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Rhinichthys atratulus

(Hermann, 1804)

Eastern Blacknose Dace

G5Secure Found in 26 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.828296
Element CodeAFCJB37010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderCypriniformes
FamilyLeuciscidae
GenusRhinichthys
Other Common Names
Naseux noir (FR)
Concept Reference
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.
Taxonomic Comments
Kraczkowski and Chernoff (2014) analyzed two mitochondrial genes and nine microsatellite loci from specimens encompassing the entire geographic range of Rhinichthys atratulus sensu lato. The results show that R. atratulus and R. obtusus are monophyletic, with large, consistent genetic differences; this split is accepted by Page et al. (2023).

On advice of R. E. Jenkins, Nelson et al. (2004) split the blacknose dace into two species, R. atratulus (eastern blacknose dace, primarily in Atlantic Slope drainages) and R. obtusus (western blacknose dace, remainder of range).

Not all ichthyologists accept this split but prefer to maintain atratulus and obtusus as conspecific (e.g., Page and Burr 2011, Page et al. 2013). Based on morphological data for populations in Canada, Fraser et al. (2005) could not distinguish the western and eastern species. In contrast, Smith (2007) readily distinguished the two in West Virginia, based on morphology and molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-02-09
Change Date1996-09-17
Range Extent Comments
Range encompasses primarily Atlantic slope drainages from Nova Scotia to South Carolina and Lake Ontario of the Laurentian drainage (Jenkins and Burkhead 1994, Nelson et al. 2004).
Occurrences Comments
This species is represented by a large number of subpopulations and locations.
Threat Impact Comments
Localized threats may exist, but on a range-wide scale no major threats are known.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Typically in cool, gravelly or rocky headwaters, creeks, and small rivers of high to moderate gradient; generally found in pools and slower runs (Lee et al. 1980). Often rests on bottom under or beside stones. Under banks in deepest water in winter. Spawns over gravel in fast water of shallow riffles (Scott and Crossman 1973).

