Etheostoma maculaticeps

Etheostoma maculaticeps
Southern Tessellated Darter – Etheostoma maculaticeps – Cape Fear Basin

Etheostoma maculaticeps

FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
PercidaeEtheostoma maculaticeps(Cope)1870Southern Tessellated Darter


Note: The taxonomic status of Southern Tessellated Darter, Etheostoma maculaticeps was recently resolved (MacGuigan, D. J., O. D. Orr, and T. J. Near. 2023. Phylogeography, hybridization, and species discovery in the Etheostoma nigrum complex (Percidae: Etheostoma: Boleosoma). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 178: no. 107645). In North Carolina Southern Tessellated Darter is found in the Cape Fear, Shallotte, Lumber, Yadkin, Catawba, Broad, and New River basins.

Unique Characteristics: Belly and interpelvic area lacking modified scales. Lateral line normal, not arched upward. Two anal spines; anal rays 7 or 8 (7-10). Lateral line scales 39-54. Gill membranes narrowly joined, 55-75°. Caudal fin truncate. Infraorbital canal normally complete, often incomplete in specimens from the Cape Fear basin.

Riverweed Darter
Etheostoma podostemone

Tessellated” Darter
Etheostoma sp. cf. olmstedi

Etheostoma podostemone
Riverweed Darter – Etheostoma podostemone
Etheostoma sp. cf. olmstedi - "Tessellated" Darter
Etheostoma sp. cf. olmstedi – “Tessellated” Darter

Riverweed Darter Etheostoma podostemone. Belly and interpelvic area lacking modified scales. Lateral line normal, not arched upward. 1st  anal spine flexible, as thin as 2nd anal spine. Gill membranes broadly joined, 100-110°. Caudal fin rounded. Breeding males with bright orange spots in both dorsal fins and in caudal fin. Restricted to the upper and middle Dan River system in the Roanoke basin.

“Tessellated” Darter Etheostoma sp. cf. olmstedi. Belly and interpelvic area lacking modified scales. Lateral line normal, not arched upward. Gill membranes narrowly joined, 55-75°. One anal spine; anal rays 7 or 8 (7-10). Lateral line scales 39-54. Caudal fin emarginate or truncate. Infraorbital canal incomplete. In North Carolina this undescribed taxon is found in the White Oak, Neuse, Roanoke, Chowan, and Albemarle Sound basins

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