Iowa Fish Atlas

Native: Yes

State Rank: SNR 

ITIS Code: 553280

National Rank: N5           

Global Rank: G5

Modeled By: Anna Loan-Wilsey

State Range:

Recent systematic revision by Eisenhour (1999) of the M. aestivalis complex, formerly known as the speckled chub (name used Harlan et al. 1987), recognizes several distinct species. M. hyostoma and the closely related M. tetranema occur in the Midwest. However, M. hyostoma, or the shoal chub, is the form that occurs in Iowa.

The shoal chub is found in large interior rivers of the Mississippi River drainage, reaching its greatest abundance in the Des Moines and Cedar rivers.  It occurs in the Nishnabotna, Nodaway and Grand river watersheds in the Missouri River drainage (Harlan et al. 1987). The shoal chub is also found throughout the Mississippi River and in the lower reaches of the Missouri River.

Habitat Affinities:

The shoal chub inhabits medium to large streams and large rivers with permanent flow and continuous high turbidity (Cross and Collins 1995; Douglas 1974; Etnier and Starnes 1993; Pflieger 1997; Phillips et. al. 1982). It feeds in shallow areas at night and is usually found in open channels with moderate to swift current, primarily over clean, fine sand, but also fine gravel (Cross and Collins 1995; Etnier and Starnes 1993; Pflieger 1997; Phillips et. al. 1982; Robison and Buchanan 1988; Trautman 1981). It is often found in the swift, shallow water chutes of large, low-gradient streams with turbid to moderately clear water and fine sand or small gravel substrates (Harlan et al. 1987; Pflieger 1997). Cross and Collins (1995) note that the shoal chub avoids sluggish waters and silted bottoms and Becker (1983) states that it is rarely taken in areas with aquatic vegetation.

Predictive Model(s):

Statewide Model: by 8-digit HU [Decision Tree Analysis n=44]

The distribution is based upon existing collection records.

("FLOW" = 1 AND "TEMP_CODE" = 2 AND "SDISCR_2C" = 0 AND

  ((("STRAHLER" > 4 AND "STRAHLER" <= 5) AND "SOIL_TEXT" <= 3) OR

   (("STRAHLER" > 4 AND "STRAHLER" <= 5) AND "SOIL_TEXT" > 3 AND     

            ("LINKR" > 5 AND "LINKR" <= 6)) OR

  "STRAHLER" > 5))

Mississippi River Model:

The distribution is based upon existing collection records and professional review.

("pool" >= 'S08' AND "pool" <= 'S20')

Missouri River Model

The distribution is based upon existing collection records and professional review.

("pool" >= 'O18' AND "pool" <= 'O19')

Overall Prediction:

("FLOW" = 1 AND "TEMP_CODE" = 2 AND "SDISCR_2C" = 0 AND

((("STRAHLER" > 4 AND "STRAHLER" <= 5) AND "SOIL_TEXT" <= 3) OR

(( "STRAHLER" > 4 AND "STRAHLER" <= 5) AND "SOIL_TEXT" > 3 AND ("LINKR" > 5 AND "LINKR" <= 6)) OR

 "STRAHLER" > 5)) OR ("pool" >= 'S08' AND "pool" <= 'S20') OR ("pool" >= 'O18' AND "pool" <= 'O19')

Literature Cited:

Becker, G.C.  1983.  Fishes of Wisconsin.  University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 1052 pp.

Cross, F.B., and J.T. Collins.  1995.  Fishes in Kansas.  University of Kansas Natural History Museum, Public Education Series No. 14, Lawrence, Kansas.   315 pp.

Douglas, N.H.  1974.  Freshwater fishes of Louisiana.  Claitor’s Publishing Division, Sponsored by Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  443 pp.

Eisenhour, D.J.  1999.  Systematics of Macrhybopsis tetranema (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae).  Copeia 1999:969-980.

Etnier, D.A., and W.E. Starnes.  1993.  The fishes of Tennessee.  University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, Tennessee.  681 pp.

Harlan, J.R., E.B. Speaker, and J. Mayhew.  1987.  Iowa fish and fishing. Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa. 323pp.

