Etheostoma michellae Mayden & Kuhajda 2025, new species
Creators: name: Mayden, Richard L.
name: Kuhajda, Bernard R.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2025
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Perciformes
Percidae
Etheostoma
Etheostoma michellae

description: Etheostoma michellae Mayden, new species
Sipsey Fork Darter
Fig. 1
Holotype — UAIC 11065.05. Male. Alabama, Lawrence Co., Borden Creek at Forest Service Road 224, William Bankhead National Forest. T8 S, R8 W, S21/28, 34.329885 -87.377174. 18 April 1994. B. R. Kuhajda and R. L. Mayden.
Paratypes — UAIC 11065.07, n=14, from UAIC 11065.05; UF 188210 (n=2); TU 204141 (n=2). All with the same data as the holotype. UAIC 11290.06 (n=5). UAIC 11040.01, n=3, Alabama, Lawrence Co., Flannigan Creek at Forest Service Road 208, 8.8 km S Youngtown, T8 S, R8 W, S 21, 34.338848 -87.388241. 10 May 1994. AUM 54703, n=6 same locality as UAIC 11040.01. 5 August 2011. Alabama, Lawrence County: UAIC 1696.14 (5), Borden Creek at Bunyan Hill Road (Co. Rd. 5, Forest Service Road 224), 34.309532 -87.394673, T8 S, R8 W, S32, 12 July 1978; UAIC 3868.08 (11), 22 August 1970; UAIC 6264.09 (19), 11 October 1980; UAIC 11065.05 (19), 18 April 1994; BRK16-17, 5 May 2016. UAIC 4963.12 (4), Borden Creek at Forest Service Road 229 (208) (Co. Rd. 9), 34.329867 -87.377157, T8 S, R8 W, S21/28, 19 August 1974; UAIC 13309.12 (2). 24 June 2001. UAIC 11040.01 (3), Flannigan Creek at Forest Service Road 229 (208) (Co. Rd 9), 34.338849 -87.388339, T8 S, R8 W, S21, 10 May 1994. Winston County: UAIC 4329.18 (7), Sipsey Fork at Sipsey Recreation Area on Co. Rd. 60, 34.285416 -87.399144, T9 S, R8 W, S8, 2 November 1978. UAIC 3852.12 (7), Sipsey Fork at mouth of Hurricane Creek, 34.252967 -87.367050, T9 S, 8W, S22, 3 November 1971.
Diagnosis. Member of Etheostoma chermocki species group as identified by Boschung et al. 1992, Clabaugh et al. (1996) and Boschung & Mayden (2004). Etheostoma chermocki was diagnosed from the Etheostoma bellator complex by Boschung et al. (1992) and Suttkus & Bailey (1993). Etheostoma michellae is distinguished from E. kimberlae using the following combination of characters; cream-colored horizontal stripe through lateral band broad obvious vs. very narrow to absent; snout of breeding males dusky and often masking preorbital stripes vs. snout lightly colored with obvious preorbital stripes; suborbital bar long, dark and well defined vs. usually shorter, diffuse, and lightly pigmented; lateral blotches diffuse and occurring both above and below lateral line vs. lateral blotches dark and largely below lateral line; crimson line above lateral line broken up into segments between diffuse upper halves of lateral blotches vs. crimson lines formed by spots continuous to nearly continuous and not interrupted by lateral blotches; distinct coloration pattern in spinous and soft dorsal fins of breeding males as described below in color description. Etheostoma michellae is further distinguished from E. kimberlae in the possession of the following alleles at identified protein loci: sAat-A (B vs. A)†, mAcon-A (B, C vs. B) *, Acp-1 (B vs. A)†, Ada-2 (B vs. A)†, Est-2 (A vs. D)†, Pep-B (B vs. B, C) *, Pep-F (B vs. D)†, Pnp-A (C, D vs. D) *. Etheostoma michellae is diagnosed from E. bellator based on the following characters: crimson line above lateral line broken up into segments between upper halves of lateral blotch vs. crimson line irregular in shape and passing over lateral blotches. Etheostoma michellae is further distinguished from E. bellator in the possession of the following alleles at identified protein loci: mAcon-A (B, C vs. B) *, and Est-2 (A vs. D)†.
Etheostoma michellae usually has 45–48 lateral line scale rows (46–50 in E. kimberlae, usually 45, and 47–51 in E. bellator). Scale rows below lateral line usually 8 (usually 7 or 8 in E. kimberlae and E. bellator). Transverse scale rows usually 14 or 15 (usually 15 in E. kimberlae). Transverse scale rows plus scale rows below lateral line usually 14 or 15 (usually 15 in E. kimberlae, 14 or 15 in E. bellator). Dorsal fin rays usually 11 or 12 (usually 11 in E. bellator, 11 or 12 in E. kimberlae). Pectoral fin rays usually 14 (usually 13 in E. kimberlae and 14 in E. bellator). Caudal fin rays 15 or 16 (usually 14 in E. bellator and E. kimberlae)
Etheostoma michellae differs E. kimberlae in usually having 8 infraorbital pores (mean = 8.1) (vs. usually 7, mean 7.1). Nape, cheek, opercle scaled; breast naked. Etheostoma michellae is a small member of the E. chermocki species group, reaching a recorded 45.0 mm SL (male) or 41.4 mm SL (female) vs. E. bellator (male = 58 mm SL, Suttkus & Bailey 1993; female = 48.2 herein) and E. chermocki (male = 55 mm SL; female = 51 mm SL; Boschung et al. 1992) and slightly larger than E. kimberlae (male = 45.0 mm SL; female = 41.4 mm SL).
Description. General head and body shape and coloration illustrated in Figure 4. Morphometric variables for males and females (sexually dimorphic) provided in Table 1. Distribution of lateral line scales, caudal fin rays, and pectoral fin rays provided in Table 2.
Small snubnose darter, reaching a recorded 47.7 mm SL (male) or 42.6 mm SL (female).
Lateral line complete and virtually straight from upper margin of gill opening to base of caudal fin. Scale rows above lateral line 4(2 spms), 5 (56) or 6 (5) (Mean = 5.0, SD = 0.33). Scale rows below lateral line 6 (1), 7 (27), 8 (27), or 9 (8) (Mean = 7.7, SD = 0.72). Transverse scale rows 14 (27), 15 (27), 16 (7), or 17 (Mean = 14.7, SD = 0.76). Transverse scale rows plus scale rows below lateral line 13 (1), 14 (26), 15 (29), or 16 (8) (Mean = 14.7, SD = 0.71). Caudal peduncle scale rows 10 (3), 11 (38), or 12 (22) (Mean = 11.3, SD = 0.55). Dorsal saddles 6 (1), 7 (2), or 8 (60) (mean = 7.9; SD = 0.30). Dorsal fin spines 6 (3), 7 (51), 8 (8), or 9 (1) (Mean = 7.4, SD = 0.42). Dorsal fin rays 9 (1), 10 (3), 11 (38), or 12 (22) (Mean = 11.2, SD = 0.63). Anal spines 2 (67). Pelvic spines 1 (67 specimens). Pelvic rays 5 (65).
Infraorbital pores 8 (9 spms) and 9 (1) (Mean = 8.1, SD = 0.32). Preopercularmandibular pores 8 (7) and 9 (3) (Mean = 8.3, SD = 0.48). Lateral canal pores 2 (9) and 3 (1) (mean = 1.75, SD = 0.45). Supratemporal canal complete, pores 2 (10). Supraorbital pores 3 (10). Coronal pore single (10).
