Chesapeake logperch

Chesapeake logperch
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Percidae
Genus:	Percina
Species:	P. bimaculata
Binomial name
Percina bimaculata Haldeman, 1844

The Chesapeake logperch (Percina bimaculata) is a small freshwater fish located in North America. It is found in the Chesapeake Bay drainages. It prefers gravel runs and riffles of small to medium sized rivers.

Distribution

The Chesapeake logperch (Percina bimaculata) is located in the Northeast region of the United States. Historically, it is known for being located in the Chesapeake Bay watershed in the district of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. ^[2] This range included the lower Susquehanna River basin of Pennsylvania and Maryland, as well as the middle to lower Potomac River basin of Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia. However, the Chesapeake logperch's presence has not been recorded from the Potomac River basin since the 1930s and is currently found in the lower Susquehanna River basin as well as Winters Run and the North East River, which drain into the upper portion of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. ^[3]

Habitat

The Chesapeake logperch are freshwater, benthopelgic fish that live near gravel runs and riffles in clear, medium sized rivers. Flowing pools associated with areas that contain large rocks and boulders are also likely habitats. All known collections have been observed in large river habitats or near the mouth of tributaries that drain into large rivers. Little is known about their reproductive habitats. ^[3]

Taxonomy

Formerly, the Chesapeake logperch was included in Percina caprodes, however, based on morphological and molecular data, Near (2008)^[4] determined that it warrants recognition as a distinct species with limited global distribution restricted to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. ^[3] Currently, the Chesapeake logperch is defined under Percina bimaculata and found under the class Actinopterygii, or ray-finned fishes. Genetic analyses of the Chesapeake logperch revealed multiple morphologically distinct characteristics from the common logperch. The Chesapeake logperch usually has the following combination of characteristics: 7 to 11 irregular lateral bars; orange-yellow band as well as spines located on the anterior dorsal fin (poorly defined in females), nape of adults naked, breast naked except for modified breast scales, supra occipital and preceptorial naked, and no preceptorial blotch. Their scales are generally harsh and rough to the feel, commonly known as having ctenoid scales. Located on the pelvic fin is one spine along with several fin rays which are positioned under the belly, back near the anus in the abdominal position. ^[2]

References

• Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2006). "Percina bimaculata" in FishBase. January 2006 version.