Scoring criteria for the index of biotic integrity and the index of well-being to monitor fish communities in wadeable streams in the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope drainage basins of the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of Georgia. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Fisheries Management Section

Part III: Scoring Criteria for the Index of Biotic Integrity and the Index of Well-Being to Monitor Fish Communities in Wadeable
Streams in the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope drainage basins of the Southeastern Plains Ecoregion of Georgia
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Fisheries Management Section
June 1, 2005

Table of Contents
Introduction........................................................................... Map of Southeastern Plains Ecoregion............................................ Table 1. State Listed Fish in the Southeastern Plains Ecoregion............. Table 2. IBI Metrics and Scoring Criteria........................................ Table 3. Iwb Scoring Criteria and Integrity Classes.......... .................. References........................................................... .................. Appendix 1............................................................................

Pg. 1 Pg. 3 Pg. 4 Pg. 5 Pg. 7 Pg. 8 Pg. 9

i

Introduction
The Southeastern Plains ecoregion is the largest of the six Level III ecoregions found in Georgia (Part 1, Figure 1). It covers most of the southern portion of Georgia, bordering the Piedmont ecoregion to the north and the Southern Coastal Plain ecoregion to the southeast. It includes all or portions of 80 counties (Fig. 1), covering a land area of over 25,000 square miles (United States Census Bureau 2000). Major drainage basins found within the Southeastern Plains ecoregion include the Chattahoochee, Flint, Ocmulgee, Oconee, Altamaha, Ogeechee, Savannah, Satilla, Suwannee, and Ochlockonee.
The biotic indices developed by the GAWRD are based on the Level III ecoregion delineations (Griffith et al 2001). The metrics and scoring criteria have been developed from biomonitoring samples collected in the Chattahoochee, Flint, Ocmulgee, Oconee, Altamaha, Ogeechee, and the Savannah drainage basins. Based on similarities in species richness and composition, these seven drainages were aligned into two groups: the Apalachicola Drainage Basin (ACF), including the Chattahoochee and Flint drainage basins, and the Atlantic Slope Drainage Basins (AS), including the Altamaha, Ocmulgee, Oconee, Ogeechee, and Savannah drainage basins. Biotic indices have not yet been developed for streams in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion that are part of the Satilla, Suwanee, and Ochlockonee basins.
The GAWRD has sampled a total of 187 streams in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion. A total of 62 native species were collected in the Apalachicola Drainage Basins, and 58 were collected in the Atlantic Slope Drainage Basins. Three state listed species, ranked rare based on the Endangered Wildlife Act of 1973 (Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Non Endangered Wildlife Program 1999), were collected in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion. These include the redeye chub (Notropis harperi), collected in the Chattahoochee, Flint, and Ocmulgee drainage basins, and the broadstripe shiner (Pteronotropis euryzonus) and the goldstripe darter (Etheostoma parvipinne), both collected in the Chattahoochee drainage basin. Table 1 shows a complete list of state listed fish found in the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope drainage basins in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion.
Based on the IBI integrity classes (Part I, Table 2), 11 sites scored in the excellent class, 33 scored in the good class, 51 scored in the fair class, 41 scored in the poor class, and 51 scored in the very poor class. IBI scores in the Southeastern ecoregion ranged from a maximum of 56
1

