DATA NEEDED FOR CONSERVATION STATUS ASSESSMENTS OF PETITIONED FISH SPECIES IN THE SOUTHEAST Stephanie Chance1, Chris Davidson2, Beau Dudley3, Michael Floyd4, Robin Goodloe3, Alice Lawrence3, Sarah McRae5, Jeff Powell6, Eric Prowell3, and Sandra Pursifull7 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tennessee1; Arkansas2; Georgia3; Kentucky4; North Carolina5; Alabama6; and Florida7 Etheostoma brevirostrum By Noel Burkhead SUMMARY In 2010, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) petitioned the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to list 404 aquatic and riparian species in the Southeast. Of particular interest to the Southeastern Fishes Council, the petition included 43 species of fishes. After our initial review, the Service determined that the petition presented substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that federal listing may be warranted for 374 of the 404 petitioned species. Therefore, the Service will be initiating status reviews to determine if listing is warranted for these species. To ensure that the status reviews are comprehensive, the Service is soliciting scientific and commercial data and other information regarding the status of and threats facing these species throughout their ranges. Data on distribution and abundance, genetics, ongoing conservation efforts, and species habitat needs and/or threats are needed. All information will be evaluated by the Service to perform threats assessments and five factor analyses necessary to determine if federal listing is warranted for these species. A summary of the petition’s major taxonomic groups is provided below. A detailed list of fish species is provided for each Ecological Services Field Office with the lead biologist’s contact information. Species lists for other taxonomic groups or additional information about the petition can be obtained by contacting the authors or by visiting http://www.fws.gov/southeast/candidateconservation/. Cyprinella xaenura By Jim Williams Etheostoma bellator By CFI Elassoma boehlkei Etheostoma cinereum By CFI Fundulus julisia By CFI Percina nasuta By AGFC Moxostoma robustum By GDNR 374 Petitioned Species Vertebrates Invertebrates Amphibian = 13 Isopod = 2 Mammal = 4 Amphipod = 6 Fish = 43 Mussels = 34 Bird = 3 Snails = 43 Reptile = 12 Crayfish = 81 Lepidoptera = 5 Beetles = 17 Plants = 81 Trichoptera = 6 Odonata = 14 Plecoptera = 9 Jeff Powell – Daphne, AL jeff_powell@fws.gov Species Etheostoma bellator Warrior Darter Etheostoma brevirostrum Holiday Darter Etheostoma trisella Trispot Darter Etheostoma tuscumbia Tuscumbia Darter Noturus munitus Frecklebelly Madtom Percina brevicauda Coal Darter Percina sipsi Bankhead Darter Michael Floyd – Frankfort, KY mike_floyd@fws.gov Species Amblyopsis spelaea Northern Cavefish Etheostoma tecumsehi Shawnee Darter Etheostoma tippecanoe Tippecanoe Darter Notropis ariommus Popeye Shiner Percina macrocephala Longhead Darter Thoburnia atripinnis Blackfin Sucker Percina crypta By Noel Burkhead Pteronotropis euryzonus From Suttkus and Mettee 2001 Noturus gladiator By CFI Noturus furiosus By USFWS Athens, GA Species Cyprinella xaenura Altamaha Shiner robin_goodloe@fws.gov Moxostoma robustum Robust Redhorse alice_lawrence@fws.gov Percina kusha Bridled Darter eric_prowell@fws.gov Percina crypta Halloween Darter mirabeau_dudley@fws.gov Stephanie Chance – Cookeville, TN stephanie_chance@fws.gov Species Etheostoma cinereum Ashy Darter Etheostoma forbesi Barrens Darter Etheostoma microlepidum Smallscale Darter Etheostoma pseudovulatum Egg-mimic Darter Etheostoma striatulum Striated Darter Fundulus julisia Barren’s Topminnow Noturus fasciatus Saddled Madtom Noturus gladiator Piebald Madtom Percina williamsi Sickle Darter Chris Davidson – Conway, AR chris_davidson@fws.gov Species Erimystax harryi Ozark Chub Etheostoma pallididorsum Paleback Darter Notropis ozarcanus Ozark Shiner Notropis perpallidus Peppered Shiner Notropis suttkusi Rocky Shiner Noturus lachneri Ouachita Madtom Noturus taylori Caddo Madtom Percina nasuta Longnose Darter Pteronotropis hubbsi Bluehead Shiner Sandra Pursifull – Panama City, FL sandra_pursifull@fws.gov Species Cyprinella callitaenia Bluestripe Shiner Pteronotropis euryzonus Broadstripe Shiner Sarah McRae – Raleigh, NC sarah_mcrae@fws.gov Species Elassoma boehlkei Carolina Pygmy Sunfish Noturus furiosus Carolina Madtom