dcsimg

Diagnostic Description

provided by Fishbase
Anal fin with 9-10 rays; ventral-fin origin before dorsal-fin origin; large, forked caudal fin; pharyngeal teeth 1,5-4,1; scales absent; wide, flat head; body compressed at rear; subterminal mouth on long, rounded snout; barbel at corner of mouth; fairly small eye high on head; dusky gray above; brilliant silver side, often with blue sheen, sometimes faint yellow at paired fin bases; breeding males with pink lower side (Ref. 86798).
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Armi G. Torres
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Morphology

provided by Fishbase
Analsoft rays: 9 - 10
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Armi G. Torres
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Trophic Strategy

provided by Fishbase
Is an omnivore which is capable of specializing on particular foods that become seasonally abundant (Ref. 42173). Occurs in faster-water habitats (riffles) and less commonly in deeper pools (Ref. 26186).
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Pascualita Sa-a
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Biology

provided by Fishbase
Occurs in fast sandy runs and pools of small to medium rivers, usually in warm turbid water (Ref. 86798). Most commonly found in shallow, moderately flowing water over shifting sand substrates (Ref. 26186). Spawning in the Virgin river begins in April to May and continues through August (Ref. 26186).
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Rainer Froese
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Woundfin

provided by wikipedia EN

The woundfin (Plagopterus argentissimus) is a species of minnow endemic to the Virgin River of the southwestern United States. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Plagopterus.

Description

The woundfin is a small slender, silvery minnow, with a flattened head and belly, long snout, leathery skin, and no scales. There are barbels on the corners of its lips, and its common name likely comes from the first spinous ray of its dorsal fin, which is sharp-pointed. Its maximum length is rarely more than 7.5 cm (3 in).[2] It can be distinguished from spikedace and spinedace by presence of barbels.

Distribution

Historically, the woundfin occupied much of the lower Colorado River basin, including two tributaries, the Virgin River and part of the Gila River; however, habitat destruction through dams and water development has led to its extirpation from these regions. In addition, several introduced species, most notably the red shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis) have contributed to a decrease in the woundfin's Virgin River population. The woundfin is currently federally listed as an endangered species, while the United States Fish and Wildlife Service lists the population status as "declining."

Habitat

The woundfin tolerates highly mineralized, turbid waters. It is typically found in warm, swift streams of high turbidity, preferring a stream speed of one to two feet per second and a depth of eight to eighteen inches.[2] Woundfin lives in part of salty streams, avoiding clear waters and rarely can be found in quieter pools.

Food

The woundfin is omnivorous, and depending on availability will feed on detritus, algae, seeds, and aquatic insects and their larvae.[2][3]

Conservation status

Historically, the woundfin also occupied the lower Colorado River from the Virgin to Yuma, Arizona, and the Gila River from Yuma to its confluence with the Salt River, but habitat destruction through water development (including eight major dams which alter flow) and the introduction of several species (particularly the red shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis), which competes for food and is known to prey upon the woundfin's eggs and young[4]) have led to its extirpation in these regions as well as a decline in population in the Virgin River.[3] Since 1970, the woundfin has been listed as an endangered species. Other listings include "Vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List and "Critically Imperiled" (the most critical classification) by NatureServe. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service lists the population status as "declining." The Dexter National Fish Hatchery in Dexter, New Mexico studies the woundfin in an effort to help conserve the species, and has successfully spawned the fish in captivity.[2] However, efforts to transplant the species into other rivers and creeks have failed due to reproduction not taking place.[5] On July 11, 2007, approximately 50 woundfin were released into the Hassayampa River near Wickenburg, Arizona. The hatchery-raised fish were from wild Virgin River stock. The only wild population of the species is in the Virgin River. An aggressive program to eradicate red shiner from the Virgin River in Utah has all but removed red shiner from reaches previously dominated by red shiner. Fish barriers have been erected to prevent re-colonization by red shiner, and has allowed the reintroduction of hatchery raised woundfin. Several thousand of hatchery-raised woundfin were released in the fall of 2007 and 2008. With red shiner no longer a threat, low flows and high temperatures are the biggest threats still facing woundfin. Another minnow, the Virgin River chub (Gila seminuda), has much of the same range as the woundfin and thus faces the same threats of extinction, particularly competition from the red shiner and a decrease in water quality as the result of agricultural runoff.[5]

References

  1. ^ NatureServe (2013). "Plagopterus argentissimus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2013: e.T17468A19034295. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T17468A19034295.en. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d "Plagopterus argentissimus". Arizona Game and Fish Department. 2001. Retrieved on July 16, 2006.
  3. ^ a b "Plagopterus argentissimus." NatureServe. June 9, 2006 version. Retrieved on July 16, 2006.
  4. ^ "Designation of Critical Habitat for the Woundfin and Virgin River Chub." Federal Register. January 26, 2006 edition.. Retrieved on July 23, 2006.
  5. ^ a b Endangered Species Protection Program. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Updated May 2, 2006. Retrieved on July 16, 2006.
license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN

Woundfin: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

The woundfin (Plagopterus argentissimus) is a species of minnow endemic to the Virgin River of the southwestern United States. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Plagopterus.

license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN