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{{Short description|Species of fish}}
{{unreferenced|date=August 2017}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2019}}
{{Taxobox
{{Speciesbox
| name = Rainwater Killifish
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Lyons, T.J. |date=2019 |title=''Lucania parva'' |volume=2019 |page=e.T191368A130017300 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T191368A130017300.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| image = Lucania parva.jpg
| image = Lucania parva.jpg
⚫
| taxon = Lucania parva
| image_width = 250px
⚫
| authority = ([[Spencer Fullerton Baird|S. F. Baird]] & [[Charles Frédéric Girard|Girard]], 1855)
| regnum = [[Animalia]]
| synonyms = *''Cyprinodon parvus'' <small>Baird & Girard, 1855</small>
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
*''Limia venusta'' <small>Girard, 1858</small>
| classis = [[Actinopterygii]]
*''Lucania affinis'' <small>Girard, 1859</small>
| ordo = [[Cyprinodontiformes]]
| synonyms_ref = <ref name = Fishbase>{{FishBase|Lucania|parva|month=April|year=2019}}</ref>
| familia = [[Fundulidae]]
| genus = ''[[Lucania (genus)|Lucania]]''
| species = '''''L. parva'''''
⚫
| binomial = ''Lucania parva''
⚫
| binomial_authority = ([[Spencer Fullerton Baird|S. F. Baird]] & [[Charles Frédéric Girard|Girard]], 1855)
}}
}}


The '''rainwater killifish''' (''Lucania parva'') is a small silvery fish with yellow flashes and diamond shaped scales that is widespread from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, through to Tampico, Mexico. It is commonly found in large numbers in fresh to brackish estuarine environments. A wholly unremarkable fish{{or?}}, it feeds on tiny crustaceans, mosquito larvae, small worms, and mollusks. Maximum size: 62&nbsp;mm.
The '''rainwater killifish''' (''Lucania parva'') is a small silvery fish with yellow flashes and diamond shaped scales that is widespread from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, through to Tampico, Mexico. It is commonly found in large numbers in fresh to brackish estuarine environments. It feeds on tiny crustaceans, mosquito larvae, small worms, and mollusks. It can reach up to 62&nbsp;mm (2.44 inches).


==Description==
==Description==
Coloration: Body not barred (Hubbs et al. 1991). Back silvery to light green, with a narrow, dark middorsal stripe. Scales on sides outlined in melanophores, creating cross-hatched pattern, which is especially prominent in breeding males. Forward and upper surfaces of the head speckled with melanophores, which also extend onto the underside of the lower jaw. Belly and undersides of body are silver. Fins generally lack pigmentation, except for some melanophores along the rays. In breeding males, dorsal fin has a black anterior blotch and dark marginal and basal bands that may include orange pigmentation. Caudal, anal, and pelvic fins red to orange, with black marginal bands (Gunter 1950; Simpson and Gunter 1956; Ross 2001).
Coloration: Body not barred (Hubbs et al. 1991). Back silvery to light green, with a narrow, dark middorsal stripe. Scales on sides outlined in melanophores, creating cross-hatched pattern, which is especially prominent in breeding males. Forward and upper surfaces of the head speckled with melanophores, which also extend onto the underside of the lower jaw. Belly and undersides of body are silver. Fins generally lack pigmentation, except for some melanophores along the rays. In breeding males, dorsal fin has a black anterior blotch and dark marginal and basal bands that may include orange pigmentation. Caudal, anal, and pelvic fins red to orange, with black marginal bands (Gunter 1950; Simpson and Gunter 1956; Ross 2001).


