taxonID	type	description	language	source
C44DBD5BC847FFBA4390F910C58AF925.taxon	description	Fig. 1	en	Mayden, Richard L., Kuhajda, Bernard R. (2025): Two new species of Etheostoma from the Black Warrior River System (Mobile Basin) of Alabama (Teleostei: Percidae). Zootaxa 5618 (3): 351-371, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3
C44DBD5BC847FFBA4390F910C58AF925.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. UAIC 11031.01, adult male, 39.6 mm standard length. Locality. Alabama, Blount Co., Mill Creek at gravel road 4.3 km SW Oneonta, T 13 S, R 1 E, S 11, 33.922595 - 86.509051, 22 March 1994. Collected by B. R. Kuhajda and R. L. Mayden. Paratypes. UAIC 11031.03, same data as holotype, n = 4; UAIC 10867.06, n = 7, Alabama, Blount County, Mill Creek at Old AL Hwy 75, east of AL Hwy 75, T 13 S, R 1 E, S 1, 33.927813 - 86.496049, 2.9 km SSW Oneonta, 16 June 1993, B. R. Kuhajda and R. L. Mayden; UF 188209, n = 2, same data as holotype; TU 204140, n = 2, same data as UAIC 10867.06. UAIC 14799.01, n = 2, same locality data as UAIC 10867.06, 7 October 2005, B. R. Kuhajda; UAIC 16061.01, n = 3, Alabama, Blount County, Calvert Prong of the Little Warrior River at AL Hwy 75, 5 km NE of Oneonta, T 12 S, R 2 E, S 16, 33.985578 - 86.442009, 2 April 2016, B. R. Kuhajda and Freshwater Fishes of Alabama class.	en	Mayden, Richard L., Kuhajda, Bernard R. (2025): Two new species of Etheostoma from the Black Warrior River System (Mobile Basin) of Alabama (Teleostei: Percidae). Zootaxa 5618 (3): 351-371, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3
C44DBD5BC847FFBA4390F910C58AF925.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A member of the Etheostoma chermocki species group as identified by Boschung et al. 1992, Clabaugh et al. (1996) and Boschung and Mayden (2004). Etheostoma chermocki was diagnosed from the Etheostoma bellator complex by Boschung et al. (1992) and Suttkus and Bailey (1993). Etheostoma kimberlae is distinguished from E. michellae new species using the following combination of characters: cream-colored horizontal stripe through lateral band very narrow to absent vs. broad and obvious; snout of breeding males lightly colored with obvious preorbital stripe in breeding males vs. snout dusky and often masking preorbital stripes; suborbital bar diffuse in breeding males, lightly pigmented and short vs. dark, well defined and long.; lateral blotches dark and largely below lateral line vs. diffuse and occurring both above and below lateral line; and crimson line above lateral line formed from spots in continuous to nearly continuous line and not interrupted by lateral blotches vs. crimson line broken up into segments between diffuse upper halves of lateral blotches. Etheostoma kimberlae is further distinguished from E. michellae in the possession of the following alleles at identified protein loci: sAat-A (A vs B) †, mAcon-A (B vs B, C) *, Acp- 1 (A vs B) †, Ada- 2 (A vs B) †, Est- 2 (D vs A) †, Pep-B (B, C vs B) *, Pep-F (D vs B) †, Pnp-A (D vs C, D) *. Etheostoma kimberlae is distinguished from E. bellator using the following characters: cream-colored stripe through lateral band narrow to absent vs broad and obvious; snout lightly colored with obvious preorbital stripes in breeding males vs. snout dusky and often masking preorbital stripes; and suborbital bar diffuse, lightly pigmented and short vs. broad, dark and long. Etheostoma kimberlae is further distinguished from E. bellator in the possession of the following alleles at identified protein loci: sAat-A (A vs B) †, Acp- 1 (A vs B) †, Ada- 2 (A vs B) †, Pep-B (B, C vs A, B; allele B fixed in comparisons between Five Mile and Gurley creeks but is polymorphic in Murphy Creek) *, Pep-F (D vs B, D) 3, Pnp-A (D vs C, D) *. Etheostoma kimberlae is distinguished from E. chermocki in having a low first dorsal fin with black, red, and blue coloration vs fin tall and mostly red, and ventral orange pigmentation in breeding males in narrow band vs. extending upwards along side to lateral band. Etheostoma kimberlae is further diagnosed from E. chermocki by the possession of the following alleles at identified protein loci: sAat-A (A vs D) †, Acp- 1 (A vs B) †, Ada- 2 (A vs B) †, Fbp-A (A vs B) †, slcdh-A (B vs A, C) †, Mpi-A (B vs B, C) *, Pep-B (B, C vs A) †, Pep-F (D vs B) †. Lateral line scale rows of Etheostoma kimberlae usually 47 or 48 (vs. E. michellae with 45 – 48, usually 45, and 47 – 51 in E. bellator). Scale rows below lateral line usually 7 or 8 (vs. usually 8 in E. michellae and 7 or 8 E. bellator). Transverse scale rows usually 15 (vs. usually 14 and 15 in E. michellae). Transverse scale rows plus scale rows below lateral line usually 15 (vs. usually 14 or 15 in E. michellae and E. bellator). Dorsal fin rays usually 11 or 12 (vs. usually 11 or 12 in E. michellae and 11 in E. bellator). Pectoral fin rays usually 13 (vs. usually 14 in E. michellae and E. bellator). Caudal fin rays usually 16 or 17 (vs. usually 16 or 17 in E. michellae and 14 in E. bellator). Etheostoma kimberlae differs from E. michellae in having usually 7 infraorbital pores (mean = 7.1) (vs. usually 8, mean = 8.1). Etheostoma kimberlae is a small member of the E. chermocki species group, reaching recorded 45.0 mm SL (male) and 41.4 mm SL (female) vs. E. bellator (male = 58 mm SL, Suttkus & Bailey 1993; female = 48.2 herein) and E. chermocki (male = 55 mm SL; female = 51 mm SL; Boschung et al. 1992).	en	Mayden, Richard L., Kuhajda, Bernard R. (2025): Two new species of Etheostoma from the Black Warrior River System (Mobile Basin) of Alabama (Teleostei: Percidae). Zootaxa 5618 (3): 351-371, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3
