Silverjaw Minnow
(Notropis buccatus)
Taxonomy
Class Actinopterygii
Subclass Neopyergii
Infraclass Teleostei
Superorder Ostariophysi
Order Cypriniformes (minnows and suckers)
Superfamily Cyprinoidea
Family Cyprinidae (carps and minnows)
Genus Notropis (Eastern shiners)
Species buccatus (4)
Class Actinopterygii
Subclass Neopyergii
Infraclass Teleostei
Superorder Ostariophysi
Order Cypriniformes (minnows and suckers)
Superfamily Cyprinoidea
Family Cyprinidae (carps and minnows)
Genus Notropis (Eastern shiners)
Species buccatus (4)
Identifying Characteristics
The silverjaw minnow is a silver soft-rayed fish with a fifth gill arch containing
one or two rows of teeth. This fish has cycloid scales, but does not have any
of these scales on its head. Its anal and dorsal fins are short compared to its
body size. (3) Adults usually grow to 2"-3" but can reach 4". The silverjaw minnow gets its common name from the silver coloration along its jaw. This species does not have any special conservation status. (5)
The silverjaw minnow is a silver soft-rayed fish with a fifth gill arch containing
one or two rows of teeth. This fish has cycloid scales, but does not have any
of these scales on its head. Its anal and dorsal fins are short compared to its
body size. (3) Adults usually grow to 2"-3" but can reach 4". The silverjaw minnow gets its common name from the silver coloration along its jaw. This species does not have any special conservation status. (5)
Life History
The silverjaw minnow typically has a life span of about three years. The silverjaw minnow do not change their appearance in any way during mating season, which occurs from March to June. They also do not travel very far to reach their spawning areas. Silverjaw minnows can become sexually mature as early as at one year, but usually begin mating at two years of age. Silverjaw minnows school while spawning and lay eggs on the bottom of the stream or river. (2)
The silverjaw minnow typically has a life span of about three years. The silverjaw minnow do not change their appearance in any way during mating season, which occurs from March to June. They also do not travel very far to reach their spawning areas. Silverjaw minnows can become sexually mature as early as at one year, but usually begin mating at two years of age. Silverjaw minnows school while spawning and lay eggs on the bottom of the stream or river. (2)
Geographic Range
The silverjaw minnow has a very wide distribution across North America. Its native range is the lower Great Lakes and large portions of the Miss. River drainage.
It is non-native but present in the Ocmulgee River drainage in Georgia, and in southern portions of Mississippi. The silverjaw minnow has also been found in Virginia.
Possible introductions may have occurred through Lake Jackson, the Clinch River, from bait buckets. (1)
It is non-native but present in the Ocmulgee River drainage in Georgia, and in southern portions of Mississippi. The silverjaw minnow has also been found in Virginia.
Possible introductions may have occurred through Lake Jackson, the Clinch River, from bait buckets. (1)
Diet
Silverjaw minnows live and feed on the bottom of streams and rivers. The adults primarily eat insect larvae, but also eat detritus and small crustaceans. They often feed along with bluntnose minnows and central stonerollers in order to take advantage of the larvae that are exposed as the other two species eat algae. Younger silverjaw minnows eat zooplankton. (2)
Ecosystem Importance
In general, most fish larger than The silverjaw minnow prey on them. In particular, the Threehorn Wartyback mussel parasitizes these fish. (2) The Threehorn Wartyback mussel can grow up to three inches and has a green, brown, or yellow outer shell. Not only does it prey on the Silverjaw Minnow, it also parasitizes the Common Shiner and Longnose Dace (6). |
INTERESTING FACT
The silver Jaw Minnow's old scientific name Ericymba buccata has an interesting Etymology. Ericymbathe the latin word meaning “cavity” and the word buccata meaning “cheek". This is in reference to their channels in the cheek area and on the underside of their head (2).
The silver Jaw Minnow's old scientific name Ericymba buccata has an interesting Etymology. Ericymbathe the latin word meaning “cavity” and the word buccata meaning “cheek". This is in reference to their channels in the cheek area and on the underside of their head (2).
References
References for pictures, in order of occurrence from top of page:
Thomas, Uland. USGS: Science for a changing world. <http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=588>
"Silverjaw Minnow." Silverjaw Minnow. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2014.
