Biology
provided by Arkive
Due to the inaccessibility of its habitat, little is known about the toothless blindcat. Its sucker-like mouth and the mud-like contents of its stomach suggest that it feeds on fungal growths and detritus found amongst the soft bottom of the underground pool (5) (6). It is likely that is searches continuously and randomly for food on the bottom, without the need for effective sense organ to locate a meal (6). Olfaction, the sense of smell, appears to be the most effective sense the toothless blindcat possesses, which is possibly used to locate a potential mate (6).
Conservation
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In addition to the World Conservation Union (IUCN) classifying the toothless blindcat as Vulnerable (1), the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department consider this species to be Threatened (9). Controls are placed on water extraction from the Edwards Aquifer by federal and state authorities, offering the toothless blindcat a little protection (8). However, to fully protect this little known species and the unique aquatic ecosystem it inhabits, further studies and long-term monitoring are required to inform conservation actions (8).
Description
provided by Arkive
This small, freshwater fish occupies underground waters in Texas, a habitat inaccessible to people, yet still vulnerable to the impacts of human activities. The pinkish-white toothless blindcat has a head that looks like that of a tadpole, and lacks both eyes and teeth (3) (4). The adipose fin, the fin on the back of the fish, is long, low and joined to the short and rounded tail fin (3).
Habitat
provided by Arkive
The toothless blindcat is a subterranean freshwater fish, inhabiting underground pools at depths of 305 to 582 meters (1) (5).
Range
provided by Arkive
Occurs only in the San Antonio Pool of the Edwards Aquifer, in and near San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas (4).
Status
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Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1).
Threats
provided by Arkive
As the toothless blindcat occurs only in one underground pool, any change in the pool environment could rapidly impact the entire population, making this species very vulnerable to extinction. The toothless blindcat inhabits water that is removed for human use (7), particularly for the enormous city of San Antonio. As San Antonio continues to grow at a rapid rate, ground water extraction will have an increasing impact on the blindcat's habitat (8). In addition, as human populations rise, so does the probability of contamination of the Edwards Aquifer from agricultural and industrial runoff, such as fertilisers, pesticides and heavy metals (5) (7).
Trophic Strategy
provided by Fishbase
Inhabits subterranean waters.
- Recorder
- Crispina B. Binohlan
Biology
provided by Fishbase
Inhabits subterranean waters.
Importance
provided by Fishbase
fisheries: of no interest
Toothless blindcat
provided by wikipedia EN
The toothless blindcat (Trogloglanis pattersoni) is a species of North American freshwater catfish endemic to Texas in the United States.
Description
The toothless blindcat has no pigmentation and no externally visible eyes. The eye remnants are extremely reduced in size, with very little or no trace of a retina or lens; the optic tract is present, but always regresses before reaching the brain. In juveniles, the eye is under the skin, but as the fish grows, the eyes are withdrawn even further.[3] The head is as long as it is broad. The adipose fin is long and rounded at the end, and is connected to the caudal fin. The dorsal and pectoral fins have spines.[4] The swim bladder in these fish is reduced. The stomach is reduced in size and surrounded by deposits of adipose tissue allowing for adequate energy to be stored.[3] The skull is mostly cartilaginous and not well-ossified, unlike the adults of most larger ictalurids. The lateral line is fragmented and reaches to between the anterior to the posterior end of the adipose fin. This species also has a few paedomorphic traits (indicated by small size which ranges from 16-89mm,[3] kidney morphology, and weak ossification of the skeleton).[3] This species may reach about 10.4 centimetres (4.1 in) TL.[5]
Diet
Its toothless, sucker-like mouth possibly indicates T. pattersoni is a detritivore.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Along with the related widemouth blindcat (Satan eurystomus), this species inhabits subterranean habitats[4] in five artesian wells penetrating the San Antonio Pool of the Edwards Aquifer in and near San Antonio, Texas.[5]
References
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Toothless blindcat: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The toothless blindcat (Trogloglanis pattersoni) is a species of North American freshwater catfish endemic to Texas in the United States.
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
