Tennessee Shiner

Tennessee Shiner
Tennessee shiner
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Genus: Notropis
Species: N. leuciodus
Binomial name
Notropis leuciodus
(Cope, 1868)

Contents

Introduction

The following article is a description of a monitoring plan for the Tennessee shiner, Notropis leuciodus, written for the Ichthyology (EEB 474) course at the University of Tennessee. The Tennessee shiner (Notropis leuciodus), is a North American species of temperate freshwater fish belonging to the Notropis genus of the Cyprinidae family. The Tennessee shiner is a slender species, somewhat rounded in cross section, with a pointed snout, terminal mouth, and relatively large eyes. Breeding males are red-orange throughout the entire body. The Tennessee shiner is commonly found with the telescope shiner, Notropis telescopus, and the bigeye shiner, Notropis boops, with which it may be confused [1] This species of shiner was described by Cope in 1868, and there has been little research done on the species. The natural geographic range is limited to the Green River, Cumberland River, and Tennessee River drainages in the states of Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia [2]. The Tennessee Shiner prefers clear, small to medium streams. Current food habits for this species are unknown, due to lack of research conducted on the Tennessee shiner. This species of Notropis reaches reproductive maturity in 1 to 2 years, and fecundity is unknown. Currently, there is little management for this species, and it is not listed on the endangered or threatened species list; however, a specific management plan might be considered to ensure the viability of the species[3]. This paper will discuss the in depth ecology, life history, current management, and some management recommendations for the Tennessee shiner.

Geographic Distribution

The natural geographic range is limited to the drainages of the Cumberland, Ohio, and Tennessee Rivers in the states of Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. The Tennessee shiner is a characteristic species of the Eastern highland region. The species occurs naturally in the uppermost tributaries of the Green River, in the Cumberland River between the Harpeth River and the Cumberland Falls, and in the Tennessee River [2]. In the lower drainages, the Tennessee shiner is limited to isolated populations in the Duck River, Shoal Creek, upper Elk River, and the upper Tennessee River tributaries above the Sequatchee River [4]. This species is currently found in the majority of its historical range; however, due to point source pollution from a paper manufacturing plant, the Tennessee shiner was extirpated from the Pigeon River for several years. The paper manufacturing plant was pumping toxic waste from the production of paper into the Pigeon River, resulting in the extirpation of mussels, snails, and most of the fish species historical present in the river [5]. This species was also believed to be introduced by bait buckets to the Chestatee River system in Georgia, the New and Catawba drainages of North Carolina, and the upper Savannah drainages in South Carolina [6]

Ecology

The diet of the Tennessee shiner is unknown, but is believed to be similar to the telescope shiner and bigeye shiner. The primary predator for this species are smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) and the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). The assumed competitors for the Tennessee shiner, include other species in the genus Notropis that also preside in regions where the Tennessee shiner is established [6]. The Tennessee shiner is a freshwater species, and is described as benthopelagic. It inhabits rocky pools and runs of creeks, as well as small to medium rivers that lack an excessive amount of siltation [7][4]. The Tennessee shiner prefers a temperate region, and the corresponding temperature ranges. Currently, there is no research on the effects of pH on the species. The humans impacts on the species includes point source pollution from wastewater treatment plants and paper factories, as well as siltation from land use [5]. Other human impacts may be negatively correlated with the species, but there is little research that indicates this fact.

Life History

The Tennessee shiner reaches a maximum length of 82 millimetres (3.2 in). The Tennessee shiner has been classified as high resiliency, and is capable of doubling its population in an estimated 15 months. This species breeds from mid-May to late June in water temperatures that range from 17 to 25°C, and individuals in breeding color have been collected in May and June [1]. How often an individual can breed during a breeding season is unknown. The Tennessee shiner reaches reproductive maturity in 1-2 years [3]. The average clutch size for the Tennessee shiner is also unknown. There are conflicting ideas on the spawning process of this species; Outten [8] reports Tennessee shiner holding territories over a river chub nest, whereas Etnier and Starnes [9] report spawning over stoneroller nests. Another paper states that N. leucoidus utilizes the primitive form of spawning classified as broadcasting. This process involves the scattering of eggs and sperm with no prior preparation of the substrate . This is characterized as the most common path of reproduction in North American minnows, shiners, and darters [10]. The exact reproductive strategy of the Tennessee shiner is not defined. This is due to the lack of research that has been conducted on this freshwater species. The average life span of the Tennessee shiner has been estimated at 3-5 years in the wild [8]. There are no documented human impacts on the life history of this species in its range, with the exception of the Pigeon River.

