. C. R.. and E. C. Raney. 1956. Studies of the catostomid

fishes of the genus Mo.xostoma w ith descriptions of two

new species. Cornell Univ. Agric. Expt. Sta. Mem. 343.

Prepared by Robert E. Jenkins and Byron J. Freeman

88

“Sicklefin Redhorse"

Moxostoma sp.

la.xoiiDDiy. The "Sickletin Redliorse" \v;is fiisi recognized as an undescrihed s|ieeies in Idd2. ll liad been inisidenliried as M. niiicrolepiclotiuii and M. cciriiuitiini and depicted (inaecnrale- ly tor the dorsal fin) as M. ccirinuliiin by Menhinick ( R)*-)! ).

Description. This is a niediuin-sized, elongate, somewhat compressed sucker reaching mm TL and 1 .5 kg. It has a moderate pharyngeal arch and slightly molarit'orm teeth; the head is moderate; the snout is well rounded, often somewhat bulbous in adults; lips are moderate and basically plicate, but the lower lip has many branched and transected plicae; the upper lip is often much thicker medially than laterally; and the posterior margin of the low er lip is straight or \ ery nearly so. The dorsal fin is highly falcate; when depressed, rays 1 to 3 usually e.xtend much posterior beyond the tip of the last ray. Breeding males have tubercles ob\ ions only on anal and caudal fins. It has I2{ 13) eireumpeduncle scales, 32 to 35 circumbody scales, 43 to 46(47) lateral-line scales. 12 to 14 dorsal rays, and 9-9 to 10-10 pelvic rays. The body has an olive tone and brassy to coppery sheen; scale bases are oli\'e to black; lower fins are yellow or orange, pale-edged; the caudal fin is mostly red; and the dorsal fin is olive, sometimes partly red.

Range. The "Sicklefin Redhorse" occurs in the Hiwas.see and Little Tennessee Ri\ er systems of the Tennessee River drainage of Georgia (Brasstow n Creek) and North Carolina. It is known in the Hiwassee Ri\er system from Hiwassee Reservoir. Hanging Dog Creek, Valley River, and Brasstown Creek and in the Hiwassee River between Hiwassee Reservoir and Mission Dam. In the Little Tennessee system it is known from Fontana Reservoir, Little Tennessee River (Fontana Reservoir to lotla).

Burningtr)wn Creek, lotla Creek (lowermost), and Tuekaseegee River (Bryson City area).

Uahilat. This species frequents cool and w-arm. medium creeks to medium rivers in the Blue Ridge province. It occurs mainly in runs and riffles in gravelly and rocky reaches.

Life History and Ecology. The “.Sicklefin Redhor.se" spawns in April and/or May. Longevity is at least 13 years. It feeds in fast water and pools, sometimes foraging on sticks above bottom, .Special .Significance or Unicpie Characteristics. This species is restricted to a small area, almost entirely in North Carolina. One of the most distinctive of redhorses, surprisingly it had long been unidentified.

Status. None; this species remains under study.

Rationale for Evaluation. This species has a limited range. The proposed widening of North Carolina Route 28 along Little Tennessee River, mine effluents in Macon and Swain Counties, and golfcour.se construction along Brasstown Creek may unfa¬ vorably alter its distribution.

Current Protection. None.

Recommendations. The Blue Ridge streams in the Tennessee drainage should be searched for more populations. Studies should be undertaken to determine sites, habitat, and chronology of spawning, as well as other life history aspects.

LITERATURF CITED

Menhinick. E. F. 1991 . The Freshwater Fishes of North Carolina. N.C. Wildl. Resour. Comm.. Raleigh.

Prepared by Robert E. Jenkins and Byron ,1. Freeman

89

Piedmont Coastal Plain

APPENDIX A

90

Map 1. Counties and Physiographic Provinces of North Carolina

APPENDIX A

91

Map 2. Major Drainage Systems of North Carolina

APPENDIX B

Table 1. Comparison of the State conservation status of North Carolina freshwater Fishes between 1977 and 1991. Status in 1977 is from Cooper et al. (1977:265-298); 1991 status is from the N.C. Department of Wildlife Resources.*

P’amily/Species Status in 1977 Status in 1991

Special Concern Special Concern

(not listed) Threatened

Pktromvzontidae

Lampetra aepyptera. Least Brook Lamprey Lampetni appendix. American Brook Lamprey ACII’ENSERIDAE

Acipenser hreviroslruin, Shorlnose Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens. Lake Sturgeon Acipenser oxxrhynchus, Atlantic Sturgeon POEVODOMIDAE

Folyodon spathida. Paddlefish Hiodontidae

Hiodon tergisus. Mooneye Esocidae

Esox nuistpdnongy, Muskellunge

CVPRIMDAE

Clinostomus funduloides ssp., "Little Tennessee Rosyside Dace"

Cyprinella ( =Hybopsis) nionacha. Spotfin Chub

Cyprinella ( =Hybopsis) zanenui. Santee Chub

Cyprinella ( -Hybopsis) zanenia form. Thinlip Chub

Exoglossian laiirae, Tonguetied Minnow

Exoglossinn niaxillingiia, Cutlips Minnow

Hybopsis rnbrifrons. Rosyface Chub

Litxilns (-Notropis) chrysocephalns. Striped Shiner

Nocomis leptocephalus interocidaris, Bluehead Chub ssp

Noconns platyrhynclnis, Bigmouth Chub

Notropis bifrenatns. Bridle Shiner

Notropis lutipinnis, Yellowfin Shiner

Notropis mekistocholas. Cape Fear Shiner

Notropis rnbellus, Rosyface Shiner

Notropis scabriceps. New River Shiner

Ftienacobins teretidus. Kanawha Minnow

Fimephales notatns. Bluntnose Minnow'

Semotilns linnbee. Sandhills Chub Catostomidae

Carpiodes carpio. River Carpsucker Carpiodes velifer, Highfin Carpsucker Hypenteliian roanokense, Roanoke Hog Sucker .Scartoinyzon arionnnns ( -Moxostonui arionnnnni). Bigeye Jumprock

Thobitrnia ( =Moxostonia) liainiltoni. Rustyside Sucker

U TALI RIDAE

Notiirits eleutherus. Mountain Madtom Notiirns flavns, Stonecat

Notiirns fnriosns. Carolina Madtom (Neusc drainage) Notiirus furiosiis, Carolina Madtom (Tar drainage) Notiirns gilberti. Orangefin Madtom Notiirns sp., Broadtail Madtom

CM’RINODOMIDAE

Enndidns waccaniensis, W’accamaw Killifish Lncania goodei, Bluefin Killifish

(not listed)	Endangered
Extirpated?	Special Concern
Special Concent	Special Concern
Endangered	Endangered
Endangered	Special Concern
Extirpated?
(not listed)	Special Concern
Endangered; Extirpated?	Threatened
Special Concern	( removed )
Special Concern	Special Concern
Special Concern	(removed)
Special Concern	Endangered
Special Concern	Threatened
(not listed)	Threatened
Special Concern	( removed )
Special Concent	( removed )
Endangered; Extirpated?	Special Concent
(not listed)	Special Concern
Special Concern	Endangered
Special Concern	(removed)
Special Concern	(removed)
Threatened	Special Concern
Special Concern	(removed)
Special Concern	Special Concern
Special Concern	Special Concern
(not listed)	Special Concern
Special Concern	(removed)
Special Concent	Special Concern
(not listed)	Endangered
Extirpated	Special Concern
(not listed)	Endangered
Special Concern	Special Concern
Special Concern	(removed)
Threatened	Endangered
Special Concern	Special Concern
Endangered	Special Concern
(not listed)	Special Concern

92

I'abk* ** 1, continued

Faniily/Species Status in 1977 Status in 1991

(not listed) Endangered Speeial Concern

Special Concern I'hreatened

POEC II IIDAK

f/ctenmciria foniiosii, Least Killifish

A rilKRIMDAi:

Menidia cxtensci. W'aeeainaw Silverside

ClMKAKClllDAK

AluhlopUtcs cuvifrons. Roanoke Bass Microplems cooscic. Redeye Bass Microptcnts piinctiilatits. Sprnted Bass

PilASSOMAIIDAi:

FAussonia hoehlkei, Carolina I’ygniy Sunt'ish

Pkrcidak

Etheostoma aciiticeps. Sharphead Darter Etheostonui collis. Carolina Darter Etheostoma inscriptitm. Turquoise Darter Etheostoma jessiae. Blueside Darter Etheostoma kamiwhae. Kanawha Darter Etheostoma mariae, Pinewoods Darter Etheostoma perhmgiim, Waceamavv Darter Etheostoma podostemoae. Riverweeti Darter Etheostoma simotenim. Snubnose Darter Etheostoma thalasshmm. Seagreen Darter Etheosto)mi vulaeratum. Wounded Darter Percina aiirantiaca. Tangerine Darter Percina burtoni. Blotehside Logpereh Percina caprodes. Logpereh

Percina gynmocephala ( =macidata). Blackside Darter Percina macrocephala. Longhead Darter Percina oxyrhynchus (=oxyrhynca). Sharpnose Darter Percina sciera. Dusky Darter Percina sipiamata. Olive Darter SCIAEMDAE

Aplodinotus gritnniens. Freshwater Drum Con IDAE

Cottas carolinae. Banded Sculpin

Speeial Concern
Speeial Concern
(not listed)	Threatened
Extirpated	Threatened
Special Concern	Special Concern
Special Concern	Special Concern
Endangered	Special Concern
Threatened	(removed)
Special Concern	Special Concern
Endangered	Threatened
Special Concern	Special Concern
Extirpated	Special Concern
Special Concern	(removed)
(not listed)	Special Concern
Special Concern	(removed)
Endangered; Extirpated	Endangered
Threatened	Threatened
Special Concern	(remoxed)
Endangered; Extirpated	Special Concern
Special Concern	Special Concern
Special Concern	Endangered
Threatened; Special Concern	Special Concern
(not listed)	Threatened
(not listed)	Threatened

*In 1977 Special Concern status did not confer legal protection. With enactment of the state's nonganie endangered wildlife law ( 1987). Endangered and Threatened status categories arc now legalh' recognized, and species assigned .Special Concern status are afforded legal protection.

**Game species are not eligible for protection under the N.C. nonganie endangered w ildlife law.

93

Table 2. Changes since the 1991 Freshwater Fishes Scientific Council report submitted to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

Nomenclature:

1991

Hyhopsis monacha Hybopsis zcmema Hyhopsis zanema form Moxostoma ariommum Moxostoma hamiltoni Notropis chrysocephalus Percioa maculata Percina oxyrhyncha

1997

Cyprinella monacha Cyprinella zanema Cyprinella zanema form Sea rtomyzon ariommus Thobnrnia hamiltoni Luxilus chrysocephalus Percina gymnocephala Percina oxyrhynchus

Additional Species Considered:

Name

Moxostoma robustum, “Robust Redhorse” Moxostoma sp., “Sicklefin Redhorse”

Species Accounts Replaced:

Proposed Status Federally Endangered Under evaluation

1991 1997

Moxostoma carinatum form. River Redhorse Moxostoma robustum, “Robust Redhorse” (record previously misidentified as M. carinatum form, now properly identified as M. robustum )

Status Changes Recommended:

Name

Lampetra aepyptera. Least Brook Lamprey Scartomyzon ariommus, Bigeye Jumprock

Assigned Status Recommended Status

Special Concern State Threatened

Special Concern State Threatened

94

Table 3a. Distribution by drainage system offish speeies with Federally Endangered (FE), State Endangered (SE), Federally Threatened (FT). State Threatened (ST), or Special Concern (SC) legal status. Eowercase symbols indicate e.xtirpation from part or all of the drainage system; (?) indicates questionable record.

Hiwassee I

SC

Other

SE

SC

O

"2 5 i£!

Upper FB

<y)

O

y

y

O

u. u.

01. '■B Z5 O

Lower FB

ST

on (OO

SE

ST

O ■y.

ST

sc

O y

SC

SE

Cane River

O

sc

Minor

Coastal Drainages

SC

Chowan

JZ

SC

sc

O

Upper CF

FEZ fe

SC

ape Fear

Lower CF

SC

SC

sc

SC

o

Black/ South River

SC

Species (Coninion Name)

American Brook Lamprey

Atlantic Sturgeon

Banded Sculpin

Bigeye Jumprock

Blotchsidc I.ogperch

Blue fin Ki Hi fish

Blueside Darter

Bridle Shiner

'V^

Cape Fear Shiner

Carolina Darter

Carolina Madtom

Carolina Bygmy Sunfish

Cutlips Minnow

Dusky Darter

O y'. p

Highfin C’arpsucker

Kanawha Minnow

Ltike Sturgeon

>s 'V'

Least Killifish

“Little Tennessee Rosyside

5

Longhead Darter

Mooneye

Mountain Madtom

Olive Darter

Orangefin Madtom

■y.

5 y

95

I'able 3a. Continueel.

-

SC

sc

■-

Li;

SC

ST

SE

ST

* u c/:)

SC

SC

SC

River Carpsiicker

Riverweed Darter

Rosyfaee Chub

Rustyside Sucker

Sandhills Chub

Sharphead Darter

Sharpnose Darter

5 C/j j-.

Snubnose Darter

Spotfin Chub

Sloneeat

1 Striped Shiner

Thinlip Chub

Turquoise Darter

Waceainaw Darter

Waccamaw Killfish

Waccamaw Silverside

Wounded Darter

Yellow fin Shiner

96

Table 3b. Distribution by drainage system ol' fish species with b’ederally Hndangered (FT), State Endangered (SE), Federally Threatened (FT), State Threatened (ST), or Special Concern (SC) legal status. Lowercase symbols indicate extirpation from part or all of the drainage system.

97

Table 3b. Continued.

SC

FE

SC

ST

SC

1 SC

SC

SE

SC

SC

SC

1_ ST_ i

SC

FT

FT /ft

SE

SC

1_ E_ 1

River Carpsucker

Rivervveed Darter

Rosyt'ace Chub

Rustyside Sucker

Sandhills Chub

Sharphead Darter

Sharpnose Darter

Shortnose Sturgeon

Snubnose Darter

|Spotfin Chub

Stonecat

Striped Shiner

Thinlip Chub

Turquoise Darter

1 Waccaniaw Darter

Waccaniaw Killifish

Waccaniaw Silverside

Wounded Darter

1 Yellowfin Shiner

6

CJj

a

O

Q.

98

APPENDIX C

I’kotectei) Species and i he North Caroi.in a Counties The^ Inhabit

American Brook Lamprey		Freshwater Drum
Madison	Cape Fear Shiner	Madison
Atlantic Sturgeon	Chatham (extirpated in some locations)	Highlln Carpsucker
Beaut'ort	Harnett (extirpated)	Anson
Bertie	Lee	Bladen
Bladen	Moore	Catawba
Brunsw ick	Randolph	Cherokee (questionable record)
Camden		Gaston
Carteret	Carolina Darter	Lincoln
Chowan	Alamance	Mecklenburg
Craven	Anson	Richmond
Currituck	Cabarrus
Dare	Da\ idson	Kanawha Minnow
Hyde	Durham	Alleghany
Martin	Granville	Ashe
New Hanover	Guilford	Watauga
Onslow	Mecklenburg
Pamlico	Montgomery	Lake Sturgeon
Pasquotank	Moore	Madison (extirpated)
Richmond	Orange
Tyrell	Person	Least Brook Lamprey
Washington	Randolph	Edgecombe
	Richmond	Halifax
Banded Sculpin	Stanley	Johnston
Madison	Union	Pitt
(extirpated at some locations)	Wake	Wake
Bigeye Jumprock	Carolina Madtom	Warren
Rockingham	Craven	Least Killifish
Stokes	Durham	Brunsw'ick
	Edgecombe	New Hanover
Blotchside Logperch	Franklin
Buncombe (extirpated)	Greene	“Little Tennessee Rosyside Dace”
\ance_\'	Halifax	Graham
(extirpated at one location)	Johnston	Jackson
Jones	Macon
Bluefin Killifish	Lenoir	Sw'ain
New Hanover	Nash
	Vance	Logperch
Blueside Darter	W^ake	Alleghany
Henderson (extirpated)	W'ilson	Madison
Bridle Shiner	Carolina Pygmy Sunfish	Longhead Darter
Craven (extirpated?)	Brunsw ick	Buncombe (extirpated)
Broadtail Madtom	Columbus	Mooneye
Bladen	Cutlips Minnow	Henderson (extirpated)
Brunswick	Stokes	Madison
Columbus Robeson	Dusky Darter	Mountain Madtom
Sampson	Madison	Madison (extirpated)

99

Appendix C, continued

Olive Darter	Shortnose Sturgeon	Wounded Darter
Cherokee	Bertie (extirpated)	Jackson
Jackson	Bladen	Macon
Madison	Brunswick	Madison (extirpated)
Mason	New Hanover	Swain
Mitchell	Richmond
Swain		Yellowfin Shiner
Yancey	Snubnose Darter	Jackson
	Madison (extiipated)	Transylvania
Orangefin Madtom
Stokes	Spotfin Chub Buncombe (extirpated)
Paddlefish	Macon
Buncombe (extiipated)	Madison (extirpated)
Madison	Swain
Pinewoods Darter	Stonecat
Hoke	Buncombe
Montgomery	Madison
Moore	Swain
Richmond	Yancey
Robeson
Scotland	Striped Shiner Yancey
River Carpsucker
Madison	Thinlip Chub Anson
Riverweed Darter	Bladen
Rockingham	Cumberland
Stokes	Harnett Hoke
Rosyface Chub	Robeson
Transylvania	Sampson Scotland
Rustyside Sucker
Stokes	Turquoise Darter Transylvania
Sandhills Chub
Hoke	Waccamaw Darter
Moore	Columbus
Richmond
Scotland	Waccamaw KilliTish Columbus
Sharphead Darter	Washington
Mitchell (extirpated in
one location)	Waccamaw Silverside
Yancey	Columbus

Sharpnose Darter

Alleghany

Ashe

100

APPKNDIX 1)

NOk l M CaROI INA Coi NTIKS AM) TMi: PR()TKC T1:I) Sl*i:t IKS TiIIA CoM AlN

Alamance

Carolina Darter

Alleghany

Kanawha Minnow Logperch Sliarpnose Darter

Anson

Carolina Darter llighfin Carpsucker Thnilip Chub

Ashe

Kanawha Minnow Sharpnose Darter

Beaufort

Atlantic Sturgeon

Bertie

Atlantic Sturgeon Shortnose Sturgeon (extirpated)

Bladen

Atlantic Sturgeon Broadtail Madtom Highfin Carpsucker Shortnose Sturgeon Thinlip Chub

Brunswick

Atlantic Sturgeon Broadtail Madtom Carolina Pygmy Sunt'ish Least Killifish Shortnose Sturgeon

Buncombe

Blotchside Logperch (extirpated) Longhead Darter (extirpated) Paddlet'ish (extirpated)

Spotfin Chub (extirpated) Stonecat

Cabarrus

Carolina Darter

Camden

Atlantic Sturgeon

Catawba

Highfin Carpsucker

Cbatbam

Cape Fear Shiner (extirpated in some locations)

Cherokee

Highfin Carpsucker (questionable record )

Olive Darter

Chowan

Atlantic' Sturgeon

Columbus

Broadtail Madtom Carolina Pygmy Sunfish Waccamaw’ Darter Waccamaw Killifish Waccamaw Silverside

Craven

Atlantic Sturgeon Bridle Shiner (extirpated?) Carolina Madtom

Cumberland

Thinlip Chub

Currituck

Atlantic Sturgeon

Dare

Atlantic Sturgeon

Davidson

Carolina Darter

Durham

Carolina Darter Carolina Madtom

Edgecombe

Carolina Madtom Least Brook Lamprey

(irabam

"Little Tennessee Rosyside Dace"

(iranville

Carolina Darter

Greene

Carolina Madtom

(iuilford

Carolina Darter

Halifax

Carolina Madtom Least Brook Lamprey

Harnett

Cape Fear Shiner (extirpated) Thinlip Chub

Henderson

Blueside Darter (extirpated) Mooneye (extirpated)

Hoke

Pine woods Darter Sandhills Chub Thinlip Chub

Hyde

Atlantic' Sturgeon

Jackson

Little Tennessee Rosyside Dace Olive Darter Wounded Darter Yellowfin Shiner

Johnston

Carolina Madtom Least Brook Lamprey

Jones

Carolina Madtom Least Brook Lamprey

Lee

Cape Fear Shiner

FTanklin

Carolina Madtom

Lenoir

(iaston Carolina Madtom

Highfin Carpsucker

Lincoln

Highfin Carpsucker

Carteret

Atlantic' Sturgeon

Appendix D, continued

Macon

Little Tennessee Rosyside Dace Olive Darter Spotfin Chub Wounded Darter

Madison

American Brook Lamprey Banded Sculpin (extirpated at some locations)

Dusky Darter

Freshwater Drum

Lake Sturgeon (extirpated)

Logperch

Mooneye

Mountain Madtom (extirpated)

Olive Darter

Paddlefish

River Carpsucker

Snubnose Darter (extirpated)

Spotfin Chub (extirpated)

Slonecat

Wounded Darter (extirpated)

Martin

Atlantic Sturgeon

Mecklenburg

Carolina Darter Highfin Caipsucker

Mitchell

Olive Darter

Sharphead Darter (extirpated in one location)

