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Popeye Shiner (Notropis ariommus) is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Notropis.

Introduction

It is ideal to construct a plan to monitor the endangered Notropis ariommus (the popeye shiner). To follow through on this intent, there are five main categories for which retaining date is imperative: geographic distribution, ecology, life history, current management, and management recommendations. The current geographic distribution of Notropis ariommus is in the Ohio River basic and the Tennessee River drainage. Keeping a record of this will allow scientists to determine if the fish is expanding or declining in range, and to take action accordingly. Similarly, the ecology of the species is heavily beneficial to note. Since Notropis ariommus is a freshwater, benthopelagic insectivore, the change of any of these specifications can result in further decrease of the species and should be controlled if possible. Unlike the ecology, very little is known at this time about life history of Notropis ariommus, however, this will be addressed in management recommendations. It is also important to note that despite the overall ‘endangered’ status of this species, very little is currently being done to protect it. The combination of human activity (industrialisation/agriculture) and invasive species are acting to destroy the habitat of Notropis ariommus. Lastly, it is recommended that to best preserve this species, breeding habits should be observed, and if possible, annual accounts of species abundance should be done by random sampling in the areas of Notropis ariommus occupation.

Geographic distribution

Notropis ariommus has been documented as a species native to the United States, and in particular, the Ohio River basin, and the Tennessee River drainage, spanning the states of Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West Virginia. Specific locations include the Tennessee River in Alabama and Georgia, the Wabash River in Indiana, the the Cheat, Kanawha (non-native), and New rivers of West Virginia .Between 1894 and 1949, only three specimens had been definitively identified. After, however, the number of Notropis ariommus began to increase, even in places that had been well documented previously and showed no trace of Notropis ariommus Despite more of these minnows being discovered since 1949, they are still listed as endangered by Georgia and Ohio , and extirpated in Indiana. This could potentially be due to destruction of their preferred habitat, as industrialisation (i.e. logging, damming, strip mining) continues, although a better culprit may be due to the influx of invasive species.

Ecology

Notropis ariommus are freshwater insectivores. They consume aquatic insects, including midges, caddisflies, mayflies and beetles. These benthopelagic fish are found in temperate waters, particularly large creeks and small rivers that are extremely clear and have gravel bottoms. The bodies of water in which they are found also tend to have slow to moderate flow It is precisely the water flow and preferred clarity of water that makes survival difficult. Since Notropis ariommus lives in pristinely clear water, any contamination may adversely affect this property and subsequently diminish the ability of these fish to thrive. As previously mentioned, industrialisation may lead to sedimentation, as well siltation due to increased runoff as a result of agricultural practices. Over time, the erosion will create an unsuitable habitat for Notropis ariommus, and species abundance, as habitat viability, will decrease. Another source of habitat destruction includes pollution. Based on the size of the streams Notropis ariommus inhabits, it has likely been exposed to more of these negative impacts than other fish. Similarly, the rate at which these bodies of water flow is in jeopardy. Notropis ariommus inhabit slowly or moderately flowing rivers or creeks. The industrial practice of building dams may result in a modification of the flow, and, like increased siltation, transform rivers into unsuitable habitats for Notropis ariommus.

Life History

The minnows spawn in the spring or summer. Other aspects of their life history are relatively unknown.

Current Management

Despite being listed as endangered in Ohio and Georgia and extirpated in Indiana, very little is being done to manage Notropis ariommus. Biologically, the greatest threat to these fish is an influx of exotic fish species. In Indiana, an influx of Asiatic carps (Ctenopharyngodon idella), bighead (Hypothalmichthys nobilis), and silver carps (Hypothalmichthys molitrix) are more than likely at least partially responisble for the total extirpation of Notropis ariommus. Ohio has a program that strives to protect and restore stream habitats of native species that are endangered or threatened in some way. This program is known as the Division of Wildlife's Stream Conservation Program. The intent of this program is to assess and record the number of species deemed “Species of Greatest Conservation Need”.

Management Recommendations

The primary recommendation in monitoring Notropis ariommus is to determine life history events. A prominent concern with any species should be reproductive habits, especially in a species where nothing is concretely known. However, to manage abundance, a method to monitor Notropis ariommus is necessary. To measure the amount in a given area, it is suggested to follow the methods set forth by Cavendish and Rice, 1997. The means of accomplishing this include setting up a net and allowing the fish to swim into it, and taking count of the collection. Sampling would take place in areas with known populations of Notropis ariommus, and would take place every fall. In doing this, the scientific community would also gather much more information in general about the fish, including specific main predators and competitors. Lastly, in habitats known to contain endangered species, the area should be protected by governmental bodies, and meticulously counted. Also, regulation of agriculture and industrialization needs to take place in an effort to not only protect Notropis ariommus, but also every other species in danger.

References

1. ^ Gilbert, CR. 1969 Systematics and distribution of the American cyprinid fishes Notropis ariommus and Notropis telescopus. Copeia.
2. ^ FishBase: http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?ID=2822&AT=popeye+shiner
3. Stauffer, JR, JM Boltz, and LR White. 1995. Fishes of West Virginia. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 146: 1-389
4. Georgia SOS: http://rules.sos.state.ga.us/docs/391/4/10/09.pdf
5. ^ Ohio DNR: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Default.aspx?tabid=22420
6. Indiana DNR: http://www.dearbornswcd.org/Wildlife/RareAnimalsFax.pdf
7. ^ Simon, TP. 2006. Biodiversity of fishes in the Wabash River: status, indicators and threats. Proceedings of the Indiana Aacademy of Science, 115(2), 136-148. Cite error: The named reference "ref 7" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
8. ^ Etnier, D.A. and W.C. Starnes. 1993. The fishes of Tennessee. The University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.
9. Trautman, M. B. 1981 The Fishes of Ohio. Ohio State University Press, Columbus, OH.
10. http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/FishingSubhomePage/fisheriesmanagementplaceholder/streamconservation/streamaquaticdiversity/tabid/22004/Default.aspx
11. Cavendar, TM, and DL Rice. 1997. Survey and analysis of the Scioto Brush Creek drainage fish fauna of Southern Ohio. Ohio Journal of Science, 97, 78-85