Centrarchidae: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|Family of ray-finned fishes}}

{{AboutRedirect|the North American freshwater fishSunfish family|other fish known as "sunfish"|Sunfish (disambiguation)}}

| name = SunfishesSunfish

Family members are distinguished by having a laterally compressed body shape, 36 to 89 anal spines, and 2 dorsal fins (spinous first dorsal and rayed second dorsal) which are fused.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |title=Peterson field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico |date=2011 |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |last2=Burr |first2=Brooks M. |last1=Page |first1=Lawrence M. |isbn=9780547242064 |edition=2nd |location=Boston |oclc=651912235}}</ref> The number of dorsal spines varies from 6 to 13. All species in ''Micropterus'' and ''Lepomis'' have 3 anal spines, which distinguishes them from the other genera in the family.<ref name=":6" /> The [[pseudobranch]] is small and concealed. Body size varies widely within the family with the [[Enneacanthus chaetodon|black-banded sunfish]] at just {{convert|8|cm|in|abbr=on}} in length, while the [[largemouth bass]] is reported to reach almost {{convert|1|m|ft|abbr=on}} in extreme cases.<ref name="EoF">{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Fishes|author1=Johnson, G.D.|author2=Gill, A.C.|publisher=Academic Press|year=1998|isbn=978-0-12-547665-2|editor=Paxton, J.R. |location=San Diego|pages=187|editor2=Eschmeyer, W.N.}}</ref>

Centrarchids prefer clear, warm, and slower-moving water, and are commonly found in habitats such as lakes, ponds, medium to low flow streams and rivers, and swamps.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Freshwater Fish Distribution|last=Berra|first=Tim|publisher=The University of Chicago Press|year=2007|isbn=978-0-226-04442-2|location=Chicago and London|pages=390–400}}</ref> They also prefer to live in and around aquatic vegetation so they can get adequate coverage from predators. While few species in the family diverge from the aforementioned habitat list, the [[Sacramento perch]] can survive in habitats with unusually high alkalinity, salinity, and temperatures.<ref name=":2" /> Centrarchids can be found in various locations within the [[water column]] and their exact preference is species specific. For instance, [[bluegill]] (''Lepomis macrochirus'') mainly inhabit the deeper littoral zones, while [[green sunfish]] (''Lepomis cyanellus'') prefer habitats near the shoreline and shallower areas.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Werner|first1=Earl E.|last2=Hall|first2=Donald J.|date=1977-07-01|title=Competition and Habitat Shift in Two Sunfishes (Centrarchidae)|journal=Ecology|language=en|volume=58|issue=4|pages=869–876|doi=10.2307/1936222|issn=1939-9170|jstor=1936222|bibcode=1977Ecol...58..869W }}</ref> Suction feeders within the family (i.e. ''Lepomis'') generally feed off the bottom of their habitat, while ram feeders (i.e. ''Micropterus'') generally feed in more open areas known as the [[limnetic zone]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Carroll|first1=Andrew M.|last2=Wainwright|first2=Peter C.|last3=Huskey|first3=Stephen H.|last4=Collar|first4=David C.|last5=Turingan|first5=Ralph G.|date=2004-10-15|title=Morphology predicts suction feeding performance in centrarchid fishes|journal=Journal of Experimental Biology|language=en|volume=207|issue=22|pages=3873–3881|doi=10.1242/jeb.01227|issn=0022-0949|pmid=15472018|doi-access=free}}</ref> Centrarchids diet consists of macro-invertebrates (e.g. insects, snails and crayfish) and other fish found in their habitat.<ref name=":2" />

