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The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.




Fundulus diaphanus
Fundulus diaphanus
(Banded Killifish)
Fishes
Native Transplant

Copyright Info
Fundulus diaphanus (Lesueur, 1817)

Common name: Banded Killifish

Synonyms and Other Names: eastern banded killifish, western banded killifish

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.govITIS logo

Identification: Becker (1983); Smith (1985); Page and Burr (1991); Jenkins and Burkhead (1994). This species is represented by two subspecies, F. d. diaphanus and F. d. menona.

Size: 13 cm.

Native Range: Atlantic Slope drainages from Newfoundland to Pee Dee River, South Carolina; St. Lawrence-Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins from Quebec to Manitoba, and south to southern Pennsylvania, northern Illinois, and northeastern Nebraska. Two subspecies with intergrades in St. Lawrence and Lake Erie drainages: F. d. diaphanus on the Atlantic Slope, F. d. menona in the rest of the range (Page and Burr 1991).

Native range data for this species provided in part by NatureServe NS logo
Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Nonindigenous Occurrences:

Table 1. States with nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Fundulus diaphanus are found here.

StateFirst ObservedLast ObservedTotal HUCs with observations†HUCs with observations†
ID199920083Brownlee Reservoir; Clearwater; Middle Snake-Succor
OH1944202315Hocking; Lake Erie; Little Miami; Little Muskingum-Middle Island; Little Scioto-Tygarts; Muskingum; Ohio Brush-Whiteoak; Raccoon-Symmes; Shenango; Tuscarawas; Upper Ohio; Upper Ohio-Beaver; Upper Ohio-Shade; Upper Ohio-Wheeling; Upper Scioto
OR196020206Lower Columbia; Lower Columbia-Clatskanie; Lower Columbia-Sandy; Lower Willamette; Middle Columbia-Hood; Middle Willamette
PA193820127Beaver; Lower Monongahela; Mahoning; Shenango; Upper Ohio; Upper Ohio-Beaver; Youghiogheny
SD196219621Fort Randall Reservoir
WA196020184Lewis; Lower Columbia-Clatskanie; Lower Columbia-Sandy; Lower Snake-Tucannon
WV198220234Little Muskingum-Middle Island; Raccoon-Symmes; Upper Ohio-Shade; Upper Ohio-Wheeling

Table last updated 4/18/2024

† Populations may not be currently present.


Means of Introduction: The fish was transplanted to parts of eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania from the Delaware River drainage of eastern Pennsylvania (Raney 1938, cited in Trautman 1981). A population in Clough Creek, Ohio, was likely the result of an aquarium release (Trautman 1981). One lake in South Dakota was stocked accidentally with largemouth bass (Bailey and Allum 1962). The species was introduced into other areas through unknown means; possibly bait bucket releases.

Status: Established in Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Oregon, and Washington. In Pennsylvania, known from the Ohio and Beaver drainages and established in the Youghiogheny.

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

Remarks: According to Bond (1994), the Oregon introduction involved the subspecies Fundulus diaphanus diaphanus; however, Li (personal communication) reported it as being the western subspecies F. d. menona. The Washington record was also reported as F. d. menona (Fletcher, personal communication).

Voucher specimens: Ohio (OSM 33514, 13865).

References: (click for full references)

Bailey, R.M. and M.O. Allum. 1962. Fishes of South Dakota. Miscellaneous Publications of the Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 119:1-131.

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

Bond, C.E. 1994. Keys to Oregon freshwater fishes. Oregon State University Bookstores, Corvallis, OR.

Fletcher, D. - Warmwater Fisheries Resource Manager, Washington Department of Wildlife, Olympia, WA. Response to NBS-G nonindigenous questionaire and other reports. 1992.

Hendricks, M. L., J. R. Stauffer, Jr., C. H. Hocutt, and C. R. Gilbert. 1979. A preliminary checklist of the fishes of the Youghiogheny River. Chicago Academy of Sciences, Natural History Miscellanea 203:1-15.

Hocutt, C.H., R.E. Jenkins, and J.R. Stauffer, Jr. 1986. Zoogeography of the fishes of the central Appalachians and central Atlantic Coastal Plain. 161-212 in C.H. Hocutt and E.O. Wiley, eds. The zoogeography of North American freshwater fishes. John Wiley and Sons, New York, NY.

Jenkins, R.E., and N.M. Burkhead. 1994. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD.

Li, H. - Professor, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.

Logan, D.J. 1994. A checklist of the fishes of Benton County, Oregon. American Currents 1994(Summer):16-18.

Page, L.M., and B.M. Burr. 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. The Peterson Field Guide Series, volume 42. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA.

Raney, E.C. 1938. The distribution of the fishes of the Ohio drainage basin of western Pennsylvania. Doctoral dissertation. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. 102 pp.

Smith, CL. 1985. The inland fishes of New York State. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY.

Trautman, M.B. 1981. The fishes of Ohio. Ohio State University Press, Columbus, OH.

FishBase Summary

Author: Pam Fuller, and Matt Neilson

Revision Date: 5/21/2019

Peer Review Date: 11/1/2011

Citation Information:
Pam Fuller, and Matt Neilson, 2024, Fundulus diaphanus (Lesueur, 1817): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=685, Revision Date: 5/21/2019, Peer Review Date: 11/1/2011, Access Date: 4/18/2024

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.

Disclaimer:

The data represented on this site vary in accuracy, scale, completeness, extent of coverage and origin. It is the user's responsibility to use these data consistent with their intended purpose and within stated limitations. We highly recommend reviewing metadata files prior to interpreting these data.

Citation information: U.S. Geological Survey. [2024]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [4/18/2024].

Contact us if you are using data from this site for a publication to make sure the data are being used appropriately and for potential co-authorship if warranted.

For general information and questions about the database, contact Wesley Daniel. For problems and technical issues, contact Matthew Neilson.