Pflieger, W.L.  1997.  The fishes of Missouri.  Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.  372 pp.

Phillips, G.L., W.D. Schmid, and J.C. Underhill.  1982.  Fishes of the Minnesota region.  University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  248 pp.

Robison, H.W., and T.M. Buchanan. 1988.  Fishes of Arkansas.  University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville, Arkansas.  536 pp.

Trautman, M.B.  1981.  The fishes of Ohio.  Revised Edition.  Ohio State University Press in collaboration with the Ohio Sea Grant Program Center for Lake Erie Area Research,  Columbus, Ohio.  782 pp.

Data Sources:

Atchison, G.J., R.W. Bachmann, J.G., Nickum,  J.B. Barnumand, and M.B. Sandheinrich.

1986.  Aquatic biota associated with channel stabilization structures and abandoned channels in the middle Missouri River. Final Report.  Environmental and water quality operational studies.  Technical Report E-86-6.  Department of the Army, US Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C.

Berry, C.R., D.L. Galat, and M.L. Wildhaber.  2004.  Fish distribution and abundance. 

Volume 3.  Population structure and habitat use of benthic fishes along the Missouri and lower Yellowstone rivers.  U.S. Geological Survey, Cooperative Units, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota.

Decorah Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Northeast

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Decorah, Iowa.

Harrison, H.M.  1951.  General survey of the Des Moines River below Des Moines.

Quarterly Biology Reports 3(3):32-45.

Iowa State University Museum.  1985.  Collection of fishes catalog, 1878-1985.   Iowa

State University, Ames, Iowa.

Jordan, D.S., and S.E. Meek.  1885.  List of fishes collected in Iowa and Missouri in

August, 1884, with descriptions of three new species.  Proceedings of the U.S. National Museum 8(1):1-17.

King, L.R., and K.D. Carlander.  1976.  A study of the effects of stream channelization

and bank stabilization on warmwater sport fish in Iowa: Subproject No. 3.  Some effects of short-reach stream channelization on fishes and fish food organisms in central Iowa warm water streams.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Contract 14-16-0008-745.  Iowa Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, Ames, Iowa.

Lake Darling Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Southeast

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Brighton, Iowa.  

Lake MacBride Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports. 

Southeast Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Solon, Iowa.

LGL Ecological Research Associates.  1981.  Study of fish in the main channel of the

Mississippi River between river miles 500 and 513.5.  Final Report.  Great II Fish and Wildlife Management Work Group and Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Rock Island, Illinois.

Long Term Resource Monitoring Program.  2002.   Pool 13 database, 1990-2001.  Upper

Midwest Environmental Science Center, Bellevue, Iowa.

Manchester Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Northeast

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Manchester, Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  1983.  Field notes: northeast.  Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  1983.  Field notes: western and southern.  Iowa State University, Ames,

Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  1984.  Field notes: Des Moines-Skunk.  Iowa State University, Ames,

Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  1984.  Field notes: Iowa-Cedar.  Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  1998.  Field notes: Topeka shiner survey.  Iowa State University, Ames,

Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  2000.  Field notes: Topeka shiner survey, 2000 in-channel collections. 

Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Mt. Ayr Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Southwest

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Mt. Ayr, Iowa.

Museum of Natural History.  2002.  Freshwater fish collection.  Division of Zoology,

University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, Louisiana.

Museum of Zoology.  2002.  Division of Fishes collection database.  University of

Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/. (May, 2002)

Nord, R.C.  1967.  A compendium of fishery information on the Upper Mississippi River.

Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee, Rock Island, Illinois.

Olson, J.R.  1998.  Historic fish survey database.  Water Quality Bureau, Iowa

Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Paragamian, V.L.  1990.  Fish populations of Iowa rivers and streams.  Technical Bulletin

No. 3.  Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

UMRCC.  1953.  Revised species list- northern section of the river.  Pages 19-32 in

Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Meeting, Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee, Rock Island, Illinois.

UMRCC.  1964.  Proceedings of the twentieth annual meeting, January 7, 1964.  Upper

Mississippi River Conservation Committee, Rock Island, Illinois.