C44DBD5BC847FFBA4390F910C58AF925.taxon	description	Description. General head and body shape and coloration illustrated in Figure 3. Morphometric variables for males and females (sexually dimorphic) provided in Table 1. Distribution of lateral line scales, caudal fin rays, and pectoral fin rays provided in Table 2. Lateral line complete and virtually straight, from upper margin of gill opening to base of caudal fin. Scale rows above lateral line 4 (3 spms), 5 (34) or 6 (3) (Mean = 5.0, SD = 0.37). Scale rows below lateral line 6 (3), 7 (7), 8 (26), or 9 (4) (Mean = 7.8, SD = 0.84). Transverse scale rows 14 (6), 15 (27), or 16 (7) (Mean = 14.8, SD = 0.88). Transverse scale rows plus scale rows below lateral line 13 (5), 14 (6), 15 (22), 16 (6) or 17 (1) (Mean = 14.8, SD = 0.98). Caudal peduncle scale rows 10 (3), 11 (20), 12 (15) or 13 (2) (Mean = 11.3, SD = 0.82). Dorsal saddles 8 (40). Dorsal fin spines 6 (3), 7 (20), 8 (13), or 9 (1) (Mean = 7.3, SD = 0.67). Dorsal fin rays 9 (1), 10 (3), 11 (20), 12 (14), or 13 (2) (Mean = 11.3, SD = 0.82). Anal spines = 2 (40). Pelvic spines = 1 (40). Pelvic rays = 5 (40). Infraorbital pores 6 (2 spms), 7 (5) or 8 (3) (Mean = 7.1, SD = 0.74). Preopercularmandibular pores 7 (1), 8 (5) or 9 (2) (Mean = 8.3, SD = 0.67). Lateral canal pores 2 (10). Supratemporal canal complete, pores 2 (10). Supraorbital pores 3 (10). Coronal pore single (10). Nape scaled. Belly fully scaled. Breast naked. Coloration of breeding males. Dorsum of head and body cream colored except for series of black saddles on body, normally numbering 8. Dorsolateral scales lightly pigmented along edges. Lateral blotches black and continuous or nearly so across very narrow light cream line along lateral line. Scale row directly above lateral line deep crimson and continuous or nearly continuous; lateral blotches not oval; above lateral line lateral blotch small, circular, short and not distinct; most of lateral blotch below lateral line and obvious; above lateral line, blotches not clearly separated. Below lateral line single crimson-colored scale row separating dark blotches. Crimson line usually one scale row and dissipating posteriorly directly vertical origin to middle of second dorsal fin. Dark caudal spot present; above and posterior to caudal spot short crimson stripe; stripes overlapping light cream-colored spots dorsally and ventrally at base of fin. Some ventrolateral scales lightly pigmented with melanophores, especially along distal portion of scales. Broad reddish-orange ventrolateral stripe present and involving multiple scale rows, extending length of body and 3 – 4 scale rows from above base of anal fin and pelvic fin insertion. Ventrolateral color stripe narrow and not connected with crimson scales around complex lateral stripe. Opercle darkly pigmented dorsally becoming lighter ventrally; dark oblique line between cheek and preopercle; remainder of opercle lightly pigmented to immaculate; subopercle, branchiostegals, under side of head, preorbital area, breast and tip of snout turquoise. Distinct narrow suborbital bar, dark preorbital bar, middle of upper lip pigmented; remainder of lips yellowish to turquoise. Snout lightly pigmented and in distinct contrast to preorbital bars. Pectoral-fin rays pigmented and with two stripes, one a basal band covering 1 / 3 of rays and boarded distally by turquoise colored stripe; distal to this basal band light area, bordered distally by darker stripe, and distal-most 1 / 3 of fin with lightly pigmented rays; membranes without pigmentation. Base of fin and area of insertion reddish-orange. Spine of pelvic fin immaculate to turquoise; remaining rays turquoise to darkly pigmented. Base of fin and first three branched rays turquoise. Posterior rays immaculate. Spine and first three rays also pigmented with melanophores medially, creating a dark stripe; all membranes turquoise. Spinous dorsal fin with four stripes. Base of fin with narrow dark green stripe, area between this stripe and adjoining more distal stripe narrow and light cream. Distal dark stripe with pigment on rays and membranes. Subdistal stripe beginning with dark red irregular shaped spot between first and second spines and stripe that is less intense in color, continuing posteriorly from being narrow in anterior membranes and significantly increasing in width towards last membranes. Narrow blue distal band beginning at sixth spine and extending to posterior of fin. Distal margin of anterior five rays clear. Distal-most black stripe separated from brick red stripe by narrow clear stripe. Soft (second) dorsal fin with three distinct bands. Distinct broad median brick red stripe below and above darkly pigmented median stripe formed from pigmented rays and membranes. Basal half of first three rays may have alternating black and yellow / gold narrow stripes. Procurrent, principle and two adjacent branched rays of caudal fin turquoise. Two-three dark vertical bands located medially on caudal fin separated by yellow- to cream-colored narrow bars; distal margin lightly pigmented, appearing almost transparent. Coloration of Preserved breeding males. Adult males with dark brown dorsal saddles extending from occiput