Current Management

Presently, the major human impacts on this species are water pollution. There are three major areas of water pollution that need to be addressed. The first is point source pollution from wastewater treatment plants and paper production plants. These practices release hormones and toxic waste into the river systems where the Tennessee shiner is located. Next, land use practices, such as timber harvesting and agricultural practices, through runoff, introduce chemicals into the system. Lastly, siltation is a major cause of habitat degradation to the Tennessee shiner. This is due to impervious surfaces along streams, as well as poor runoff management. Recently, the paper production factory modernized the methods used to manufacture paper. This resulted in the drastic reduction of the toxic effluent that was released in the Pigeon River [5].
The Tennessee shiner is not listed on the United States endangered and threatened species list, and has not been evaluated for the IUCN red list [7]. The species has also been classified as low vulnerability to population reduction. Over-harvesting and hybridization have not been determined as factors of decline for this species; however, habitat degradation has received some credit in areas where the Tennessee shiner has exhibited decline in populations. There are also no invasives that threaten the viability of the species [6].
There are no known agencies actively protecting the species; although, the University of Tennessee, through the Pigeon River Recovery Act, is making an effort to reintroduce the Tennessee shiner to the Pigeon River. There are also no conservation easements offered for the protection of the species or its preferred habitat [6].

Management Recommendations

For the management of this species, it is recommended that population surveys be conducted throughout the historical range to determine the status of the Tennessee shiner. Also some sites in the proposed introduced range should also be added, but at lesser intervals. This will give an estimate of the abundance of the species, and allow for correct urgency to be assigned to this particular species. To accurately and efficiently monitor the species, random sampling sites should be generated using a program such as Microsoft Excel®. A minimum of 20 sites should be feasible to a small team of fisheries biologists. These sites should be monitored three times annually: in the spring, the breeding season or summer, and in the fall. This will also give an estimate of recruitment for the species. Sampling methods, such as kick seining, would be appropriate methods to use for this species since the Tennessee shiner is benthopelagic. This would also be a cost-effective method of sampling. The only equipment that is required is a kick seine and the fisheries survey crew.
The Tennessee shiner is not listed as a endangered or threatened species; therefore, no particular watersheds or land should be set aside for the protection of this specific species. There are also no invasives that threaten the species, so invasive removal is not required. In conclusion, the above management recommendations were developed for the Tennessee shiner. There is also little active management for this species of Notropis. The population of the Tennessee shiner should be evaluated, but the species is currently in no apparent danger.

References

  1. ^ a b http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/fish/other/minnow/shiner/tennessee/. 2008. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. 17 November 2011.
  2. ^ a b Matson, R.H., and R.L. Mayden. 1992. Systematics and Biogeography of the Tennessee Shiner, Notropis leuciodus. Copeia 4:954-968.
  3. ^ a b Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.
  4. ^ a b Gilbert, C.R. and G.H. Burgess. 1980 et seq. Notropis leuciodus (Cope), Tennessee shiner, p. 281. Atlas of North American freshwater fishes. D.S. Lee, C.R. Gilbert, C.H. Hocutt, R.E. Jenkins, D.E. McAllister, and J.R. Stauffer, Jr. (eds). North Carolina State Mus. Nat. Hist. Raleigh, NC.
  5. ^ a b c http://fwf.ag.utk.edu/Sites/Pigeon/Webpages/index.asp. Wilson, L. 2011. The University of Tennessee. 17 November, 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=598. Nico, L. and P. Fuller. 2011. The United States Geological Survey. 17 November, 2011.
  7. ^ a b http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Notropis-leuciodus.html. Froese, R. and A.K. Ortañez. 2010. Fish Base. 17 November 2011.
  8. ^ a b Outten, L.M. 1962. Some observations of the spawning coloration and behavior of Notrophis leuciodus. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 78:101-102.
  9. ^ Etnier, D. A. and W. C. Starnes. 1993. The Fishes of Tennessee. University of Tennessee Press. Knoxville, TN. 681. pp.
  10. ^ Johnson, C.E. and L.M. Page. 1992. The evolution of complex reproductive strategies in North American minnows (Cyprinidae). Systematics, historical ecology, and North American freshwater fishes. Standford University Press. Stanford, CA. pp. 600-621.


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