OLYMPIC MUDMINNOW Novumbra hubbsi (Schultz, 1929) 



Order: SALMONIFORMES Family; UMBRIDAE 



Significance : This species is of interest to ichthyologists as it is a relict population 

 which is found only in three streams in the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington. 

 Except for the taxonomic description, very little is known about this small fish. 



Distinguishing characteristics : A small fish, about li to 2^ inches long. Differs from 

 Umbra in having more than 47 scales along the lateral line and does not have a dark bar 

 at the base of the tail. Differs from the Alaskan blackfish, Dallia pectoralis in that the 

 caudal fin of the Olympic mudminnow is slightly concave whereas the caudal fin in 

 Dallia is rounded. 



Present distribution : Chehalis River watershed, specifically from the Satsop River and 

 the Deschutes River in the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington. 



Former distribution : According to Schultz (1929) this mudminnow is a representative 

 of an ancient fauna which extended across the North American continent prior to the 

 elevation of the Rocky Mountains. Fossil remains are found in the Eocene Green River 

 Shales of Wyoming . 



Status : Greatly restricted habitat . 



Estimated numbers : No data . 



Fecundity : Not known . 



Reasons for decline : Change in habitat during geological history. 



Protective measures already taken : None . 



Measures proposed : Suitable habitat should be set aside as a sanctuary. 



Number in captivity : No live specimens . 



Culture potential in captivity : Unknown . 



References : 



Fitzgerald, J. W. 1957. Range extension for the western mudminnow, 



Novumbra hubbsi Schultz . Copeia, p. 248. 

 Meldrim, J. W. 1968. The ecological zoogeography of the Olympic mudminnow 



Novumbra hubbsi Schultz . Thesis, Ph.D., University of Washington , 157 p, 

 Schultz, L. P. 1929. Description of a new type of mudminnow from western 



Washington with notes on related species. Publications in Fisheries, 



University of Washington, Vol. 2, No. 6, p. 73-81. 



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