to posterior extent of caudal peduncle; occasionally blotches may be connected; blotches formed from dense concentrations of melanophores, and separated by pale areas having only light concentrations of melanophores. Dorsolateral area above lateral line with stripe, usually 1.5 to 2.5 scales high, extending posteriorly to vertical of middle of second dorsal fin to near hypural plate; stripe formed largely from dorsal halves of slightly lighter scale areas relative to dark lateral blotches (hereafter referred to as lighter) that, in live specimens, were dark red; dark lateral blotches weakly developed above lateral line and most strongly developed below lateral line where appearing somewhat oval in shape; blotches separated by lighter scale areas. Posterior to middle of second dorsal fin base dark lateral blotches connecting across and centered on lateral line; lighter intervening scale areas only present above lateral line. Lighter blotches below lateral line forming continuous stripe to hypural plate, becoming darker and centered on lateral line posterior to middle of second dorsal fin. Belly and breast lightly pigmented. Dorsum of head tan to brown. Two horizontally rectangular dark blotches immediately posterior to head along lateral line poorly developed, usually small, if present, and consisting of broken lines. Snout with melanophores uniformly distributed except for distinct dark line connected to preorbital strip; line directly above upper lip and continuous across snout in adult males; smaller males with interruption in snout band; upper lip pigmented medially. Suborbital bar present; bar most distinct in females. Postorbital stripe usually not continuous but broken into two distinct, dark spots; first spot immediately posterior to orbit and second at junction of dorsal arm of preopercle and anterodorsal area of opercle. Remainder of cheek, opercle, preopercle, and subopercle only lightly pigmented except for distinct irregularly shaped concentrations of melanophores formed on the cheek and upper operculum. Cheek spot located slightly ventral and posterior to postorbital spot immediately behind orbit. Opercular spot located near center or posterodorsal area of opercle below dorsal margin of opercle. Lower cheek, branchiostegals, and gular areas with light scattering of melanophores to immaculate; lower lip immaculate. Color pattern of dorsal fins as described for live specimens except colors muted. Caudal fin with light pigmentation on rays only, forming two to four bands. Anal and pelvic fins with few melanophores on membranes and little to no pigment on rays. Pectoral fin with bars formed from melanophores on rays separated by depigmented portions of rays; membranes clear. Spot at base of caudal fin only darkly pigmented like lateral blotches and surrounded by pale oval areas. Coloration of live breeding females. Without bright coloration. Dorsum of body with distinct dark dorsal saddles separated by lighter scales cream in color. Dorsolateral scales with cream bases and darker posterior edges; some scales darker than others and in short continuous lines, creating mottled appearance; scattered scales partially brick red to orange. Scale row directly above lateral line brick red to orange and continuous or nearly continuous. Lateral blotches mostly below lateral line where dark pigment covers 1 – 2 rows of scales; blotches, if present, above lateral line may be half scale row. Anterior five blotches with oblique line of pigmented scales (best developed anteriorly) directed anteroventrally; posterior blotches with short (1 – 2 scales) pigmented along ventral margins. Scattered scales one scale row below lateral-line and between lateral blotches may be orange. Some ventrolateral scales may have some orange in center of scale. Dorsum of head dark brown; preorbital and postorbital stripes and suborbital bar brown and well developed. Preorbital stripes connecting along pigmented upper lip. Cheek with distinct dark blotch posteriorly; opercle mottled. Venter of head and body cream. Pectoral, second dorsal, and caudal with pigment on rays only, creating lines on fins; membranes transparent. First dorsal fin with dark pigment on rays and membranes, small red to orange blotch in first membrane. Anal fin immaculate except for pigment on membranes between spines and posterior spine and first ray. Spot at base of caudal fin darkly pigmented and surrounded by pale cream oval areas. Coloration of preserved females and juveniles. Dorsum of body with dark saddles; areas between saddles and ventrally to lateral line somewhat lighter but less obvious than in males; most scales with darkened centers, creating a mosaic pattern of dark and light irregularly shaped spotting pattern. Below lateral line distinct dark and squarish blotches, 3 – 4 scales deep, separated by areas of near equivalent width with light or depigmented scales; most larger females with distinct narrow anteroventral extension of dark lateral blotch, usually connected to blotch and sometimes extending anteriorly to connect with or nearly connect with immediate blotch anteriorly; anteroventral extensions of dark blotches creating pattern of pale circles or ovals between dark blotches below lateral line. Lighter pigmented line, as described in males, not as well developed and occurring below lateral line posteriorly to usually origin of second dorsal fin. Narrow light line below lateral line only