Rush darter
| Rush darter | |
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| Species: | E. phytophilum
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| Binomial name | |
| Etheostoma phytophilum Bart & M. S. Taylor, 1999
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The rush darter (Etheostoma phytophilum) is a rare species of fish in the perch family; it is endemic to Alabama in the United States, where it occurs in three river systems. It was federally listed as an endangered species of the United States on August 9, 2011.[2]
This fish measures about 5 cm (2 in) in length. It is similar to its relative, the goldstripe darter (Etheostoma parvipinne), but with paler coloration.[2][3]
The rush darter lives in clear, shallow waters where it shelters around the root masses of aquatic vegetation. It tolerates a variety of substrates, including sand, silt, and gravel. The fry develop in wetland pools. Little else is known about the fish's lifecycle.[2]
This fish is currently known from three Alabama river drainages: the Clear Creek drainage in Winston County, some springs in Jefferson County, and Little Cove Creek drainage in Etowah County. Its total range is contained in 14.5 km of waterways.[2]
This species is threatened by the degradation of its habitat from excessive sedimentation.[2]
References
- ^ NatureServe (2013). "Etheostoma phytophilum". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013. IUCN: e.T202515A18233834. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T202515A18233834.en. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- ^ a b c d e USFWS. Endangered Status for the Cumberland Darter, Rush Darter, Yellowcheek Darter, Chucky Madtom, and Laurel Dace: Final rule. Federal Register August 9, 2011.
- ^ Bart, H. L. and M. S. Taylor. (1999). Systematic review of subgenus Fuscatelum of Etheostoma with description of a new species from the Upper Black Warrior river system, Alabama. Tulane Studies in Zoology and Botany 31 23-50.