Van Vooren, A.  1981.  Relative utilization of Mississippi River habitats as fish nursery

areas.  Project 81-III-C-11.  Job Completion Reports.  Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa.

Wilton, T., K. Krier, and J. Mootz.  2003.  Stream Biological Assessment Database.

Environmental Services Division, Water Quality Bureau, TMDL and Water Quality Assessment Section, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Additional References:

Botrell, C.E., R.H. Ingersol, and R.W. Jones.  1964.  Notes on the embryology, early development, and behavior of Hybopsis aestivalis tetranemus (Gilbert).  Transactions of the American Microscopical Society 83:391-399.

Clay, W.M.  1975.  The fishes of Kentucky.  Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Frankfort, Kentucky.  416 pp.

Coburn, M.M., and T.M. Cavender.  1992.  Interrelationships of North American cyprinid fishes.  Pages 328-373 in R. L. Mayden, editor.  Systematics, historical ecology, and North American freshwater fishes. Stanford University Press, Stanford, Calfiornia. xxvi + 969 pp.

Cross, F.B.  1967.  Handbook of fishes of Kansas.  University of Kansas Museum of Natural History Miscellaneous Publication  No. 45, Lawrence, Kansas.  357 pp.

Eddy, S., and J.C. Underhill.  1974.  Northern fishes; with special reference to the upper Mississippi Valley.  University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  414 pp.

Eisenhour, D.J.  1997.  Systematics, variation, and speciation of the Macrhybopsis aestivalis complex (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) west of the Mississippi River. Ph.D. dissertation. Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois.

Gelwicks, G.T.  1995.  Fish movement between the lower Missouri River and a managed floodplain wetland in Missouri.  Master’s thesis. University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. 190 pp.

Kelly, G., editor.  1986.  Animal habitat relations handbook.  Missouri Department of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Jefferson City, Missouri.  293 pp.

Lee, D.S., C.R. Gilbert, C.H. Hocutt, R.E. Jenkins, D.E. McAllister, and J.R. Stauffer, Jr.  1980.  Atlas of North American freshwater fishes.  North Carolina State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, North Carolina.  867 pp.

Mayden, R.L. 1989.  Phylogenetic studies of North American minnows, with emphasis on the genus Cyprinella (Teleostei: Cypriniformes).  University of Kansas Museum Natural History Miscellaneous Publication (80):1-189.

Page, L.M., and B.M. Burr.  1991.  A field guide to freshwater fishes: North America north of Mexico.  Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. 432 pp.

Pflieger, W.L.  1971.  A distributional study of Missouri fishes.  University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History  20(3):225-570.

Pflieger, W.L.  1989a.  Aquatic community classification system for Missouri.  Missouri Department of Conservation.  Jefferson City, Missouri.  Aquatic Series No. 19. 70 pp. plus Supplement.

Pflieger, W.L.  1989b.  The stream resources of Missouri.  D-J Project - F-1-R-28.  Study S-20.  Missouri Department of Conservation, Columbia, Missouri.  

Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea, and W.B. Scott.  1991.  Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada.  American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 20, Bethesda, Maryland. 183 pp.

Starrett, W.C.  1950.  Food relationships of the minnows of the Des Moines River, Iowa.  Ecology 31(2):216-233.

Starrett, W.C.  1951.  Some factors affecting the abundance of minnows in the Des Moines River, Iowa.  Ecology 32(1):13-27.

Sublette, J.E., M.D Hatch, and M. Sublette.  1990.  The fishes of New Mexico.  University New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, New Mexico.  393 pp.

Thom, R.H., and J.H. Wilson.  1980.  The natural divisions of Missouri.  Transactions of the Missouri Academy of Science  14:9-24.

Tibbs, J.E.  1995.  Habitat use by small fishes in the lower Mississippi River related to foraging by least terns, Sterna altillarum.  Master’s thesis, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.  184 pp.

Photo Credits:

Upper Left:       Photo courtesy of Konrad P. Schmidt, copyright Konrad P. Schmidt.

Upper Right:     Photo courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Fish and Wildlife Information System, http://www.conservation.state.mo.us.