Mayden, Richard L. Encyclopedia of Life. <http://eol.org/data_objects/15219783>
Wood, Linda Fincher. Vertebrate Field Zoology Photo #138. Department of Biology, Stamford University. 2004. Oct. 7, 2012. <http://www4.samford.edu/schools/artsci/biology/vert-zoo-04s/pages/138.htm>
Notropis buccatus. United States Geographical Survey. <http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=588>
Ericymba buccata, Silverjaw Minnow. Department of Biology, Stamford University. 2000. Oct 7, 2012. <http://www4.samford.edu/schools/artsci/biology/photo101.html>
Threehorn Wartyback Mussel. Natural Park Service. Dec 14, 2012. <http://www.nps.gov/miss/naturescience/musspagehorn.htm>
References for other information:
1. Fuller, Pam. Notropis buccatus. Sept. 11, 2012. United States Geographical Survey. Oct. 7, 2012. <http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=588
2. Kommineni, Venkata. 2011. Silverjaw Minnow. All Wild About Kentucky's Environment. Oct. 7, 2012.<http://www.kentuckyawake.org/Silverjaw_Minnow>
3. Notropis buccatus (Cope); SILVERJAW MINNOW. 2012. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Fish Speceis Descriptions. Oct. 7, 2012. <http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?sid=95401824d1c06db5f7c3129e8b20305c;q1=Notropis%20buccatus;rgn1=fish5ic_all;op2=And;rgn2=fish5ic_all;g=fish-ic;c=fish5ic;size=50;last;view=entry;lastview=reslist;subview=detail;cc=fish5ic;entryid=x-089;viewid=089;;resnum=>
4. Notropis buccatus. Oct. 8, 2008. Integrated Information System. Oct. 7, 2012. <http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/itisca/taxastep?king=every&p_action=containing&taxa=Notropis%20buccatus>
5. Silverjaw Minnow. Ohio.gov. Department of Natural Resources. Dec. 14, 2012.
<http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/species_a_to_z/SpeciesGuideIndex/silverjawminnow/tabid/6753/Default.aspx>
6. ThreeHorn Wartyback Mussel. National Park Service. Dec 14, 2012. <http://www.nps.gov/miss/naturescience/musspagehorn.htm>"Silverjaw Minnow." Silverjaw Minnow. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2014.
Mayden, Richard L. Encyclopedia of Life. <http://eol.org/data_objects/15219783>
Wood, Linda Fincher. Vertebrate Field Zoology Photo #138. Department of Biology, Stamford University. 2004. Oct. 7, 2012. <http://www4.samford.edu/schools/artsci/biology/vert-zoo-04s/pages/138.htm>
Notropis buccatus. United States Geographical Survey. <http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=588>
Ericymba buccata, Silverjaw Minnow. Department of Biology, Stamford University. 2000. Oct 7, 2012. <http://www4.samford.edu/schools/artsci/biology/photo101.html>
Threehorn Wartyback Mussel. Natural Park Service. Dec 14, 2012. <http://www.nps.gov/miss/naturescience/musspagehorn.htm>
References for other information:
1. Fuller, Pam. Notropis buccatus. Sept. 11, 2012. United States Geographical Survey. Oct. 7, 2012. <http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=588
2. Kommineni, Venkata. 2011. Silverjaw Minnow. All Wild About Kentucky's Environment. Oct. 7, 2012.<http://www.kentuckyawake.org/Silverjaw_Minnow>
3. Notropis buccatus (Cope); SILVERJAW MINNOW. 2012. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Fish Speceis Descriptions. Oct. 7, 2012. <http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?sid=95401824d1c06db5f7c3129e8b20305c;q1=Notropis%20buccatus;rgn1=fish5ic_all;op2=And;rgn2=fish5ic_all;g=fish-ic;c=fish5ic;size=50;last;view=entry;lastview=reslist;subview=detail;cc=fish5ic;entryid=x-089;viewid=089;;resnum=>
4. Notropis buccatus. Oct. 8, 2008. Integrated Information System. Oct. 7, 2012. <http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/itisca/taxastep?king=every&p_action=containing&taxa=Notropis%20buccatus>
5. Silverjaw Minnow. Ohio.gov. Department of Natural Resources. Dec. 14, 2012.
<http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/species_a_to_z/SpeciesGuideIndex/silverjawminnow/tabid/6753/Default.aspx>
6. ThreeHorn Wartyback Mussel. National Park Service. Dec 14, 2012. <http://www.nps.gov/miss/naturescience/musspagehorn.htm>
Thomas, Uland. USGS: Science for a changing world. <http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=588>
"Silverjaw Minnow." Silverjaw Minnow. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2014.
