| Bayou darter | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Percidae |
| Genus: | Etheostoma |
| Species: | E. rubrum |
| Binomial name | |
| Etheostoma rubrum Raney & Suttkus, 1966 |
|
The bayou darter (Etheostoma rubrum) is a species of fish in the perch family. It is endemic to western Mississippi in the United States, where it is found only in the Bayou Pierre River and its tributaries.[1] It is a federally listed threatened species of the United States.
The bayou darter lives in fast flowing, shallow areas of its native streams. It can be found in riffles and in the water between riffles in areas with firm gravel substrates.[2] Associated fish species include brighteye darter (Etheostoma lynceum), least madtom (Noturus hildebrandi), bluntface shiner (Cyprinella camura), and redfin darter (Etheostoma whipplei).[3]
The adult female is about 34 millimeters long and the adult male is about 37 millimeters.[2]
Spawning occurs in April through May and sometimes into August.[4] The female lays up to 75 eggs, and probably spawns at least twice during the spawning season.[2] The fish lives about 3 years, with the male living slightly longer than the female on average.[4] This species has low genetic diversity.[5]
The bayou darter eats insects, including caddisflies, blackflies, midges, and mayflies. It feeds more in the time just before spawning.[2]
The main threat to the species is the alteration of its habitat by human beings.[2] The Bayou Pierre is currently experiencing heavy erosion, particularly headcutting, in which erosion moves upstream in waves.[3] Channeling, dredging and mining on the adjacent floodplains cause some alteration. These processes cause an increase in sediment. Petroleum exploration has affected the area. Agriculture, especially silviculture affect the area by destroying riparian habitat, causing erosion and increasing sedimentation. This process destroys the riffles the fish occupies, and creates new riffles elsewhere, causing the fish population to move.[3] Fertilizers and herbicides may enter the water.[2]