PlanetCatfish.com

Noturus crypticus

Kuhajda et al. wrote:EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Chucky madtoms, a small catfish, are known from a single population in Little Chucky Creek, a
tributary to the Nolichucky River in Tennessee. To evaluate the biological status of the Chucky
madtom both currently and into the future, we consider the species’ viability as characterized by
resiliency, redundancy, and representation (i.e., 3Rs). The Chucky madtom needs multiple
resilient populations across its range to maintain its persistence into the future and to avoid
extinction. Given the reduction of the range to only one stream and the small population size,
Chucky madtom has low resilience and redundancy, making it more difficult for the species to
withstand and recovery from stochastic or catastrophic events. Further, the species is likely
suffering genetic isolation and reduced adaptive capabilities, resulting in low representation.
These conditions combined, give the species a high likelihood of extinction.

They are threatened by habitat degradation, extreme curtailment of habitat and range, small
population size and low numbers, inability to offset mortality with natural reproduction and
recruitment, and their resulting vulnerability to natural or human induced catastrophic events
(e.g., droughts, pollution spills, etc.). The species has not been detected since 2004, and was
comprised of only a few individuals and is apparently unable to offset mortality with its current
recruitment rate. It is threatened by inadequate water quality, habitat deterioration, and
introduced species. Virilis crayfish (Orconectes virilis) and Kentucky River crayfish
(Orconectes juvenilis), both introduced species, are abundant in Little Chucky Creek and
compete with Chucky madtoms for access to the little habitat that is available for cover and
spawning, as well as likely predating on madtom embryos.