Boulder Darter
Etheostoma wapiti Etnier & Williams, 1989
First described in: Etnier, D. A.; Williams, J. D. (1989). Etheostoma (Nothonotus) wapiti (Osteichthyes: Percidae), a new darter from the southern bend of the Tennessee River system in Alabama and Tennessee. <em>Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington.</em> 102 (40: 987-1000.
The boulder darter (Etheostoma wapiti) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to Alabama and Tennessee in the United States, where it occurs in the Elk River system and Shoal Creek. It is found in small rivers and fast-flowing streams, at least 2 ft (0.6 m) deep, with boulders or a rocky base. It feeds on aquatic insect larvae but little is known of its natural history. The population trend of this fish is unknown but it is affected by a rise in siltation and the impoundment of water within its range by the building of dams. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being "vulnerable".
From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA), quoted section by section
Description
The boulder darter grows up to 7.6 cm (3 inches) long and is olive to gray in color. Little is known about its life history. It probably spawns in the spring months of April and May.
Range & habitat
The boulder darter occurs only in the Elk River and a few of its larger tributaries. Its range in the Elk River extends from Fayetteville to just above the Wheeler Reservoir and half a mile below the Alabama State Highway 127 bridge. The tributaries in which it is found are the lower parts of Richland Creek, the mouth of Indian Creek, both in south-central Tennessee (Giles and Lincoln counties) and Limestone County, in northern Alabama. Its preferred habitat is fast-flowing streams, at least 2 ft (0.6 m) deep, with a substrate of rock or boulders. It requires good water quality. Its diet is thought to consist primarily of immature aquatic insects.
Where it has been recorded
Recorded sightings
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geo-referenced records in GBIF, from museums, herbaria and field observers.
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In the stacks
Searching the stacks…
Every page naming Etheostoma wapiti in the Biodiversity Heritage Library →
From the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy and occurrence records (GBIF.org), with Wikipedia and the Source Library. GBIF species 2382213.