Counts: 10+ dorsal fin rays; 8-13 scale rows from pelvic origin to isthmus; 30 or fewer longitudinal scale rows (Hubbs et al. 1991); 27 (26-28) lateral scales; 11 (9-13) dorsal fin rays; 13 (12-14) pectoral fin rays; 6 (4-7) pelvic fin rays; 9 (8-13) anal fin rays; 16 (15- 18) caudal fin rays; 8 (5-9) gill rakers on 1st arch (Sublette et al. 1990).
Counts: 10+ dorsal fin rays; 8–13 scale rows from pelvic origin to isthmus; 30 or fewer longitudinal scale rows (Hubbs et al. 1991); 27 (26–28) lateral scales; 11 (9–13) dorsal fin rays; 13 (12–14) pectoral fin rays; 6 (4-7) pelvic fin rays; 9 (8-13) anal fin rays; 16 (15–18) caudal fin rays; 8 (5-9) gill rakers on 1st arch (Sublette et al. 1990).


Body shape: Body deep, rather compressed; head flattened above, tapering to vertically rounded, blunt snout (Hardy 1978). Body depth contained four times in standard length (Hubbs et al. 1991). Body axis straight (Sublette et al. 1990).
Body shape: Body deep, rather compressed; head flattened above, tapering to vertically rounded, blunt snout (Hardy 1978). Body depth contained four times in standard length (Hubbs et al. 1991). Body axis straight (Sublette et al. 1990).


Mouth position: Supraterminal, oblique; mouth small; obliquely sloped, protruding lower jaw
Mouth position: Supraterminal, oblique; mouth small; obliquely sloped, protruding lower jaw (Sublette et al. 1990).
(Sublette et al. 1990).


External morphology: Distance from origin of dorsal fin to end of hypural plate more than distance from origin of dorsal fin to preopercle (Hubbs et al. 1991); dorsal and caudal fins rounded; pectorals, pelvic, anal fins rounded at apex (Sublette et al. 1990). Males develop prickly contact organs on top and sides of head and on side of body between dorsal and anal fin bases (Foster 1967; Collette 1977). Female with membranous sheath surrounding genital opening (Sublette et al. 1990).
External morphology: Distance from origin of dorsal fin to end of hypural plate more than distance from origin of dorsal fin to preopercle (Hubbs et al. 1991); dorsal and caudal fins rounded; pectorals, pelvic, anal fins rounded at apex (Sublette et al. 1990). Males develop prickly contact organs on top and sides of head and on side of body between dorsal and anal fin bases (Foster 1967; Collette 1977). Female with membranous sheath surrounding genital opening (Sublette et al. 1990).


Internal morphology: Teeth conical and simple (Hubbs et al. 1991). Premaxillary and mandibular teeth uniserial or irregular, occasionally with a few strong inner teeth (Sublette et al. 1990).
Internal morphology: Teeth conical and simple (Hubbs et al. 1991). Premaxillary and mandibular teeth uniserial or irregular, occasionally with a few strong inner teeth (Sublette et al. 1990).


==Diet==
==Diet==


Simpson and Gunter (1956) and Harrington and Harrington (1961) reported diet items including larval crustaceans (mainly cyclopoid and harpacticoid copepods), mosquito larvae, small worms, and mollusks. Harrington and Harrington (1961) noted that the species heavily predates both larvae and pupae of saltmarsh mosquitoes.
Simpson and Gunter (1956) and Harrington and Harrington (1961) reported diet items including larval crustaceans (mainly cyclopoid and harpacticoid copepods), mosquito larvae, small worms, and mollusks. Harrington and Harrington (1961) noted that the species heavily predates both larvae and pupae of saltmarsh mosquitoes.


==Habitat==
==Habitat==


Found in salt marshes, bays, and lagoons from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Tampico, Mexico (Duggins 1980a); common in freshwaters of St. John’s River system, Florida (Burgess 1977), and Rio Grande and Pecos River in Texas and New Mexico (Duggins 1980a). Lucania parva is a schooling species (Hardy 1978).
Found in salt marshes, bays, and lagoons from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Tampico, Mexico (Duggins 1980a); common in freshwaters of St. John's River system, Florida (Burgess 1977), and Rio Grande and Pecos River in Texas and New Mexico (Duggins 1980a). Lucania parva is a schooling species (Hardy 1978).


==Reproduction and Life Cycle==
==Reproduction and life cycle==


Spawning season: In Texas, females began ripening in February, and a few were gravid in July; peak spawning in May and June (males displayed breeding coloration from February into June, or July, with greatest color intensity in May; Gunter 1950); may occur in earlier in the spring (Simpson and Gunter 1956). Sublette et al. (1990) reports spawning in New Mexico from spring – fall, at least in southern portion of state.
Spawning season: In Texas, females began ripening in February, and a few were gravid in July. Peak spawning is in May and June (males displayed breeding coloration from February into June, or July, with greatest color intensity in May; Gunter 1950); may occur in earlier in the spring (Simpson and Gunter 1956). Sublette et al. (1990) reports spawning in New Mexico from spring – fall, at least in the southern portion of the state.


Spawning location: During spawning, male and female swim into vegetation with fine leaves; there eggs are released and fertilized; eggs have mucous threads with which they are attached to plant material (Foster 1967). McLane (1955) noted that male courtship behavior was observed near clumps of Naias and Vallisneria.
Spawning location: During spawning, males and females swim into vegetation with fine leaves; there, eggs are released and fertilized. Eggs have mucous threads with which they are attached to plant material (Foster 1967). McLane (1955) noted that male courtship behavior was observed near clumps of [[Najas|Naias]] and [[Vallisneria]].


Reproductive strategy: A courting male swims in loops slightly below the female, waiting for the female to respond by stopping; after a female stops, the male moves under her flicking his head against her throat; pair moves slowly toward surface of the water, while male continues to rub his head against underside of the female; when they are near surface, female swims into vegetation having fine leaves or algal masses, and the male follows; using his dorsal and anal fins, the male then clasps female, and eggs are released and fertilized (Foster 1967).
Reproductive strategy: A courting male swims in loops slightly below the female, waiting for the female to respond by stopping. After a female stops, the male moves under her, flicking his head against her throat. The pair moves slowly toward the surface of the water, while the male continues to rub his head against the underside of the female. When they are near the surface, the female swims into vegetation having fine leaves or algal masses and the male follows. Using his dorsal and anal fins, the male then clasps the female, and eggs are released and fertilized (Foster 1967).


Fecundity: 7-46 ripe ova (mean 24.5 per fish) plus numerous smaller ova (McLane 1955); maximum reported count 104 (Hildebrand and Schroeder 1928; Hardy 1978). Freshly laid eggs are spherical, nearly colorless, having chorionic threads; live eggs averaging 1.23&nbsp;mm in diameter; eggs hatch in 6 days at water temperature of 23.9 degrees C (Foster 1967). More than one brood may be produced per year by a single female (Hardy 1978).
Fecundity: 7–46 ripe ova (mean 24.5 per fish) plus numerous smaller ova (McLane 1955); the maximum reported count is 104 (Hildebrand and Schroeder 1928; Hardy 1978). Freshly laid eggs are spherical, nearly colorless, having chorionic threads. Live eggs average 1.23&nbsp;mm in diameter; eggs hatch in six days at a water temperature of 23.9 degrees C (Foster 1967). More than one brood may be produced per year by a single female (Hardy 1978).


==Distribution==
==Distribution==


Native to coastal waters from Massachusetts to Tampico, Mexico (Hubbs et al. 1991). Introduced into California, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah (Hubbs and Miller 1965). Locally abundant in lower Pecos River drainage, New Mexico, not ascending tributary streams far above mouth (Cowley and Sublette 1987).
The rainwater killifish is native to coastal waters from Massachusetts to Tampico, Mexico (Hubbs et al. 1991). It has been introduced into California, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah (Hubbs and Miller 1965). It is locally abundant in lower Pecos River drainage, New Mexico, not ascending tributary streams far above mouth (Cowley and Sublette 1987).


==Species description and etymology==
==Etymology==
The rainwater killifish was formally [[Species description|described]] by [[Spencer Fullerton Baird]] and [[Charles Frédéric Girard]] as ''Cyprinodon parvus'' with the [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]] given as [[Beesley's Point, New Jersey]] and as Greenport, [[Long Island, New York]].<ref name = CofF>{{Cof record|spid=33797|title=''Cyprinodon parvus''|access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref> The name of the genus, Lucania, is a Native American word from an unknown language and of unknown meaning which presumably Girard liked the sound of.<ref name = ETYFish/> Girard named this species as the [[type species]] of the [[genus]] ''[[Lucania (fish)|Lucania]]'' in 1859 but using the [[Synonym (taxonomy)|junior synonym]] ''Limia venusta''.<ref name = CofG>{{Cof record|genid=2590|title=''Lucania''|access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref> The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]] is [[Latin language|Latin]] for "small".<ref name = ETYFish>{{cite web | url = http://www.etyfish.org/cyprinodontiformes3/ | work = The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database | author1 = Christopher Scharpf | author2 = Kenneth J. Lazara | date = 26 April 2019 | title= Order CYPRINODONTIFORMES: Families PANTANODONTIDAE, CYPRINODONTIDAE, PROFUNDULIDAE, GOODEIDAE, FUNDULIDAE and FLUVIPHYLACIDAE | access-date = 24 September 2019 | publisher = Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara}}</ref>
Lucania: a coined name without meaning; parva: small (Ross 2001).


==See also==
==See also==
Line 60: Line 58:


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
* Able, K. W. 1976. Cleaning behavior in the cyprinodontid fishes: Fundulus majalis,
* Able, K. W. 1976. Cleaning behavior in the cyprinodontid fishes: Fundulus majalis,
Cyprinodon variegatus, and Lucania parva. Chesapeake Sci. 17(1):35-39
Cyprinodon variegatus, and Lucania parva. Chesapeake Sci. 17(1):35-39
Line 75: Line 74:
* Cowley, D.E., and J.E. Sublette. 1987. Distribution of fishes in the Black River drainage,
* Cowley, D.E., and J.E. Sublette. 1987. Distribution of fishes in the Black River drainage,
Eddy County, New Mexico. Southwestern Naturalist 32(2):213-221.
Eddy County, New Mexico. Southwestern Naturalist 32(2):213-221.
* Duggins, C.F., Jr. 1980a. Lucania parva (Baird), rainwater killifish, p.&nbsp;535. In: D. S. Lee,
* Duggins, C.F. Jr. 1980a. Lucania parva (Baird), rainwater killifish, p.&nbsp;535. In: D. S. Lee,
et al. Atlas of North American Fishes. N. C. State Mus. Nat. Hist., Raleigh, i-r+854 pp.
et al. Atlas of North American Fishes. N. C. State Mus. Nat. Hist., Raleigh, i-r+854 pp.
* Duggins, C.F., Jr. 1980b. Systematics and zoogeography of Lucania parva, Floridichthys, and
* Duggins, C.F. Jr. 1980b. Systematics and zoogeography of Lucania parva, Floridichthys, and
Menidia (Osteichthyes: Atheriniformes) in Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and Yacatan. Dis Abst.
Menidia (Osteichthyes: Atheriniformes) in Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and Yacatan. Dis Abst.
Int. 41B(3):849-850.
Int. 41B(3):849-850.
* Edwards, R.J., and S. Contreras-Balderas. 1991. Historical changes in the ichthyofauna of
* Edwards, R.J., and S. Contreras-Balderas. 1991. Historical changes in the ichthyofauna of the lower Rio Grande (Rio Bravo del Norte), Texas and Mexico. The Southwestern Naturalist 36 (2):201-212.
the lower Rio Grande (Rio Bravo del Norte), Texas and Mexico. The Southwestern Naturalist 36
(2):201-212.
* Evermann, B.W. 1899. Report on investigations by the U.S. Fish Commission in Mississippi,
* Evermann, B.W. 1899. Report on investigations by the U.S. Fish Commission in Mississippi,
Louisiana, and Texas, in 1897. Rept. U.S. Fish Comm. 24:287-310.
Louisiana, and Texas, in 1897. Rept. U.S. Fish Comm. 24:287-310.
Line 92: Line 89:
* Gunter, G. 1950. Distributions and abundance of fishes on the Aransas National Wildlife
* Gunter, G. 1950. Distributions and abundance of fishes on the Aransas National Wildlife
Refuge, with life history notes. Publ. Inst. Mar. Sci., Univ. Tex. 1(2):89-101.
Refuge, with life history notes. Publ. Inst. Mar. Sci., Univ. Tex. 1(2):89-101.
* Hardy, J.D., Jr. 1978. Development of Fishes of the Mid-Atlantic Bight: an atlas of egg,
* Hardy, J.D. Jr. 1978. Development of Fishes of the Mid-Atlantic Bight: an atlas of egg,
larval and juvenile stages. Volume 2: Anguillidae through Syngnathidae. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
larval and juvenile stages. Volume 2: Anguillidae through Syngnathidae. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service Biological Services Program, Solomons, Maryland. 458 pp.
Service Biological Services Program, Solomons, Maryland. 458 pp.
* Harrington, R.W., Jr., and E.S. Harrington. 1961. Food selection among fishes invading a
* Harrington, R.W. Jr., and E.S. Harrington. 1961. Food selection among fishes invading a
high subtropical salt marsh; from onset of flooding through the progress of a mosquito brood.
high subtropical salt marsh; from onset of flooding through the progress of a mosquito brood.
Ecology 42(4):646-666.
Ecology 42(4):646-666.
Line 113: Line 110:
43(4):1-56.
43(4):1-56.
* Jordan, F. 2002. Field and laboratory evaluation of habitat use by rainwater killifish
* Jordan, F. 2002. Field and laboratory evaluation of habitat use by rainwater killifish
(Lucania parva) in the St. John’s River estuary, Florida. Estuaries 25(2):288-295.
(Lucania parva) in the St. John's River estuary, Florida. Estuaries 25(2):288-295.
* Linam, G.W., and L.J. Kleinsasser. 1987a. Fisheries attainability study for Cow Bayou
* Linam, G.W., and L.J. Kleinsasser. 1987a. Fisheries attainability study for Cow Bayou
(Segment 0511). River Studies Report No. 5. Resource Protection Division. Texas Parks and
(Segment 0511). River Studies Report No. 5. Resource Protection Division. Texas Parks and
Line 138: Line 135:
* Tyler, A.V. 1963. Cleaning symbiosis between the stickleback and rainwater fish. Underwater
* Tyler, A.V. 1963. Cleaning symbiosis between the stickleback and rainwater fish. Underwater
Naturalist 1(4):18-19.
Naturalist 1(4):18-19.
* Warren, M.L., Jr., B.M. Burr, S.J. Walsh, H.L. Bart, Jr., R.C. Cashner, D.A. Etnier, B.J.
* Warren, M.L. Jr., B.M. Burr, S.J. Walsh, H.L. Bart Jr., R.C. Cashner, D.A. Etnier, B.J.
Freeman, B.R. Kuhajda, R.L. Mayden, H.W. Robison, S.T. Ross, and W.C. Starnes. 2000.
Freeman, B.R. Kuhajda, R.L. Mayden, H.W. Robison, S.T. Ross, and W.C. Starnes. 2000.
Diversity, Distribution, and Conservation status of the native freshwater fishes of the
Diversity, Distribution, and Conservation status of the native freshwater fishes of the
southern United States. Fisheries 25(10):7-29.
southern United States. Fisheries 25(10):7-29.
{{Taxonbar|from=Q3455573}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q3455573}}
{{Authority control}}


⚫
[[Category:Lucania (fish)]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:killifish, rainwater}}
⚫
[[Category:Lucania (genus)|rainwater killifish]]
[[Category:Fish of the Eastern United States]]
[[Category:Fish of the Eastern United States]]
[[Category:Fish of the Gulf of Mexico]]
[[Category:Fish of the Gulf of Mexico]]
[[Category:Fish of the Western Atlantic]]
[[Category:Fish of the Western Atlantic]]
[[Category:Fish described in 1855|rainwater killifish]]
[[Category:Fish described in 1855]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Spencer Fullerton Baird]]

Latest revision as of 11:17, 17 November 2024

Rainwater killifish
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cyprinodontiformes
Family: Fundulidae
Genus: Lucania
Species:
L. parva
Binomial name
Lucania parva
Synonyms[2]
  • Cyprinodon parvus Baird & Girard, 1855
  • Limia venusta Girard, 1858
  • Lucania affinis Girard, 1859

The rainwater killifish (Lucania parva) is a small silvery fish with yellow flashes and diamond shaped scales that is widespread from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, through to Tampico, Mexico. It is commonly found in large numbers in fresh to brackish estuarine environments. It feeds on tiny crustaceans, mosquito larvae, small worms, and mollusks. It can reach up to 62 mm (2.44 inches).

Description

[edit]

Coloration: Body not barred (Hubbs et al. 1991). Back silvery to light green, with a narrow, dark middorsal stripe. Scales on sides outlined in melanophores, creating cross-hatched pattern, which is especially prominent in breeding males. Forward and upper surfaces of the head speckled with melanophores, which also extend onto the underside of the lower jaw. Belly and undersides of body are silver. Fins generally lack pigmentation, except for some melanophores along the rays. In breeding males, dorsal fin has a black anterior blotch and dark marginal and basal bands that may include orange pigmentation. Caudal, anal, and pelvic fins red to orange, with black marginal bands (Gunter 1950; Simpson and Gunter 1956; Ross 2001).

Counts: 10+ dorsal fin rays; 8–13 scale rows from pelvic origin to isthmus; 30 or fewer longitudinal scale rows (Hubbs et al. 1991); 27 (26–28) lateral scales; 11 (9–13) dorsal fin rays; 13 (12–14) pectoral fin rays; 6 (4-7) pelvic fin rays; 9 (8-13) anal fin rays; 16 (15–18) caudal fin rays; 8 (5-9) gill rakers on 1st arch (Sublette et al. 1990).

Body shape: Body deep, rather compressed; head flattened above, tapering to vertically rounded, blunt snout (Hardy 1978). Body depth contained four times in standard length (Hubbs et al. 1991). Body axis straight (Sublette et al. 1990).

Mouth position: Supraterminal, oblique; mouth small; obliquely sloped, protruding lower jaw (Sublette et al. 1990).

External morphology: Distance from origin of dorsal fin to end of hypural plate more than distance from origin of dorsal fin to preopercle (Hubbs et al. 1991); dorsal and caudal fins rounded; pectorals, pelvic, anal fins rounded at apex (Sublette et al. 1990). Males develop prickly contact organs on top and sides of head and on side of body between dorsal and anal fin bases (Foster 1967; Collette 1977). Female with membranous sheath surrounding genital opening (Sublette et al. 1990).

Internal morphology: Teeth conical and simple (Hubbs et al. 1991). Premaxillary and mandibular teeth uniserial or irregular, occasionally with a few strong inner teeth (Sublette et al. 1990).

Diet

[edit]

Simpson and Gunter (1956) and Harrington and Harrington (1961) reported diet items including larval crustaceans (mainly cyclopoid and harpacticoid copepods), mosquito larvae, small worms, and mollusks. Harrington and Harrington (1961) noted that the species heavily predates both larvae and pupae of saltmarsh mosquitoes.

Habitat

[edit]

Found in salt marshes, bays, and lagoons from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Tampico, Mexico (Duggins 1980a); common in freshwaters of St. John's River system, Florida (Burgess 1977), and Rio Grande and Pecos River in Texas and New Mexico (Duggins 1980a). Lucania parva is a schooling species (Hardy 1978).

Reproduction and life cycle

[edit]

Spawning season: In Texas, females began ripening in February, and a few were gravid in July. Peak spawning is in May and June (males displayed breeding coloration from February into June, or July, with greatest color intensity in May; Gunter 1950); may occur in earlier in the spring (Simpson and Gunter 1956). Sublette et al. (1990) reports spawning in New Mexico from spring – fall, at least in the southern portion of the state.