Coloration of live breeding males. Dorsum of head and body cream colored except for series of black saddles on body, normally numbering 8. Dorsolateral scales lightly pigmented along edges. Deep crimson-colored scale row(s) directly above lateral line broken/interrupted by diffuse, dorsally elongate lateral blotches; diffuse lateral blotches tall and cross moderately broad light stripe along lateral light. Crimson colored scales above lateral line broken into distinct segments, not continuous single line; segments of crimson-colored scales between distinct lateral blotches above lateral line beginning anteriorly as one scale row and sometimes terminate posteriorly near next blotch as two scale rows deep. Dark caudal spot present and posterior to hypural plate, sometimes narrowly connected to last lateral blotch; short crimson stripe above and posterior to caudal spot usually absent or poorly developed; caudal spot bordered dorsally and ventrally by cream-colored circular to oval spots. Some ventrolateral scales lightly pigmented with melanophores, especially along distal portion of scales. Above and below caudal spot and yellowish areas small but distinct black spots medial to procurrent rays. Narrow reddish-orange ventrolateral stripe present and involving usually 1–2 scale rows (sometimes 3); narrow reddish-orange stripe above base of anal fin and pelvic fin insertion, and extending anteriorly to under pectoral fin to insertion. Ventrolateral color stripe not connected with crimson scales around complex lateral stripe.
Opercle dusky and darkest at dorsal third; dark oblique bar between cheek and preopercle absent; remainder opercle lightly pigmented to immaculate, especially progressing ventrally; opercle with greenish hue. Underside of head, gular region, branchiostegals, and tip of snout turquoise. Suborbital bar dark and long; preorbital stripe light and extending to tip of snout; stripes often masked by darkly pigmented snout.
Pectoral fin without prominent stripes. Pectoral fin spine and distal tips of branched rays 1–2 immaculate; remaining rays with greenish-yellow hue; membranes pigmented. Base of pectoral fin and surrounding areas dusky to immaculate with reddish hue visible from blood vessels below surface. Pelvic fin spines and distal tips of branched rays 1–2 immaculate; remaining rays turquoise; membranes pigmented; fins without dark stripes or darkly pigmented rays; base light turquoise to immaculate. Pelvic fin spines turquoise; remaining rays turquoise to darkly pigmented. Narrow median clear stripe present, especially posteriorly. Base and distal portions of fin membranes and rays turquoise; membranes, except in clear area, with melanophores. Spinous dorsal fin with five bands. Basal band narrow and composed of black and golden pigment on bases of spines; band separated by narrow clear area from a distinct black stripe with pigment on membranes and spines; black pigment horizontal across spines and membranes but extending dorsally on membranes as narrow lines, creating generally concave black line; cream-colored area filling in membranes and rays anterior to dorsal extension of black; broad black band separated from sub-distal red band formed from distinct, oblique to horizontal stripes of crimson red on membranes (rays white to clear); red band begins with distinct red spot on first membrane, is narrow anteriorly but expands to broad band on membranes at the posterior-most portion of fin. Distal-most band clear or white anteriorly and becoming black posteriorly; rays white to clear and contrasting with distal-most stripe. Second dorsal fin with five distinct bands: basally, fin with yellow band; distal to this is a narrow black band; distal to this band is a broad median crimson red band where pigment limited to membranes and rays golden to white; sub-distal band cream-yellow; distal-most band black, basal portion of anterior rays with alternating black and golden stripes, as wide as median red band. Caudal fin generally dusky but with three distinct black bands, one at base of fin posterior to caudal spot and adjacent yellow-cream spots, all posterior to hypural plate; second and third black bands separated from each other and basal-most band by narrow cream to golden bands; distal one third of fin clear; procurrent rays and base of principle caudal ray turquoise.
