Microhabitat estimation of an imperiled headwater fish, the Yazoo darter (Etheostoma raneyi), in coastal plain streams

Sterling, Ken A.; Warren, Melvin L.

doi:10.1007/s10641-017-0638-6

“…These conditions are consistent with the literature on E. faulkneri and E. raneyi and our results (Johnston & Haag, 1996;Powers & Warren, 2009;Sterling & Warren, 2017;Sterling et al, 2020), as they are for other Adonia snubnose darters (Carney & Burr, 1989;Bauer et al, 1995;Powers & Mayden, 2003;Khudamrongsawat & Kuhajda, 2007;Kozal et al, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 94%

“…The biology and habitat use of E. faulkneri is apparently similar to that of E. raneyi (Knight & Cooper, 1987;Suttkus et al, 1994;Sterling & Warren, 2017). A life history study of E. faulkneri was conducted at Morris Creek (Johnston & Haag, 1996), results of which are consistent with the literature for other clade Adonia snubnose darters (Carney & Burr, 1989;Khudamrongsawat & Kuhajda, 2007;Barton & Powers, 2010 (Knight & Cooper, 1987).…”

Section: Habitatbiology and Population Geneticssupporting

confidence: 72%

“…raneyi (<1 my) is recent (Sterling et al, 2020), and niche conservatism is apparent between the two species (Johnston & Haag, 1996;Sterling et al, 2017;Ruble et al, 2019) and other snubnose darters as well (O'Neil, 1981;Carney & Burr, 1989;Hicks, 1990;Khudamrongsawat & Kuhajda, 2007;Barton & Powers, 2010;Hubbell & Banford, 2019). Etheostoma faulkneri and E.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Peer Review #1 of "Description of a new species of cryptic snubnose darter (Percidae: Etheostomatinae) endemic to north-central Mississippi (v0.1)"

2020

0

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Many subclades within the large North American freshwater fish genus Etheostoma (Percidae) show brilliant male nuptial coloration during the spring spawning season. Traditionally, perceived differences in color were often used to diagnose closely related species. More recently, perceived differences in male nuptial color have prompted further investigation of potential biodiversity using genetic tools. However, cryptic diversity among Etheostoma darters renders male nuptial color as unreliable for detecting and describing diversity, which is foundational for research and conservation efforts of this group of stream fishes. Etheostoma raneyi (Yazoo Darter) is an imperiled, range-limited fish endemic to north-central Mississippi. Existing genetic evidence indicates cryptic diversity between disjunctly distributed E. raneyi from the Little Tallahatchie and Yocona river watersheds despite no obvious differences in male color between the two drainages. Analysis of morphological truss and geometric measurements and meristic and male color characters yielded quantitative differences in E. raneyi from the two drainages consistent with genetic evidence. Morphological divergence is best explained by differences in stream gradients between the two drainages. Etheostoma faulkneri, the Yoknapatawpha Darter, is described as a species under the unified species concept. The discovery of cryptic diversity within E. raneyi would likely not have occurred without genetic tools. Cryptic diversity among Etheostoma darters and other stream fishes is common, but an overreliance on traditional methods of species delimitation (e.g., identification of a readily observable physical character to diagnose a species) impedes a full accounting of the diversity in freshwater fishes in the southeastern United States.

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“…The biology and habitat use of E. faulkneri is apparently similar to that of E. raneyi ( Knight & Cooper, 1987 ; Suttkus, Bailey & Bart Jr, 1994 ; Sterling & Warren Jr, 2017 ). A life history study of E. faulkneri was conducted at Morris Creek ( Johnston & Haag, 1996 ), results of which are consistent with the literature for other clade Adonia snubnose darters ( Carney & Burr, 1989 ; Khudamrongsawat & Kuhajda, 2007 ; Barton & Powers, 2010 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…5, (phylogenetic results). Sterling & Warren Jr, 2017 : 1223–1235 (microhabitat use). Sterling et al, 2020 : phylogenetic relationships.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Description of a new species of cryptic snubnose darter (Percidae: Etheostomatinae) endemic to north-central Mississippi