Montgomery

Carolina Darter Pine woods Darter

Moore

Cape Fear Shiner Carolina Darter Pinewoods Darter Sandhills Chub

Nash

Carolina Madtom

New Hanover

Atlantic Sturgeon Bluefin Killifish Least Killifish Shortnosc Sturgeon

Onslow

Atlantic Sturgeon

Orange

Carolina Darter

Pamlico

Atlantic Sturgeon

Pasquotank

Atlantic Sturgeon

Person

Carolina Darter

Pitt

Least Brook Lamprey

Randolph

Cape Fear Shiner Carolina Darter

Richmond

Atlantic Sturgeon Carolina Darter Highfin Carpsucker Pinewoods Darter Sandhills Chub Shortnose Sturgeon

Robeson

Broadtail Madtom Pinewoods Darter Thinlip Chub

Rockingham

Bigeye Jumprock Riverweed Darter

Sampson

Broadtail Madtom Thinlip Chub

Scotland

Pinewoods Darter Sandhills Chub Thinlip Chub

Stanley

Carolina Darter

Stokes

Bigeye Jumprock Cutlips Minnow Orangefin Madtom Riverweed Darter Rustyside Sucker

Swain

“Little Tennessee Rosyside Dace”

Olive Darter

Spotfin Chub

Stonecat

Wounded Darter

Transylvania

Rosyface Chub Turquoise Darter Yellow'fin Shiner

Tyrell

Atlantic Sturgeon

Union

Carolina Darter

Vance

Carolina Madtom

Wake

Carolina Darter Carolina Madtom Least Brook Lamprey

Warren

Least Brook Lamprey

Washington

Atlantic Sturgeon Waccamaw Killifish

Watauga

Kanawha Minnow

Wilson

Carolina Madtom Yancey

Blotchside Logperch (extirpated at one location)

Olive Darter Sharphead Darter Stonecat Striped Shiner

102

INDEX TO COMMON AND SCIENTIFIC NAMES

Text Illustration Map

A

Acipenser hrcvirostruin. 5, 6, 6. 92 Acipciiser fiilvescens, 40, 41, 41, 92 Acipenser oxyrhynchits, 42, 43, 43, 92 aciiticeps, Etheostoma, 29, 30, 30, 93 aepyptera, Lampetra, 66, 67, 67, 94 Ago)io,sto))uts nuniticohi, 87 Anihloplites cavifrons, 8.3, 93

American Brook Lamprey, 34, 35, 35, 92, 95, 99, 102

Aplodinotiis grunniens, 23, 24, 24, 93

appendix, Lampetra, 34, 35, 35

arioninuini, Moxostoma (see Scartomyzon arionnniis)

