Bluemask Darter

Etheostoma akatulo

About This Fish

This federally endangered species is restricted to streams in the Caney Fork River System in north-central Tennessee. Bluemask Darters are threatened from reservoir construction, invasive species (Redbreast Sunfish, Lepomis auritus), an unusual habitat where rivers seasonally dry, and a small native range. The common name reflects the bright blue cheek and throat coloration (mask) that male Bluemask Darters develop during the breeding season.

Percidae >

Etheostoma

Tennessee (TN)

Collins – 05130107, Caney – 05130108

Literature

Robinson, J.D., J.W. Simmons, A.S. Williams, and G.R. Moyer. 2013. Population structure and genetic diversity in the endangered bluemask darter (Etheostoma akatulo). Conservation genetics 14(1): 79-92.

Shaw, T. 2013. Bluemask Darter (Etheostoma akatulo) 5-year review. Southeast Region. Tennessee Ecological Services Field Office, Cookeville, Tennessee. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10592-012-0427-x

Shaw, T. 2013. Bluemask Darter (Etheostoma akatulo) 5-year review. Southeast Region. Tennessee Ecological Services Field Office, Cookeville, Tennessee. https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/five_year_review/doc4369.pdf

United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 2011. Recovery plan action status, bluemask darter.

Layman, S.R., and R.L. Mayden. 2009. A new species of the darter subgenus Doration (Percidae: Etheostoma) from the Caney Fork River system, Tennessee. Copeia 2009(1):157-170. https://www.asihcopeiaonline.org/doi/abs/10.1643/CI-07-129

Simmons, J.W., J.B. Layzer, and D.D. Smith. 2008. Age-class structure and variability of two populations of the bluemask darter Etheostoma (Doration) sp. The American Midland Naturalist 160(2):300-309. https://bioone.org/journals/The-American-Midland-Naturalist/volume-160/issue-2/0003-0031(2008)160[300:ASAVOT]2.0.CO;2/Age-Class-Structure-and-Variability-of-Two-Populations-of-The/10.1674/0003-0031(2008)160[300:ASAVOT]2.0.CO;2.short

Smith, E. K. 2005. Gene flow among seemingly isolated populations of the endangered bluemask darter, Etheostoma (Doration) sp. Unpublished M.S. thesis, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, Tennessee. December 2005. 61pp.

Simmons, J. W. 2004. Selected life history aspects of the endangered bluemask darter, Etheostoma (Doration) sp. Unpublished M.S. thesis, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, Tennessee.

Simmons, J.W., and J.B. Layzer. 2004. Spawning behavior and habitat of the endangered bluemask darter, Etheostoma (Doration) sp. Copeia 2004(2):412-417. https://www.asihcopeiaonline.org/doi/abs/10.1643/CI-03-224R1

Layzer, J.B., and T.R. Brady. 2003. Summer microhabitat of the endangered bluemask darter Etheostoma (Doration) sp. Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science 78(2):55-57. http://www.tennacadofsci.org/journal/articles/vol78/JTAS78-2-55.pdf

Simmons, J. W. 2003. Tagging study evaluating seasonal movement of the bluemask darter in the Rocky River and Laurel Creek, Van Buren County, Tennessee. Final report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cookeville, Tennessee.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 1997. Recovery plan for bluemask (=jewel) darter (Etheostoma [Doration] sp.). Southeast Region, Atlanta, Georgia. September 25, 1997. https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/970725.pdf

Layman, S.R. 1994. Phylogenetic systematics and biogeography of darters of the subgenus Doration (Percidae: Etheostoma). Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Layman, S.R., A.M. Simons, and R.M. Wood. 1993. Status of the dirty darter, Etheostoma olivaceum, and bluemask darter, Etheostoma (Doration) sp., with notes on fishes of the Caney Fork River system, Tennessee. Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science 68(2):65-70. http://www.tennacadofsci.org/journal/articles/vol68/JTAS68-2-65.pdf

Bluemask Darter

Literature

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