anteriorly, extending posteriorly to near terminus of first dorsal fin. Ventrolateral areas, belly, breast and lower caudal peduncle immaculate. Head coloration as in males except for the following; preorbital stripe present, suborbital bar usually well developed, and concentrations of melanophores on check and posterodorsal area of opercle darker and may include more than two spots. Membranes of dorsal fins clear; rays with concentrations of melanophores separated by areas of same size with no melanophores, creating a pattern of bands in the fin; no indication of a red blotch on first membrane of first dorsal fin. Like dorsal fins, caudal and pectoral fins with melanophores on rays and melanophore distributions form two or more bands. Anal and pelvic immaculate. Spot at base of caudal fin distinct, similar in intensity as dark lateral blotches, and surrounded by pale ovals.	en	Mayden, Richard L., Kuhajda, Bernard R. (2025): Two new species of Etheostoma from the Black Warrior River System (Mobile Basin) of Alabama (Teleostei: Percidae). Zootaxa 5618 (3): 351-371, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3
C44DBD5BC847FFBA4390F910C58AF925.taxon	distribution	Distribution and Habitat. This species is only known from the upper Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River drainage (Figure 5). It is presently known from Calvert Prong at AL Hwy 75 just north of Oneonta and a tributary to Calvert Prong, Mill Creek, in and around Oneonta, Blount County, Alabama. It is known historically from another Calvert Prong tributary, Sand Valley Creek, Blount County, Alabama (UMMZ 158288, 1939) and Little Cove Creek, Etowah County, Alabama (UAIC 3307.11, 1969) (Suttkus & Bailey 1993, Kuhajda 2004 a). No systematic status survey has been done for this species, and it is predicted to occur at other localities in the Calvert Prong system and different streams of geologies dominated by the Chapultepec and Copper Ridge Dolomites undifferentiated formation in Blount and Etowah counties. The species is found in small to moderate-sized upland creeks associated with moderate to little current over a sand / gravel to cobble substrate, typically in the glide above riffles and in the transition to pool habitat below riffles, but can occur in riffles proper (Kuhajda 2004 a). Relationships. Clabaugh et al. (1996) discussed possible relationships of this species relative to others of the E. chermocki group based on allozyme variation. Near et al. (2011), using sequence variation, identified E. kimberlae (therein referred to as E. cf. bellator (Locust Fork Darter) as the sister species of a clade composed of E. bellator and E. chermocki. Interestingly, in all of the supplemental dendrograms by Near et al. (2011) (cytb, S 7 intron 1, RAG 1) presented for the group, there are no data for the Locust Fork Darter. Yet the species appears in the concatenated dendrogram in the body of the paper (two specimens each of Locust Fork and Sipsey Fork darters). In the definition of the clade Adonia, Near et al. (2011) mentions the Locust Fork Darter but not the Sipsey Darter. Kim et al. (2023) provide a short dialog about the genetic variation in this group relative to the geological formations in the area. Like Clabaugh et al. (1996), using only a relatively small number of allozyme loci, Kim et al. (2023), using 25,393 ddRAD loci revealed the exact similarities between E. bellator (sensu lato), E. michellae, and E. kimberlae in both the maximum likelihood concatenated dendrogram and the unrooted PoMo dendrogram. Etheostoma kimberlae forms the basal sister group to all other members of the E. chermocki clade. In their analysis, the authors confidently discuss the existence of not only E. bellator in the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River but also two undescribed forms in Valley and Gurley creeks (no data were provided to substantiate any of the forms). Hence, this is why we refer to E. bellator as sensu lato. Neither lineage was identified in our analyses (genetic or morphological), the coloration of breeding and nonbreeding males and females based on descriptions, personal observations, and photographs of breeding and nonbreeding coloration, meristic, morphometrics, and morphological observations analyses.	en	Mayden, Richard L., Kuhajda, Bernard R. (2025): Two new species of Etheostoma from the Black Warrior River System (Mobile Basin) of Alabama (Teleostei: Percidae). Zootaxa 5618 (3): 351-371, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3
C44DBD5BC847FFBA4390F910C58AF925.taxon	etymology	Etymology. This species is named after my daughter Kimberly Linnae Mayden. The common name Locust Fork Darter refers to the river system where Etheostoma kimberlae is endemic. Conservation Status. Species is currently only recorded from Calvert Prong north of Oneonta and approximately 5 km of Mill Creek in and surrounding Oneonta, Blount County, Alabama (Kuhajda 2004 a). Given the very small distribution of E. kimberlae and localized industrial activities, urbanization, and agriculture, this species is endangered (Jelks et al. 2008) and needs to be considered for State and Federal protection. It is currently listed as a species of High Conservation Concern (P 2) by the State of Alabama (Kuhajda 2004 a, ADCNR 2015) and S 1 by the Alabama Natural Heritage Program but is not on the State list of protected species (ALNHP 2015). A complete systematic status survey is needed (Kuhajda 2004 a), followed by long-term monitoring of extant populations.	en	Mayden, Richard L., Kuhajda, Bernard R. (2025): Two new species of Etheostoma from the Black Warrior River System (Mobile Basin) of Alabama (Teleostei: Percidae). Zootaxa 5618 (3): 351-371, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3
C44DBD5BC84CFFBF4390F910C079FD39.taxon	description	Fig. 1	en	Mayden, Richard L., Kuhajda, Bernard R. (2025): Two new species of Etheostoma from the Black Warrior River System (Mobile Basin) of Alabama (Teleostei: Percidae). Zootaxa 5618 (3): 351-371, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3
C44DBD5BC84CFFBF4390F910C079FD39.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype — UAIC 11065.05. Male. Alabama, Lawrence Co., Borden Creek at Forest Service Road 224, William Bankhead National Forest. T 8 S, R 8 W, S 21 / 28, 34.329885 - 87.377174. 18 April 1994. B. R. Kuhajda and R. L. Mayden. Paratypes — UAIC 11065.07, n = 14, from UAIC 11065.05; UF 188210 (n = 2); TU 204141 (n = 2). All with the same data as the holotype. UAIC 11290.06 (n = 5). UAIC 11040.01, n = 3, Alabama, Lawrence Co., Flannigan Creek at Forest Service Road 208, 8.8 km S Youngtown, T 8 S, R 8 W, S 21, 34.338848 - 87.388241. 10 May 1994. AUM 54703, n = 6 same locality as UAIC 11040.01. 5 August 2011. Alabama, Lawrence County: UAIC 1696.14 (5), Borden Creek at Bunyan Hill Road (Co. Rd. 5, Forest Service Road 224), 34.309532 - 87.394673, T 8 S, R 8 W, S 32, 12 July 1978; UAIC 3868.08 (11), 22 August 1970; UAIC 6264.09 (19), 11 October 1980; UAIC 11065.05 (19), 18 April 1994; BRK 16 - 17, 5 May 2016. UAIC 4963.12 (4), Borden Creek at Forest Service Road 229 (208) (Co. Rd. 9), 34.329867 - 87.377157, T 8 S, R 8 W, S 21 / 28, 19 August 1974; UAIC 13309.12 (2). 24 June 2001. UAIC 11040.01 (3), Flannigan Creek at Forest Service Road 229 (208) (Co. Rd 9), 34.338849 - 87.388339, T 8 S, R 8 W, S 21, 10 May 1994. Winston County: UAIC 4329.18 (7), Sipsey Fork at Sipsey Recreation Area on Co. Rd. 60, 34.285416 - 87.399144, T 9 S, R 8 W, S 8, 2 November 1978. UAIC 3852.12 (7), Sipsey Fork at mouth of Hurricane Creek, 34.252967 - 87.367050, T 9 S, 8 W, S 22, 3 November 1971.	en	Mayden, Richard L., Kuhajda, Bernard R. (2025): Two new species of Etheostoma from the Black Warrior River System (Mobile Basin) of Alabama (Teleostei: Percidae). Zootaxa 5618 (3): 351-371, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3
C44DBD5BC84CFFBF4390F910C079FD39.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Member of Etheostoma chermocki species group as identified by Boschung et al. 1992, Clabaugh et al. (1996) and Boschung & Mayden (2004). Etheostoma chermocki was diagnosed from the Etheostoma bellator complex by Boschung et al. (1992) and Suttkus & Bailey (1993). Etheostoma michellae is distinguished from E. kimberlae using the following combination of characters; cream-colored horizontal stripe through lateral band broad obvious vs. very narrow to absent; snout of breeding males dusky and often masking preorbital stripes vs. snout lightly colored with obvious preorbital stripes; suborbital bar long, dark and well defined vs. usually shorter, diffuse, and lightly pigmented; lateral blotches diffuse and occurring both above and below lateral line vs. lateral blotches dark and largely below lateral line; crimson line above lateral line broken up into segments between diffuse upper halves of lateral blotches vs. crimson lines formed by spots continuous to nearly continuous and not interrupted by lateral blotches; distinct coloration pattern in spinous and soft dorsal fins of breeding males as described below in color description. Etheostoma michellae is further distinguished from E. kimberlae in the possession of the following alleles at identified protein loci: sAat-A (B vs. A) †, mAcon-A (B, C vs. B) *, Acp- 1 (B vs. A) †, Ada- 2 (B vs. A) †, Est- 2 (A vs. D) †, Pep-B (B vs. B, C) *, Pep-F (B vs. D) †, Pnp-A (C, D vs. D) *. Etheostoma michellae is diagnosed from E. bellator based on the following characters: crimson line above lateral line broken up into segments between upper halves of lateral blotch vs. crimson line irregular in shape and passing over lateral blotches. Etheostoma michellae is further distinguished from E. bellator in the possession of the following alleles at identified protein loci: mAcon-A (B, C vs. B) *, and Est- 2 (A vs. D) †. Etheostoma michellae usually has 45 – 48 lateral line scale rows (46 – 50 in E. kimberlae, usually 45, and 47 – 51 in E. bellator). Scale rows below lateral line usually 8 (usually 7 or 8 in E. kimberlae and E. bellator). Transverse scale rows usually 14 or 15 (usually 15 in E. kimberlae). Transverse scale rows plus scale rows below lateral line usually 14 or 15 (usually 15 in E. kimberlae, 14 or 15 in E. bellator). Dorsal fin rays usually 11 or 12 (usually 11 in E. bellator, 11 or 12 in E. kimberlae). Pectoral fin rays usually 14 (usually 13 in E. kimberlae and 14 in E. bellator). Caudal fin rays 15 or 16 (usually 14 in E. bellator and E. kimberlae) Etheostoma michellae differs E. kimberlae in usually having 8 infraorbital pores (mean = 8.1) (vs. usually 7, mean 7.1). Nape, cheek, opercle scaled; breast naked. Etheostoma michellae is a small member of the E. chermocki species group, reaching a recorded 45.0 mm SL (male) or 41.4 mm SL (female) vs. E. bellator (male = 58 mm SL, Suttkus & Bailey 1993; female = 48.2 herein) and E. chermocki (male = 55 mm SL; female = 51 mm SL; Boschung et al. 1992) and slightly larger than E. kimberlae (male = 45.0 mm SL; female = 41.4 mm SL).	en	Mayden, Richard L., Kuhajda, Bernard R. (2025): Two new species of Etheostoma from the Black Warrior River System (Mobile Basin) of Alabama (Teleostei: Percidae). Zootaxa 5618 (3): 351-371, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3
