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• Taxonomy
• Status
• Distribution
• Habitat Associations
• Food Habits
• Niche Requirements
• Life History Information
• Management
• References

Taxonomy

Common Name: KILLIFISH, PLAINS

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: OSTEICHTHYES

Order: ATHERINIFORMES

Family: CYPRINODONTIDAE

Genus: FUNDULUS

Species: ZEBRINUS

Taxonomic Authority: JORDAN and GILBERT

Taxonomy References: 002

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S2
GLOBAL RANK G5

Status References: 011 , 015

Habitat Summary

"Occurs in all types of stream habitat, including shallow areas with swift current, pools and backwaters."

Primary Habitat: "Aquatic - river/stream"

References: 001

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Abundant only in Salt Creek below Boone's Lick Spring, Howard county and in Clear Creek, Clay county. *001*."

County Occurance

County Occurence

Known	Likely	Unknown	Not Likely	Historic	Extirpated
ATCHISON		ANDREW	ADAIR
BOONE		BUCHANAN	AUDRAIN
CLAY		CALDWELL	BARRY
CLINTON		CALLAWAY	BARTON
HOWARD		CARROLL	BATES
PLATTE		CHARITON	BENTON
		COLE	BOLLINGER
		COOPER	BUTLER
		FRANKLIN	CAMDEN
		HOLT	CAPE GIRARDEAU
		JACKSON	CARTER
		LAFAYETTE	CASS
		MACON	CEDAR
		MONITEAU	CHRISTIAN
		MONTGOMERY	CLARK
		NODAWAY	CRAWFORD
		OSAGE	DADE
		RANDOLPH	DALLAS
		RAY	DAVIESS
		SALINE	DEKALB
		WARREN	DENT
			DOUGLAS
			DUNKLIN
			GASCONADE
			GENTRY
			GREENE
			GRUNDY
			HARRISON
			HENRY
			HICKORY
			HOWELL
			IRON
			JASPER
			JEFFERSON
			JOHNSON
			KNOX
			LACLEDE
			LAWRENCE
			LEWIS
			LINCOLN
			LINN
			LIVINGSTON
			MADISON
			MARIES
			MARION
			MCDONALD
			MERCER
			MILLER
			MISSISSIPPI
			MONROE
			MORGAN
			NEW MADRID
			NEWTON
			OREGON
			OZARK
			PEMISCOT
			PERRY
			PETTIS
			PHELPS
			PIKE
			POLK
			PULASKI
			PUTNAM
			RALLS
			REYNOLDS
			RIPLEY
			SCHUYLER
			SCOTLAND
			SCOTT
			SHANNON
			SHELBY
			ST. CHARLES
			ST. CLAIR
			ST. FRANCOIS
			ST. LOUIS
			STE. GENEVIEVE
			STODDARD
			STONE
			SULLIVAN
			TANEY
			TEXAS
			VERNON
			WASHINGTON
			WAYNE
			WEBSTER
			WORTH
			WRIGHT

References for distribution: 001 , 003 , 010 , 012

Distribution by Watersheds

Mo. R. from Nishnabotna R. to Nodaway R.
Mo.R. from Nodaway to Kansas City
Little Chariton R.
Mo. R. from Kansas City to Little Chariton R.

Comments: ""

Distribution by Ecoregions

Central Till Plains, Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains: Western
Glaciated Plains: Grand River
Big Rivers: Upper Missouri
Big Rivers: Lower Missouri
Ozark Border: Missouri River

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"Riverine, lower perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, mud"

References for Aquatic Associations: 001 , 004 , 006

Habitat Types:

Permanent Stream

References for Habitat Types: 007

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Omnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Osteichthyes (bony fishes); Egg stage
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Larva stage
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Larva stage
Osteichthyes (bony fishes); Not Specified
Aquatic Insects; Not Specified
Bacillariophyceae (diatoms); Not Specified
Rotiferans; Not Specified
Ostracods (Eucypris); Not Specified
Copepods (Cyclops, Calanus); Not Specified
Malacostraca (lobster, shrimp, crayfish, crabs); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Plecoptera (stoneflies); Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 005 , 006

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Bottom type: mud or silt
Water level: permanently flooded
Salinity specified in comments(00190)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 004 , 006

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Salinity specified in comments(00190)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 004 , 006

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Bottom type: sand
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Water level: permanently flooded
Salinity specified in comments(00190)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 001 , 004 , 006

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Dissolved oxygen specified in comments(00020)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Big river habitat: backwaters
Water level: permanently flooded
Salinity specified in comments(00190)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Stream order: second order stream
Stream order: third order stream
Stream order: fourth order stream
Stream order: ninth order or greater stream
Stream order specified in comments(00260)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 001 , 003 , 004 , 006 , 014 , 016

