Cumberland darter

Cumberland darter
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Percidae
Genus: Etheostoma
Species: E. susanae
Binomial name
Etheostoma susanae
Synonyms
  • Boleosoma susanae D. S. Jordan & Swain, 1883

The Cumberland darter (Etheostoma susanae) is a rare species of fish in the perch family endemic to Kentucky and Tennessee in the United States, where it occurs in the upper Cumberland River tributaries above Cumberland Falls. It was federally listed as an endangered species in the US on August 9, 2011.[2]

This fish measures over 5.5 cm in maximum length. It is pale yellow in color with six brown saddle-like markings on the sides. On the male, these markings fade during the breeding season and the fish becomes darker in color.[2]

The Cumberland darter lives in pools and slower, shallower parts of streams, in areas with sand or silt substrates, and not in areas with rocky or cobbly substrates. Associated fish species include creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus), northern hogsucker (Hypentelium nigricans), stripetail darter (E. kennicotti), and Cumberland arrow darter (E. sagitta).[2]

Little is known about the fish's lifecycle.[2]

This fish is currently known from 13 streams feeding the Cumberland River. It has been extirpated from many areas it previously inhabited.[2]

This species has been hatched and reared in captivity, then released into its natural habitat.[3]

References

  1. ↑ NatureServe (2013). "Etheostoma susanae". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2013: e.T202538A18235096. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T202538A18235096.en. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 USFWS. Endangered Status for the Cumberland Darter, Rush Darter, Yellowcheek Darter, Chucky Madtom, and Laurel Dace: Final rule. Federal Register August 9, 2011.
  3. ↑ Ruble, C., et al. (2010). Captive Propagation and Reintroduction of the Cumberland Darter, Etheostoma susanae, in the Upper Cumberland River Drainage of Kentucky. Archived 2012-03-31 at the Wayback Machine. Conservation Fisheries, Inc. for Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
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