| Lollypop darter | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Percidae |
| Genus: | Etheostoma |
| Species: | E. neopterum |
| Binomial name | |
| Etheostoma neopterum Howell & Dingerkus, 1978 |
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The common name of Etheostoma neopterum is the lollipop darter. It is one of the 324 fish species found in Tennessee.
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The range of the lollipop darter is restricted to the shoal creek system in northwest Alabama and south central Tennessee.[1] They are found in the same area as the fringed darter. There is not much history of these fish and as of 1992 this has been their area. The small area might have to do with cross breeding that had happened that created these species. If they are a result of crossbreeding they would not have a population that is expanding across a big area. There could also be specific habitat in the water that these fish thrive in that makes this the only area that can support them.[2]
Another reason that can factor in could be a food source that is distinct to that area. Dams could contribute to them not being able to expand their distribution and might keep them locked into the shoal creek system.[3]
The Lollipop Darter will eat some larvae, insects, and small crayfish.[4] The water that these fish live in is usually nonmoving, shallow and clear. The waterways that they live in are perfect to them and have qualities that are not really understood as to why it is so perfect. The qualities of their habitat are a reason why they are stuck in a small area that can support their needs.
The temperatures that affect them are breeding temps and if it does not stand in their specific range they will delay reproduction for that breeding season.[5]
The predators that they have to worry about would be any fish bigger than them. Crayfish are predators to the fries and potentially to the adults based on the size of the crayfish. The waterways are the key component of their survival and needs to be kept the way it is with no human interference.
Males make a cavity under stones and other objects. The eggs are laid in a cluster under objects in the cavities where the males protect them. They fertilize the eggs externally. The size of these fish is 1.4-2.4 inches. They have needed extremely specific habitat to survive. The male gets a specific color on a dorsal fin during breeding time. The Lollipop Darter is in the group known as egg mimic darters.[6]
The females mature at one year of age where the males take 2 years to mature. Spawning occurs from March-May. The female will spawn multiple times with the male before leaving. Males can mate with more than one female over the course of the breeding season. When males breed with more than one female they will guard all the nests that they have.[7]
The lollipop darter is being considered for the endangered species list in the state of Tennessee.[8] Environmental Biology of Fishes 65:366-366. Humans are trying to maintain the habitat the way it is. The most important reason a biological decline would be from habitat destruction. This species of darter relies heavily on its habitat the exact way it is. If an invasive species was to come into their habitat it could completely wipe out the entire population.
Humans have one of the greatest impacts on this species due to the fact that we can destroy their habitat and or protect them.[9] In Alabama it is illegal to capture and transport this species of darter. It is a potential endangered species fish and is up for debate to be added to the list. It is a threatened species due to its low population and small amount of habitat. Their habitat encompasses only 135 square miles. There are different universities that are doing studies on the lollipop darter and similar species that could lead to a better understanding of the type of habitat that these fish need. Due to a lack of knowledge on their habitat requirements many groups are doing studies into it to find ways to help their population.
To manage the lollipop darter they should be regularly checked in their ranges to make sure that a substantial population is sustained. Seines would be the most useful item when surveying for these fish since the lollipop darter lives in shallow water. It would be to see how many you can get in a specific area. Something else that could be added would be to search for places to relocate to.[10]
Spreading the range of this species could help them have a healthy population and give them more areas in which to thrive. With the little area that these fish do live in it would be a smart idea to constantly check to make sure that there is no invasive species moving into their waters. Invasive species could potentially wipe out the entire population since they are in such a small area. Working with the community to set up guidelines for people in the area with the water that they occupy so people know what is there and what they should not do. Keeping a natural environment with no outside influences would help them survive.