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Cycleptus elongatus
blue sucker
Type Locality
Ohio River (Lesueur 1817).
Etymology/Derivation of Scientific Name
Cycleptus – round and
slender, apparently meant to mean “small round mouth” by the author of the
name, C.S. Rafinesque; elongatus – elongate, in reference to general
body shape (Burr and Mayden 1999).
Synonymy
Catostomus
elongatus Lesueur 1817:103.
Cycleptus
nigrescens
Sclerognathus elongatus
Cycleptus elongatus
Hubbs 1957:100; Hubbs et al. 1991:24,
2008:26.
Characters
Maximum size: 825 mm
SL (Burr and Mayden 1999).
Coloration: Life
colors of male olive blue or slate olive on dorsum and sides of body with
brassy reflections; venter bluish-white; lips white; all fins dark
blue-gray, dusky, or black. Breeding males darken to blue-black. No
significant color differences between males and females. Peritoneum silvery
(Burr and Mayden 1999).
Teeth count: 40-45
teeth per bone; teeth relatively large, arranged in comblike fashion
(Eastman 1977; Burr and Mayden 1999).
Counts: 50+ lateral
line scales; 22-30 dorsal fin rays (Hubbs et al. 1991, 2008). Burr and
Mayden (1999) listed the following counts for specimens from the Red River
drainage: 56 (54-58) lateral-line scales, 31 (27-34) dorsal fin rays; the
following are counts listed for specimens from the Sabine-Neches River
drainage: 55 (54-60) lateral-line scales, 28 (24-31) dorsal fin rays; the
following counts were listed for specimens from the Colorado River drainage:
54 (53-55) lateral-line scales, 31 (29-32) dorsal fin rays.
Body shape: Terete;
extremely muscular and heavy-bodied (Moss et al. 1983). Elongate body, oval
in cross section (Burr and Mayden 1999). Eye closer to back of head than to
tip of snout; head abruptly more slender than body, in adults; dorsal fin
base more than one-third of standard length (Hubbs et al. 2008).
Mouth position:
Inferior (Miller and Robison 2004).
External morphology:
Lip papillae short, only around mouth (Hubbs et al. 2008). Pelvic fins
large; pectoral fins large and falcate; lateral line well developed; snout
acute; eye small (Cross 1967). Anal fin in adults small, generally
straight-edged, sometimes falcate. Caudal fin in adults large, widely
forked, lobe tips slightly rounded to pointed, inner margins straight; both
lobes about equal in length. Upper lobe more pointed and longer in young,
juveniles, and some adults (Burr and Mayden 1999). Breeding males and
females with small tubercles covering body and fins; in breeding males,
tubercles prominent and enlarged on snout, around eyes and on opercle (Moss
et al. 1983).
Distribution (Native and Introduced)
U.S. distribution:
Found in large rivers throughout the Mississippi Basin continuing southward
into Texas (Hubbs et al. 2008).
Texas distribution:
Occurs in limited numbers through the major streams of the state, except the
Rio Grande (Hubbs et al. 2008). Warren et al. (2000) list the following
drainage units for distribution of Cycleptus elongatus in the state:
Red River (from the mouth upstream to and including the Kiamichi River),
Sabine Lake (including minor coastal drainages west to Galveston Bay),
Galveston Bay (including minor coastal drainages west to mouth of Brazos
River), Brazos River, Colorado River, San Antonio Bay (including minor
coastal drainages west of mouth of Colorado River to mouth of Nueces River),
Nueces River.
Abundance/Conservation status (Federal, State, NGO)
State Threatened in Texas
(Hubbs et al. 2008). Populations in the southern United States are
vulnerable (Warren et al. 2000). Williams et al. (1989) listed status as
Special Concern.
Habitat Associations
Macrohabitat:
Throughout range, inhabits large, deep rivers, and deeper zones of lakes
(reservoirs; Cross 1967). In the lower Mississippi River, species was
abundant in main channel, reveted bank habitats; common in natural steep
bank and lotic habitats; found regularly, but in low numbers in pools (Baker et
al. 1991). Species rarely collected in the main body of Lake Texoma,
Oklahoma and Texas, usually taken in the spring at all depths down to 15
feet; slightly more common in the tailwaters (Riggs and Bonn 1959).
Mesohabitat: Found
over cobble and/or bedrock substrates; adults occupy deep riffles (typically
1-2 m depth) in areas of very swift flow, with current speeds from 100-260
cm/s; juveniles occupy shallower, less swift water (Moss et al. 1983); in
laboratory stream channels, movement of juveniles was encumbered over
irregular substrates in slower current. Cross (1967) collected fish from the
Neosho River, Kansas, in strong currents over bottoms of exposed bedrock or
rubble and gravel; juveniles found in broader less turbulent riffles.
In areas of the Missouri River channelized by dikes, this species was
most abundant in fast water at the tips of rock dikes and at low spots
within a dike (Robinson 1977). Morey and Berry (2003) reported that
sub-adults and adults were seasonally abundant in the lower main stem of two
Missouri River tributaries near riffles and rock dams; adults tended to be
associated with swift flows. In the Mississippi River, shallow, slack waters
associated with islands (island borders and island sloughs) were important
nursery areas for young fish (Adams et al. 2006).
Biology
Spawning season: Moss
et al. (1983) reported spawning in May in the Neosho River, Kansas, at water
temperatures of
20-23°C. In Kansas, Cross
(1967) reported collection of individuals in breeding condition in April, at
water temperatures of 50-60°F. In a study of a Mississippi River population,
male characteristics indicated a late April-early May spawning season (Rupprecht
and Jahn 1980). In the Mississippi River, spawning occurred over a 10-28 day
period during the spring, and corresponded with rising water temperatures of
14-18°C during mid-late April – early-mid May (Adams et al. 2006). Females
with freely-flowing roe collected in late April when water temperature
measured 16.5°C
Spawning habitat: In
deep riffles (1-2 m) with cobble and bedrock substrates; water velocities at
spawning sites were
1.8 m/sec. (Moss et al.
1983). In the Wabash River near Lafayette, Indiana, ripe specimens were
captured in shallow water (0.3-3 m depth) over sand, gravel, and cobble
substrates (Daugherty et al. 2008). In the Grand River, Missouri, spawning
aggregation found in fastest water available that was breaking over large
cobbles and boulders (variable velocity, pockets of direct flow greater than
1.0 m/s), and was between 0.5 and 1.0 m deep (Vokoun et al. 2003).
Reproductive strategy:
Fecundity: Mean
absolute fecundity of females was 150,704 (range 26,829-267,471) in the
Wabash River, Indiana; mean estimated egg size was 278 eggs g־¹
(range 229-364 eggs g־¹; Daugherty et al.
2008). Females age 6 (85 mm TL) produced 76,227 ova, and those of age 8 (680
mm TL) produced 149,520 ova indicating egg number is closely related to
length of individual; largest eggs from non-breeding gravid females
collected in August averaged about 1.0 mm in diameter (Rupprecht and Jahn
1980). Moss et al. (1983) reported that eggs are opaque, slightly yellow,
adhesive and average 2.2 mm in diameter.
Age at maturation:
Daugherty et al. (2008) estimated size-at maturity for specimens from Wabash
River, Indiana, at 515 mm TL for males and 568 mm TL for females. Moss et
al. (1983) collected a 507 mm TL, 1.02 kg, age III sexually mature specimen
from the Neosho River, Kansas. In the Grand River, Missouri, minimum total
lengths of mature specimens was 444 mm TL for one male specimen (all other
males collected were greater than 583 mm TL), and 631 mm TL for females;
sexually mature fish captured ranged in age from 9-22 years (Vokoun et al.
2003). According to Rupprecht and
Jahn (1980), of those fish
collected from Pool 20 of the Mississippi River, the males generally reached
sexual maturity at age IV (youngest specimen measured 503 mm TL), and the
females at age VI (youngest specimen measured 573 mm TL).
Migration: Adults
probably winter in deep pools and move upstream in spring to spawn in
riffles (Cross 1967). Males migrate into spawning area before females (Moss
et al. 1983).
Longevity: 22 years of
age reported from the Grand River, Missouri (Vokoun et al. 2003).16 years of
age reported from the Kansas River, Kansas (Eitzmann et al. 2007). 11 years
of age reported from the upper Yazoo River basin, Mississippi (Hand and
Jackson 2003). 10 years of age (possibly 13 years) reported form Pool 20,
Mississippi River (Rupprecht and Jahn 1980).
Food habits: Fish
collected from Pool 20 of the Mississippi River primarily consumed
Tricoptera and Diptera larvae and pupae, and lesser numbers of Ephemeroptera
larvae and amphipods (Rupprecht and Jahn 1980). Populations in the Neosho
River, Kansas, reported to feed on hellgrammites (Corydalus),
caddisflies (Hydropsyche and Cheumatopsyche), fingernail clams
(Sphaerium), filamentous algae (mainly Cladophora) and leaf
litter; young fish feed on smaller insect larvae (dipterans and caddisflies;
Moss et al. 1983). In the Mississippi River, young fish used diverse feeding
modes in the shoreline areas, consuming benthic (Chironomidae larvae),
nektonic (Cyclopoida and Cladocera) and neustonic (Chironomidae adults,
Bryozoa statoblasts and Thripidae) forms; young fish were observed picking
at items floating on water surface, and skimming surfaces of floating logs
and willow roots (Adams 2006). Fish
inhabiting the tailwater habitat of Lewis and Clark Lake, Nebraska-South
Dakota, consumed large amounts of algae from late-September to
early-November when periphytic algae reached peak abundance; in spring
months, primary diet items were chironomids and zooplankton (Walburg et al.
1971).
Growth and Population
structure: Fish average 189-205 mm TL at the end of the first year, and
are 296-346 mm, 397-461 mm, 471-512 mm, 533-569 mm, 578-611 mm, 589-641 mm,
643-680 mm, 711-732 mm, and 798 mm at ages 2-10, respectively (Walburg et
al. 1971; Rupprecht and Jahn 1980; Moss et al. 1983). In Neosho River,
Kansas, populations Moss et al. (1983) found that females were consistently
larger than males at all ages; mature females reach greater maximum ages,
weights and lengths (9 years, 4.1 kg, 763 mm TL) than males (7 years, 3.7
kg, 749 mm TL). Hand and Jackson (2003) reported calculated total length at
annulus for fish collected in the upper Yazoo River basin, Mississippi:
159-203 mm TL at age 1, 231-395 mm TL at age 2, and 289-395 mm TL, 361-466
mm TL, 406-521 mm TL, 442-544 mm TL, 476-575 mm TL, 518-610 mm TL, 565-628
mm TL, 624-638 mm TL, and 661 mm TL for ages 3-11, respectively. Spawning
aggregation in the Grand River, Missouri had a mean age of 15 years (fish
ranged from 9-22 years based on scales); male to female ratio was 5.5:1;
mean length for males was 659 mm TL and mean length was 721 mm TL for
females; females were longer than males at age and no significant age-length
relationship was evident (Vokoun et al. 2003); total length was 672 mm for a
fish 9 years of age, and total length ranged from 625-693 mm for specimens
10 years of age, and 615-687 mm, 600-745 mm, 591-702 mm, 583-712 mm, 444-755
mm, 642-781 mm, 638-770 mm, 663-781 mm, 651-731 mm, 632-800 mm, 650 mm, and
745 mm for fish 11-22 years of age, respectively. In sampling of both the
James River and the Big Sioux River (South Dakota), fish between 500-700 mm
TL dominated length distributions (specimens ranged from 374-717 mm); ages
ranged from 2-9 years, with 6-year-old fish collected most frequently; fish
grew rapidly during juvenile stages (<age 5), but growth slowed afterward
(Morey and Berry 2003).
Phylogeny and morphologically similar fishes
Hubbs et al. (2008) refers to
the Rio Grande, Texas, Cycleptus population as the Rio Grande blue
sucker, Cycleptus sp. (formerly referred to as Cycleptus elongatus;
Hubbs et al. 1991). Based on phylogenetic analyses, Bessert (2006) stated
that Cycleptus in the Rio Grande basin is monophyletic and clearly
divergent from C. elongatus. Buth and Mayden (2001) proposed that the
Rio Grande drainage population to be recognized as a different species,
noting that this population required further analysis of morphological and
molecular variation and a formal description. According to Burr and Mayden
(1999), Cycleptus samples from the Rio Grande were found to be
divergent in a few characters compared to samples from other parts of the
range; also preliminary studies (by Donald G. Buth and R.L. Mayden) of
enzyme products revealed fixed differences in isozymes and allozymes in
samples of Cycleptus from the Rio Grande mainstem when compared to
samples from other parts of the range (samples from Texas coastal rivers not
examined).
