Percina roanoka

Percina roanoka
Roanoke Darter – Percina roanoka – Dan

Percina roanoka

FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
PercidaePercina roanoka(Jordan and Jenkins)1889Roanoke Darter

Unique Characteristics: Belly and interpelvic area with 1 or more highly modified (enlarged, often strong-spined) modified scales. Gill membranes narrowly joined, 40-50°. Snout blunt. Spinous dorsal fin rays 10 or 11 (10-12). Lateral line scales 42-48 (40-49). Lateral blotches 10 (9-12), vertical bars; no dark wavy line present above lateral stripe. Chin bar absent. Breeding males with blue, green, or orange on body or fins. Spinous dorsal fin with wide orange band bordered above by narrow black band. Restricted to Roanoke, Chowan, Tar, and Neuse basins.

Similar Species:

Chainback Darter Percina nevisensis. Belly and interpelvic area with 1 or more highly modified (enlarged, often strong-spined) modified scales. Gill membranes narrowly joined, 40-50°. Snout blunt. Atlantic slope drainages. Spinous dorsal fin rays 13 (12-15). Lateral line scales 54-61 (52-64). Lateral blotches 6 or 7, horizontally elongated, joined to form a stripe; dark wavy line often present above lateral stripe. Chin bar present. Breeding males with no blue, green, or orange on body or fins. Restricted to Roanoke, Chowan, Tar, and Neuse basins.

Percina nevisensis
Chainback Darter – Percina nevisensis

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