{{Short description|Species of fish}} {{Speciesbox | image = Noturus munitus.jpg | status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 15 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=NatureServe |date=2013 |title=''Noturus munitus'' |volume=2013 |article-number=e.T14904A19034582 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T14904A19034582.en |access-date=15 November 2021}}</ref> | taxon = Noturus munitus | authority = Suttkus & W. R. Taylor, 1965 | synonyms = }}
The '''frecklebelly madtom''' ('''''Noturus munitus''''') is a species of fish in the family Ictaluridae endemic to the United States. Madtoms are in the genus ''Noturus'', which is a group of catfish prevalent in North America. In 2023, the Upper Coosa River distinct population segment (DPS) of ''N. munitus'' was listed as federally threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/2800|title=Frecklebelly madtom (''Noturus munitus'')|website=Environmental Conservation Online System|publisher=U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service|access-date=19 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Federal Register|88|13038}}</ref>
==Description== The frecklebelly madtom is a robust, boldly patterned member of the monophyletic saddled madtom subgenus ''Rabida''.<ref name="ref8">Hardman, M. 2004. The phylogenetic relationships among ''Noturus'' catfishes (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae) as inferred from mitochondrial gene cytochrome b and nuclear recombination activating gene 2. ''Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution'' 30:395-408. {{doi|10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00203-3}}</ref> Historically, the population thrived in large rivers in the Mobile Basin and Pearl River drainages in the southeastern United States.<ref name="ref3">Bennet, Micah G., Kuhajda, Bernard R., and Howell, J. Heath. 2008. Status of the Imperiled Frecklebelly Madtom, ''Noturus munitus'' (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae): A Review of Data from Field Surveys, Museum Records, and the Literature. ''Southeastern Naturalist'' 7:459-474. {{doi|10.1656/1528-7092-7.3.459}}</ref> However, it is currently limited to the Gulf Coastal Plain rivers.<ref name="ref2">Bennett, Micah G., Arrington, Albrey D., Kuhajda, Bernard R., and Shepard, Thomas E. 2005. Threatened fishes of the world: ''Noturus munitus'' Suttkus & Taylor 1965 (Ictaluridae). ''Environmental Biology of Fishes'' 73:226. {{doi|10.1007/s10641-004-4232-3}}</ref> The species lives exclusively in medium to large rivers free of sedimentation and over gravel shoals.<ref name="ref2"/> They spawn between June and August while producing 50 to 75 mature eggs in a single clutch.<ref name="ref2"/>
All madtom species, including ''N. munitus'' have experienced decline since the 1950s due to channelization, gravel mining, dredging, and siltation, which reduce the ability for the species to properly breed and survive. <!-- An effective management plan for this species should concentrate on habitat protection and further biological research. A potential plan could include: monitoring species populations, preventing construction of dams, conducting biological research, and developing riparian buffer zones. Once riparian habitat and stream restoration are created and maintained, the reintroduction of ''Noturus munitus'' could be possible. -->
==Distribution== ''N. munitus '' is a diminutive catfish with a disjunct distribution across the southeastern United States. It is historically known from the Pearl River drainage and the Upper Tombigbee River drainage in Mississippi and Louisiana, and the Alabama River and Cahaba River drainages in Alabama. However, it has been extirpated from the main channel of the Tombigbee and Alabama Rivers, and is currently limited to the Coastal Plain rivers.<ref name="ref2"/> The species lives exclusively in medium to large rivers free of sedimentation and over gravel shoals.<ref name="ref2"/> ''N. munitus'' has declined rapidly since the mid-1950s when river modification began. The loss of gravel substrates and increased levels of sedimentation due to poor agricultural practices have also affected the species. It is now reliably found in high numbers in only a few locations and is considered threatened with extinction.<ref name="ref3"/>
==Ecology== The habitats of ''N. munitus'' and other ''Noturus'' species are very specific. They must have moving, cool water, with no sedimentation. Dams interrupt the water flows, and sedimentation can cover eggs, preventing them from hatching. Several large-river specialists were frequently collected with ''N. munitus'', including ''Macrhybopsis'' sp.cf. ''aestivalis'' (speckled chub), ''Macrhybopsis storeriana'' (silver chub), ''Notropis uranoscopus'' Suttkus (skygazing shiner), ''Crystallaria asprella'' (crystal darter), ''Percina lenticula'' (freckled darter), and ''P. vigil'' (saddleback darter).<ref name="ref4">Bennet, Micah G., Kuhajda, Bernard R., and Khudamrongsawat, Jenjit. 2010. Life-history Attributes of the Imperiled Frecklebelly Madtom, ''Noturus munitus'' (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae), in the Cahaba River System, Alabama. ''Southeastern Naturalist'' 9(3): 507-520. {{doi|10.1656/058.009.0309}}</ref>
Since ''N. munitus'' is an opportunistic insectivore, like most of these fish, competition for food may be present in the ecology of the species. A diet analysis showed Bactidae nymphs (31%), Hydropsychidae larvae (20%), and Simuliidae larvae (20%) provided most of the food for ''N. munitus''.<ref name="ref4"/> Consequently, in the long run, managing for ''N. munitus'' would also benefit other species. However, another reason for decline that should be assessed is predators, but predators were hard to find. Like all madtoms, they are known for their pectoral spines that contain saw-like teeth and a neurotoxin gland. These spines and toxins produce a painful sting when used, and indicate the presence of predators.
