| Bowfin | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Amiiformes |
| Family: | Amiidae |
| Subfamily: | Amiinae |
| Genus: | Amia Linnaeus, 1766 |
| Species: | A. calva |
| Binomial name | |
| Amia calva Linnaeus, 1766 |
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The Bowfin, Amia calva, is the last surviving member of the order Amiiformes (which includes 3 additional, now-extinct families dating from the Jurassic, to the Eocene), and of the family Amiidae (which contains numerous species in about four subfamilies, only one of which, Amiinae, is still extant). The Bowfin is a freshwater piscivore, preying on fish and larger aquatic invertebrates by ambush or stalking. Native to southeastern Canada and eastern United States, they prefer shallow, weedy waters of lakes or protected back waters of rivers. Bowfin are able to breath air, using their swim bladder as a primitive lung and can be seen coming to the surface and gulping air even in well oxygenated water. This air-breathing ability allows them to utilize shoreline habitats that are not accessible to other predator fish.
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The most distinctive characteristic of the bowfin is its very long dorsal fin consisting of 145 to 250 rays, and running from mid-back to the base of the tail. The caudal fin is a single lobe, though heterocercal.[1] They can grow up to 109 centimetres (43 in) in length, and weigh 9.75 kilograms (21.5 lb).[2] Other noticeable features are the black "eye spot" usually found high on the caudal peduncle, and the presence of a gular plate. The gular plate is a bony plate located on the exterior of the lower jaw, between the two sides of the lower jaw bone.
The bowfin is an indiscriminate predator that readily preys on a broad variety of arthropod and vertebrate prey, from insects and crawfish to other fish and frogs.
The male bowfin exhibits extensive parental care. The male clears an area in the mud for the female to lay eggs in, and then fertilizes them. He hovers nearby and aggressively protects the eggs and the fry after they emerge.[3]
Bowfin are usually not considered a good food fish compared to more popular freshwater gamefish species, such as pike or trout. They are generally regarded as trash fish by sportsmen in the United States, because they eat more desirable species, including crayfish. However, because bowfin are a native species, they should not be killed unnecessarily. They will occasionally strike - and sometimes ruin with their powerful jaws - artificial lures, but they generally strike on live or cut fishes. When hooked, Bowfin fight powerfully. Bowfin should be handled carefully, as they have very sharp teeth. They will continue to struggle even when pulled out of the water, and will attempt to bite anyone who is handling them.
The list of local and alternate names the bowfin is known by is lengthy, but common ones include "dogfish", "mudfish", "grindle" (or "grinnel"),"swamp muskie", "black fish", "cottonfish" "swamp bass", "poisson-castor", "Speckled Cat" "beaverfish", "Cypress trout" and "lawyer". In parts of Louisiana they are called "tchoupique" or "choupique".[4]
The bow fin is considered a very poor-eating fish compared to more popular game fish. The bowfin will however strike a lure just as good as a bass or pike and grows as large as a bass and will fight just as well when hooked. The Bowfin as a species is in the least concern category. Future management for the bowfin looks as though it has not been considered by many. The bowfin is a thriving species where it is found and considered a pest by most.
Sepkoski, Jack (2002). "A compendium of fossil marine animal genera". Bulletins of American Paleontology 364: p.560. http://strata.ummp.lsa.umich.edu/jack/showgenera.php?taxon=611&rank=class. Retrieved 2011-05-17.
Catherine A. McCormick.1981.Central Projects of the lateral line and eight nerves in the bowfin,Amia Calva. The journal of comparative neurology 197:1-15.
JM Conlon, JH Youson, J Whittaker.1991.structure and receptor-binding activity of insulin from a holostean fish, the bowfin:Amia Calva.Biochem j. 276:261-264
T M Nguyen, T P Mommsen, S M Mims, J M Conlon.1994.Characterization of insulins and proglucagon-derived peptides from a phylogenetically ancient fish, the paddlefish:Polyodon spathula.Biochem J.300(Pt 2): 339–345
J M Conlon, J H Youson, T P Mommsen.1993.Structure and biological activity of glucagon and glucagon-like peptide from a primitive bony fish, the bowfin: Amia calva.J.295(Pt 3): 857–861.