Description

Etheostoma lemniscatum is distinguished from all members of the complex by more posterior positioned anal fin (B6–B8, =332 vs. 317 or less); pectoral fin of nuptial males with dark, distal band confined to rays of the dorsal half or less of fin (vs. across all rays or all but 1–4 ventral rays); and nuptial males with dark and distinctly defined black bands on the distal margin of the caudal, anal, and second dorsal fins (bands more diffuse in other species). Etheostoma lemniscatum is further distinguished from all members of the complex except E. marmorpinnum by higher modal (44 vs. 43 or less) number of lateral scale rows; and intermediate number of pored lateral line scales (26 or 28 vs. 22 in E. percnurum, and 34 in E. sitikuense). From E. marmorpinnum and E. percnurum by intermediate percentage of the first dorsal base area covered by scales (60% vs. 100% in E. marmorpinnum and 20% in E. percnurum); and an intermediate number of scales around caudal peduncle (24 vs. 25 and 23, respectively). From E. marmorpinnum and E. sitikuense by wider distal band on anal fin (50% of fin height vs. 29–39%) and second dorsal fin (25% of fin height vs. 14–16%); and lack of marbling or tessellations in the medial portion of the second dorsal fin of nuptial males. From E. marmorpinnum by lower percentage of belly covered by scales (10% vs. 60–80%); and wider, distal caudal–fin band (18% of fin length vs. 12–15%). From E. percnurum by lower number of caudal-fin rays (16 vs. 18); presence of strong tessellations on medial portion of caudal fin of nuptial males (vs. no tessellations); and narrower distal band on the pectoral fin (range = 14–18% vs. 27–32%). Means of other measurements were also informative for distinguishing E. lemniscatum from members of the complex (Ref. 79849).

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Perciformes/Percoidei

Family: Percidae

Genus: Etheostoma

Species: Etheostoma lemniscatum Blanton, 2008

Climate Zone

Location

• North America: USA. The Tuxedo Darter occurs in an approximately 19 km mainstem stretch of the Big South Fork Cumberland River, with most individuals observed from the mouth of Station Camp Creek, Scott County, Tennessee, to Bear Creek, McCreary County, Kentucky (Eisenhour & Burr 2000) (Ref. 79849).

Biology

Life cycle and mating behavior

Habitat

benthopelagic

Conservation Status

Vulnerable

Threat to Humans

Harmless