Aquatics Fish Identification Texas Envirothon 2015 Texas Edwards

Aquatics – Fish Identification Texas Envirothon 2015

Texas Edwards Plateau

Karst is a geomorphological structure resulting from the hydrochemical and water erosion of carbonate rock formations.

San Marcos River

Comal River

Guadalupe River

Environmental Impacts 1. Reduced springflows caused by increased pumping, irrigation, human consumption 2. Elimination of habitat – riparian loss, invasive plants 3. Degradation of water quality caused by urban expansion. 4. Increased pressure by recreational users

Healthy Stream Characteristics • Meandering pattern • Habitat diversity • Intact riparian zone Effects • Natural deposition and erosion • Species diversity • Stream shading

Degraded Stream Characteristics • Channelization • Artificial substrate • Lack riparian Effects • Scouring / Erosion • Lower diversity • Higher water temperature

Common Fishes of Central Texas Photo Credits – Tim Bonner Lab – Texas State University

Lepisosteus oculatus spotted gar

Dorosoma petenense threadfin shad

Cyprinella lutrensis red shiner

Cyprinella venusta blacktail shiner

Notropis chalybaeus ironcolor shiner

Pimelphales vigilax bullhead minnow

Ictiobus bubalus smallmouth buffalo

Minytrema melanops spotted sucker

Astyanax mexicanus Mexican tetra

Astyanax mexicanus Mexican tetra

Endangered Species of Edwards Aquifer Region

Aquatic Species • In addition to stream biota, the Edwards Aquifer has over 40 species of highly adapted, aquatic, subterranean species • These include amphipod crustaceans, gastropod snails, and interesting vertebrates like blind catfish. • Seven aquatic species are listed as endangered in the Edwards Aquifer system, and one is listed as threatened.

Karst-dwelling species • In addition to the aquatic species that depend on Aquifer water itself, nine cave-dwelling invertebrates that live in the Aquifer's “karst formations” were listed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service as endangered in December 2000. • There are three beetles, one daddy long-legs, and five spiders.

Endangered Species • The seven endangered species of the Edwards Aquifer system are: • Fountain Darter (Etheostoma fonticola) • Texas Blind Salamander (Typhlomolge rathbuni) • San Marcos Gambusia (Gambusia georgei) • Texas Wild Rice (Zizania texana) • Comal Springs Riffle Beetle (Heterelmis comalensis) • Comal Springs Dryopid Beetle (Stygoparnus comalensis) • Peck's Cave Amphipod (Stygobromus pecki) • The threatened species is: • San Marcos Salamander (Eurycea nana)

Fountain Darter (Etheostoma fonticola)

Texas Blind Salamander

San Marcos Gambusia (Gambusia georgei) EXTINCT

Texas Blind Salamander

Comal Springs Dryopid Beetle (Stygoparnus comalensis)

Peck's Cave Amphipod (Stygobromus pecki)

Texas Wild Rice

Fish Identification

Fish Taxonomy • Field Guides vs. Keys • Field guides may use ordering based on alphabetic, similar shapes etc. • Keys and Scientific Guides use taxonomic ordering of fishes. • Usually 1) jawless fish, 2) sharks and rays, 3) primitive fish without fin spines and 4) fish with spines American Fisheries Society. 2013. Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Seventh Edition

Key to Species • Body stout, standard length only 2 -3 times the depth. DIAMOND KILLIFISH Adinia xenica • Body slender, standard length more than 3 times the depth……………………… 2 • Origin of dorsal fin over or slightly forward of anal fin origin……………………. . . 3 • Origin of dorsal fin distinctly behind anal fin origin. GOLDEN TOPMINNOW Fundulus chrysotus

Online Keys • http: //www. fishesoftexas. org/key/ • Hubbs, C. , R. J. Edwards and G. P. Garrett. 2008. An annotated checklist of the freshwater fishes of Texas, with keys to identification of species (Third Edition). • http: //www. texasacademyofscience. org/assets/General. Fi les/hubbs_et_al_2008_checklist. pdf • Dr. Bonner’s site: http: //txstate. fishesoftexas. org/

Other Organisms

Practice Makes Perfect!

Questions?