Moxostoma antelunare, Akin & Jenkins & Armbruster, 2025

Akin, Daniel R., Jenkins, Robert E. & Armbruster, Jonathan W., 2025, Description of the Apalachicola Redhorse (Catostomidae: Moxostoma), Zootaxa 5711 (2), pp. 181-202 : 184-196

Moxostoma antelunare new species, Akin, Jenkins, and Armbruster

Apalachicola Redhorse

Figure 2

Myxostoma duquesnii Jordan, 1877:357 ([in part] Nancy Creek, Georgia). Jordan & Brayton, 1878:39, 43 ([in part; UMMZ-IU 2956, possibly mislabeled as from Eufaula, Alabama] Chattahoochee system, Georgia).

Moxostoma duquesnii Fowler, 1945:24 ([in part] range).

Moxostoma duquesnei Robins & Raney, 1956:13 , 14 ([in part; CU 17128, Vickery Creek, Georgia] characters). Yerger & Suttkus, 1962:323–326 ([in part; 3 UF-FSU lots, 5 TU lots, Apalachicola River, Florida; 2 TU lots, upper Apalachicola drainage, Georgia] description; comparisons; associates).

Myxostoma macrolepidotum Jordan & Brayton, 1878:86 ([in part; name switched from variety duquesnii ] range).

Moxostoma poecilurum Bailey et al., 1954:155 ([in part; UMMZ 134607, Flint River mouth, Georgia-Florida] range).

Moxostoma erythrurum Robins & Raney, 1956:13 , 14 ([in part; CU 26578, Little River, Georgia; CU 26579, Hatchechubee Creek tributary, Alabama] characters).

Moxostoma carinatum Smith-Vaniz, 1968:64 ([in part; TU 20893, Chipola River, Florida] Apalachicola drainage record).

Moxostoma sp. Smith-Vaniz, 1968:64, 125 (Apalachicola drainage, zoogeography). McSwain & Pasch, 1973 (life history, range, Flint system, Georgia).

Moxostoma sp. cf. poecilurum Dahlberg & Scott, 1971:29 , 61 (range in Georgia). Buth, 1978:134–187 (biochemical systematics).

Moxostoma sp. cf. M. poecilurum Boschung & Mayden, 2004:318 , 319 (comparison; range; habitat).

Moxostoma species Page & Burr, 1991:185 (comparison; range; habitat).

Moxostoma sp. Apalachicola Redhorse Doosey & Bart, 2011:1092–1108 (comparison; anatomy). Robins et al., 2018: 139–140 (comparison; range; habitat).

Moxostoma “grammarion ” Jenkins, 1970:348–359, 380–383 ([unpublished] new species; description; comparison; relationships; biology, range, habitat).

Grayfin Redhorse Jenkins, 1980:430 (range map).

Holotype.— AUM 88125 (ex AUM 86398 ; REJ 1481 ), male, 338 mm SL, Georgia, Heard County , Chattahoochee- Apalachicola River Basin , Centralhatchee Creek, Rt. 27 bridge 2.3 miles N of Franklin, 33.3112, -85.1046, 13 April 1996, R. E. Jenkins, B. Freeman, D.M. Walters.

Paratopotypes.— AUM 86398 ( REJ 1481 ) , 12, 293– 336 mm SL, 2 sk, 318–366mm SL, collected with holotype .

Paratypes.— From Apalachicola River Basin and neighboring St. Andrew’s Bay Basin .

