Redside dace

The redside dace (Clinostomus elongatus) is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Cyprinidae, found in the United States and Canada. It is unique among minnows, being the only species to routinely feed on flying insects by leaping from water.[2][3] Thus, it acts as a conduit for nutrient transfers between terrestrial and aquatic environments. The species can be used as an ecosystem health indicator, as it is sensitive to environmental disturbances.

Redside Dace
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Subfamily: Leuciscinae
Clade: Pogonichthyinae
Genus: Clinostomus
Species:
C. elongatus
Binomial name
Clinostomus elongatus
Synonyms
  • Luxilus elongatus Kirtland, 1840
  • Gila elongata (Kirtland, 1840)
  • Alburnus pleuriticus Putnam, 1863
  • Squalius proriger Cope, 1865
Painting by Ellen Edmonson.

Taxonomy

American naturalist Jared Potter Kirtland described the redside dace in 1840.

Distribution

United States

The species is most abundant in Pennsylvania, especially in the upper parts of the Susquehanna River drainage.[4] It is also found in the streams of all the Great Lakes, as well as in the Ohio River and the upper parts of the Mississippi River drainage.[5]

Captive fish.

Canada

The distribution of redside dace is mainly limited to Southern Ontario, the Two Tree River on the St. Joseph Island being the only exception.[4] Most populations have been identified in the streams draining into the western part of Lake Ontario, from the Pringle Creek near Oshawa to the Spencer Creek near Hamilton, Ontario.[5] Smaller populations exist in the drainages of Lake Simcoe (Holland River system), Lake Erie (Irvine Creek), Berczy Creek in Markham and Lake Huron (Saugeen River system).

Description

The redside dace is brightly coloured, with a wide red stripe extending from the head to the dorsal fin, running along the middle of the body. Above it, a bright yellow stripe extends from head to tail.[6] Colours are the brightest during spring, gradually fading during late summer and fall. Distinguishing it from other cyprinids, the species has a very large mouth and protruding lower jaw, which is an effective adaptation for capturing prey from below.[5] The species' maximum length is 12 cm. The lifespan is no longer than four years.

It has longer and more slender body with brighter red coloration on its sides than the similar rosyside dace.[7]

Habitat

The species favours slow-moving, cool, and clear headwaters of river systems, with copious overhanging riparian vegetation, especially grasses, forbs, and low shrubs. A preferred stream features a succession of riffles, necessary for spawning, and pools, inhabited outside the breeding season.[8]

Conservation status

Although globally secure, the species has dwindled in many areas of its range; some populations have been extirpated. The redside dace is listed as endangered in Indiana and as of February 20, 2009, also in Ontario, as threatened in Michigan, and as special concern in Wisconsin.[4] The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada lists it as endangered.[9]

References
  1. NatureServe (2013). "Clinostomus elongatus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T202070A15364658. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T202070A15364658.en.
  2. "The Redside Dace". Rivernen. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. "Threatened redside dace discovered in King". The King Township Sentinel. 2006-08-02. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
  4. "Recovery Strategy for Redside Dace in Ontario 2005 – 2009" (PDF). Redside Dace Recovery Team. 2005-01-31. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "COSEWIC Assessment and Update Status Report on the Redside Dace in Canada" (PDF). Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 2007-08-29. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
  6. "Consultation Workbook on the addition of the Redside Dace to the SARA List" (PDF). Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2007-12-17. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
  7. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2008). "Clinostomus elongatus" in FishBase. 01 2008 version.
  8. "Clinostomus Elongatus" (PDF). Michigan State University. 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-01-14. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
  9. "COSEWIC Species Database : Dace, Redside". Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
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