Mayden, Richard L. Encyclopedia of Life. <http://eol.org/data_objects/15219783>
Wood, Linda Fincher. Vertebrate Field Zoology Photo #138. Department of Biology, Stamford University. 2004. Oct. 7, 2012. <http://www4.samford.edu/schools/artsci/biology/vert-zoo-04s/pages/138.htm>
Notropis buccatus. United States Geographical Survey. <http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=588>
Ericymba buccata, Silverjaw Minnow. Department of Biology, Stamford University. 2000. Oct 7, 2012. <http://www4.samford.edu/schools/artsci/biology/photo101.html>
Threehorn Wartyback Mussel. Natural Park Service. Dec 14, 2012. <http://www.nps.gov/miss/naturescience/musspagehorn.htm>
References for other information:
1. Fuller, Pam. Notropis buccatus. Sept. 11, 2012. United States Geographical Survey. Oct. 7, 2012. <http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=588
2. Kommineni, Venkata. 2011. Silverjaw Minnow. All Wild About Kentucky's Environment. Oct. 7, 2012.<http://www.kentuckyawake.org/Silverjaw_Minnow>
3. Notropis buccatus (Cope); SILVERJAW MINNOW. 2012. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Fish Speceis Descriptions. Oct. 7, 2012. <http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?sid=95401824d1c06db5f7c3129e8b20305c;q1=Notropis%20buccatus;rgn1=fish5ic_all;op2=And;rgn2=fish5ic_all;g=fish-ic;c=fish5ic;size=50;last;view=entry;lastview=reslist;subview=detail;cc=fish5ic;entryid=x-089;viewid=089;;resnum=>
4. Notropis buccatus. Oct. 8, 2008. Integrated Information System. Oct. 7, 2012. <http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/itisca/taxastep?king=every&p_action=containing&taxa=Notropis%20buccatus>
5. Silverjaw Minnow. Ohio.gov. Department of Natural Resources. Dec. 14, 2012.
<http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/species_a_to_z/SpeciesGuideIndex/silverjawminnow/tabid/6753/Default.aspx>
6. ThreeHorn Wartyback Mussel. National Park Service. Dec 14, 2012. <http://www.nps.gov/miss/naturescience/musspagehorn.htm>"Silverjaw Minnow." Silverjaw Minnow. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2014.
Mayden, Richard L. Encyclopedia of Life. <http://eol.org/data_objects/15219783>
Wood, Linda Fincher. Vertebrate Field Zoology Photo #138. Department of Biology, Stamford University. 2004. Oct. 7, 2012. <http://www4.samford.edu/schools/artsci/biology/vert-zoo-04s/pages/138.htm>
Notropis buccatus. United States Geographical Survey. <http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=588>
Ericymba buccata, Silverjaw Minnow. Department of Biology, Stamford University. 2000. Oct 7, 2012. <http://www4.samford.edu/schools/artsci/biology/photo101.html>
Threehorn Wartyback Mussel. Natural Park Service. Dec 14, 2012. <http://www.nps.gov/miss/naturescience/musspagehorn.htm>
References for other information:
1. Fuller, Pam. Notropis buccatus. Sept. 11, 2012. United States Geographical Survey. Oct. 7, 2012. <http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=588
2. Kommineni, Venkata. 2011. Silverjaw Minnow. All Wild About Kentucky's Environment. Oct. 7, 2012.<http://www.kentuckyawake.org/Silverjaw_Minnow>
3. Notropis buccatus (Cope); SILVERJAW MINNOW. 2012. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Fish Speceis Descriptions. Oct. 7, 2012. <http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?sid=95401824d1c06db5f7c3129e8b20305c;q1=Notropis%20buccatus;rgn1=fish5ic_all;op2=And;rgn2=fish5ic_all;g=fish-ic;c=fish5ic;size=50;last;view=entry;lastview=reslist;subview=detail;cc=fish5ic;entryid=x-089;viewid=089;;resnum=>
4. Notropis buccatus. Oct. 8, 2008. Integrated Information System. Oct. 7, 2012. <http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/itisca/taxastep?king=every&p_action=containing&taxa=Notropis%20buccatus>
5. Silverjaw Minnow. Ohio.gov. Department of Natural Resources. Dec. 14, 2012.
<http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/species_a_to_z/SpeciesGuideIndex/silverjawminnow/tabid/6753/Default.aspx>
6. ThreeHorn Wartyback Mussel. National Park Service. Dec 14, 2012. <http://www.nps.gov/miss/naturescience/musspagehorn.htm>