The rush darter (Etheostoma phytophilum) is a rare and endangered[1] species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. 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.[3]
| Rush darter | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Percidae |
| Genus: | Etheostoma |
| Species: | E. phytophilum
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| Binomial name | |
| Etheostoma phytophilum Bart & M. S. Taylor, 1999
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This fish measures about 5 centimetres (2.0 in) in length. It is similar to its relative, the goldstripe darter (Etheostoma parvipinne), but with paler coloration.[3][4] This species is brownish in color[5] and they frequently show orange or red markings in the eyes.[6] They have a lifespan of 2–3 years.[5]
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.[3]
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 kilometres (9.0 mi) of waterways.[3]
This species is threatened by the degradation of its habitat from excessive sedimentation.[3]
The rush darter was first formally described in 1999 by Henry L. Bart Jr. and Michael S. Taylor with the type locality given as a spring run tributary to Turkey Creek along Alabama State Route 79, Pinson in Jefferson County, Alabama.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b NatureServe (2013). "Etheostoma phytophilum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T202515A18233834. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T202515A18233834.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ "Rush Darter (Etheostoma phytophilum)". Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f USFWS (9 August 2011). Endangered Status for the Cumberland Darter, Rush Darter, Yellowcheek Darter, Chucky Madtom, and Laurel Dace: Final rule. Federal Register 76(153):48722–48741. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- ^ Bart Jr., 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. Retrieved 14 May 2023 — via Internet Archive.
- ^ a b Freshwater Land Trust Staff (8 June 2016). "20 Species: The Rush Darter". Freshwater Land Trust. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
- ^ "Rush Darter (Etheostoma phytophilum)". Tennessee Aquarium. 2018. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020.
- ^ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Etheostoma pytophilum". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 19 October 2020.