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Perciformes/Cottoidei (Sculpins) >
Cottidae (Sculpins)
Etymology: Cottus: Greek, kottos = a fish (Ref. 45335); hypselurus: Name from Greek 'hypselos' meaning 'high' and 'oura' for tail; referring to the depth of the posterior part of the body; treated as an adjective.
More on authors: Robins & Robison.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Temperate; 39°N - 36°N
North America: USA (Osage, Black, and Gasconade drainages).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 8.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 83416)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16 - 19; Anal soft rays: 12 - 15. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI-VII (96% of specimens); pectoral fin rays usually 13-15; caudal-base band may be notched or non-notched; lateral line pores modally 23; pigmentation of the ventral surface of the peritoneum moderate to strong; dorsal-fin union slight to moderate; blue chin and belly on spawning males (shared with C. immaculatus and C. caeruleomentum) (Ref. 83416).
This species prefers cool clear brooks and moderate to large streams and rivers usually with rapid flow and gravelly or rocky bottoms. Within these environment, it typically occurs in shallow, gravel-bottomed riffles or shoal regions with strong current. It is reported to often occur in thick growths of watercress (Nasturtium officina. Little is known of its biology. Feeds also on crayfish (Orconectes); larvae of Trichoptera (Hydropsychidae), Plecoptera, Ephemeroptera, Diptera (Chironomus, Simulium), gastropods, elmid beetles and miscellaneous animal material, including other individuals of C. hypselurus (Ref. 121014).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Robins, C.R. and H.W. Robison, 1985. Cottus hypselurus, a new cottid fish from the Ozark Uplands, Arkansas and Missouri. American Midland Naturalist, 114(2):360-373. (Ref. 121014)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
Tools
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00589 (0.00281 - 0.01234), b=3.15 (2.97 - 3.33), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.3 ±0.4 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).