Post by Admin on Mar 31, 2016 20:59:30 GMT
Name:Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius)
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Genus: Ptychocheilus
Species:P. lucius
IUCN Rating: Vulnerable
Description: The Colorado pikeminnow has an elongated body that is very similar to the pike. The head is cone-shaped, elongated and somewhat flattened, and forms nearly a quarter of the body length. The colour grades from bright olive green on the back to a paler yellowish shade on the flanks, becoming white underneath. Young fish also have a dark spot on the caudal fin. Both the dorsal and anal fins typically have nine rays. The pharyngeal teeth are long and hooked
Range: Confined to large rivers in the Colorado Basin
Habitat: Freshwater rivers
Diet: The adult diet consists mainly of fish.
Breeding: The Colorado pikeminnow lays its eggs in gravel beds during the months of July and August. After about a week the larvae hatch and float downstream until they can shelter in quiet backwaters until maturity.
Threats: Loss of habitat, blocked migration routes due to construction of dams
Points of interest: The Colorado pikeminnow was given full protection under the Endangered Species act in 1973
Sources and further information:
www.arkive.org/colorado-pikeminnow/ptychocheilus-lucius/
www.iucnredlist.org/details/18829/0
www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=FI0301
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_pikeminnow
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Genus: Ptychocheilus
Species:P. lucius
IUCN Rating: Vulnerable
Description: The Colorado pikeminnow has an elongated body that is very similar to the pike. The head is cone-shaped, elongated and somewhat flattened, and forms nearly a quarter of the body length. The colour grades from bright olive green on the back to a paler yellowish shade on the flanks, becoming white underneath. Young fish also have a dark spot on the caudal fin. Both the dorsal and anal fins typically have nine rays. The pharyngeal teeth are long and hooked
Range: Confined to large rivers in the Colorado Basin
Habitat: Freshwater rivers
Diet: The adult diet consists mainly of fish.
Breeding: The Colorado pikeminnow lays its eggs in gravel beds during the months of July and August. After about a week the larvae hatch and float downstream until they can shelter in quiet backwaters until maturity.
Threats: Loss of habitat, blocked migration routes due to construction of dams
Points of interest: The Colorado pikeminnow was given full protection under the Endangered Species act in 1973
Sources and further information:
www.arkive.org/colorado-pikeminnow/ptychocheilus-lucius/
www.iucnredlist.org/details/18829/0
www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=FI0301
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_pikeminnow