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Erimonax monachus

(Cope, 1868)

Spotfin Chub

G2Imperiled Found in 7 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G2ImperiledGlobal Rank
VulnerableIUCN
Very high - mediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.105913
Element CodeAFCJB49270
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNVulnerable
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderCypriniformes
FamilyLeuciscidae
GenusErimonax
Synonyms
Cyprinella monacha(Cope, 1868)
Concept Reference
Broughton, R. E., and J. R. Gold. 2000. Phylogenetic relationships in the North American cyprinid genus Cyprinella (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) based on sequences of the mitochondrial ND2 and ND4L genes. Copeia 2000:1-10.
Taxonomic Comments
This species was removed from the genus Hybopsis and placed in the genus (formerly subgenus) Cyprinella by Coburn and Cavender (1992) and in the 1991 AFS checklist (Robins et al. 1991). Mayden (1989) placed this species in the genus Erimystax but later agreed that it belongs in Cyprinella (see Jenkins and Burkhead 1994). Page and Burr (1991, 2011), Etnier and Starnes (1993), and Jenkins and Burkhead (1994) included it in Cyprinella . Broughton and Gold (2000) examined mtDNA variation in Cyprinella and found that this species fell outside of a monophyletic Cyprinella as sister to Hybopsis winchelli. Nelson et al. (2004) followed Mayden et al. (1992) in placing this species in the genus Erimonax.

Jenkins and Burkhead (1994) used the common name "turquoise shiner."

A single hybrid, involving Cyprinella galactura, is known (Jenkins and Burkhead 1994). See Jenkins and Burkhead (1994) for a discussion of possible systematic relationships.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2011-11-30
Change Date1996-09-18
Edition Date2014-03-04
Edition AuthorsHammerson. G.
Threat ImpactVery high - medium
Range Extent20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences6 - 20
Rank Reasons
This species has suffered a broad historical range contraction and is currently confined to localized and fragmented populations in the Tennessee River drainage in Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. It is extirpated in Alabama and Georgia and increased siltation and sedimentation continue to degrade stream water quality throughout its range.
Range Extent Comments
This species is endemic to the Tennessee River system, USA, and was historically known over a wide range from Alabama (extirpated), Georgia (extirpated), North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia (Boschung and Mayden 2004, Etnier and Starnes 1993, Jenkins and Burkhead 1994, Menhinick 1991).

This species is now localized to only four tributary systems: (1) the Little Tennessee River, North Carolina; (2) the Buffalo and (3) Emory rivers, Tennessee, and (4) the north and middle forks of the Holston River in Tennessee and Virginia (Jenkins and Burkhead 1984).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reintroduced this species as nonessential experimental populations in specified portions of the Tellico River (Tennessee), Shoal Creek (Alabama and Tennessee), and French Broad and Holston rivers (Tennessee) (USFWS 2002, 2005, 2007).
Occurrences Comments
Jenkins and Burkhead (1984, 1994) and Boschung and Mayden (2004) indicated current occupancy of 10 streams, each of which could be regarded as a distinct occurrence, subpopulation, or location.
Threat Impact Comments
Range may have been more continuous before extensive deforestation and impoundment (Jenkins and Burkhead 1994). Causes of decline include siltation, coal sedimentation, pollution, inundation by reservoir development, releases of cold water from reservoirs, stream channelization, and interspecific competition (USFWS 1983; Jenkins and Burkhead 1984); some of these factors affect extant populations (Jenkins and Burkhead 1994). Collecting may significantly reduce local subpopulations (Burkhead and Jenkins 1991).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Habitat includes cool and warm, typically clear, large creeks or medium-sized rivers of moderate gradient, in upland and montane areas, generally in or near moderate and swift currents over gravel to bedrock, rarely over sand or silt (Lee et al. 1980, Burkhead and Jenkins 1991). Eggs are laid in stone cracks, crevices, or in the narrow interface of two touching rocks (Burkhead and Jenkins 1991). Jenkins and Burkhead (1994) reported breeding sites in moderate current of shallow portions of runs, in areas strewn with unsilted rubble and boulders.

Reproduction

Spawning possibly begins in late May and extends into July or August. Nuptial adults have been taken from mid-May to mid-August, and spawning has been observed at temperatures of 26-27 C (Burkhead and Jenkins 1991). Females probably produce several clutches of eggs in a single season (Burkhead and Jenkins 1991). Mature in 2 years (some may spawn at 1 year); lives 3 years at most (Burkhead and Jenkins 1991, Jenkins and Burkhead 1984).
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN2
ProvinceRankNative
TennesseeS2Yes
AlabamaSXYes
VirginiaS1Yes
North CarolinaS1Yes
GeorgiaSXYes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
7 - Natural system modificationsPervasive - largeExtreme - moderateHigh (continuing)
7.2 - Dams & water management/usePervasive - largeExtreme - moderateHigh (continuing)
9 - PollutionPervasive - restrictedExtreme - moderateHigh (continuing)
9.2 - Industrial & military effluentsPervasive - restrictedExtreme - moderateHigh (continuing)
9.3 - Agricultural & forestry effluentsPervasive - restrictedExtreme - moderateHigh (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (7)
North Carolina (4)
AreaForestAcres
Barkers Creek (addition)Nantahala National Forest975
Overflow CreekNantahala National Forest3,379
Wesser BaldNantahala National Forest4,061
Yellowhammer Branch (add.)Nantahala National Forest1,255
Tennessee (3)
AreaForestAcres
Bald River Gorge AdditionCherokee National Forest1,728
Brushy RidgeCherokee National Forest7,469
Upper Bald RiverCherokee National Forest9,202
References (34)
  1. Boschung, H. T., and R. L. Mayden. 2004. Fishes of Alabama. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 960 pp.
  2. Broughton, R. E., and J. R. Gold. 2000. Phylogenetic relationships in the North American cyprinid genus <i>Cyprinella</i> (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) based on sequences of the mitochondrial ND2 and ND4L genes. Copeia 2000:1-10.
  3. Burkhead, N. M., and R. E. Jenkins. 1991. Fishes. Pages 321-409 in K. Terwilliger (coordinator). Virginia's Endangered Species: Proceedings of a Symposium. McDonald and Woodward Publishing Company, Blacksburg, Virginia.
  4. Coburn, M. M., and T. M. Cavender. 1992. Interrelationships of North American cyprinid fishes. Pages 328-373 in R.L. Mayden, editor. Systematics, historical ecology, and North American freshwater fishes. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California. xxvi + 969 pp.
  5. Etnier, D. A., and W. C. Starnes. 1993. The fishes of Tennessee. University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, Tennessee. xiv + 681 pp.
  6. 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.
  7. Jelks, H. L., S. J. Walsh, N. M. Burkhead, S. Contreras-Balderas, E. Díaz-Pardo, D. A. Hendrickson, J. Lyons, N. E. Mandrak, F. McCormick, J. S. Nelson, S. P. Platania, B. A. Porter, C. B. Renaud, J. Jacobo Schmitter-Soto, E. B. Taylor, and M.L. Warren, Jr. 2008. Conservation status of imperiled North American freshwater and diadromous fishes. Fisheries 33(8):372-407.
  8. Jenkins, R. E., and N. M. Burkhead. 1984. Description, biology and distribution of the spotfin chub, <i>Hybopsis monacha</i>, a threatened cyprinid fish of the Tennessee River drainage. Bulletin of the Alabama Museum of Natural History 8:1-30.
  9. Jenkins, R. E., and N. M. Burkhead. 1994. Freshwater fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. xxiii + 1079 pp.
  10. Lee, D. S., C. R. Gilbert, C. H. Hocutt, R. E. Jenkins, D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, Jr. 1980. Atlas of North American freshwater fishes. North Carolina State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, North Carolina. i-x + 854 pp.
  11. LeGrand, Harry (North Carolina Natural Heritage Program). 2000. Review and annotation of fish watershed distribution maps. Review requested by Larry Master, ABI. July 2000.
  12. Major, Smoot (Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage). 1997. Review and annotation of fish and mussel watershed distribution maps. Review requested by Ruth Mathews, TNC on 19 August 1997.