Coloration of preserved breeding males. Adult males with dark brown dorsal saddles extending from occiput to posterior extent of caudal peduncle; blotches formed from dense concentrations of melanophores and separated by pale areas having only light concentrations of melanophores. Dorsolateral area above lateral line with disjunct, dark, and relatively small and irregularly shaped upper halves of more or less vertical (not oval) blotches; dorsolateral halves of dark blotches separated by lightly pigmented areas occurring in same scale regions where dark red coloration occurred in live specimens. Both types of blotches generally forming an irregularly shaped stripe; stripe above lateral line notably paler than stripe along lateral line and below lateral line; paler stripe both above and below lateral line and extending posteriorly to near middle of base of second dorsal fin; dark blotches may be weakly contiguous across lateral line posteriorly, but usually by only a few melanophores; lighter blotches not contiguous across lateral line. Dark blotches best developed below lateral line and 1–2 scale rows high; lighter blotches below lateral line forming continuous stripe to hypural plate, becoming darker and centered on lateral line posterior to middle of second dorsal fin. Posterior to middle of second dorsal fin base both types of blotches smaller than those anteriorly and frequently connected across lateral line; dark blotches may be oval posteriorly but light blotches retain rectangular shape. Breast pigmented as belly.
Dorsum of head tan to brown.Area immediately posterior to head along lateral line with two distinct horizontally rectangular dark blotches separated by lighter area along lateral line; blotches different in shape from lateral blotches. Snout with melanophores uniformly distributed and dusky, often dark enough to mask preorbital stripe. Suborbital bar diffuse, appearing narrow and lightly pigmented relative to other melanistic bars, spots, or lines on head; suborbital bar more distinct in females. Postorbital stripe usually not continuous but usually broken into two distinct, dark spots; first spot immediately posterior to orbit and second at junction of dorsal arm of preopercle and anterodorsal area of opercle. Remainder of cheek, opercle, preopercle, and subopercle only lightly pigmented except for distinct concentrations of melanophores formed the cheek and upper operculum. Cheek spot located slightly ventral and posterior to postorbital spot immediately behind orbit. Opercular spot located near center or posterodorsal area of opercle below dorsal margin of opercle. Lower cheek, branchiostegals, and gular areas with light scattering of melanophores; lower lip immaculate.
Coloration of dorsal fins as described for live specimens except colors muted. Caudal fin with light pigmentation on rays only, forming two to three vertical bands. Anal and pelvic fins with dense concentrations of melanophores on membranes and little to no pigment on rays. Pectoral fin with bars formed from melanophores on rays separated by depigmented portions of rays; membranes clear. Spot at base of caudal fin only lightly pigmented and surrounded by pale oval areas.
Coloration of live breeding females. Without bright coloration. Dorsum of body with distinct dark dorsal saddles separated by lighter scales cream in color. Dorsolateral scales with cream bases and darker posterior edges, some scales darker; most scales in row above lateral line partially brick red to orange, as well as scattered partially orange scales elsewhere dorsolaterally. Lateral stripe below lateral line similar to males except that blotches are more intense and contrast strongly with cream background coloration. A few small, dark olive clusters of melanophores may interdigitate between blotches. Some ventrolateral scales may have orange in scale center.
Dorsum of head dark olive; preorbital stripe and suborbital bar dark brown, dorsal half of opercle mottled. Anal, pelvic and pectoral fins immaculate; no melanophores on spines, rays or membranes. Dorsal fins with two or three dusky bands formed from dark melanophores along rays and membranes, small subdistal red to orange blotch in first membrane, subdistal colored blotches may be present in other membranes. Flanks below lateral blotches and venter, from gular area to caudal fin, immaculate. Medial spot at base of caudal fin small but darkly pigmented and surrounded by pale cream to yellow oval areas. Smaller young-of-the-year without any red, orange, yellow, or any other colors other than cream, olive, and black on body, head and fins.
Coloration of preserved females and juveniles. Dorsum of body with dark saddles separated from one another by lighter scales extending ventrally to lateral line; lighter scales, unlike males, with darkened centers. Sides with dark taller than wide vertical blotches often separated by narrow light line centered on lateral line; light line may extend to posterior terminus of second dorsal fin or hypural plate. Some blotches above lateral line sometimes connecting with dorsal saddles by thin and irregularly shaped vertical line. Below lateral line dark blotches well developed and 2–3 scales high; blotches lacking anteroventral lines connected to blotch but may have small pigmented spot between ventral portions of lateral blotches; scale around blotches and those extending ventrally to and on belly and caudal peduncle immaculate.
