Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: CAVEFISH, KARST

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: OSTEICHTHYES

Order: PERCOPSIFORMES

Family: AMBLYOPSIDAE

Genus: FORBESICHTHYS

Species: PAPILLIFERUS

Taxonomic Authority: PUTNAM

Taxonomy References: 019 , 002

Status

NONGAME
STATE ENDANGERED
STATE RANK S1
GLOBAL RANK G4G5

Status References: 015 , 017 , 003 , 010

Habitat Summary

"Occurs in cave streams, springs and spring branches with cold, clear water, little or no current and mud, silt, sand or gravel bottom."

Primary Habitat: "Cave"

References: 007 , 008 , 009

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Has been found in Scott county *001,014,017*."

County Occurance

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

References for distribution: 012 , 014 , 017 , 007 , 001

Distribution by Watersheds

Miss. R. from River Aux Vases to Ohio R.

Comments: ""

Distribution by Ecoregions

Mississippi River Alluvial Plains

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Southern Floodplain Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"See Comments"
"Riverine"

References for Aquatic Associations: 007 , 008 , 009 , 010

Habitat Types:

Permanent Stream

References for Habitat Types: 004

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Caves
Effluent Cave
Influent Cave
Wet Pit Cave

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 011 , 012 , 007 , 008 , 009

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

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

Detritus (organic); Not Specified
Arthropods; Not Specified
Crustaceans; Not Specified
Copepods (Cyclops, Calanus); Not Specified
Malacostraca (lobster, shrimp, crayfish, crabs); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 018 , 009

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

Water temperature: cold water: less than 21 c (70 f)
Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Dissolved oxygen specified in comments(00020)
Ph/alkalinity specified in comments(00030)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Current velocity: no noticable current
Current velocity: slow current
Seeps/springs specified in comments(00210)
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: spring outlet
Inland wetlands: spring pool
Inland wetlands: spring branch
Inland wetlands: cave streams

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 011 , 012 , 007 , 008 , 009

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Dissolved oxygen specified in comments(00020)
Ph/alkalinity specified in comments(00030)
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Underwater cover: organic debris
Underwater cover: rocks
Underwater cover specified in comments(00105)
Seeps/springs specified in comments(00210)

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 011 , 012 , 007 , 008 , 009

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Water temperature: cold water: less than 21 c (70 f)
Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Dissolved oxygen specified in comments(00020)
Ph/alkalinity specified in comments(00030)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Current velocity: no noticable current
Current velocity: slow current
Seeps/springs specified in comments(00210)
Inland wetlands: spring outlet
Inland wetlands: spring pool
Inland wetlands: spring branch
Inland wetlands: cave streams

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 011 , 012 , 007 , 008 , 009

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Water temperature: cold water: less than 21 c (70 f)
Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Dissolved oxygen specified in comments(00020)
Ph/alkalinity specified in comments(00030)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Current velocity: no noticable current
Current velocity: slow current
Seeps/springs specified in comments(00210)
Inland wetlands: spring outlet
Inland wetlands: spring pool
Inland wetlands: spring branch
Inland wetlands: cave streams

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 011 , 012 , 007 , 008 , 009

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Water temperature: cold water: less than 21 c (70 f)
Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Dissolved oxygen specified in comments(00020)
Ph/alkalinity specified in comments(00030)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Current velocity: no noticable current
Current velocity: slow current
Seeps/springs specified in comments(00210)
Inland wetlands: spring outlet
Inland wetlands: spring pool
Inland wetlands: spring branch
Inland wetlands: cave streams

References for resting adult niche requirements: 011 , 012 , 007 , 008 , 009

Niche Requirement Summary

Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Current velocity: no noticable current
Current velocity: slow current
Dissolved oxygen specified in comments(00020)
Inland wetlands: cave streams
Inland wetlands: spring branch
Inland wetlands: spring outlet
Inland wetlands: spring pool
Inland wetlands: swamp
Ph/alkalinity specified in comments(00030)
Seeps/springs specified in comments(00210)
Underwater cover specified in comments(00105)
Underwater cover: organic debris
Underwater cover: rocks
Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Water temperature: cold water: less than 21 c (70 f)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
004 Finds food by touch *009*
034 Food is a limiting factor *008*
007 Probably spawn in February *008*
012 Spawn in underground water *008,009*
022 First spawn when 11-12 months old *008*, are mature when 43 mm long *009*. Reach maturity at about 40 mm TL *017*.
030 Are active in springs *008* or other open water at night *009*, during the day, retreat underground *008* or hide under rocks or other cover *009*
099 Larval growth occurs underground *009*, fry first appear in surface water in early March *008*. Oldest individuals found in one study were 14-28 months old *008*
040 Will gather in small groups, may or may not be schooling *009*
030 In MO study, appeared to remain in the spring pool throughout the night, and retreat to subterranean cover near sunrise *017*.

Life History Information

Periodicity: active at night
Periodicity specified in comments(030)
Periodicity specified in comments(030)
Limiting factors specified in comments(034)
Schooling behavior specified in comments(040)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Foraging strategy specified in comments(004)
Foraging sites: water
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Spawning site specified in comments(012)
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
004 Finds food by touch *009*
034 Food is a limiting factor *008*
007 Probably spawn in February *008*
012 Spawn in underground water *008,009*
022 First spawn when 11-12 months old *008*, are mature when 43 mm long *009*. Reach maturity at about 40 mm TL *017*.
030 Are active in springs *008* or other open water at night *009*, during the day, retreat underground *008* or hide under rocks or other cover *009*
099 Larval growth occurs underground *009*, fry first appear in surface water in early March *008*. Oldest individuals found in one study were 14-28 months old *008*
040 Will gather in small groups, may or may not be schooling *009*
030 In MO study, appeared to remain in the spring pool throughout the night, and retreat to subterranean cover near sunrise *017*.

References for life history: 017 , 001 , 008 , 009

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Protect caves from human disturbance
Water - control pollution (thermal, physical, chemical)
Water - protect natural hydrology to avoid lowering of the water table

Beneficial Management References: 014 , 006

Adverse Managment Practices:

Adverse Management References:

Comments on Management:
Is important to maintain the integrity of spring openings, to allow movement between surface and subterranean habitats. Must ensure that sedimentation doesn't fill openings and block movements between these habitats *017*. A MO study recommends independent management of the following zones to maintain species integrity: middle Arkansas river drainage, White River drainage, Osage River drainage, Eleven point/Current R. Drainage. Recommendations: 1) avoid transplant of cavefish between zones, 2) avoid fragmentation of populations within zones, 3) maintain dispersal barriers between zones. River channelization and road construction should be confined to between-zone areas, dam building between zones should be avoided, 4) water table reduction may be detrimental. *014*. Forested buffers 100 feed wide should be maintained along streams and around sinkhole and cave entrances *016*.

References for Management Comments: 014 , 016 , 017

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.
003 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
004 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
005 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
006 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. Mo Dept. Of Conservation, 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
007 Mcdonald, E.F.,Jr. and W.L. Pflieger. 1979. The Spring Cavefish, Chologaster Agassizi (Pices: Amblyopsidae), In Southeastern Missouri. Am. Midl. Nat. 102(1):194-196.
008 Poulson, T.L. 1963. Cave Adaptation In Amblyopsid Fishes. Amer. Midl. Nat. 70(2):257-290.
009 Weise, J.G. 1957. The Spring Cave-Fish Chologaster Papilliferus, In Illinois. Ecology 38:195-204.
010 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
011 Woods, L.P. and R.F. Inger. 1957. The Cave, Spring, And Swamp Fishes Of The Family Amblyopsidae Of Central And Eastern United States. Am. Midl. Nat. 58:232-256.
012 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. The Stream Resources Of Missouri. D-J Project F-1-R-28. Study S-20. Mo Dept. Of Conserv., 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880). Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
013 Pflieger, W.L. 1989. Aquatic Community Classification System For Missouri. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Aquatic Series No. 19. 70 Pp + Supplement.
014 Bergstrom, D.E., Jr., D.B. Noltie and T.P. Holtsford. 1995. Ozark Cavefish Genetics: The Phylogeny Of Missouri's Ozark Cavefish (Amblyopsis Rosae) And Southern Cavefish (Typhlichthys Subterraneus). Mo Dept. Of Conservation Final Report. End. Species Proj. Se-01-27. 42 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 Missouri Department Of Conservation. Best Management Practices: Spring Cavefish. Mo Dept. Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo.
017 Unpb Adams, G.L., S. R. Adams, A.L. Phillips and B.M. Burr. 2002. Natural history and habitat utilization of the spring cavefish, Forbesichthys agassizi, in southeast Missouri. Report submitted to Missouri Department of Conservation, 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, MO 65201 (573-882-9909). 58 pp.
018 Hill, L.G. 1969. Feeding and food habits of the spring cavefish, Chologaster agassizi. Am. Mid. Nat. 82: 110-116.
019 Adams, G. L., Burr, B. M., and Warren Jr., M. L. 2020. In Freshwater Fishes of North America: Characidae to Poeciliidae (Vol. 2, pp. 281–321). Johns Hopkins University Press.