arionuniis, Scartomxzon, 83, 83, 83, 92, 94

Atlantic Sturgeon, 42, 43, 43, 92, 95, 97, 99, 101, 102

aiirantiaca, Percina, 87, 93

B

Banded Sculpin, 25, 26, 26, 93, 95, 99, 102

Bass, Redeye, 87, 93

Bass, Roanoke, 4, 85, 93

Bass. Spotted*, 93

bifrenatiis, Notropis, 70. 71, 71

Bigeye Jumprock. 83. 83, 83, 92. 94. 97. 99. 102

Bigmouth ButYalo, 87

Bigmouth Chub. 87. 92

Blackside Darter*. 93

Blotchside Logperch, 17, 17, 17, 93. 95, 99. 101, 102

Bluefin Killifish. 68, 69, 69, 92. 95. 99, 102

Bluehead Chub ssp.. 87, 92

Blueside Darter. 53. 53, 53, 93. 95, 99. 101

Bluntnose Minnow. 87. 92

hoehikei, Elassonia, 27. 28, 28, 93

brevirostriini, Acipenser, 5, 6, 6, 92

Bridle Shiner. 70. 71, 7/. 92. 97. 99. 101

Broadtail Madtom. 77. 77, 77. 92. 95. 97. 99, 101, 102

Buffalo. Bigmouth, 87

burtoni, Percina, 17. 17, 17, 93

C

Cape Fear Shiner, 7. 8, 8, 92, 95, 99. 101, 102

caprodes, Percina, 38. 39, 39, 93

carinatum form. Moxostoma, 94

Carolina Darter. 51. 51, 51, 93. 95. 97. 99. 101, 102

Carolina Madtom, 75 , 76, 76, 92. 97, 99. 101, 102

Carolina Pygmy Sunfish. 27. 28, 28, 93, 97. 99. 101

carolinae. Cottas, 25, 26, 26, 93

carpio, Carpiodes, 44, 45, 45, 92

Carpiodes carpio, 44. 45, 45, 92

Carpiodes velifer, 46. 47, 47, 92

CarpsLicker, Highfin, 46, 47, 47, 92. 95. 97. 99. 101. 102

Carpsucker. River, 44, 45, 45, 92. 96, 100. 102

cavifrons, AmblopHtes, 85. 92

chrysocepiudns, Lnxiliis, 36. 37, 37, 92, 94

clirysocepludus, Notropis (see Luxihis chrysocepiudns}

Chub, Bigmouth. 87. 92

Chub, Bluehead. ssp., 87. 92

Chub, Rosyface, 33, 33, 33, 92. 98. 100. 102

Chub, Sandhills, 84, 84, 84, 92. 96. 98. 100. 101. 102

Chub, Santee. 87. 92

Chub. Spotfin, 9. 10, 10, 92. 96. 98, 100. 101. 102

Chub, Thinlip, 50, 50, 50, 92. 96, 98. 100. 101. 102

Clinostomus fitnduloides ssp., 48, 49, 49, 92

collis, Etheostoma, 51, 51, 5/, 93

coosae, Micropteriis, 87. 92

Cottas carolinae, 25. 26, 26. 93

Cutlips Minnow. 12. 12, 12, 92. 97, 99, 102

Cyprinella monacha, 9, 10, 10, 92. 94

Cyprinella zcmema, 87. 92. 94

Cyprinella zcmema form. 50. 50, 50, 92. 94

cyprinellas, Ictiobas, 87

D

“Dace. Little Tennessee Rosyside". 48. 49, 49, 92, 97. 99. 101. 102

Darter, Blackside*. 93

Darter. Blueside. 53. 53, 53, 93, 95. 99. 101

Darter. Carolina. 51, 51, 51, 93. 95. 97. 99. 101. 102

Darter. Dusky. 18, 19, 19, 93. 95. 99. 102

Darter. Kanawha. 87, 93

Darter. Longhead. 78, 78, 78, 93. 95. 99, 101

Darter. Oliv^e, 81, 81, 81, 93. 95. 97. 100. 101. 102

Darter. Pinewoods. 54. 55, 55, 93. 97. 100. 101. 102

Darter, Ri\erweed. 56. 56, 56, 93, 98. 100. 102

Darter. Seagreen. 87. 93

Darter. Sharphead. 29. 30, 30, 93. 100. 102

Darter. Sharpnose. 79. 80, 80, 93. 96. 98. 100. 101

Darter. Snubnose. 57. 58, 5<S’, 93. 100. 102.

Darter. Tangerine. 87. 93

Darter, Turquoise. 52. 52, 52, 93. 96. 98. 100. 102 Darter, Waccamaw. 31. 32, 32, 93, 98. 100. 101 Darter, Wounded, 59, 60, 60, 93. 96. 98. 100. 101. 102 Dormitator macalatas, 87 Drum. Freshwater. 23. 24, 24, 93. 95. 99. 102 Dusky Darter. 18. 19, 19, 93, 95. 99. 102

E

Elassonai hoehikei, 27. 28, 28, 93 eieatheras, Notaras, 73. 74, 74, 92 Esox masc/ainongy, 87. 92

103

Index, continued

Etheostoma aciiticeps, 29. 30, 30, 93 Elheostoma coUis, 51. 51, 57, 93 Etheostoma inscriptum, 52. 52, 52, 93 Etheostoma jessiae, 53. 53, 55, 93 Etheostoma kanawhae, 87. 93 Etheostoma mariae, 54. 55, 55, 93 Etheostoma perlongum, 31, 32, 32, 93 Etheostoma podostemone, 56. 56, 56, 93 Etheostoma simoteriim, 57. 58, 58, 93 Etheostoma thalassinitm, 87. 93 Etheostoma vidneratum, 59. 60, 60, 93 E.xoglossitm laiirae, 87. 92 Exoglossiim maxillingiia, 12. 12, 12, 92 extensa, Menidia, 11. 11, 11, 93

F

Fat Sleeper. 87

flaviis, Notiinis, 13. 14, 14, 92 formosa, Heterandria, 63. 63, 63, 93 Freshwater Drum. 23. 24, 24, 93. 95. 99. 102 fidvescens, Acipenser, 40. 41, 47, 92 fundidoides, Clinostomus, ssp.. 48. 49, 49, 92 Eimdidus waccamensis, 61. 62, 62, 92 furiosiis, Notunis, 75, 76, 76, 92

G

gilberti. Notions, 15, 16, 76, 92 goodei, Liicania, 68. 69, 69, 92 gninniens, Aplodinotus, 23. 24, 24, 93 gymnocephala, Percina *, 93. 94

H

hamiltoni, Moxostoma fsee Thohurnia hamiltoni)

hamilkmi, Tholmmia, 22. 22, 22, 92. 94

Heterandria formosa, 63. 63, 65, 93

Highfin CarpsLicker. 46. 47, 47, 92. 95. 97. 99. 101. 102

Hiodon tergisiis, 64, 65, 65, 92

Hyhopsis monacha fsee Cyprinella monacha)

Hyhopsis riihrifrons, 33. 33, 55, 92 Hyhopsis zanema Fsee Cyprinella zanema)

Hyhopsis zanema form fsee Cyprinella zanema formj Hypentelium roanokense, 87. 92

I

Ictiohus cyprinellus, 87 inscription. Etheostoma, 52. 52, 52, 93

J

jessiae, Etheostoma, 53, 53, 55, 93 Jumprock. Bigeye. 83, 83, 55, 92, 94. 97. 99, 102

K

Kanawha Darter, 87, 93

Kanawha Minnow, 82, 82, 82, 92, 97. 99, 101, 102 kanawhae, Etheostoma, 87, 93 Killifish, Bluefin. 68, 69, 69, 92, 95. 99, 102 Killifish, Least. 63, 63, 65, 93, 95, 99, 101. 102 Killifish. Waccamaw, 61, 62, 62, 92, 96. 98. 100, 101, 102

L

Lake Sturgeon, 40, 41, 47, 92. 95. 99, 102 Lampetra aepyptera, 66, 67, 67, 92, 94, 97. 99. 101, 102 Lampetra appendix,34, 35, 55, 92, 95. 99. 102 Lamprey, American Brook, 34. 35, 55, 92, 95. 99, 102 Lamprey. Least Brook. 66. 67, 67, 92. 94. 97, 99, 101, 102 laiirae, Exoglossiim, 87

Least Brook Lamprey, 66, 67, 67, 92, 94, 97, 99, 101, 102 Least Killifish, 63. 63, 65, 93, 95. 99, 101. 102 Leponiis megalotis, 86

leptocephahis belliciis, Nocomis fsee Nocomis leptocephahis interocidaris) leptocephahis interocidaris, Nocomis, 87 “Little Tennessee Rosyside Dace". 48. 49, 49, 92. 97. 99, 101. 102

Logperch. 38. 39, 59, 93. 95. 97. 99. 101. 102

Logperch. Blotchside. 17. 17, 77, 93, 95, 99. 101. 102

Longear Sunfish. 4. 86

Longhead Darter. 78. 78, 78, 93, 95, 99. 101

Liicania goodei, 68. 69, 69, 92

liimhee, Seniotiliis, 84. 84, 84, 92

liitipinnis, Notropis, 72. 72, 72

Liixihis cloysocephahis, 36. 37, 57, 92. 94

M

macrocephala, Percina, 78. 78, 78, 93 macula ta, Percina fsee Percina gymnocephala) maciilatiis, Dormitator, 87

Madtom.Broadtail. 77. 77, 77, 92. 95. 97. 99. 101. 102 Madtom. Carolina. 75. 76, 76, 92. 97, 99. 101. 102 Madtom. Mountain. 73. 74, 74, 92. 95, 99. 102 Madtom. Orangefin. 15. 16, 76, 92. 97. 100. 102 mariae, Etheostoma, 54. 55, 55, 93 mascpiinongy, Esox, 87. 92 maxillingiia, Exoglossiim, 12. 12, 12

104

Index, continued

nu’i>(il(>tis. Leponiis, 86 nickisrocholas. Notwpis. 7. 8, cS’

Menidici c.xicnsa. 11, 11, IL 63

Micropteriis coosae. 87, 63

Micropterus pitnctuUirus*, 63

Minnow, Blunlnose, 87, 62

Minnow, Cutlips, 12, 12, 12. 62, 67, 66, 102

Minnow, Kanawha, 82, 82, <S’2, 62, 67, 66, 101, 102

Minnow, Tonguelied. 87, 62

inoiuicha. CyprinclUi. 6, 10, 10. 62, 64

monacha. Hybopsis (see CyprincUa inonachci)

nioiiticola. Agonostonms. 87

i\U)oneve, 64, 65, 65. 62, 65, 66. 101, 102

Mountain Madtom, 73. 74, 74. 62. 65. 66. 102

Mountain Mullet. 87

Moxostonia arioiiimum (see Scartoniyzon arionimiis)

Moxostonui carinatiini form. 64

Moxostonia liamiltoni (see Thohunua lunniltoni)

Moxostonui rohiistinn. 88. 64

Moxostonia sp., 86. 64

Mullet, Mountain. 87

Muskellunge. 87. 62

N

New River Shiner. 87. 62 Noconiis leptoceplialiis hclliciis (see Noconiis leptocephaliis interociilaris )

Noconiis leptocephaliis interociilaris. 87, 62

Noconiis platyrliyncliiis. 87. 62

notatiis. Piniepliales. 87. 62

Notropis hifrenatus. 70, 71, 71. 62

Notropis clinsoceplialiis (see Liixiliis clirysoceplialiisj

Notropis liitipinnis. 72. 72, 72, 62

Notropis niekistocliolas. 7, 8, 8. 62

Notropis ruhelliis^'. 62

Notropis scahriceps. 87. 62

Notiiriis eleiitlieriis. 73. 74, 74. 62

Notiiriis flaviis. 13. 14, 14. 62

Notiiriis furiosiis. 75. 76, 76. 62

Notiiriis gilherti. 15, 16, 16. 62

Notiirus sp.. 77. 77, 77. 62

()

Olive Darter. 81. 81, 81. 63. 65. 67. 100. 101. 102 Orangefin Madtom. 15. 16, 16. 62. 67, 100. 102 oxyrhyncha. Percina (see Percina oxyrliyncliiis) oxyrhyncliiis. Acipenser. 42. 43, 45. 62 oxyrliyncliiis. Percina. 76, 80, 80. 63. 64

P

Paddlefish, 20, 21, 21. 62. 65. 100. 101. 102 Percina aiirantiaca. 87, 63 Percina hiirtoni. 17. 17, 17. 63 Percina caprodes. 38, 39, 59. 63 Percina gyninocepliaUP. 63. 64 Percina niacrocephala. 78. 78, 78. 63 Percina niacidata (see Percina gyninocepliala ) Percina oxyrhyncha (see Percina oxyrliyncliiis) Percina oxyrliyncliiis. 76. 80, 80. 63. 64 Percina sciera. 18, 19, 19. 63 Percina scpianiata. 81. 81, 81. 63 perlongiini. Etheostonia. 31. 32, 52. 63 Phenacobiiis teretiiliis. 82. 82, 82. 62 Piniepliales notatiis. 87, 62

Pinewoods Darter, 54. 55, 55, 63, 67. 100, 101, 102 platy'rhynchiis. Noconiis. 87 podostenione. Etheostonia. 56, 56, 56, 63 Polyodon spathida. 20. 21, 27, 62 piinctnlatiis. Micropterus*. 62