to a minimum of 8. Similarly to the Piedmont ecoregion, nearly half of the streams sampled in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion scored in the poor and very poor integrity classes ([92 / 187] * 100 = 49.2%). Only 23% of the streams sampled in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion scored in the excellent and good integrity classes ([44 / 187] * 100 = 23.5%). Major impacts to streams in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion include the effects of groundwater irrigation, instream withdrawals, and erosion and sedimentation.
Table 2 shows the scoring criteria for the IBI metrics in the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope drainage basins in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion. The Maximum Species Richness (MSR) graphs for the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope drainage basins within the Southeastern Plains ecoregion are included in Appendix 1. Figures ACF1 - SEP through ACF6b - SEP depict the Maximum Species Richness (MSR) graphs used to score the species richness metrics (metrics 1 6b) in the Apalachicola drainage basin. Figures AS1 - SEP through AS6b - SEP depict the MSR graphs used to score the species richness metrics in the Atlantic Slope drainage basins. The fish list for the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope drainage basins within the Southeastern Plains ecoregion showing the water quality tolerance rankings, feeding guilds, and species categories used in calculating the IBI score is also included in Appendix 1.
Based on the modified Index of Well- Being integrity classes for the Southeastern Plains ecoregion (Table 3), 12 sites scored in the excellent class, 31 scored in the good class, 66 scored in the fair class, 30 scored in the poor class, and 47 scored in the very poor class. Modified Iwb scores in headwater streams ranged from a maximum score of 8.94 to a minimum of 0.62. At larger wadeable streams, modified Iwb scores ranged from a maximum of 8.95 to a minimum of 0.37. There was a significant relationship between the two indices across the Southeastern Plains ecoregion (r = 0.7772, p = 0.0000, N = 186), although the relationship was stronger in the larger wadeable streams (r = 0.8047, p = 0.0000, N = 116) compared to the headwater streams (r = 0.7372, p = 0.0000, N = 70).
2

Al tam ah a
Chattah oo ch ee Coosa Flint Oc hlo ckonee
Ocmulgee Oconee Og ee ch ee Saint Marys
Sa til l a Sa va nn ah Su wann ee Tall ap oo sa Tenn es s ee

McDuffie

Columbia

Jones

Warren

Hanco ck

G l asc oc k

Richmond

Bal dwin

Jefferson

Bur ke

Wa shin gton

Cha tta hooche e

Mus cogee Stewar t

Talbot

Bibb Crawfor d

Taylor

Peach

Wil kinso n Twi ggs

Johnson

Jenkin s Scre ven

Ema nue l

Mario n

Macon

Houston Bleckl ey Lau ren s Treutle n

Candler Bul loch

Montgome ry

Schl ey Sumte r

Dooly

Pulaski Wil cox

Dodg e

Wheeler

Te lfair

To ombs

Evan s

Tattn all

Crisp

Te rre ll Rand olp h

Lee

Turner

Ben Hill

Je ff Da vis

App lin g

Long

Clay Calhoun Dougher ty

Ear ly

Baker

Wo rth

Irwin Ti ft

Coffee

Ber rie n Atkinso n

Wa yne

Miller

Mitchell Colquitt Cook

Lan ier

Decatur Grady Th omas Brooks Lowndes

S eminole

Echo ls

Qu it man Webster

Figure 1. Level III Southeastern Plains ecoregion (outlined in bold red) in Georgia. Major drainage basins include the Chattahoochee, Flint, Ochlockonee, Suwanee, Satilla, Ocmulgee, Oconee, Altamaha, Ogeeechee, and Savannah.

3

Table 1. State listed fish found in the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope drainage basins in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of Georgia (Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Nongame Endangered Wildlife Program, 1999).

Species

State Status

Federal

Status

Bain

Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum)

E

E

ALT, OGE,

SAV

Alabama Shad (Alsoa alabamae)

U

None

CHA, FLI

Spotted Bullhead (Ameiurus serracanthus)

R

None

CHA, FLI

Bluestripe Shiner (Cyprinella callitaenia)

T

None

CHA, FLI

Banded Sunfish (Enneacanthus chaetodon)

R

None

ALT, OCM

OCO, OGE

SAV

Goldstripe Darter (Etheostoma parvipinne)

R

None

CHA, FLI,

OCM

Banded Topminnow (Fundulus auroguttatus)

R

None

CHA, FLI

Bluefin Killifish (Lucania goodie)

U

None

FLI

Robust Redhorse (Moxostoma robustum)

E

None

OCO, OGE

SAV

Redeye Chub (Notropis harperi)

R

None

CHA, FLI,

OCM, OCO

Highscale Shiner (Notropis hypsilepis)