C44DBD5BC84CFFBF4390F910C079FD39.taxon	description	Description. General head and body shape and coloration illustrated in Figure 4. Morphometric variables for males and females (sexually dimorphic) provided in Table 1. Distribution of lateral line scales, caudal fin rays, and pectoral fin rays provided in Table 2. Small snubnose darter, reaching a recorded 47.7 mm SL (male) or 42.6 mm SL (female). Lateral line complete and virtually straight from upper margin of gill opening to base of caudal fin. Scale rows above lateral line 4 (2 spms), 5 (56) or 6 (5) (Mean = 5.0, SD = 0.33). Scale rows below lateral line 6 (1), 7 (27), 8 (27), or 9 (8) (Mean = 7.7, SD = 0.72). Transverse scale rows 14 (27), 15 (27), 16 (7), or 17 (Mean = 14.7, SD = 0.76). Transverse scale rows plus scale rows below lateral line 13 (1), 14 (26), 15 (29), or 16 (8) (Mean = 14.7, SD = 0.71). Caudal peduncle scale rows 10 (3), 11 (38), or 12 (22) (Mean = 11.3, SD = 0.55). Dorsal saddles 6 (1), 7 (2), or 8 (60) (mean = 7.9; SD = 0.30). Dorsal fin spines 6 (3), 7 (51), 8 (8), or 9 (1) (Mean = 7.4, SD = 0.42). Dorsal fin rays 9 (1), 10 (3), 11 (38), or 12 (22) (Mean = 11.2, SD = 0.63). Anal spines 2 (67). Pelvic spines 1 (67 specimens). Pelvic rays 5 (65). Infraorbital pores 8 (9 spms) and 9 (1) (Mean = 8.1, SD = 0.32). Preopercularmandibular pores 8 (7) and 9 (3) (Mean = 8.3, SD = 0.48). Lateral canal pores 2 (9) and 3 (1) (mean = 1.75, SD = 0.45). Supratemporal canal complete, pores 2 (10). Supraorbital pores 3 (10). Coronal pore single (10). Coloration of live breeding males. Dorsum of head and body cream colored except for series of black saddles on body, normally numbering 8. Dorsolateral scales lightly pigmented along edges. Deep crimson-colored scale row (s) directly above lateral line broken / interrupted by diffuse, dorsally elongate lateral blotches; diffuse lateral blotches tall and cross moderately broad light stripe along lateral light. Crimson colored scales above lateral line broken into distinct segments, not continuous single line; segments of crimson-colored scales between distinct lateral blotches above lateral line beginning anteriorly as one scale row and sometimes terminate posteriorly near next blotch as two scale rows deep. Dark caudal spot present and posterior to hypural plate, sometimes narrowly connected to last lateral blotch; short crimson stripe above and posterior to caudal spot usually absent or poorly developed; caudal spot bordered dorsally and ventrally by cream-colored circular to oval spots. Some ventrolateral scales lightly pigmented with melanophores, especially along distal portion of scales. Above and below caudal spot and yellowish areas small but distinct black spots medial to procurrent rays. Narrow reddish-orange ventrolateral stripe present and involving usually 1 – 2 scale rows (sometimes 3); narrow reddish-orange stripe above base of anal fin and pelvic fin insertion, and extending anteriorly to under pectoral fin to insertion. Ventrolateral color stripe not connected with crimson scales around complex lateral stripe. Opercle dusky and darkest at dorsal third; dark oblique bar between cheek and preopercle absent; remainder opercle lightly pigmented to immaculate, especially progressing ventrally; opercle with greenish hue. Underside of head, gular region, branchiostegals, and tip of snout turquoise. Suborbital bar dark and long; preorbital stripe light and extending to tip of snout; stripes often masked by darkly pigmented snout. Pectoral fin without prominent stripes. Pectoral fin spine and distal tips of branched rays 1 – 2 immaculate; remaining rays with greenish-yellow hue; membranes pigmented. Base of pectoral fin and surrounding areas dusky to immaculate with reddish hue visible from blood vessels below surface. Pelvic fin spines and distal tips of branched rays 1 – 2 immaculate; remaining rays turquoise; membranes pigmented; fins without dark stripes or darkly pigmented rays; base light turquoise to immaculate. Pelvic fin spines turquoise; remaining rays turquoise to darkly pigmented. Narrow median clear stripe present, especially posteriorly. Base and distal portions of fin membranes and rays turquoise; membranes, except in clear area, with melanophores. Spinous dorsal fin with five bands. Basal band narrow and composed of black and golden pigment on bases of spines; band separated by narrow clear area from a distinct black stripe with pigment on membranes and spines; black pigment horizontal across spines and membranes but extending dorsally on membranes as narrow lines, creating generally concave black line; cream-colored area filling in membranes and rays anterior to dorsal extension of black; broad black band separated from sub-distal red band formed from distinct, oblique to horizontal stripes of crimson red on membranes (rays white to clear); red band begins with distinct red spot on first membrane, is narrow anteriorly but expands to broad band on membranes at the posterior-most portion of fin. Distal-most band clear or white anteriorly and becoming