TUSCUMBIA DARTER Etheostoma tuscumbia (Gilbert and Swain, 1887) 



Order: PERCIFORMES Family: PERCIDAE 



Significance : This species is of interest to ichthyologists since it only lives in springs 

 along the Tennessee River. 



Distinguishing characteristics : This species is quite small, 1 to 2 inches long, and 

 dull brown in color . The head is scaly and it generally has only 1 anal spine and an 

 incomplete supratemporal canal . 



Present distribution : In 6 springs along the southern bend of the Tennessee River in 

 Alabama . 



Former distribution : Along the Tennessee River Valley in Alabama and Tennessee. 



Status : Vulnerable . 



Estimated numbers : Unknown. 138 specimens were collected from springs in Alabama 

 during 1963-1967. 



Fecundity : Unknown . 



Reason for decline : Flooding of its habitat by the impoundment of the Tennessee River 

 and destruction of aquatic vegetation in springs . 



Measures proposed : Preserve present habitat . 



Number in captivity : None . 



Culture potential in captivity : Unknown . 



Remarks : Data submitted by Dr . William J . Richards , Bureau of Commercial Fisheries , 

 Washington, D.C. and James G. Armstrong III, Jackson, Wyoming. 



References : 



Armstrong, J. G. 1967. A study of the spring dwelling fishes of the southern 



bend of the Tennessee River . Thesis , M.S., Univ . Ala . , 60 p . 

 Bailey, R. M. and W . J. Richards. 1963. Status of Poecilichthys hopkinsi Fowler 



and Etheostoma trisella , new species, percid fishes from Alabama, Georgia, 



and South Carolina. Occ . Pap. Mus . Zool . Univ. Mich. (630), p. 1-21. 

 Gilbert, C.H. 1888. Descriptions of new and little known etheostomids . Proc . 



U.S. Nat. Mus. (1887), Vol. 10, p. 47-64. 



. 1891. Report of the exploration made in Alabama during 1889, with 



notes on the fishes of the Tennessee, Alabama and Escambia Rivers. Bull. 



U.S. FishComm. (1889), p. 143-159. 



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