T

None

CHA, FLI

Broadstripe Shiner (Pteronotropis euryzonus)

R

None

CHA

Bluenose Shiner (Pteronotropis welaka)

R

None

CHA, FLI

______________________________________________________________________________

Status: E = endangered; R = rare; T = threatened; U = unusual

Basin: ALT = Altamaha; CHA = Chattahoochee; FLI = Flint; OCM = Ocmulgee; OCO =

Oconee; OGE = Ogeechee; SAV = Savannah

4

Table 2. Index of Biotic Integrity metrics for wadeable streams in the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope drainage basins in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of Georgia. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Metric

Basin Group

Scoring Criteria

1. Number of native species 2. Number of benthic invertivore species 3a. Number of native sunfish speciesa 3b. Number of native centrarchid speciesb 4. Number of native insectivorous cyprinid species 5. Number of native round-bodied sucker species 6a. Number of sensitive speciesa 6b. Number of Intolerant speciesb

ACF / AS ACF / AS ACF / AS ACF / AS ACF / AS ACF / AS ACF / AS ACF / AS

MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs

5

3

1

7. Evenness

ACF

> 77

77 - > 69

< 69

AS

> 72

72 - > 63

< 63

5

8. % of individuals as Lepomis species

ACF

< 26

26 - < 48

< 48

AS

< 28

28 - < 47

< 47

9. % of individuals as insectivorous cyprinids

ACF

> 50

50 - > 27

< 27

AS

> 46

46 - > 23

< 23

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5

3

1

10a. % of individuals as generalist feeders and

ACF / AS

< 16

16 - < 31

< 31

herbivores

10b. % of individuals as top carnivoresb

ACF

> 4.2 - < 10.5

> 2.1 4.2

or

10.5 - < 12.6

AS

> 4.4 - < 11.0

> 2.2 4.4

or

11.0 - < 13.2

< 2.1 or
> 12.6 < 2.2
or > 13.2

6

11. % of individuals as benthic fluvial specialist

ACF

> 33

33 - > 18

< 18

AS

> 17

17 - > 9

< 9

12. Number of individuals per 200 meters

ACF

> 340

340 - > 170

< 170

AS

> 370

370 - > 185

< 185

13. % of individuals with external anomalies

ACF / AS

> 1.2 subtract 4 points from total score

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

a used at sites with an upstream drainage basin area < 15 square miles b used at sites with an upstream drainage basin area > 15 square miles

Table 3. Index of well-being scoring criteria and integrity classes for wadeable streams in the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope drainage basins in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of Georgia.

Iwb

DBA

Integrity

Score

(Sq. miles)

Class

Attributes

> 8.0

< 15

Excellent Comparable to the best regional reference conditions; all regionally expected

> 8.4

> 15

species for the habitat and stream size, including the most intolerant species, are present with a full array of size classes; healthy species diversity within the fish community, indicated by elevated evenness scores; number of individuals

abundant; total biomass is high, with each level of the food web represented, indicating a balanced trophic structure.

8.0 - > 7.3

< 15

8.4 - > 7.8

> 15

Good

Species richness somewhat below expectation; evenness scores decrease as species diversity falls, especially due to the loss of the most intolerant forms; good number of individuals in the sample, with several species of benthic fluvial specialist and insectivorous cyprinids present; some decreases in total biomass as trophic structure shows some signs of stress.

7

7.3 - > 5.9

< 15

7.8 - > 6.6

> 15

Fair

Species richness and diversity decline as some expected species are absent;

abundance of individuals declines; total biomass continues to decline as some

levels of the food web in low abundance or missing; trophic structure skewed

toward generalist feeders and/or Lepomis species as the abundance of

insectivorous cyprinid and benthic fluvial specialist species decreases.

