Etheostoma lugoi
Overview
The Tufa darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to Rio Mesquites and its tributaries in Bolson de Cuatro Cienegas, Mexico. It inhabits unvegetated river bottoms made of gravel to cobble-sized fragments of tufa and tufa stromatolites.
This species can reach a length of 3.8 cm (1.5 in). The specific name, lugoi, is in honor of José "Pepe" Lugo Guajardo for his contributions to the studies of the Cuatro Ciénegas Basin fauna.
Etheostoma lugoi faces severe threats from habitat degradation in its extremely limited range within the Coosa River system of Alabama. Dam construction and water regulation have fundamentally altered the natural flow regimes and substrate composition essential for this darter's survival. Agricultural runoff and urban development contribute to water quality degradation, while the species' restriction to a single river system makes it exceptionally vulnerable to any localized environmental catastrophe.
Habitat
This critically endangered darter inhabits shallow, fast-flowing rocky riffles and runs in the Coosa River system of Alabama. It requires clean, well-oxygenated water with gravel and cobble substrates for feeding and spawning.