Apalachicola River system: Florida. Calhoun Co.: UF 124567 , 1, 124.1 mm SL, Bee Tree Slough at head in Apalachicola River , 30.3001, -85.0581, S. Walsh, W. Tate, M. Burgess, 25 April 2002 ; UF 130578 , 1, 111.7 mm SL, Apalachicola river, Mary Slough at head in Apalachicola River , 30.2729, -85.0630, S. Walsh, W. Tate, M. Burgess, 25 April 2002 ; UF 237835 , 3 , 221.0— 301 mm SL, Chipola River, boat ramp at Johnny Boy Landing , 4.6 km WSW of Altha, FL, 30.5525, -85.1709, J. Williams, Z. Randall, D. Boyd, A. Strickland, 24 July 2015 . Franklin Co .: AUM 73569 , 2 , 141.3 – 167.6 mm SL, East River, from Apalachicola River to ~300 meters inside, 29.8595, -85.0129, D.C. Werneke, D . R. Akin , C. Myles-McBurney, L.N. Patterson, K.D. Thornhill, 13 May 2021 . Gadsden Co.: UF 44546 , 2 , 294.0– 396 mm SL, E shore Apalachicola River 200–1000 yds below Jim Woodruff Dam ., 30.7042, -84.8633, C. Swift, G. Laurence, 2 May 1967 ; UF 54900 , 1 , 319.0 mm SL, Apalachicola River, E side, 100 yd S of US 90 bridge at Chattahoochee. , 30.7000, -84.8594, J. Barkuloo, 5 June 1959 ; UF 55268 , 3 , 327.0– 349 mm SL, Apalachicola River at shoal 0.25 mi south of St Rte 90 below bridge., 30.6964, -84.8589, J. Barkuloo, E. Grover, Corbin, Willis, 1 October 1959 ; UF 75600 , 2 , 341.0– 353 mm SL, Apalachicola River, ca 0.5 mi downstream from Jim Woodruff Dam at Chattahoochee. , 30.7042, -84.8633, H. Beecher, J. Stowe, 28 January 1975 ; NCSM 45829 , 4 , 353.0– 417 mm SL, Apalachicola River, immediately above US Highway 90, 0.75 kilometers below Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam , [ca. 1.0 air miles ESE center] Chattahoochee , 30.7030, -84.8602, S. Young, P. Ely , T. Grabowski , 15 March 2007 ; NCSM 53267 , 1 , 354.0 mm SL, Apalachicola R., Apalachicola River, 1.2 mile reach from just below Woodruff Dam to mouth of Mosquito Creek , on W side of town of Chattahoochee , 30.7076, -84.8626, W. C. Starnes, G. M. Hogue, J. J. Isely, J. Tannahill , T. Ingram , 16 April 2009 ; UF 55680 , 4 , 302.0– 384 mm SL, Apalachicola River from Woodruff Dam to bridge on Rte 90., 30.7042, -84.8633, J. Barkuloo, Grover, August 1959 ; UF 60223 , 3 , 336.0– 368 mm SL, Apalachicola River at Chattahoochee. , 30.7042, -84.8633 , R. Yerger , et al., 19 October 1963 ; UF 66476 , 1, 139.2 mm SL, Apalachicola River, E bank behind deflectors & discharge canal at Gulf Power Station ., 30.6625, - 84.8878, B. Auth, J. Wolfe, 11 June 1968 . Gulf Co.: AUM 73504 , 2 , 264.0– 268 mm SL, Spider Slough, ~550 meters inside from Chipola River , 30.0072, -85.0921, D.C. Werneke, D . R. Akin , C. Myles-McBurney, L.N. Patterson, K.D. Thornhill, 12 May 2021 ; UF 120248 , 6 , 54.6–67.17 mm SL, Douglas Creek at head of feeder slough at river mile 30.3B, Pool 3, 30.0244, -85.1167, S. Walsh , R. Lewis, A. Hester, 15 November 2001 ; UF 120256 , 3 , 57.3–76.8 mm SL, Douglas Creek at head of feeder slough at river mile 30.3 B. Pool 2, 30.0244, -85.1167, S. Walsh , R. Lewis, A. Hester, 15 November 2001 ; UF 237849 , 1 , 253.0 mm SL, Apalachicola River near junction of Chipola Cutoff , ENE of Wewahitchka, 30.1294, -85.1446, J. Williams, Z. Randall, D. Boyd, A. Strickland , T. Alfermann, S. Bisping, 23 September 2015 . Jackson Co.: UF 44547 , 2 , 173.2 – 332 mm SL, East shore of Apalachicola River below Jim Woodruff Dam ., 30.7042, -84.8633, C. Swift, G. Laurence, 2 May 1967 ; UF 79965 , 7 , 190.0– 329 mm SL, Chipola River ca 1.5 mi downstream of bridge on St Rte 278, 0.7 mi W of intersection with St Rte 71., 30.6106, -85.1650, G. Burgess, et al., 8 May 1989 ; UF 130162 , 1 , 198.0 mm SL, Chipola River from point below river rise to south boundary of park— Florida Caverns State Park , 30.8148, -85.2322, S. Walsh, J. Williams , R. Lewis , 1 May 2002 ; UF 132238 , 1, 134.2 mm SL, Chipola River on Highway 166 at Northeast side of Marianna , 30.7923, -85.2212, J. Williams, K. McDonald, J. Couch, 28 May 2003 . Liberty Co.: AUM 73553 , 1 , 390.0 mm SL, Swift Slough, from head at Apalachicola River to ~200 meters inside, 30.1217, -85.1297, D.C. Werneke, D . R. Akin , C. Myles-McBurney, L.N. Patterson, K.D. Thornhill, 12 May 2021 ; UF 119078 , 2 , 101.7 – 103.46 mm SL, Apalachicola River, river mile 41.6, at sandbar adjacent to east shoreline, across from Chipola “cut-off.”, 30.1288, -85.1450, J. Williams, S. Walsh, et al., 22 September 2000 ; UF 121986 , 2 , 64.9–68.75 mm SL, Hog Slough at head on left descending bank of Apalachicola River just upriver of RM 40 , 30.1163, -85.1292, S. Walsh , R. Lewis, G. Garrett, 19 October 2001 ; UF 124620 , 1, 140.3 mm SL, Moccasin Slough upstream from mouth into River Styx , 30.1071, -85.1351, S. Walsh, W. Tate, M. