Yellowfin madtom

Noturus flavipinnis

SPECIES CODE: E01Y V01

STATUS:

Listed Threatened with Critical Habitat (42 FR 45526 45530, Sept. 9,1977), except where listed as an experimental population. Recovery Plan completed June 23, 1983.

Note: All descriptions can be found within the Federal Register (42 FR 45526 45530) and the Threatened and Endangered Species System (TESS) (1991).

SPECIES DESCRIPTION:

The yellowfin madtom is a member of the catfish family, Ictluridae. It reaches a maximum length of 120mm, and lives between three to four years (Jenkins 1975; Shute 1984). The species appears to feed primarily on aquatic insect larvae (Dipterans, ephemeropterans, plecopterans, and trichopterans), although crustaceans (Crayfish) may also be consumed (Jenkins 1975; Shute 1984).

REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT:

The species is nocturnal, and its secretive nature makes it difficult to study. Spawning likely occurs from late May through late July, and is triggered by water temperature (20-23ºC) (Shute 1984). Sexual maturity is reached at age two.

RANGE AND POPULATION LEVEL:

This species was formerly known from Chikamauga Creek in Georgia, Hines Creek in Tennessee, and the North Fork Holston River in Virginia. Presently, extant populations are known to occur only in the Powell River, Copper Creek, and in Citico Creek. These extant populations are all located in the upper Tennessee River drainage and are widely separated by impoundments.

HABITAT:

Yellowfin madtom inhabit warm pools and backwaters of moderate-sized streams (less than 1m deep), with moderate gradient, and clean water with little silt. During the day, yellowfin madtoms are associated with cover, presumably near the stream bank in shallow water beneath bedrock ledges or tree roots (Shute 1984).

PAST THREATS:

The decline of this species is due to its relative sensitivity and inability to tolerate the habitat alteration in the Tennessee River drainage resulting from pollution, siltation, and impoundments.

CURRENT THREATS:

Madtoms presumably rely heavily on chemoreception for survival (finding food, potential mates, and raising young). Current limiting factors for yellowfin madtoms are apparently suitable pool habitat areas free of pollution and silt. It is threatened by coal mining and coal washing in the Powell River, and siltation and enrichment from agricultural operation in Copper Creek. The risk of chemical spillage where the rivers are crossed by major roads is a potential threat.

Yellowfin madtoms construct nest cavities beneath large rectangular flat rocks (Shute 1984). Other organisms which have been observed to use the large slabrocks preferred by yellowfin madtom for nesting include the mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus, and the smoky madtom, Noturus baileyi (Shute 1984; Dinkins 1984). Competition for this resource is a possibility.

CONSERVATION MEASURES:

LITERATURE CITED:

Dinkins, G.R. 1984. Aspects of the life history of the smoky madtom, Noturus baileyi Taylor, in Citico Creek. M.S. Thesis. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville. 50pp.

Jenkins, R.E. 1978. Noturus flavipinnis Taylor, yellowfin madtom. Page 454. In D. S. Lee, et al. Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes. N.C. State Mus. Nat. Hist., Raleigh. L-x +845pp.

Shute, P.W. 1984. Ecology of the rare yellowfin madtom, Noturus flavipinnis Taylor, in Citico Creek, Tennessee. M.S. Thesis. Uni. Tenn., Knoxville. 101pp.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1977. Final Threatened Status and Critical Habitat for Five Species of Southeastern Fishes. Federal Register (42) 175: 45526-45530.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1991. Threatened and Endangered Species System (TESS). Species Record, Yellowfin madtom (Noturus flavipinnis).