''Percina peltata'', the shield darter, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the

subfamily In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...

Etheostomatinae Etheosomatidae is a species rich subfamily of freshwater ray-finned fish, the members of which are commonly known as the darters. The subfamily is part of the family Percidae which also includes the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. The family i ...

, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to the eastern United States.

Description

''Percina peltata'' attains a maximum total length of , although around is a more common length. It has a body which is olive to tan in colour on the back marked with 6–7 horizontally rectangular black blotches on the flanks, These are normally connected by a thin black stripe. These blotches are connected to the 8–11 dark saddle marks by sinuous brown lines. On the caudal fin there is a black spot below the centre of its base and there is a large black teardrop shaped marking on the head. At the base of the first dorsal fin there is a row of black crescent shaped markings.

Distribution

''Percina peltata'' Is endemic to the eastern United States where it is found in the drainages of the Atlantic Slope from the

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and Susquehanna rivers in

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, to the

James River The James River is a river in the U.S. state of Virginia that begins in the Appalachian Mountains and flows U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map , accessed April 1, 2011 to Chesapea ...

In Virginia. A non native population has become established in the Rondout Creek and Hudson River drainage basins in New York via the

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Habitat and biology

''Percina peltata'' is found in moderate-sized creeks where there is a gravel and rubble bottom and a strong current. The shield darter feeds on small aquatic invertebrates and terrestrial invertebrates→ which fall into the water. This species

spawns Spawn is the eggs and sperm released or deposited into water by aquatic animals. As a verb, ''to spawn'' refers to the process of releasing the eggs and sperm, and the act of both sexes is called spawning. Most aquatic animals, except for aquat ...

over fine gravel with some large rocks. It normally occurs during the day but has been observed at night. It starts in mid-April and continues into May. The males set up

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on the fine gravel which has been deposited on the downstream sides os larger rocks. The males defend this territory chasing other males for up to , although defence was concentrated in the immediate . The eggs are laid and buried in the gravel and mating lasts 10-15 seconds.

Taxonomy

''Percina peltata'' was first formally described in 1864 as ''Etheostoma peltatum'' by the Pennsylvania born naturalist Jacob Stauffer (1808–1880) with the type locality given as the

Conestoga River The Conestoga River, also referred to as Conestoga Creek, is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map, accessed August 8, 2011 tributary of the Susquehanna River flowing through the cente ...

near

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References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q3754159 peltata Fish described in 1864