=== Thermal Tolerancetolerance ===

In freshwater systems, water temperature is determined by many abiotic factors, with air temperature being one of the most significant contributors.<ref name=":32">{{Cite journal|last1=Lyons|first1=J.|last2=Stewart|first2=J. S.|last3=Mitro|first3=M.|date=2010-11-01|title=Predicted effects of climate warming on the distribution of 50 stream fishes in Wisconsin, U.S.A.|journal=Journal of Fish Biology|language=en|volume=77|issue=8|pages=1867–1898|doi=10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02763.x|pmid=21078096|bibcode=2010JFBio..77.1867L |issn=1095-8649}}</ref> As in other [[ectotherm]]s, many physiological processes and behaviors in Centrarchidae, such as feeding and reproduction, are heavily impacted by the temperature in their environment.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last1=Shuter|first1=B. J.|last2=Finstad|first2=A. G.|last3=Helland|first3=I. P.|last4=Zweimüller|first4=I.|last5=Hölker|first5=F.|date=2012-10-01|title=The role of winter phenology in shaping the ecology of freshwater fish and their sensitivities to climate change|journal=Aquatic Sciences|language=en|volume=74|issue=4|pages=637–657|doi=10.1007/s00027-012-0274-3|bibcode=2012AqSci..74..637S |s2cid=18297554|issn=1015-1621}}</ref> All species in the family Centrarchidae are considered [[Freshwater fish|warmwater]] adapted species.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Carpenter|first1=Stephen R.|last2=Fisher|first2=Stuart G.|last3=Grimm|first3=Nancy B.|author-link3=Nancy Grimm|last4=Kitchell|first4=James F.|date=1992-11-01|title=Global Change and Freshwater Ecosystems|journal=Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics|volume=23|issue=1|pages=119–139|doi=10.1146/annurev.es.23.110192.001003|issn=0066-4162}}</ref> In general, warmwater adapted species are characterized as being larger at higher temperatures and lower latitudes.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rypel|first=Andrew L.|date=2014-01-01|title=The Cold-Water Connection: Bergmann's Rule in North American Freshwater Fishes.|journal=The American Naturalist|volume=183|issue=1|pages=147–156|doi=10.1086/674094|pmid=24334744|s2cid=22642325|issn=0003-0147}}</ref> The optimal temperature range of most species in the family is 28&nbsp;°C(82&nbsp;°F) to 32&nbsp;°C(90&nbsp;°F), although they can survive and reproduce in temperatures that are outside of this optimum range.<ref name=":1" /> Increases in temperature outside the optimal range for centrarchids can have negative effects, such as speeding up reproductive maturity or increasing mortality after the first reproductive event.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Dembski|first1=S.|last2=Masson|first2=G.|last3=Monnier|first3=D.|last4=Wagner|first4=P.|last5=Pihan|first5=J. C.|date=2006-08-01|title=Consequences of elevated temperatures on life-history traits of an introduced fish, pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus|journal=Journal of Fish Biology|language=en|volume=69|issue=2|pages=331–346|doi=10.1111/j.1095-8649.2006.01087.x|bibcode=2006JFBio..69..331D |issn=1095-8649}}</ref> The lethal temperature range varies widely in the family, but some species have been seen to survive water temperatures as low as 1.7&nbsp;°C(3533&nbsp;°F) or as high as 41&nbsp;°C(106&nbsp;°F).<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Beitinger|first1=Thomas L.|last2=Bennett|first2=Wayne A.|last3=McCauley|first3=Robert W.|date=2000-07-01|title=Temperature Tolerances of North American Freshwater Fishes Exposed to Dynamic Changes in Temperature|journal=Environmental Biology of Fishes|language=en|volume=58|issue=3|pages=237–275|doi=10.1023/A:1007676325825|bibcode=2000EnvBF..58..237B |s2cid=35400804|issn=0378-1909}}</ref>

Centrarchids generally spawn in the spring, and juveniles emerge in the late spring to early summer.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://z0ku333mvy924cayk1kta4r1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/LakeLine/34-4/Full/34-4Full.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403173502/http://z0ku333mvy924cayk1kta4r1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/LakeLine/34-4/Full/34-4Full.pdf |archive-date=2018-04-03 |url-status=live|title=Fish in Winter – Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes|last=Miranda|first=L.E. (Steve)|date=Winter 2014|work=Lake Line (a publication of the North American Lake Management Society)|issue=4|volume=34|pages=28–31}}</ref> The transition from winter to spring conditions (i.e. melting of ice-cover, increase in day length, and increased food availability) is the main cue for centrarchids to begin preparing for reproduction.<ref name=":4" /> All species within Centrarchidae, except for those in the genus ''Micropterus,'' develop breeding coloration in both males and females (although less defined in females) during the breeding season.<ref name=":0" /> The process of courtship and reproduction is nearly identical for all species in the family, which is a major reason for the high levels of hybridization within Centrarchidae.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Jennings|first1=Martin J.|last2=Philipp|first2=David P.|last3=Montgomery|first3=W. L.|date=2002-12-01|title=Alternative Mating Tactics in Sunfishes (Centrarchidae): A Mechanism for Hybridization?|journal=Copeia|volume=2002|issue=4|pages=1102–1105|doi=10.1643/0045-8511(2002)002[1102:amtisc]2.0.co;2|s2cid=85691602 |issn=0045-8511}}</ref> With that said, there are some mechanisms in place to prevent hybridization, such as intricate morphology of the operculum in ''Lepomis,'' which assists in recognition of conspecific mates.<ref name=":0" />

The native range of Centrarchidae is confined within North America, covering most of the United States and stopping in southern Canada. The northern edge of the native range is heavily bound by temperature due to reduced foraging ability and growth in cold weather and subsequent starvation in winter months.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Alofs|first1=Karen M.|last2=Jackson|first2=Donald A.|last3=Lester|first3=Nigel P.|date=2014-02-01|title=Ontario freshwater fishes demonstrate differing range-boundary shifts in a warming climate|journal=Diversity and Distributions|language=en|volume=20|issue=2|pages=123–136|doi=10.1111/ddi.12130|bibcode=2014DivDi..20..123A |s2cid=85651008 |issn=1472-4642|doi-access=free}}</ref> As a result, centrarchid distributions and range in any place they are found will be restricted by cold temperatures.<ref name=":1" />

=== Range Shiftsshifts ===

If air temperatures continue to rise in the next 50 to 100 years as predicted,<ref>IPCC, 2014: Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team, R.K. Pachauri and L.A. Meyer (eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, 151 pp. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/</ref> warmwater species like centrarchids will likely experience range expansions northward and see an overall increase in occupiable habitat.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=COMTE|first1=LISE|last2=BUISSON|first2=LAËTITIA|last3=DAUFRESNE|first3=MARTIN|last4=GRENOUILLET|first4=GAËL|date=2013-04-01|title=Climate-induced changes in the distribution of freshwater fish: observed and predicted trends|journal=Freshwater Biology|language=en|volume=58|issue=4|pages=625–639|doi=10.1111/fwb.12081|bibcode=2013FrBio..58..625C |issn=1365-2427|url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00992708/file/Comte_11129.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501141112/https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00992708/file/Comte_11129.pdf |archive-date=2019-05-01 |url-status=live|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name=":32"/> This range expansion can have grave consequences for other freshwater fishes however, as many centrarchids are dominant top predators which can severely alter the community structure of non-native ecosystems and drive the extinction of other native predators.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Centrarchid Fishes|last1=Near|first1=T. J.|last2=Koppelman|first2=J. B.|publisher=Wiley-Blackwell|pages=1–38|language=en|doi=10.1002/9781444316032.ch1|chapter = Species Diversity, Phylogeny and Phylogeography of Centrarchidae|year = 2009|isbn = 9781444316032}}</ref>

=== Invasive Rangerange ===

While centrarchids are native to only North America, they can be found worldwide due to introductions withinon multiple continents, including Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia.<ref name=":2" /> At least 18 species of Centrarchidae are North American exports.<ref name=":1" /> Its multi-continental spread is mostly due to the high popularity of the family (especially from the genera ''Micropterus'') as freshwater game fish that are frequently stocked for [[recreational fishing]] all around Europe.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

Recent genetic evidence suggests the following [[Taxonomy (biology)|taxonomy]] of the centrarchid genera and species:<ref name=roe>{{cite journal |first1=Kevin J. |last1=Roe |first2=Phillip M. |last2=Harris |first3=Richard L. |last3=Mayden | year = 2002 | title = Phylogenetic relationships of the genera of North American sunfishes and basses (Percoidei: Centrarchidae) as evidenced by the mitochondrial cytochrome ''b'' gene | url = http://specifyassets.nhm.ku.edu/Ichthyology/originals/sp67800263772931021157.att.pdf | journal = Copeia | volume = 2002 | issue = 4| pages = 897–905 | doi=10.1643/0045-8511(2002)002[0897:protgo]2.0.co;2 |s2cid=86167841 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914124819/http://specifyassets.nhm.ku.edu/Ichthyology/originals/sp67800263772931021157.att.pdf |archive-date=2017-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Near, T. J.|author2=D. I. Bolnick|author3=P. C. Wainwright|name-list-style=amp|title=Fossil calibrations and molecular divergence time estimates in centrarchid fishes (Teleostei: Centrarchidae)|journal=Evolution|date=2005|volume=59|issue=8|pages=1768–1782|doi=10.1111/j.0014-3820.2005.tb01825.x|pmid=16329246|doi-access=free}}</ref>

|1=''[[Centrarchus macropterus]]'' [[File:Centrarchus macropterus (white background).jpg|70 px]]}}

|label1=''[[Pomoxis]]'' (crappies)

|label2=''[[Ambloplites]]'' (rock basses)

|label1=''[[Micropterus]]'' (black basses)

|label2=''[[Lepomis]]'' (true sunfish)

|1=''[[Lepomis gulosus]]'' [[File:Chaenobryttus gulosus (white background).jpg|70 px]]}}

|1=''[[Lepomis microlophus]]'' [[File:Redearsunfishnctc (white background).jpg|70 px]]

The 5th edition of ''[[Fishes of the World]]'' recognises three subfamilies; the [[Lepominae]], which contains the genera ''Acantharchus'', ''Lepomis'', and ''Micropterus''; the [[Pygmy sunfish|Elassomatinae]], which consists solely of the highly distinct genus ''[[Elassoma]]'' (treated by [[Fishbase]] as a separate family, the Elassomatidae);<ref name = Fbe>{{FishBase family | family = Elassomatidae | month = December |year=2019}}</ref> and the [[Centrarchinae]], which contains all of the remaining genera.<ref name = Nelson5>{{cite book |title=Fishes of the World |edition=5th |author1=J. S. Nelson |author2=T. C. Grande |author3=M. V. H. Wilson |year=2016 |pages=444–446 |publisher=Wiley |isbn= 978-1-118-34233-6 |url=https://sites.google.com/site/fotw5th/ |access-date=2020-05-18 |archive-date=2019-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408194051/https://sites.google.com/site/fotw5th/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[Category:PerciformesCentrarchiformes families]]