Sterling

¹

,

Warren

²

2020

PeerJ

Self Cite

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Many subclades within the large North American freshwater fish genus Etheostoma (Percidae) show brilliant male nuptial coloration during the spring spawning season. Traditionally, perceived differences in color were often used to diagnose closely related species. More recently, perceived differences in male nuptial color have prompted further investigation of potential biodiversity using genetic tools. However, cryptic diversity among Etheostoma darters renders male nuptial color as unreliable for detecting and describing diversity, which is foundational for research and conservation efforts of this group of stream fishes. Etheostoma raneyi (Yazoo Darter) is an imperiled, range-limited fish endemic to north-central Mississippi. Existing genetic evidence indicates cryptic diversity between disjunctly distributed E. raneyi from the Little Tallahatchie and Yocona river watersheds despite no obvious differences in male color between the two drainages. Analysis of morphological truss and geometric measurements and meristic and male color characters yielded quantitative differences in E. raneyi from the two drainages consistent with genetic evidence. Morphological divergence is best explained by differences in stream gradients between the two drainages. Etheostoma faulkneri, the Yoknapatawpha Darter, is described as a species under the unified species concept. The discovery of cryptic diversity within E. raneyi would likely not have occurred without genetic tools. Cryptic diversity among Etheostoma darters and other stream fishes is common, but an overreliance on traditional methods of species delimitation (e.g., identification of a readily observable physical character to diagnose a species) impedes a full accounting of the diversity in freshwater fishes in the southeastern United States.

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Coldwater Periods in Warmwater Streams: Microhabitat Shifts from Autumn to Winter by Smallmouth Bass

Wolf

¹

,

Mollenhauer

²

,

Brewer

³

2019

N American J Fish Manag

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Seasonal and life stage variation in microhabitat use is an important driver of fish survival and bioenergetics, but knowledge of microhabitat selection during colder periods is generally lacking in warmwater streams. Our objective was to examine changes in microhabitat selection by age‐0 (TL ≤ 85 mm) and age‐1+ (TL > 85 mm) Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu from autumn to winter in streams of the southwest Ozark Highlands ecoregion. We examined microhabitat selection (depth, velocity, substrate, cover, and temperature) during autumn 2017 (Spavinaw Creek) and winter 2018 (Spavinaw and Spring creeks). During autumn and winter, age‐0 fish selected intermediate depths of approximately 1 m, whereas age‐1+ fish selected the deepest available habitat. Water depth selection was similar across seasons for both life stages. Both age‐0 and age‐1+ bass selected areas of zero velocity, increasing substrate size, instream cover, and warmwater patches in autumn. Velocity selection differed between autumn and winter with both life stages showing stronger selection of low velocity patches (0.1–0.3 m/s) during winter. Both life stages shifted to having no substrate selection during winter. Age‐1+ bass were more likely than age‐0 bass to use cover during autumn, but this relationship shifted in winter to the age‐0 cohort increasing their selection of cover and the age‐1+ cohort decreasing their selection. Both age‐0 and age‐1+ bass selected relatively warmer habitats during autumn, but not winter. Collectively, our results highlight both seasonal and life stage variation in Smallmouth Bass microhabitat selection. As our understanding of habitat selection across seasons develops, the management of Smallmouth Bass will undoubtedly improve. Changing environmental conditions over time may influence available habitat as well as the timing of seasonal shifts across a range of spatial and temporal scales, including microhabitat patches.

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Microhabitat estimation of an imperiled headwater fish, the Yazoo darter (Etheostoma raneyi), in coastal plain streams

Cited by 7 publications

References 40 publications

Peer Review #1 of "Description of a new species of cryptic snubnose darter (Percidae: Etheostomatinae) endemic to north-central Mississippi (v0.1)"

Peer Review #1 of "Description of a new species of cryptic snubnose darter (Percidae: Etheostomatinae) endemic to north-central Mississippi (v0.1)"

Description of a new species of cryptic snubnose darter (Percidae: Etheostomatinae) endemic to north-central Mississippi

Coldwater Periods in Warmwater Streams: Microhabitat Shifts from Autumn to Winter by Smallmouth Bass

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