Rediscovery of the Flame Chub (Hemitremia flammea) in Kentucky
#1 Guest_jblaylock_*
Posted 21 December 2011 - 03:06 PM
Dec. 2011: Vol 6, #12
Most biologists consider the vertebrate animals of Kentucky to be wellknown, but occasionally surprises do turn up. On August 19, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife ichthyologists, Matt Thomas and Stephanie Brandt, collected the Flame Chub for the first time in Kentucky since its initial discovery in the early 1880s. Ten individuals of this small minnow species were captured in Spring Creek, a small spring-fed stream in the upper Red River (lower Cumberland) drainage in Simpson County. The current range of the Flame Chub lies mostly within Tennessee, with small portions in northern Alabama and Georgia. Most populations are known from springs and cool spring-fed creeks. The Flame Chub is a small fish, growing to about 3 inches with a life span of 2-3 years. During the spawning period in early spring, males develop brilliant red color on the lower sides of the body, hence the common name. The Flame Chub records in Kentucky from the mid-1870s to early 1880s were from the Laurel River and Clear Fork drainages, both in the upper Cumberland River basin. No other collections of this minnow have been reported and it was thought to have long since disappeared from the state. The individuals collected from Spring Creek in August represent an entirely new population and northern extension of the species’ current range. These fish were photographed, euthanized and preserved, and will be archived in the Southern Illinois University
Ichthyological Collection. Tissue samples will be sent to researchers at the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute for DNA analysis to determine relationships of these specimens to other known populations. Springs are known for having good water quality and they support unique plant and animal communities; however, they are also fragile habitats easily degraded by various forms of development and land-use activities. Recent surveys in Tennessee and Alabama have shown declines in Flame Chub populations due to alteration or elimination of spring habitats. An important next step will be to gain a better understanding of the population in Spring Creek and systematically survey other springs and associated habitats in south-central Kentucky for other potential occurrences. Successful management and protection of this unique minnow and its spring habitat will be dependent on the cooperation of private landowners.
#2 Guest_EricaWieser_*
Posted 21 December 2011 - 05:57 PM
I once heard a story of an African cichlid female that was found with a brood of young in her mouth. This was a species that had previously been thought to be extinct. So the response of the biologists was to remove the young, euthanize, and preserve her.
Did they have to kill all ten in this story? Do they need that many to verify which species it is?
Edited by EricaWieser, 21 December 2011 - 05:58 PM.
#4 Guest_fundulus_*
Posted 21 December 2011 - 06:29 PM
#5 Guest_daveneely_*
Posted 21 December 2011 - 06:43 PM
They're flames (at least sensu lato). There's quite a few populations in portions of the Cumberland, just none quite that far north... including a late 1920s record from spitting distance of the TN/KY line, NNE of Nashville. I suspect Brooks was questioning the veracity of the record just because of the lack of recent records -- based on this I wouldn't be so sure.
#8 Guest_fundulus_*
Posted 21 December 2011 - 08:10 PM
You're right, I drove by that historic site NNE of Nashville which is now in suburbia; I didn't have a chance to see if any flames are left, though. And of course the fish could well have been in this area all along with no one noticing, how many people would have gone looking for them?Hey Bruce,
They're flames (at least sensu lato). There's quite a few populations in portions of the Cumberland, just none quite that far north... including a late 1920s record from spitting distance of the TN/KY line, NNE of Nashville. I suspect Brooks was questioning the veracity of the record just because of the lack of recent records -- based on this I wouldn't be so sure.
#9 Guest_jblaylock_*
Posted 21 December 2011 - 09:06 PM
#12 Guest_jblaylock_*
Posted 22 December 2011 - 10:04 AM
I seriously doubt they killed every individual they found. And frankly if the population was that small, they're done in nature anyway.
That was my thought too. They likely didn't kill every one, and they likely didn't catch everyone that was in the creek. 10 fish in one creek will likely not last anyways.
#14 Guest_blakemarkwell_*
Posted 22 December 2011 - 03:23 PM
A more efficient way would be cut a small piece of the tail fin for DNA analysis instead of preserving a specimen. You can then return the fish back to the stream.
Scott
Yes, but that doesn't do anything for morphologists who may want to compare these to previously known populations. All new populations need vouchers, and this is certainty justifiable given it's disjunction and rarity in Kentucky. Please don't mistake science with hobby, as these specimens will be accessible to scientists for years to come. Sadly, they'll probably be around longer than the spring they inhabit given the pro-growth position that many citizens (and elected officials) hold.
All it takes is a glance at the population clock and an understanding of urban sprawl to adopt the 'get them in freezers and ethanol' mantra, especially when you have growing groups like the FLDS with 20-60 children per individual! Unfortunately, these mini-Semotilus settled and evolved in a more fragmented and fragile habitat than their bigger cousins. Kinda like the 'choice' of Etheostoma sagitta and Plethodon wehrlei to live near coal seams (boy, if hindsight were 20:20!)....
Thanks for posting this, Josh -- what an excellent find!
Edited by blakemarkwell, 22 December 2011 - 03:29 PM.
#15 Guest_Newt_*
Posted 27 December 2011 - 05:32 PM
#16 Guest_jblaylock_*
Posted 27 December 2011 - 08:57 PM
#17 Guest_fundulus_*
Posted 27 December 2011 - 09:24 PM
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