Spawning location: During spawning, males and females swim into vegetation with fine leaves; there, eggs are released and fertilized. Eggs have mucous threads with which they are attached to plant material (Foster 1967). McLane (1955) noted that male courtship behavior was observed near clumps of Naias and Vallisneria.

Reproductive strategy: A courting male swims in loops slightly below the female, waiting for the female to respond by stopping. After a female stops, the male moves under her, flicking his head against her throat. The pair moves slowly toward the surface of the water, while the male continues to rub his head against the underside of the female. When they are near the surface, the female swims into vegetation having fine leaves or algal masses and the male follows. Using his dorsal and anal fins, the male then clasps the female, and eggs are released and fertilized (Foster 1967).

Fecundity: 7–46 ripe ova (mean 24.5 per fish) plus numerous smaller ova (McLane 1955); the maximum reported count is 104 (Hildebrand and Schroeder 1928; Hardy 1978). Freshly laid eggs are spherical, nearly colorless, having chorionic threads. Live eggs average 1.23 mm in diameter; eggs hatch in six days at a water temperature of 23.9 degrees C (Foster 1967). More than one brood may be produced per year by a single female (Hardy 1978).

Distribution

[edit]

The rainwater killifish is native to coastal waters from Massachusetts to Tampico, Mexico (Hubbs et al. 1991). It has been introduced into California, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah (Hubbs and Miller 1965). It is locally abundant in lower Pecos River drainage, New Mexico, not ascending tributary streams far above mouth (Cowley and Sublette 1987).

Species description and etymology

[edit]

The rainwater killifish was formally described by Spencer Fullerton Baird and Charles Frédéric Girard as Cyprinodon parvus with the type locality given as Beesley's Point, New Jersey and as Greenport, Long Island, New York.[3] The name of the genus, Lucania, is a Native American word from an unknown language and of unknown meaning which presumably Girard liked the sound of.[4] Girard named this species as the type species of the genus Lucania in 1859 but using the junior synonym Limia venusta.[5] The specific name is Latin for "small".[4]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lyons, T.J. (2019). "Lucania parva". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T191368A130017300. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T191368A130017300.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Lucania parva". FishBase. April 2019 version.
  3. ^ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Cyprinodon parvus". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  4. ^ a b Christopher Scharpf; Kenneth J. Lazara (26 April 2019). "Order CYPRINODONTIFORMES: Families PANTANODONTIDAE, CYPRINODONTIDAE, PROFUNDULIDAE, GOODEIDAE, FUNDULIDAE and FLUVIPHYLACIDAE". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  5. ^ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Lucania". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  • Able, K. W. 1976. Cleaning behavior in the cyprinodontid fishes: Fundulus majalis,

Cyprinodon variegatus, and Lucania parva. Chesapeake Sci. 17(1):35-39

  • Baird, S.F. 1855. Report on the fishes observed on the coasts of New Jersey and Long Island

during the summer of 1854, pp. 317–353. In: Ninth annual report of the Smithsonian Institution (1854). Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.

  • Baylis, J.R. 1982. Unusual escape response by two cyprinodontiform fishes, and a bluegill

predator's counter-strategy. Copeia 1982(2):455-457.

  • Bonner, T.H., C.Thomas, C.S. Williams, and J.P. Karges. 2005. Temporal assessment of a west

Texas stream fish assemblage. The Southwestern Naturalist 50(1):74-106.

  • Collette, B.B. 1977. Epidermal breeding tubercles and bony contact organs in fishes. Symp.

Zool. Soc. Lond. 39:225-268.

  • Cook, F.A. 1959. Freshwater fishes in Mississippi. Mississippi Game and Fish Commission,

Jackson. 239 pp.

  • Cowley, D.E., and J.E. Sublette. 1987. Distribution of fishes in the Black River drainage,

Eddy County, New Mexico. Southwestern Naturalist 32(2):213-221.

  • Duggins, C.F. Jr. 1980a. Lucania parva (Baird), rainwater killifish, p. 535. In: D. S. Lee,

et al. Atlas of North American Fishes. N. C. State Mus. Nat. Hist., Raleigh, i-r+854 pp.

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