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Home/Species/ Tallapoosa Darter

Etheostoma tallapoosae

Suttkus and Etnier, 1991

Tallapoosa Darter

G4Apparently Secure Found in 1 roadless area NatureServe Explorer →
G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.105294
Element CodeAFCQC02A80
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderPerciformes
FamilyPercidae
GenusEtheostoma
Concept Reference
Suttkus, R. D., and D. A. Etnier. 1991. Etheostoma tallapoosae and E. brevirostrum, two new darters, subgenus Ulocentra, from the Alabama River drainage. Tulane Studies in Zoology and Botany 28(1):1-24.
Taxonomic Comments
Formerly known as "Tallapoosa snubnose darter." Referred to as "Tallapoosa darter" by Page and Burr (1991) and Suttkus and Etnier (1991).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2012-01-24
Change Date2000-02-03
Edition Date2012-01-24
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G., and M. K. Clausen
Range Extent5000-20,000 square km (about 2000-8000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank Reasons
Occurs above Fall Line in Tallapoosa River system, Georgia and Alabama; locally common; still widespread but may be declining; considerable habitat loss in recent years due to impoundment and deterioration of small streams.
Range Extent Comments
Range is above the Fall Line in the Tallapoosa River system, Georgia and Alabama; Blue Ridge and Piedmont physiographic provinces (Suttkus and Etnier 1991, Page and Burr 2011).
Occurrences Comments
This species is represented by a large number of occurrences (subpopulations) (Boschung and Mayden 2004). Mettee et al. (1996) mapped 135 collection stations within one river system in Alabama and Georgia.
Threat Impact Comments
Considerable habitat has been lost because of impoundment and small stream deterioration (Suttkus and Etnier 1991), but this species is still widespread in its historical range and "shows no sign of stress" (Boschung and Mayden 2004).
Ecology & Habitat

Description

Maximum SL 56 mm in females, 64 mm im males (Suttkus and Etnier 1991).

Diagnostic Characteristics

"Nuptial males...are similar in general color pattern to males of several undescribed ULOCENTRA species of the Gulf Coastal Plain, but differ in having a row of (7-) 8-9 (-10) vertically oval to quadrate-shaped chocolate-brown blotches along the lateral line. These blotches are darkest and best defined anteriorly, and gradually fade to brownish orange or orange on the caudal peduncle.... Some nuptial males have blue-green pigment present between the orange-covered, brown blotches. The uniformly broad central band of coloration in the spinous dorsal fin of the nuptial male is deep red posteriorly and gradually becomes dull brown anteriorly...lacks a red ocellus in the first membrane of the spinous dorsal fin" (Suttkus and Etnier 1991). Typically has 5-5 branchiostegal rays; E. COOSAE typically has 6-6 branchiostegals and also lacks the red band across the anal fin (Suttkus and Etnier 1991).

Habitat

Habitat comprises bedrock pools and rocky riffles of creeks and small rivers (Page and Burr 2011); including the main channel of the upper Tallapoosa and Little Tallapoosa rivers; recent collections have been made where the substrate consists of boulders and rubble, with some gravel and stretches of sand (Suttkus and Etnier 1991). Members of this subgenus typically lay eggs on the sides of large rocks (Suttkus and Etnier 1991).

Reproduction

Spawns apparently in early spring (March-April); sexually mature probably in 1 year (Suttkus and Etnier 1991).
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN4
ProvinceRankNative
GeorgiaS2Yes
AlabamaS3Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
7 - Natural system modifications———
7.2 - Dams & water management/use———
9 - Pollution———

—

Roadless Areas (1)
Alabama (1)
AreaForestAcres
Blue MountainTalladega National Forest4,986
References (11)
  1. Boschung, H. T., and R. L. Mayden. 2004. Fishes of Alabama. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 960 pp.
  2. Freeman, B. J. (Institute of Ecology and Museum of Natural History, University of Georgia). 1997. Review and annotation of fish watershed distribution maps. Review requested by Ruth Mathews, TNC.
  3. MacBeth, Robyn M. (Georgia Natural Heritage Program). 1997. Review and annotation of fish and mussel watershed distribution maps. Review requested by Ruth Mathews, TNC. September 1997.
  4. Mettee, M. F., P. E. O'Neil, and J. M. Pierson. 1996. Fishes of Alabama and the Mobile Basin. Oxmoor House, Birmingham, Alabama. 820 pp.
  5. Nelson, J. S., E. J. Crossman, H. Espinosa-Perez, L. T. Findley, C. R. Gilbert, R. N. Lea, and J. D. Williams. 2004. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 29, Bethesda, Maryland. 386 pp.
  6. Page, L. M., and B. M. Burr. 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes: North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. 432 pp.
  7. Page, L. M., and B. M. Burr. 2011. Peterson field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Second edition. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston. xix + 663 pp.
  8. Page, L. M., H. Espinosa-Pérez, L. T. Findley, C. R. Gilbert, R. N. Lea, N. E. Mandrak, R. L. Mayden, and J. S. Nelson. 2013. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Seventh edition. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 34, Bethesda, Maryland.
  9. Page, L. M., K. E. Bemis, T. E. Dowling, H.S. Espinosa-Pérez, L.T. Findley, C. R. Gilbert, K. E. Hartel, R. N. Lea, N. E. Mandrak, M. A. Neigbors, J. J. Schmitter-Soto, and H. J. Walker, Jr. 2023. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Eighth edition. American Fisheries Society (AFS), Special Publication 37, Bethesda, Maryland, 439 pp.
  10. State Natural Heritage Data Centers. 1996a. Aggregated element occurrence data from all U.S. state natural heritage programs, including the Tennessee Valley Authority, Navajo Nation and the District of Columbia. Science Division, The Nature Conservancy.
  11. Suttkus, R. D., and D. A. Etnier. 1991. <i>Etheostoma tallapoosae</i> and <i>E. brevirostrum</i>, two new darters, subgenus <i>Ulocentra</i>, from the Alabama River drainage. Tulane Studies in Zoology and Botany 28(1):1-24.