Percina shumardi
| River darter | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Percidae |
| Genus: | Percina |
| Species: | P. shumardi |
| Binomial name | |
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Percina shumardi (Girard, 1859) |
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The river darter (Percina shumardi) is a benthic species of freshwater fish in the Percidae family (Perches and Darters) of order Perciformes. It is native to North America. It is an inhabitant of small and medium rivers where it occurs in rocky riffles with clear, fast-flowing water. The river darter can reach up to 7.3 cm in length and has an average lifespan of three years. It can be distinguished from other darters by its unique front and rear spots on the dorsal fin.
The river darter is a species native only to the United States and Canada. Within Canada, the river darter is native to southern regions including the Hudson Bay basin, Ontario, and Manitoba. Within the United States, the river darter is native to a band that starts northward in Canada and extends into Minnesota and North Dakota and continues to the Gulf drainages in Alabama and Texas. The river darter is the most common species of darter in the Mississippi River Channel.
Darters are characterized by two dorsal fins and dorsal scutes, a line of modified scales along the midline of the body. They have two anal spins and a complete lateral line. Darters have a moderately pointed snout and a subterminal mouth. River darters are olive brown with distinct dorsal blotching and a mottled back. The dorsal blotches form 8-10 faint bars along the body that become more discernibly ovular towards the tail. A distinctive bar can be seen below the eye. The dorsal fins are clear with light banding. Nuptial males have a bright, golden band in the posterior region of the dorsal fin. The dorsal fin has 15 rays. The anal fin has 11 rays. Males are darker and more distinctly marked during spawning season, but do not develop bright colors like many other darters. Tubercles develop on the caudal, pelvic and anal fins, and occasionally also occur on the heads of males during this season.
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