| Spikedace | |
|---|---|
| Spikedace, Meda fulgida | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Subfamily: | Leuciscinae |
| Genus: | Meda Girard, 1856 |
| Species: | M. fulgida |
| Binomial name | |
| Meda fulgida Girard, 1856 |
|
The Spikedace (Meda fulgida) is a species of ray-finned fish in the Cyprinidae family. It is found in Arizona and New Mexico in the United States. It lives in fast-moving streams.
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The maximum length of the Spikedace rarely exceeds 7.5 cm.[1] The Spikedace usually has a slender body, with a somewhat compressed front, and is strongly compressed at the caudal peduncle, with a fairly pointed snout and contains a slightly sub-terminal mouth with large eyes. The dorsal fin origin is behind the pelvic fin origin. The scales are present only as small deeply embedded plates. The first spinous ray of the dorsal fin is the strongest and most sharp-pointed. The Spikedace has seven dorsal fin-rays and typically nine anal fin-rays. The Spikedace skin is olive-gray to light brown above, with a brilliant silver side, often with blue reflections, and with black specks and blotches on the back and upper side. The breeding male has a spectacular, bright, brassy yellow head and fins.[2]
Historically, the Spikedace was common and locally abundant throughout the upper Gila River basin of Arizona and New Mexico. In Arizona this included the Agua Fria, San Pedro, and San Francisco River systems, and the Gila, Salt and Verde Rivers and major tributaries upstream of present day Phoenix. In New Mexico it included San Francisco River, Gila River, and the East, Middle and West Fork of the Gila.
Presently the Spikedace is found in Aravaipa Creek, a tributary of the San Pedro River, Eagle Creek, and the upper Verde River system in Arizona, and the upper Gila River system in New Mexico.[3]
The Spikedace occupies mid-water habitats of runs and pools.[4] The Spikedace prefers moving in water less than 1 meter deep and in a current of 0.3-0.6m/sec. The Spikedace concentrates in the downstream ends of rivers although many have been collected in the upstream portions of shear zones less than 0.33 m deep. In larger streams, the Spikedace is found only at the mouth of creeks.[5]
The Spikedace was formerly widespread in the Gila basin, but has suffered marked reductions in range in the last few decades. In areas where the Spikedace still persists, it seems far less abundant now.[6] This species often declines and explodes in numbers.[7] Kirk Young (AGFD Native Fish Diversity Review 1995) states that currently there are four populations in Arizona. Paul Marsh[8] believes there is a population in the White River which has not yet been surveyed.
Activities that are known to be detrimental to the Spikedace are the removal of water from the Spikedace habitats, stream impoundment, channelization, domestic livestock grazing, timber harvesting, mining, road construction, polluting, and stocking non-natives.
Threats to the species include stream flow depletion; diversion; habitat alteration and competition with nonnative crayfishes; and predation by and competition with non-native fishes, especially Red Shiner.