5.9 - > 5.2

< 15

6.6 - > 6.0

> 15

Poor

Number of individuals is low; species richness and diversity are very low, with

benthic fluvial specialist and insectivorous cyprinid species in low abundance or

absent; sample dominated by generalist feeders, herbivores, and Lepomis species;

increase in the proportions of non-native species and hybrids; growth rates

depressed as sample is heavily skewed to the smaller size classes; total biomass

low.

< 5.2

< 15

Very Poor

Sample represented by few individuals, mainly generalist feeders and Lepomis

species; some sites dominated by non-native species; total biomass very low.

< 6.0

> 15

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

References Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. 1999.
Protected Animals of Georgia. Nongame Wildlife Natural Heritage Section, Forsyth, Georgia. Griffith, G.E., J.M. Omernik, J.A. Comstock, S. Lawrence, and T. Foster. 2001. Level III and IV Ecoregions of Georgia, (color poster with map, descriptive text, summary tables, and photographs). Reston, Virginia, U.S. Geological Survey. United States Census Bureau. 2000. 2000 Census of Population and Housing. United States Census Bureau, Washington, D.C.
8

Appendix 1
Apalachicola Basin Group (ACF) MSR Graphs.................................. Atlantic Slope Basins Group (AS) MSR Graphs................................. Southeastern Plains Ecoregion Fish List...........................................

Pg. 10 Pg. 18 Pg. 26

9

10

30
5
25
20
3
15
1
10
5
0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 2.00 2.20 2.40 2.60
ACF1 SEP. Total number of native species in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of the Apalachicola drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Flatlines at 300 square miles. Total samp les equal 98.

5

11

4
5
3
3
2

1

1

0 0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

2.00

2.20

2.40

2.60

ACF2 SEP. Number of benthic invertivore species in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of the Apalachicola drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Flatlines at 300 squa re miles. Total samples equal 98.

6

5
5
4

12

3
3
2

1

1

0 0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

ACF3a SEP. Number of native sunfish species in headwater streams (<15 square mile drainage basin area) in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of the Apalachicola drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 35.

8

7
5
6

5

3

4

3

1

13

2

1

0

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

2.00

2.20

2.40

2.60

ACF3b SEP. Number of native centrarchid species in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of the Apalachicola drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Flatlines at 100 square miles. Total samples equal 63.

8

7
5
6

5

4

3

3

14

2
1
1

0 0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

2.00

2.20

2.40

2.60

ACF4 SEP. Number of native insectivorous cyprinid species in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of the Apalachicola drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Flatlines at 100 square miles. Total samples equal 98.

4

15

3
5

2
3
1
1

0 0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

2.00

2.20

2.40

2.60

ACF5 SEP. Number of native round bodied-sucker species in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of the Apalachicola drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 98.

2
5

16

1
3

1

0

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

ACF6a SEP. Total number of species ranked as sensitive at headwater sites (<15 square miles drainage basin area) in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of the Apalachicola drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 98.

7

6

17

5
5
4

3

3

2

1

1

0 0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

2.00

2.20

2.40

2.60

ACF6b SEP. Number of species ranked as intolerants in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of the Apalachicola drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 35.

30

25

5

20
3
15

18

10
1
5

0 0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

2.00

2.20

2.40

AS1 SEP. Total number of native species in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of the Atlantic Slope drainage basins plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Flatlines at 150 square miles. Total samples equal 101.

6

5

5

4

3

3

19

2
1
1

0 0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

2.00

2.20

2.40

AS2 SEP. Number of benthic invertivore species in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of the Atlantic Slope drainage basins plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Flatlines at 150 square miles. Total samples equal 101.

7

6
5
5

4
3
3

20

2
1
1

0

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

AS3a - SEP. Number of native sunfish species in headwater streams (<15 square miles drainage basin area) in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of the Atlantic Slope drainage basins plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 47.

8

7
5
6

5
3
4

3

1

21

2

1

0 0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

2.00

2.20

2.40

AS3b - SEP. Number of native centrarchid species in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of the Atlantic Slope drainage basins plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Flatlines at 100 square miles. Total samples equal 54.

6

5
5
4

22

3
3
2

1

1

0 0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

2.00

2.20

2.40

AS4 SEP. Number of native insectivorous cyprinid species in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of the Atlantic Slope drainage basins plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Flatlines at 100 square miles. Total samples equal 101.

4

23

3
5

2
3

1
1

0 0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

2.00

2.20

2.40

AS5 SEP. Number of native round-bodied sucker species in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of the Atlantic Slope drainage basins plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 101.

7

6

5

4
5
3
3
2

24

1
1

0 0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

AS6a - SEP. Total number of species ranked as sensitive at headwater sites (<15 square miles drainage basin area) in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of the Atlantic Slope drainage basins plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 47.

5

25

4

3

5

2
3

1
1

0 0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

2.00

2.20

2.40

AS6b - SEP. Number of species ranked as intolerants in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion of the Atlantic Slope drainage basins plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 54.

Fish list for the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope Drainage Basins in the Southeastern Plains Ecoregion of Georgia. (Updated February 28, 2005)

26

Species
Petromyzontidae Southern Brook Lamprey
Ichthyomyzon gagei
Lepisosteidae Florida Gar
Lepisosteus platyrhincus
Longnose Gar Lepisosteus osseus
Spotted Gar Lepisosteus oculatus
Amiidae Bowfin
Amia calva
Anguillidae American Eel
Anguilla rostrata
Clupeidae Alabama Shad
Alosa alabamae
Skipjack Herring Alosa chrysochloris
American Shad Alosa sapidissima
Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum

Tolerance Ranking

Feeding Guild
HB

CR CR CR

CR

CR

IN CR IN GE

Species Category

Drainage Basin
CHA, FLI

ALT, OCM, OCO CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, FLI

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

CHA, FLI CHA ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Fish list for the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope Drainage Bas ins in the Southeastern Plains Ecoregion of Georgia.

Species

Tolerance Ranking

Feeding Guild

Species Category

Drainage Basin

Threadfin Shad Dorosoma petenense

HB

CHA, FLI, ALT**, OCM**, OCO**, SAV**

Cyprinidae Bluefin Stoneroller
Campostoma pauciradii

HB

CHA, FLI

Goldfish Carassius auratus

GE

EXOTIC

Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella

HB

EXOTIC

Ocmulgee Shiner Cyprinella callisema

INT

IC

SMM

OCM, OCO, OGE

27

Bluestripe Shiner Cyprinella callitaenia

INT

IC

SMM

CHA, FLI

Bannerfin Shiner Cyprinella leedsi

IC

SMM

ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Whitefin Shiner Cyprinella nivea

IC

SMM

SAV

Blacktail Shiner Cyprinella venusta

IC

CHA, FLI

Common Carp Cyprinus carpio

GE

EXOTIC

Silverjaw Minnow Ericymba buccata

IC

SMM

CHA, FLI, OCM

Fish list for the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope Drainage Basins in the Southeastern Plains Ecoregion of Georgia.

28

Species
Eastern Silvery Minnow Hybognathus regius
Rosyface Chub Hybopsis rubrifrons
Coastal Chub Hybopsis sp. cf. winchelli
Bandfin Shiner Luxilus zonistius
Blacktip Shiner Lythrurus atrapiculus
Bluehead Chub Nocomis leptocephalus
Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas
Ironcolor Shiner Notropis chalybaeus
Dusky Shiner Notropis cummingsae
Redeye Chub Notropis harperi
Spottail Shiner Notropis hudsonius
Highscale Shiner Notropis hypsilepis

Tolerance Ranking
INT INT INT
INT INT

Feeding Guild
HB IC IC IC IC GE GE IC IC IC IC IC

Species Category
SMM SMM
SMM SMM SMM

Drainage Basin
ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV OGE, SAV CHA, FLI CHA, FLI CHA, FLI CHA, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, FLI, OCM, OCO FLI, OCM, OCO CHA, FLI

Fish list for the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope Drainage Basins in the Southeas tern Plains Ecoregion of Georgia.

Species

Tolerance Ranking

Feeding Guild

Species Category

Drainage Basin

Longnose Shiner Notropis longirostris

IC

SMM

CHA, FLI

Yellowfin Shiner Notropis lutipinnis

IC

FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Tailight Shiner Notropis maculatus

INT

IC

SMM

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Coastal Shiner Notropis petersoni

IC

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Weed Shiner Notropis texanus

IC

CHA, FLI, OCM

29

Pugnose Minnow Opsopoeodus emiliae

INT

IC

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Broadstripe Shiner Pteronotropis euryzonus

IC

CHA

Sailfin Shiner

IC

Pteronotropis hypselopterus

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Bluenose Shiner Pteronotropis welaka

IC

SMM

CHA, FLI

Creek Chub Semotilus atromaculatus

GE

OGE, SAV

Dixie Chub Semotilus thoreauianus

GE

CHA, FLI

Catostomidae Quillback
Carpoides cyprinus

GE

CHA

Fish list for the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope Drainage Basins in the Southeastern Plains Ecoregion of Georgia.

Species

Tolerance Ranking

Feeding Guild

Species Category

Drainage Basin

Creek Chubsucker Erimyzon oblongus

IN

RBS

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Lake Chubsucker Erimyzon sucetta

INT

IN

RBS

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Northern Hogsucker Hypentelium nigricans

IN

RBS

SAV

Spotted Sucker Minytrema melanops

IN

RBS

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

V-lip Redhorse Moxostoma collapsum

INT

IN

RBS

ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

30

Apalachicola Redhorse Moxostoma sp.

INT

IN

RBS

CHA, FLI

Greater Jumprock Scartomyzon lachneri

INT

IN

RBS

CHA, FLI

Striped Jumprock Scartomyzon rupiscartes

IN

RBS

OCM

Ictaluridae Snail Bullhhead
Ameiurus brunneus

GE

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

White Catfish Ameiurus catus

GE

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Yellow Bullhead Ameiurus natalis

GE

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Brown Bullhead Ameiurus nebulosus

GE

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Fish list for the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope Drainage Basins in the Southeastern Plains Ecoregion of Georgia.

Species

Tolerance Ranking

Feeding Guild

Species Category

Drainage Basin

Flat Bullhead Ameiurus platycephalus

GE

ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Spotted Bullhead Ameiurus serracanthus

GE

CHA, FLI

Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus

GE

CHA, FLI, ALT**, OCM**, OCO**, OGE**, SAV**

Tadpole Madtom Noturus gyrinus

HWI

IN

BI

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Margined Madtom Noturus insignis

INT

IN

BI

SAV

31

Speckled Madtom Noturus leptacanthus

HWI

IN

BI

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris

CR

FLI**, ALT**, OCM**, OCO**, OGE**, SAV**

Esocidae Redfin Pickerel
Esox americanus

CR

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Chain Pickerel Esox niger

CR

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Umbridae Eastern Mudminnow
Umbra pygmaea

IN

ALT, OGE, SAV

Aphredoderidae Pirate Perch
Aphredoderus sayanus

IN

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Fish list for the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope Drainage Basins in the Southeastern Plains Ecoregion of Georgia.

Species

Tolerance Ranking

Feeding Guild

Species Category

Drainage Basin

Amblyopsidae Swampfish
Clologaster cornuta

IN

ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Fundulidae Banded Topminnow
Fundulus auroguttatus

IN

CHA, FLI

Golden Topminnow Fundulus chrysotus

IN

CHA, FLI

Russetfin Topminnow Fundulus escambiae

IN

CHA, FLI

Lined Topminnow Fundulus lineolatus

GE

ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

32

Blackspotted Topminnow Fundulus olivaceus

IN

CHA

Pygmy Killifish Leptolucania ommata

IN

CHA, FLI, ALT

Bluefin Killifish Lucania goodie

HB

FLI

Poeciliidae Mosquitofish
Gambusia sp.