black posteriorly; rays white to clear and contrasting with distal-most stripe. Second dorsal fin with five distinct bands: basally, fin with yellow band; distal to this is a narrow black band; distal to this band is a broad median crimson red band where pigment limited to membranes and rays golden to white; sub-distal band cream-yellow; distal-most band black, basal portion of anterior rays with alternating black and golden stripes, as wide as median red band. Caudal fin generally dusky but with three distinct black bands, one at base of fin posterior to caudal spot and adjacent yellow-cream spots, all posterior to hypural plate; second and third black bands separated from each other and basal-most band by narrow cream to golden bands; distal one third of fin clear; procurrent rays and base of principle caudal ray turquoise. Coloration of preserved breeding males. Adult males with dark brown dorsal saddles extending from occiput to posterior extent of caudal peduncle; blotches formed from dense concentrations of melanophores and separated by pale areas having only light concentrations of melanophores. Dorsolateral area above lateral line with disjunct, dark, and relatively small and irregularly shaped upper halves of more or less vertical (not oval) blotches; dorsolateral halves of dark blotches separated by lightly pigmented areas occurring in same scale regions where dark red coloration occurred in live specimens. Both types of blotches generally forming an irregularly shaped stripe; stripe above lateral line notably paler than stripe along lateral line and below lateral line; paler stripe both above and below lateral line and extending posteriorly to near middle of base of second dorsal fin; dark blotches may be weakly contiguous across lateral line posteriorly, but usually by only a few melanophores; lighter blotches not contiguous across lateral line. Dark blotches best developed below lateral line and 1 – 2 scale rows high; lighter blotches below lateral line forming continuous stripe to hypural plate, becoming darker and centered on lateral line posterior to middle of second dorsal fin. Posterior to middle of second dorsal fin base both types of blotches smaller than those anteriorly and frequently connected across lateral line; dark blotches may be oval posteriorly but light blotches retain rectangular shape. Breast pigmented as belly. Dorsum of head tan to brown. Area immediately posterior to head along lateral line with two distinct horizontally rectangular dark blotches separated by lighter area along lateral line; blotches different in shape from lateral blotches. Snout with melanophores uniformly distributed and dusky, often dark enough to mask preorbital stripe. Suborbital bar diffuse, appearing narrow and lightly pigmented relative to other melanistic bars, spots, or lines on head; suborbital bar more distinct in females. Postorbital stripe usually not continuous but usually broken into two distinct, dark spots; first spot immediately posterior to orbit and second at junction of dorsal arm of preopercle and anterodorsal area of opercle. Remainder of cheek, opercle, preopercle, and subopercle only lightly pigmented except for distinct concentrations of melanophores formed the cheek and upper operculum. Cheek spot located slightly ventral and posterior to postorbital spot immediately behind orbit. Opercular spot located near center or posterodorsal area of opercle below dorsal margin of opercle. Lower cheek, branchiostegals, and gular areas with light scattering of melanophores; lower lip immaculate. Coloration of dorsal fins as described for live specimens except colors muted. Caudal fin with light pigmentation on rays only, forming two to three vertical bands. Anal and pelvic fins with dense concentrations of melanophores on membranes and little to no pigment on rays. Pectoral fin with bars formed from melanophores on rays separated by depigmented portions of rays; membranes clear. Spot at base of caudal fin only lightly pigmented and surrounded by pale oval areas. Coloration of live breeding females. Without bright coloration. Dorsum of body with distinct dark dorsal saddles separated by lighter scales cream in color. Dorsolateral scales with cream bases and darker posterior edges, some scales darker; most scales in row above lateral line partially brick red to orange, as well as scattered partially orange scales elsewhere dorsolaterally. Lateral stripe below lateral line similar to males except that blotches are more intense and contrast strongly with cream background coloration. A few small, dark olive clusters of melanophores may interdigitate between blotches. Some ventrolateral scales may have orange in scale center. Dorsum of head dark olive; preorbital stripe and suborbital bar dark brown, dorsal half of opercle mottled. Anal, pelvic and pectoral fins immaculate; no melanophores on spines, rays or membranes. Dorsal fins with two or three dusky bands formed from dark melanophores along rays and membranes, small subdistal red to orange blotch in first membrane, subdistal colored blotches may be present in other membranes. Flanks below lateral blotches and venter, from gular area to caudal fin, immaculate. Medial spot at base of caudal fin small but darkly pigmented and surrounded by pale cream to yellow oval areas. Smaller young-of-the-year without any red, orange, yellow, or any other colors other than cream, olive, and black on body, head and fins. Coloration of preserved females and juveniles. Dorsum of body with dark saddles separated from one another by lighter scales extending ventrally to lateral line; lighter scales, unlike males, with darkened centers. Sides with dark taller than wide vertical blotches often separated by narrow light line centered on lateral line; light line may extend to posterior terminus of second dorsal fin or hypural plate. Some blotches above lateral line sometimes connecting with dorsal saddles by thin and irregularly shaped vertical line. Below lateral line dark blotches well developed and 2 – 3 scales high; blotches lacking anteroventral lines connected to blotch but may have small pigmented spot between ventral portions of lateral blotches; scale around blotches and those extending ventrally to and on belly and caudal peduncle immaculate. Head coloration as in males except for the following; dark lines on snout usually weakly developed, suborbital bar usually well developed, and concentrations of melanophores on check and posterodorsal area of opercle darker and may include more than two spots. Membranes of dorsal fins clear; rays with concentrations of melanophores separated by areas of same size with no melanophores, creating pattern of bands in fin; no indication of red blotches on membranes (first membrane especially) of first dorsal fin. Like dorsal fins, caudal fin with melanophores on rays in distributions forming 2 – 3 bands. Anal, pelvic, and pectoral fins immaculate. Distinct dark spot present at base of caudal fin surrounded by pale ovals.	en	Mayden, Richard L., Kuhajda, Bernard R. (2025): Two new species of Etheostoma from the Black Warrior River System (Mobile Basin) of Alabama (Teleostei: Percidae). Zootaxa 5618 (3): 351-371, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3
C44DBD5BC84CFFBF4390F910C079FD39.taxon	distribution	Distribution and Habitat. Etheostoma michellae is found only in the upper Sipsey Fork system of the Black Warrior River drainage (Figure 5). It is currently found in the Sipsey Fork mainstem from its origin to just upstream of the Lewis Smith Reservoir embayment, and in three tributaries; Thompson, Borden (including Flannigan and Braziel creeks), and Caney creeks, Lawrence and Winston counties, Alabama. It does not occur in Hubbard Creek. Although there are no records, the species likely occurred historically in the impounded section of the Sipsey Fork (Suttkus & Bailey 1993, Kuhajda 2004 b). The species is found in small to large upland creeks associated with moderate to little current over a sand / gravel to cobble substrate, typically in the glide above riffles and in the transition to pool habitat below riffles (Powers et al. 2003, Kuhajda 2004 b). Relationships. Clabaugh et al. (1996) discussed possible relationships of Etheostoma michellae relative to other species of the E. chermocki group based on allozyme variation. Near et al. (2011), using sequence variation, identified E. michellae (therein referred to as E. cf. bellator (Sipsey Darter )) as the sister species to the entire E. chermocki clade. Kim et al. (2023) discuss relationships in this group about geological formations in the area. Kim et al. (2023) using 25,393 loci and ddRAD in the maximum likelihood concatenated analysis revealed E. michellae as the unlikely sister lineage to a purportedly undescribed lineage restricted to Gurley Creek. However, in the unrooted PoMo species tree E. michellae was resolved in an unresolved polytomy with E. bellator (Mulberry Fork Black Warrior) and purportedly undescribed (no data provided to substantiate any of the forms) lineages in Gurley and Valley creeks.	en	Mayden, Richard L., Kuhajda, Bernard R. (2025): Two new species of Etheostoma from the Black Warrior River System (Mobile Basin) of Alabama (Teleostei: Percidae). Zootaxa 5618 (3): 351-371, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3
C44DBD5BC84CFFBF4390F910C079FD39.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species is named in honor of my wife Michelle Joy Mayden. The common name Sipsey Fork Darter refers to the upper Sipsey Fork system where Etheostoma michellae is endemic. Conservation status. Species is currently only known from the Sipsey Fork mainstem above Lewis Smith Reservoir embayment and in three tributaries in Lawrence and Winston counties, Alabama (Kuhajda 2004 b). Compared to historical collections, numbers of individuals in recent collections are few. Although most of this species’ range is within the William B. Bankhead National Forest and in part the Sipsey Wilderness area, there are sedimentation issues associated with poor forestry practices, especially in tributaries (Kuhajda 2004 b), and recent extreme droughts drying headwater streams. This species is threatened (Jelks et al. 2008) and needs to be considered for State and Federal protection. It is currently listed as a species of High Conservation Concern (P 2) by the State of Alabama (Kuhajda 2004 b, ADCNR 2015) and S 2 by the Alabama Natural Heritage Program, but is not on the State list of protected species (ALNHP 2015). An updated status survey is needed, followed by long term monitoring of extant populations.	en	Mayden, Richard L., Kuhajda, Bernard R. (2025): Two new species of Etheostoma from the Black Warrior River System (Mobile Basin) of Alabama (Teleostei: Percidae). Zootaxa 5618 (3): 351-371, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.3.3