  13. Matthews, J.R. and C.J. Moseley (eds.). 1990. The Official World Wildlife Fund Guide to Endangered Species of North America. Volume 1. Plants, Mammals. xxiii + pp 1-560 + 33 pp. appendix + 6 pp. glossary + 16 pp. index. Volume 2. Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fishes, Mussels, Crustaceans, Snails, Insects, and Arachnids. xiii + pp. 561-1180. Beacham Publications, Inc., Washington, D.C.
  14. Mayden, R. L. 1989. Phylogenetic studies of North American minnows, with emphasis on the genus <i>Cyprinella</i> (Teleostei: Cypriniformes). University of Kansas Museum of Natural History Miscellaneous Publication (80):1-189.
  15. Mayden, R. L., B. M. Burr, L. M. Page, and R. R. Miller. 1992. The native freshwater fishes of North America. Pages 827-863 in R.L. Mayden, editor. Systematics, historical ecology, and North American freshwater fishes. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California. xxvi + 969 pp.
  16. Menhinick, E. F. 1991. The freshwater fishes of North Carolina. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 227 pp.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. Rakes, P. L., P. W. Shute, and J. R. Shute. 1998. Captive propagation and population monitoring of rare Southeastern fishes. Final Report for 1997. Field Season and Second Quarter Report for Fiscal Year 1998, prepared for Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Contract No. FA-4-10792-5-00. 32 pp.
  23. Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea, and W.B. Scott. 1991. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 20. 183 pp.
  24. Schönhuth, S. and R. L. Mayden. 2010. Phylogenetic relationships in the genus <i>Cyprinella</i> (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) based on mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 55(2010):77-98.
  25. Shute, Peggy (Aquatic Zoologist, Tennessee Valley Authority Regional Heritage). 1997. Review and annotation of fish watershed distribution maps. Review requested by Ruth Mathews, TNC. October 1997.
  26. 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.
  27. State Natural Heritage Data Centers. 1996c. Aggregated element occurrence data from all U.S. state natural heritage programs, including the Tennessee Valley Authority, Navajo Nation and the District of Columbia: Export of freshwater fish and mussel records from the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1997. Science Division, The Nature Conservancy.
  28. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 13 September 2007. Establishment of nonessential experimental population status for 15 freshwater mussels, 1 freshwater Snail, and 5 fishes in the Lower French Broad River and in the Lower Holston River, Tennessee; final rule. Federal Register 72(177):52434-52461.
  29. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1983. Recovery plan for spotfin chub <i>Hybopsis monacha</i>. USFWS, Atlanta, Georgia. 46 pp.
  30. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1990. Endangered and threatened species recovery program: report to Congress. 406 pp.
  31. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2001. Proposed establishment of nonessential experimental population status for 4 fishes into the Tellico River, from the backwaters of Tellico Reservoir upstream to Tellico River Mile 33, in Monroe County, Tennessee. Federal Register 66:30853-30860.
  32. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2002. Establishment of nonessential experimental population status and reintroduction of four fishes in the Tellico River. Federal Register 67(155):52420-52428.
  33. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2023. Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews for 67 Southeastern Species. Notice of initiation of reviews; <br/>request for information. Federal Register 88(91): 30324-30328.
  34. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 8 April 2005. Establishment of a nonessential experimental population for two fishes (boulder darter and spotfin chub) in Shoal Creek, Tennessee and Alabama. Federal Register 70(67):17916-17927.