GE

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Least Killifish Heterandria formosa

IN

CHA, FLI

Fish list for the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope Drainage Basins in the Southeastern Plains Ecoregion of Georgia.

33

Species
Antheridae Brook Silversides
Labidesthes sicculus
Percichthyidae White Bass
Morone chrysops
Striped Bass Morone saxatalis
Elassomatidae Banded Pygmy Sunfish
Elassoma zonatum
Everglades Pygmy Sunfish Elassoma evergladei
Okefenokee Pygmy Sunfish Elassoma okefenokee
Centrarchidae Mud Sunfish
Acantharchus pomotis
Shadow Bass Ambloplites ariommus
Flier Centrarchus macropterus
Blackbanded Sunfish Enneacanthus chaetodon
Bluespotted Sunfish Enneacanthus gloriosus

Tolerance Ranking

Feeding Guild
IN

CR CR

IN IN IN

IN

INT

CR

IN

IN

IN

Species Category

Drainage Basin
CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

CHA**, FLI**, SAV** CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV ALT, OCM, OCO

SF

ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

SF

CHA, FLI

SF

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

SF

FLI

SF

FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Fish list for the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope Drainage Basins in the Southeastern Plains Ecoregion of Georgia.

34

Species
Banded Sunfish Enneacanthus obesus
Redbreast Sunfish Lepomis auritus
Green Sunfish Lepomis cyanellus
Warmouth Lepomis gulosus
Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus
Dollar Sunfish Lepomis marginatus
Longear Sunfish Lepomis megalotis
Redear Sunfish Lepomis microlophus
Spotted Sunfish Lepomis punctatus
Shoal Bass Micropterus cataractae
Spotted Bass Micropterus punctulatus
Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides

Tolerance Ranking
INT

Feeding Guild
IN IN IN CR IN IN IN IN IN CR CR CR

Species Category
SF SF
SF SF SF
SF SF CENT
CENT

Drainage Basin
ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA**, FLI**, ALT**, OCM**, OCO**, OGE**, SAV** CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA**, FLI**, OCM**, OCO** CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, CHA, FLI CHA**, FLI** CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Fish list for the Apalachicola and Atlantic Slope Drainage Basins in the Southeastern Plains Ecoregion of Georgia.

Species

Tolerance Ranking

Feeding Guild

Species Category

Drainage Basin

White Crappie Pomoxis annularis

CR

CHA**, FLI**

Black Crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus

CR

CENT

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Percidae Brown Darter
Etheostoma edwini

IN

BI

CHA, FLI

Savannah Darter Etheostoma fricksium

IN

BI

SAV

Swamp Darter Etheostoma fusiforme

IN

BI

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

35

Christmas Darter Etheostoma hopkinsi

HWI

IN

BI

ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Tessellated Darter Etheostoma olmstedi

INT

IN

BI

ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Goldstripe Darter Etheostoma parvipinne

IN

BI

CHA, FLI, OCM

Sawcheek Darter Etheostoma serrifer

IN

BI

ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Gulf Darter Etheostoma swaini

INT

IN

BI

CHA, FLI

Blackbanded Darter Percina nigrofasciata

IN

BI

CHA, FLI, ALT, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV

Yellow Perch Perca flavescens

CR

EXOTIC

Water Quality Tolerance: HWI = headwater intolerant; INT = intolerant Feeding Guild: CR = top carnivore; GE = generalist; HB = herbivore; IC = insectivorous cyprinid; IN = insectivore/invertivore Species Category: BI = benthic insectivore species; CENT = centrarchid species; RBS = round-bodied sucker species; SF = sunfish species; SMM =
subterminal mouth minnow species Drainage Basin: ALT = Altamaha; CHA = Chattahoochee; FLI = Flint; OCM = Ocmulgee; OCO = Oconee; OGE = Ogeechee; SAV = Savannah EXOTIC = introduced to Georgia ** = species introduced to that drainage basin

36