R

Redeye Bass. 87. 63

Redhorse, River, 64

"Redhorse, Rohust”. 88, 64

“Redhorse. Sicklefin”, 86, 64

River Carpsueker. 44. 45, 45. 62. 66. 100. 102

River Redhorse. 64

Riverweed Darter. 56. 56, 56, 63. 68. 100. 102

Roanoke Bass. 4. 85. 63

Roanoke Hog Sucker. 87. 62

roanokense. Hypenteliiini. 87. 62

"Rohust Redhorse", 88, 64

robiistiini. Moxostonia. 88. 64

Rosyface Chub. 33. 33, 55. 62. 68. 100. 102

Rosyfaee Shiner*. 62

riibelliis. Notropis*. 62

riibrifrons. Hxbopsis. 33. 33, 55. 62

Rustyside Sucker. 22. 22, 22, 62. 68. 100. 102

S

Sandhills Chub. 84. 84, 84. 62. 66. 68. 100. 101. 102

Santee Chub. 87. 62

scahriceps. Notropis. 87

Scartoniyzon arionnniis. 83. 83, (S’5, 62. 64

sciera. Percina. 18. 19, 19. 63

Sculpin. Banded. 25. 26, 26. 63. 65. 66. 102

Seagreen Darter. 87. 63

105

Index, continued

Semotilns lumbee, 84. 84, 84, 92

Sharphead Darter, 29. 30, 30, 93, 100, 102

Sharpnose Darter, 79, 80, 80, 93, 96, 98, 100, 101

Shiner. Bridle, 70, 71, 71, 92, 97, 99, 101

Shiner, Cape Fear,7, 8, 8, 92, 95, 99, 101, 102

Shiner. New River, 87, 92

Shiner. Rosyface*, 92

Shiner. Striped, 36. 37, 37, 92, 96, 100

Shiner, Yellowfin. 72. 72, 72, 92, 98, 100, 101, 102

Shortnose Sturgeon, 5, 6, 6, 92, 96, 98, 100, 101, 102

"Sicklefin Redhorse”, 89, 94

Silverside. Waccamaw, 11, 11, 11, 93, 98, 100, 101

simoterum, Etheosloma, 57, 58, 58, 93

Sleeper, Fat. 87

Snubnose Darter, 57, 58, 58, 93, 100. 102

spathiila, Polxodon, 20, 21, 21, 92

Spotfin Chub, 9, 10, 10, 92. 96. 98, 100, 101, 102

Spotted Bass*. 93

squamata, Percina, 81. 81, 81, 93

Stonecat. 13. 14, 14, 92. 96, 98. 100. 101. 102

Striped Shiner, 36. 37, 37, 92. 96. 100

Sturgeon. Atlantic, 42. 43, 43, 92. 95. 97, 99, 101, 102

Sturgeon. Lake. 40. 41, 41, 92, 95, 99, 102

Sturgeon, Shortnose. 5. 6, 6, 92. 96, 98, 100. 101. 102

Sucker. Roanoke Hog, 87. 92

Sucker. Rustyside. 22, 22, 22, 92. 98. 100. 102

Sunfish, Carolina Pygmy. 27, 28, 28, 93. 97, 99, 101

Sunfish. Lcmgear. 4, 86

W

Waccamaw Darter, 31, 32, i2, 93, 98, 100, 101 Waccamaw Killifish, 61, 62, 62, 92, 96, 98, 100, 101, 102 Waccamaw Silverside, 11, 11, 11, 93, 98, 100, 101 waccamensis, Fundulus, 61, 62, 62, 92 Wounded Darter, 59, 60, 60, 93, 96, 98, 100, 101, 102

Y

Yellowfin Shiner, 72, 72, 72, 92, 98, 100, 101, 102

Z

zanema, Cyprinella, 87, 92, 94 zanema, Cyprinella, form, 50, 50, 50, 92, 94 zanema, Hybopsis (see Cyprinella zanema) zanema, Hybopsis, form (see Cyprinella zanema form)

T

Tangerine Darter. 87. 93

teretidus, Phenacobiiis, 82, 82, 82, 92

tergisiis, Hiodon, 64. 65, 65, 92

thalassiniim, Etheostoma, 87. 93

Thinlip Chub. 50. 50, 50, 92. 96. 98. 100. 101, 102

Thobiirnia hamiltoni, 22. 22, 22, 92. 94

Tonguetied Minnow, 87, 92

Turquoise Darter. 52. 52, 52. 93, 96. 98. 100. 102

\

velifer, Carpiodes, 46. 47, 47 vulneratiim, Etheostoma, 59. 60, 60, 93

* Species is mentioned only in Table 1, where it is noted for its removal from special status as of 1991.

106

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Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes. Lee, Gilbert,

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A Distributional Survey of North Carolina Mammals. Lee, Funderburg, and Clark, 1982.

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The Seaside Sparrow, Its Biology and Management. Quay, Funderburg,

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Endangered, Threatened, and Rare Fauna of North Carolina, Part 1.

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Endangered. Threatened, and Rare Fauna of North Carolina, Part III.

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Order f rom: Publications Secretary

North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences P.O. Box 29555, Raleigh, NC 27626-0555

Make checks payable (L.S. dollars only) to “.Museum Extension Fund/2465" and indicate “Scientific Publications" on the notation line.

*.\vailahle from: Patricia Ledlie Books P.O. Box 90 Buckfield, ME 04220

A Division of the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources

.lonathan B. Howes, Secretary - Janies B. Hunt Jr, Governor