SPECIES
DIVERSITY
FISH
Up to 144 species of fish
have been documented from the Alabama River subbasin (excluding the Cahaba).
However, fish diversity has declined since the Corps dams were constructed
in the 1960s. Although the dams likely impede the movement of migratory and
resident fishes, some species including striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and
blue sucker (Cycleptus sp.cf.elongatus) are able to move past these
structures. The basin continues to support a diverse community, including
paddlefish (polyodon spathula), blue sucker, striped bass, southern walleye
(Stizostedion sp.), Alabama shad (Alosa alabamae), mooneye (Hiodon turgisus),
and Alabama sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus suttkusi). The Federally protected Gulf
sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) may also occur in the lower reaches
of the subbasin. (Corps? State of Rivers?)
There are 144 species of
fish, both native and introduced species that have been documented from the
Alabama River.
Species of concern
include:
Blue sucker
Alabama shad
Southern Walleye
Paddlefish
Gulf Sturgeon
The Alabama Sturgeon and
a number of important mussel species rely on the stretch of river below
Claiborne Lock and Dam which is the last, largely unregulated big river
habitat in Alabama. The only known surviving population of Alabama sturgeon,
an endangered species, is found in this section.
Fish status in Alabama
Basin
Total species
144
MUSSELS
The Southern clubshell (Pleurobema decisum), an
endangered species, historically was known from every major stream
system in the Mobile Basin outside the Mobile Delta. During recent surveys
(94-96) this species was found at two locations on Bogue Chitto Creek in
Dallas County. (GSA)
The Orange-nacre
mucket (Lampsilis perovalis), a threatened species, is
known from the Alabama River near Claiborne and was also found in the
Tombigbee, Black Warrior and Cahaba drainages. Recent surveys (94-96)
found two specimens in Bogue Chitto Creek in Dallas County and one relic
shell in Limestone Creek in Monroe County. (GSA)
The Alabama pearlshell (Margaritifera
marrianae) was recently found in a new locality, Big Flat Creek, in the
Alabama drainage. Its status within its historic range of Limestone Creek is
unknown. (GSA)
Dry Cedar Creek in
Lowndes County yields a high diversity and high number of live mussels
compared to other tributaries to the Alabama, according to recent surveys.
Pintalla Creek in Montgomery County demonstrated good mussel diversity (with
9 species present) but had very few live specimens. Big Swamp Creek in
Lowndes County yielded 8 species present but only one type was found alive.
Bogue Chitto Creek in Dallas County demonstrates extremely high mussel
diversity with at least 15 species represented, however, the presence of
Spyrogyra may indicate the presence of nutrient problems on this tributary.
There are commercially
harvested species such as ebony mussel (Fuscnaia ebena), washboard mussel (Megalonaias
nervosa), and other species (Quadrula spp.. F. cerina, Obliquaria reflexa).
Clairborne Lake and Dannelly Lake also contain two Federally endangered
mussel species, the southern clubshell (Plerobema decisum) and the only
known population of the heavy pigtoe (P. taitanum). (Corps ?)
SNAILS
The majority of the remaining gastropods in the basin belong to the
genus Elimia.
OTHER
Crayfish in tributaries of the Alabama include
Cambarus (Depressicambarus)
striatus found in Big Swamp Creek
(Lacunicambarus) diogenes found in Autauga Creek
Oronectes (Hespericambarus) perfectus found in Pine Barrens and Big Swamp
Creek
Oronectes (Tiscellascens) holti found in Hogan Creek, Bogue Chitto, Dry
Cedar, Mulberry Creek and Catoma Creek. Considered threatened
Oronectes (Tiscellascens) sp. Ref. jonesi found in Limestone, Big Flat
Creek, Robinson Creek, Bogue Chitto, Mulberry Creek, Big Swamp Creek, and
Pintlala Creek. considered threatened.
Procambarus (Pennides) spiculifer found in Limestone Creek and Pine Barren
Creek.
Procambarus (Pennides) versutus found in Limestone, Big Flat, Robinson,
Pursley, Oakmulgee, Mulberry, Little Mulberry, Swift, and Autauga Creeks
