Fundulus catenatus (Storer 1846)

Tanasi Studfish

Figs. 6–7

Poecilia catenata, Storer 1840:430. Tennessee River at Florence, Alabama. Several syntypes described, but whereabouts of specimens unknown.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other members in the complex as a distinct lineage as determined by molecular phylogenetic and population genomic evidence (Hundt et al. 2016, this study) and by its limited distribution (Figure 5B). The studfishes are distinguished from other members of Fundulus by lacking a distinct lateral stripe, vertical bars on the sides, or a subocular bar (Boschung & Mayden 2004). Sympatric with F. julisia in the Barrens Plateau; the dark spots of F. julisia are scattered rather than forming the horizontal lines of F. catenatus (Etnier & Starnes 1993).

Description. Body oblong and compressed with eight to 10 horizontal lines formed by red, reddish orange, reddish brown, or orange lateral dots. Scattered spots of same color present. Dorsal fin origin on approximate vertical from anal fin origin (Boschung & Mayden 2004). Caudal fin rounded. Nuptial males electric blue with red horizontal lines; caudal fin with black subterminal band and yellow terminal band; head, pectoral, dorsal, and anal fins with deep orange or red dots. Breeding tubercles occasionally present on lateral body scales, side of the head, and fins (except the caudal). Females, non-nuptial males, and juveniles silvery or brown with unmarked fins (Storer 1846, Etnier & Starnes 1993, Boschung & Mayden 2004). Meristic characters as follows: dorsal rays 13–16 (modally 14), anal rays 14–17 (modally 16), left pectoral rays 14–19 (modally 16), caudal rays 15–18 (modally 17), lateral scale rows 12–16 (modally 14), lateral scales 39–52 (modally 46) (Table 1; Thomerson et al. 1969).

Distribution. This species is native to tributaries of the Tennessee River.

Etymology. We replace the previous common name (Northern Studfish) with Tanasi Studfish as the previous name was based on species distribution and is no longer correct. Tanasi (ᏔᎾᏏ) is the Cherokee name for a settlement near the Little Tennessee River, an area now referred to as the state of Tennessee. F. catenatus is native to the drainages of Tennessee River, including the Little Tennessee River.