Head coloration as in males except for the following; dark lines on snout usually weakly developed, suborbital bar usually well developed, and concentrations of melanophores on check and posterodorsal area of opercle darker and may include more than two spots.
Membranes of dorsal fins clear; rays with concentrations of melanophores separated by areas of same size with no melanophores, creating pattern of bands in fin; no indication of red blotches on membranes (first membrane especially) of first dorsal fin. Like dorsal fins, caudal fin with melanophores on rays in distributions forming 2–3 bands. Anal, pelvic, and pectoral fins immaculate. Distinct dark spot present at base of caudal fin surrounded by pale ovals.
Distribution and Habitat. Etheostoma michellae is found only in the upper Sipsey Fork system of the Black Warrior River drainage (Figure 5). It is currently found in the Sipsey Fork mainstem from its origin to just upstream of the Lewis Smith Reservoir embayment, and in three tributaries; Thompson, Borden (including Flannigan and Braziel creeks), and Caney creeks, Lawrence and Winston counties, Alabama. It does not occur in Hubbard Creek. Although there are no records, the species likely occurred historically in the impounded section of the Sipsey Fork (Suttkus & Bailey 1993, Kuhajda 2004b). The species is found in small to large upland creeks associated with moderate to little current over a sand/gravel to cobble substrate, typically in the glide above riffles and in the transition to pool habitat below riffles (Powers et al. 2003, Kuhajda 2004b).
Relationships. Clabaugh et al. (1996) discussed possible relationships of Etheostoma michellae relative to other species of the E. chermocki group based on allozyme variation. Near et al. (2011), using sequence variation, identified E. michellae (therein referred to as E. cf. bellator (Sipsey Darter)) as the sister species to the entire E. chermocki clade. Kim et al. (2023) discuss relationships in this group about geological formations in the area.
Kim et al. (2023) using 25,393 loci and ddRAD in the maximum likelihood concatenated analysis revealed E. michellae as the unlikely sister lineage to a purportedly undescribed lineage restricted to Gurley Creek. However, in the unrooted PoMo species tree E. michellae was resolved in an unresolved polytomy with E. bellator (Mulberry Fork Black Warrior) and purportedly undescribed (no data provided to substantiate any of the forms) lineages in Gurley and Valley creeks.
Etymology. The species is named in honor of my wife Michelle Joy Mayden. The common name Sipsey Fork Darter refers to the upper Sipsey Fork system where Etheostoma michellae is endemic.
Conservation status. Species is currently only known from the Sipsey Fork mainstem above Lewis Smith Reservoir embayment and in three tributaries in Lawrence and Winston counties, Alabama (Kuhajda 2004b). Compared to historical collections, numbers of individuals in recent collections are few. Although most of this species’ range is within the William B. Bankhead National Forest and in part the Sipsey Wilderness area, there are sedimentation issues associated with poor forestry practices, especially in tributaries (Kuhajda 2004b), and recent extreme droughts drying headwater streams. This species is threatened (Jelks et al. 2008) and needs to be considered for State and Federal protection. It is currently listed as a species of High Conservation Concern (P2) by the State of Alabama (Kuhajda 2004b, ADCNR 2015) and S2 by the Alabama Natural Heritage Program, but is not on the State list of protected species (ALNHP 2015). An updated status survey is needed, followed by long term monitoring of extant populations.
description: Published as part of Mayden, Richard L. & Kuhajda, Bernard R., 2025, Two new species of Etheostoma from the Black Warrior River System (Mobile Basin) of Alabama (Teleostei: Percidae), pp. 351-371 in Zootaxa 5618 (3) on pages 361-366, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3, http://zenodo.org/record/15218688