Reproduction

Spawns from about May to July. Sexually mature at age II (Becker 1983) or age I (Fraker et al. 2002). Impacts of urbanization in Maryland resulted in increased growth rates and decreased age and size at maturity (Fraker et al. 2002).
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
QuebecS5Yes
OntarioSNRYes
Nova ScotiaS5Yes
New BrunswickS5Yes
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
VirginiaS5Yes
ConnecticutS5Yes
New HampshireS5Yes
New YorkS5Yes
District of ColumbiaS4Yes
MarylandS5Yes
PennsylvaniaS5Yes
MassachusettsS5Yes
VermontS5Yes
West VirginiaS5Yes
New JerseyS5Yes
DelawareS4Yes
Rhode IslandS4Yes
North CarolinaSNRYes
MaineS4Yes
Roadless Areas (26)
New Hampshire (4)
AreaForestAcres
Dartmouth RangeWhite Mountain National Forest9,233
KilkennyWhite Mountain National Forest28,766
Kinsman MountainWhite Mountain National Forest8,999
PemigewassetWhite Mountain National Forest32,255
Vermont (3)
AreaForestAcres
Bread LoafGreen Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,768
Devil's Den 09083Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests9,169
Woodford 09086Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests2,456
Virginia (15)
AreaForestAcres
Adams PeakGeorge Washington National Forest7,135
Beards MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,505
Broad RunJefferson National Forest10,971
Brush MountainJefferson National Forest6,002
Brush Mountain EastJefferson National Forest4,916
Gum RunGeorge Washington National Forest12,620
JerkemtightGeorge Washington National Forest16,687
Kelley MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,590
North MountainJefferson National Forest8,377
Oak KnobGeorge Washington National Forest10,882
Peters Mountain Addition A (VA)Jefferson National Forest1,268
Price MountainJefferson National Forest9,119
Ramseys Draft AdditionGeorge Washington National Forest12,781
Southern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest11,985
The PriestGeorge Washington National Forest5,737
West Virginia (4)
AreaForestAcres
Cranberry Glades Botanical AreaMonongahela National Forest785
Falls Of Hills CreekMonongahela National Forest6,925
North Mountain HopevilleMonongahela National Forest6,525
Peters Mountain Addition A (WV)Jefferson National Forest343
References (34)
  1. Becker, G. C. 1983. Fishes of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 1,052 pp.
  2. Cooper, E. L. 1983. Fishes of Pennsylvania and the northeastern United States. Pennsylvania State University Press, University Park. 243 pp.
  3. Cox, Kenneth M. (District Fisheries Biologist, VT Department of Fish and Wildlife). 2000. Review and annotation of fish watershed distribution maps. Review requested by Anthony E. Zammit, ABI. March 2000.
  4. Daniels, Robert (Biological Survey, New York State Museum). 2000. Review and annotation of fish watershed distribution maps. Review requested by Anthony E. Zammit, ABI. June 2000.
  5. Fraker, M. E., J. W. Snodgrass, and F. Morgan. 2002. Differences in growth and maturation of blacknose dace (<i>Rhinichthys atratulus</i>) across an urban-rural gradient. Copeia 2002:1122-1127.
  6. Fraser, B. A., N. E. Mandrak, and R. L. McLaughlin. 2005. Lack of morphological differentiation in eastern (<i>Rhinichthys atratulus</i>) and western (<i>Rhinichthys obtusus</i>) blacknose dace in Canada. Canadian Journal of Zoology 83(11):1502-1509.
  7. Halliwell, David B. (Maine Department of Environmental Protection). 2000. Review and annotation of fish watershed distribution maps. Review requested by Anthony E. Zammit, ABI. June 2000.
  8. Hartel, Karsten E. (Dept. of Ichthyology, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University). 2000. Review and annotation of fish watershed distribution maps. Review requested by Anthony E. Zammit, ABI. March 2000.
  9. Jenkins, R. E., and N. M. Burkhead. 1994. Freshwater fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. xxiii + 1079 pp.
  10. Kraczkowski, M. L. and B. Chernoff.  2014. Molecular phylogenetics of the eastern and western blacknose dace, <i>Rhinichthys atratulus</i> and <i>R. obtusus</i> (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Copeia 2014(2): 325-338.
  11. Krueger, William (Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island). 2000. Review and annotation of fish watershed distribution maps. Review requested by Anthony E. Zammit, ABI. February and March 2000.
  12. 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.
  13. Menhinick, E. F. 1991. The freshwater fishes of North Carolina. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 227 pp.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. Noble, R.L. 1965. Life history and ecology of the western blacknose dace, Boone County, Iowa, 1963-1964. Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science 72:282-293.
  17. Noble, R.L. 1967. Life history and ecology of the western blacknose dace, Boone County, Iowa. Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science 72(1965): 82-293.
  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., 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.
  21. Raasch, Maynard S. 2000. Review and annotation of fish watershed distribution maps. Review requested by Anthony E. Zammit, TNC. April 2000.
  22. Raesly, Richard L. (Frostburg State University). 2000. Review and annotation of fish watershed distribution maps. Review requested by Anthony E. Zammit, ABI. April 2000.
  23. Raney, E.C. 1940a. Comparison of the breeding of two subspecies of black-nosed dace, <i>Rhinichthys atratulus</i> (Hermann). American Midland Naturalist 23(2): 399-403.
  24. 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.
  25. Scott, W. B., and E. J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater fishes of Canada. Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Bulletin 184. 966 pp.
  26. Smith, C. L. 1983. Fishes of New York (maps and printout of a draft section on scarce fishes of New York). Unpublished draft.
  27. Smith, C. L. 1985. The inland fishes of New York State. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Albany, New York, xi + 522 pp.
  28. Smith, G. D. 2007. Morphological and molecular analyses of the blacknose dace species complex (genus <i>Rhinichthys</i>) in a large zone of contact in West Virginia. M.S. thesis, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia.
  29. Smith, P. W. 1979. The fishes of Illinois. University of Illinois Press, Urbana. 314 pp.
  30. Stauffer, J. R., Jr., J. M. Boltz, and L. R. White. 1995. The fishes of West Virginia. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 146:1-389.
  31. Tarter, D.C. 1970. Food and feeding habits of the western blacknose dace, <i>Rhinichthys atratulus meleagris</i>(Agassiz), in Doe Run, Meade County, Kentucky. American Midland Naturalist 83(1):134-159.
  32. Traver, J.R. 1929. The habits of the black-nosed dace, <i>Rhinichthys atratulus</i> (Mitchill). Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society 45(1):101-120.
  33. Whittier, Thomas R. 2000. Review and annotation of fish watershed distribution maps. Review requested by Anthony E. Zammit, ABI. March 2000.
  34. Whitworth, W. R., P. L. Berrien, and W. T. Keller. 1976. Freshwater fishes of Connecticut. Bulletin of the Connecticut Geological and Natural History Survey 101. vi + 134 pp.