Fundulus nottii

Bayou topminnow
Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cyprinodontiformes
Family: Fundulidae
Genus: Fundulus
Species: F. nottii
Binomial name
Fundulus nottii
(Agassiz, 1854)
Synonyms
  • Zygonectes hieroglyphicus
  • Fundulus hieroglyphicus
  • Zygonectes guttatus
  • Fundulus guttatus
  • Zygonectes nottii

Fundulus nottii, bayou topminnow or southern starhead topminnow, is a fish of the family Fundulidae [1] found in the southeastern United States.

Description

It is a small topminnow with a sub-ocular teardrop, a terminal to superior mouth, and a rounded caudal fin. The top of the head is flat, with the large scale (located just anterior to a line between the eyes) overlapped by the pair of scales just behind it. The lateral line is absent, and there are 11 preoperculomandibular pores. The sensory pores are fused. There are 7-8 dorsal rays, 9-10 anal rays, 11-12 pectoral rays, and 6 pelvic rays. During the breeding season males develop prickly contact organs on the anal fin. The Largest reported specimen was 65mm (2.6in) long. They are sexually dimorphic. Both sexes have a back that is olive green with a thin dorsal stripe, sides that are white or silver with an iridescent blue or silvery overlay, and a dark, iridescent blue-green suborbital teardrop. Males have vertical black bars and irregular horizontal rows of red-brown spots. Females have horizontal flank stripes. Fins have a reddish-brown color.

Diet

Although not much is known about its biology, the bayou topminnow is presumed to feed near the surface, where it consumes drifting organic matter, insects, and other animals associated with the water surface.

Habitat

Bayou topminnows occur in and around shoreline vegetation of clear lakes and ponds, backwaters, and overflow pools of large rivers.

Reproduction and life cycle

As with other topminnows, this species presumably has a spawning season that peaks in May or June, more protracted seasons may occur in some areas. Larvae of this species has not yet been described.

Distribution

The bayou topminnow is found from the Brazos River drainages in Texas east through the Gulf Coastal Plain and the Mobile Basin.

Etymology

Fundulus meaning “bottom”. Nottii is in honor of Dr. Josiah Clark Nott, physician, friend of Louis Agassiz, and the discoverer of the species.

References

    This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, May 27, 2014. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.