Spring cavefish
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Spring cavefish | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservation status | ||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Forbesichthys agassizi Putnam, 1872 |
The Spring cavefish, Forbesichthys agassizi, is a small subterranean freshwater fish native to the United States. It is currently believed to be endangered but has not been listed under the IUCN index due to lack of population studies. It is also the sole member of the genus Forbesichthys.
Contents |
[edit] History
Originally found in a deep well in Lebanon, Tennessee, they were shown to the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard in January 1854. It was named by Frederic Putnam in 1872, named after the zoologist Louis Agassiz. Also known as Chologaster agassizii and Chologaster papilliferus
[edit] Appearance
The Spring cavefish is dark brown dorsally and fades to a creamy brown towards the pelvis and reaches a maximum length of three and a half inches (90 mm). The head is sloped, and it has a protruding lower jaw. The fish has no pelvic fin or adipose fin. The dorsal fin is farther back than on most fish. The Spring cavefish is well adapted to a cave environment as it has well developed sensory papillae, which occur in groups of three midlaterally and in clusters on the head. It has well developed eyesight and has small, embedded cycloid scales.
[edit] Distribution
It is mainly found in an area encompassing Illinois, Missouri, western Kentucky and northern Tennessee. They live in underground caves during the day but at night emerge above ground into springs where there is usually more numerous prey. Though some specimens have been known to occasionally stay above ground in the springs using various stones and leaf litter to keep hidden, though they usually stay to the shallower parts of the spring.
[edit] Feeding
They feed primarily on micro crustaceans such as amphipods (like Gammarus troglophilus) but also prey on midge larvae and annelid worms. They feed almost exclusively at night, in surface springs.
[edit] Breeding
The breeding behaviour of Spring cavefish is barely documented. Spring cavefish are oviparous, and its known spawning occurs between January and April. Females produce roughly 100 young and the average Spring cavefish lives for three years.
[edit] Other Behaviour
Spring cavefish are highly sensitive to touch and light and will quickly move away from a source of either, preferring to hide under rocks and leaf litter until dark. They prefer highly oxygenated water and have a high temperature tolerance. Spring cavefish are strong swimmers and can easily swim against the current.
[edit] References
- Sir Richard Owen's Interpretation of Optic Lobes in Blind Fishes; Richard Owen, Ralph W. Dexter, The American Naturalist, Vol. 100, No. 912 (May - Jun., 1966), pp. 271-272
- Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr, 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p.
- Boschung, H. T. 1992. Catalogue of freshwater and marine fishes of Alabama. Alabama Museum of Natural History Bulletin 14:1-266.
- Etnier, D.A., and W.E. Starnes. 1993. The fishes of Tennessee. University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, Tennessee. 681 pp.
- Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr, 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p.
- Pflieger, W. L. 1997. The fishes of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, MO. 372 pp.
- Cave Adaptation in Amblyopsid Fishes; Thomas L. Poulson, American Midland Naturalist, Vol. 70, No. 2 (Oct., 1963), pp. 257-290
