Systematics, Status, and Life History Aspects of the Ashy Darter, Etheostoma cinereum (Pisces: Percidae)
Shepard TE and Burr BM. 1984. Systematics, Status, and Life History Aspects of the Ashy Darter, Etheostoma cinereum (Pisces: Percidae). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 97(4):693-715
ABSTRACT: Etheostoma cinereum, an endemic of the Cumberland and Tennessee River drainages, is redescribed and diagnosed. Although the species has histori-cally been collected in 15 tributary systems, it has been taken from only 7 in the past 20 years. Sexual dimorphism exists in breeding coloration, size and shape of the genital papilla, tuberculation, and several body proportions. Geographic trends in meristic and morphometric characters indicate that somewhat distinct populations exist in the Cumberland, Duck, and upper Tennessee drainages; no subspecies are recognized. Etheostoma cinereum is a pool-inhabiting species often associated with cover in the form of boulders, snags, and stands of Justicia. The maximum life-span is 52 months, maximum size is 100 mm SL. A sex ratio of 1.5 females to 1 male was found. Spawning apparently occurs from late January to mid-April. Females at the peak of the spawning season contain an average of 53 mature ova per gram adjusted body weight. The diet consists primarily of chironomids, Ephemera larvae, and oligochaetes. Individuals are parasitized by fluke metacercariae, encysted nematodes, and acanthocephalan worms.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Shepard, Thomas; Burr, Brooks
- Units
- BISO
- Keywords
- APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, ashy darter, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, BISO, endangered species, Etheostoma cinereum, Fish, life history, Percidae, Pisces, SER, Southeast Region, systematics