Differences between C.
elongatus and Cycleptus sp. include the following: in C.
elongatus the lip papillae is short, only around the mouth, while in
Cycleptus sp. the lip papillae is long, extending forwards onto end of
snout; also, Cycleptus elongatus does not occur in the Rio Grande
basin, while Cycleptus sp. is found only in the Rio Grande basin
(Hubbs et al. 2008). Further, Burr and
Mayden (1999) indicated that Cycleptus sp. appear more golden or
brassy in overall body color than Cycleptus elongatus (except during
spawning season); also adult and larger juvenile Cycleptus sp.
sometimes have up to 12 (on largest adults) vague stripes on their side;
Burr and Mayden (1999) found this variable feature in only the Colorado
River drainage population of Cycleptus elongatus.
Cycleptus elongatus is
unlikely to be confused with other catostomids, as the species differs from
all other suckers in the high lateral scale count (greater than 49) and long
dorsal fin (Ross 2001).
Total myomere counts for
larval Cycleptus elongatus ranged from 47-54; larval fish ≥12.5 mm TL
are coal black to dark gray in life; yolk was absorbed by 13 mm TL (Hogue et
al. 1981); protolarvae (fish up to about 12 mm TL) with more than 46
myomeres, and depth of head at posterior margin of orbit more than 11% of
total length; mesolarvae (>12 mm TL to about 15 mm TL) with more than 46
myomeres, depth of body at vent (including anus) more than 8.7% of total
length, and heavily pigmented; metalarvae (<20 mm TL) with more than 46
total myomeres, and having melanophores scattered on lateral surfaces with
no apparent pattern; metalarvae (≥20 mm TL) with lips papillose, long dorsal
fin, and heavy pigmentation.
Host Records
Rhabdochona cascadilla (Nematoda : Thelazioidea)
detected in the intestine of Cyclepus elongatus, from Illinois (Dyer
and Poly 2002). Myzotryma cyclepti (Monogenea) and Anonchohaptor
olseni (Monogenea) reported from C. elongatus in the Missouri
River, North Dakota (Leiby et al. 1973) ; M. cyclepti also reported
from this species in the Mississippi River, Illinois (Robinson and Jahn
1980). A single leech, Helobdella sp. found on a specimen from Big
Bend Reservoir, Missouri River, South Dakota (Alleman 1965).
Commercial or Environmental
Importance
Abundance of
Cycleptus elongatus has been decreased by impoundment, pollution, and
reduced water flows in those systems in which it occurs (Edwards et al.
2004). Williams et al. (1989) listed
threats to this species: present or threatened destruction, modification, or
curtailment of its habitat or range; and other natural or manmade factors
affecting its continued existence (hybridization, introduction of exotic or
transplanted species, predation, competition). Spawning migration may be
blocked and spawning areas inundated by dams, contributing in part to the
decline of this species (Cross 1967). Walburg et al. (1971) reported
collection of numerous Cycleptus elongatus in tailwaters below dams,
but almost none were present in the reservoir above.
[Additional literature
noting collection of this species from Texas locations includes, but is not
limited to the following: Hubbs (1957); Branson (1962); Nature
Conservancy (2004).]
References
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Ecology of larval blue sucker (Cycleptus elongatus) in the
Mississippi River. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 15:291-300.
Alleman, G.A. 1965. Parasites of fishes of Oahe and Big Bend Reservoir,
South Dakota. Master’s Thesis, South Dakota State University. 46 pp.
Baker, J. A., K. J. Kilgore, and R. L. Kasu. 1991. Aquatic habitats and fish
communities in the lower Mississippi River. Rev. Aqat. Sci. 3(4):313-356.
Bessert, M.L. 2006. Molecular systematics and population structure in the
North American endemic fish genus Cycleptus (Teleostei:
Catostomidae). Ph.D. dissertation, University of Nebraska, Lincoln. 219 pp.
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Burr, B.M., and R.L. Mayden. 1999. A new species of Cycleptus
(Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) from Gulf Slope drainages of Alabama,
Mississippi, and Louisiana, with a review of the distribution, biology, and
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Buth, D.G., and Mayden, R.L. 2001. Allozymic and isozymic evidence for
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Dyer, W.G., and W.J. Ploy. 2002. First record of Rhabdochona cascadilla
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