| Family | Scientific Name | Author | Year | Common Name |
| Percidae | Percina versicolor | Wood and Near | 2026 | Russet Darter |
Percina versicolor
Unique Characteristics: One to three enlarged and often spiny scales between pelvic fins and one enlarged scale usually present just behind midbreast indentation; breast naked except for a single enlarged scale or small central patch of scales. Midventral scales on belly enlarged. Scales large, lateral line scales 60.0 ± 3.48 (mean ± standard deviation). Mouth subterminal; snout blunt, not conical and fleshy, not “piglike.” Lateral blotches usually connected to form a continuous lateral stripe; subocular bar present. Soft dorsal fin rays 12.3 ± 0.67 (mean ± standard deviation). Cheek and opercle often naked or weakly scaled; nape well scaled. Gill membranes narrowly joined, 40–50° angle.
Distribution in North Carolina: Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, Pigeon, French Broad, and Nolichucky River basins.
Similar Species: None
References:
Tracy, B.H., F.C. Rohde, S.A. Smith, J.L. Bissette, and G.M. Hogue. 2024. A guide to North Carolina’s freshwater fishes. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC. 454 pp.
Wood, J.E., A. Taylor, M.F. Stokes, and T.J. Near. 2026. Four new species of darters related to Percina evides (Percidae: Etheostomatinae). Bulletin of the Peabody Museum of Natural History 67(1):23–58, April 2026.