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Dissolved oxygen specified in comments(00020)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Big river habitat: backwaters
Water level: permanently flooded
Salinity specified in comments(00190)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Stream order: second order stream
Stream order: third order stream
Stream order: fourth order stream
Stream order: ninth order or greater stream
Stream order specified in comments(00260)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for resting adult niche requirements: 001 , 003 , 004 , 006

Niche Requirement Summary

Big river habitat: backwaters
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Dissolved oxygen specified in comments(00020)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Salinity specified in comments(00190)
Stream order specified in comments(00260)
Stream order: fourth order stream
Stream order: ninth order or greater stream
Stream order: second order stream
Stream order: third order stream
Water level: permanently flooded
Water temperature specified in comments(00010)

Comments about Life History:

Code	Comment
016	Nest is a small hole in sand approximately 1/8" in diameter *006*
022	In KS mature in 2nd summer *005*. In MO mature at approximately 35 mm or 1 year of age *006*
035	Predators include fish eating birds, largemouth bass, green sunfish, black bullhead, channel cat, and creek chub *005*. Major ectoparasites include the copepod lernaea sp., the protozoan ichthyophthirius sp., and metacercaria of the trematode neascus sp. *005*
099	In MO spawning seems to be preceded by moderate to heavy rain *006*. May bury themselves in sand of bottom to remain cool during periods of high water temperatures *006*
007	In KS spawn May-June *005*. In MO there appear to be 3 spawning periods during June and July and possibly a 4th during first week of August *006*

Life History Information

Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Foraging strategy: gleaning
Foraging sites: water
Foraging sites: feed on bottom of stream, lake or pond
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Mating system: promiscuity
Spawning site: sand
Nest dimensions specified in comments(016)
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)

Comments about Life History:

Code	Comment
016	Nest is a small hole in sand approximately 1/8" in diameter *006*
022	In KS mature in 2nd summer *005*. In MO mature at approximately 35 mm or 1 year of age *006*
035	Predators include fish eating birds, largemouth bass, green sunfish, black bullhead, channel cat, and creek chub *005*. Major ectoparasites include the copepod lernaea sp., the protozoan ichthyophthirius sp., and metacercaria of the trematode neascus sp. *005*
099	In MO spawning seems to be preceded by moderate to heavy rain *006*. May bury themselves in sand of bottom to remain cool during periods of high water temperatures *006*
007	In KS spawn May-June *005*. In MO there appear to be 3 spawning periods during June and July and possibly a 4th during first week of August *006*

References for life history: 005 , 006 , 009

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Beneficial Management References:

Adverse Managment Practices:

Adverse Management References:

Comments on Management:

References for Management Comments:

References

Reference Code	Citation
001	Pflieger, W.L. 1997. The Fishes Of Missouri, Revised Edition. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 372 Pp.
002	Nelson, Joseph S., Edwin J. Crossman, Héctor Espinosa-Pérez, Lloyd T. Findley, Carter R. Gilbert, Robert N. Lea, and James D. Williams. 2004. Common And Scientific Names Of Fishes From The United States, Canada and Mexico (6th Ed.). Amer. Fish Soc. Spec. Publ. No. 29. 386 pp.
003	Unpb Pflieger, W.L. The Stream Resources Of Missouri. D-J Project F-1-R-28. Study S-20. Mo Dept. Conserv. 1110 S. College Ave. Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
004	Claypool, D. 1981. The Habitat Of The Plains Killifish (Fundulus Kansae) In The Lower Yellowstone River Drainage, Montana. Proc. Mt Acad. Sci. 40:25-30.
005	Minckley, C.O. and H.E. Klaassen. 1969. Life History Of The Plains Killifish, Fundulus Kansae (Garman), In The Smokey Hill River,
006	Unpb Bonham, L.E. 1962. Ecology Of A Saline Spring, Boone's Lick. M.A. Thesis, Univ. Mo, 89 Pp.
007	Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
008	Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
009	Koster, W.J. 1948. Notes On The Spawning Activities And The Young Stages Of Plancterus Kansae (Garman). Copeia 1948(1):25-33.
010	Unpb Pflieger, W.L. Mo Dept. Of Conserv., 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
011	The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
012	Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
013	Pflieger, W.L. 1989. Aquatic Community Classification System For Missouri. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Aquatic Series No. 19. 70 Pp + Supplement.
014	Unpb Gelwicks, G.T. 1995. Fish Movement Between The Lower Missouri River And A Managed Floodplain Wetland In Missouri. M.S. Thesis, Univ. Of Missouri-Columbia. 190 Pp.
015	Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.
016	Ostrand, K.G. and G.R. Wilde. 2001. Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen And Salinity Tolerances Of Five Prairie Stream Fishes And Their Role In Explaining Fish Assemblage Patterns. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 130:742-749.