===Life history=== ''N. munitus'' reproduction is similar to those of other madtom species. They spawn between June and August while producing 50 to 75 mature eggs in a single clutch.<ref name="ref2"/> They also prefer to make homes in cavities under rocks. They use these cavities for spawning. The male locates and guards a suitable site while the female deposits the eggs. The male then protects the eggs from predators and keeps them clean until they hatch; sedimentation plays a big role in the decline of the species. It can cover the eggs and cause them to die. If successful, the young reach reproductive maturity during the second summer of life,<ref name="ref4"/> and 2–3 years.<ref name="ref2"/>
===Current management=== Of the 29 ''Noturus'' species, more than 50% are considered vulnerable, imperiled, or extinct, and many are likely in need of conservation action due to small ranges and increasing anthropogenic threats,<ref name="ref6">{{cite book|last1=Burr|first1=B.M.|first2=J.N.|last2=Stoeckel|year=2000|chapter=The natural history of madtoms (genus ''Noturus''). North America's diminutive catfishes|title=Catfish 2000: Proceedings of the International Ictalurid Symposium|publisher=American Fisheries Society|id=Symposium 24|pages=51-101|isbn=1888569190|editor-last1=Irwin|editor-first1=Elise R.|editor-first2=Wayne A. |editor-last2=Hubert|editor-last3=Rabeni|editor-first3=Charles F.|editor-last4=Schramm|editor-first4=Harold L. Jr.|editor-last5=Coon|editor-first5=Thomas}}</ref> such as: water impoundment, channelization, gravel mining, dredging, and siltation. These activities reduce the ability for the species to properly breed and survive. Its habitat specificity and lack of published research are also affecting further conservation actions. <!-- not related To reduce these human impacts the species needs to be considered for a federal threatened status. --> They are protected in Mississippi and Alabama, but not in Louisiana. The Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust has aimed to protecting habitat sites that would be used by ''N. munitus''.<ref name="ref2"/>
==Conservation== Conservation recommendations include: *First, monitor the populations. <!--how-to The most effective way to monitor the species would be to use seines in specific sites and count the number of captured specimens. Historic population sites, and potential population sites should be surveyed. Anywhere with suitable gravel-riffle habitats would be considered potential sites. It would also be useful to sample each site for 30 minutes once a year. --> *Second, the habitats need to be protected. Human modification needs to be eliminated,{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} and the development of riparian buffer zones should be encouraged. Riparian areas filter out excessive sedimentation and maintain erosion. These buffer zones could also increase insect abundance and larvae. ''N. munitus'' trophic ecology appears to be typical of other small benthic fishes, and aquatic insect larvae comprise the bulk of their diet.<ref name="ref9">Miller, Gary L. 1984. Trophic Ecology of the Frecklebelly Madtom ''Noturus munitus'' in the Tombigbee River, Mississippi. ''The American Midland Naturalist''. 111:8-15. {{doi|10.2307/2425536}}</ref> *Third, further research of the species would be beneficial. Successful conservation of aquatic biodiversity in the future will depend on accurate knowledge of species habitat and life-history traits, the communities and ecosystems they occupy, recognition and description of evolutionary diversity within currently described species, and the ability of scientists to educate and involve more citizens in research and conservation efforts.<ref name="ref2"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Further reading==
* Angermeier, P.L. 2007. The role of fish biologists in helping society build ecological sustainability. Fisheries 32:9-20. * Boschung.H.T., Jr., and R.L. Mayden. 2004. Fishes of Alabama. Smithsonian Press. Washington. DC. 736pp. * Miller, G.L. 1983. Aspects of morphology and tropic ecology in a guild of stream fishes. Dissertation Abstracts International B Sciences and Engineering 43:2100. * Piller, KR, Bart, HL, and Tipton, JA. 2004. Decline of the frecklebelly madtom in the Pearl River based on contemporary and historical surveys. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 133:1004-1013.
{{Taxonbar|from=Q3236429}}
Category:Noturus Category:Freshwater fish of the United States Category:Fish of the Eastern United States Category:Endemic fish of the United States Category:Fauna of the Southeastern United States Category:Fish described in 1965 Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot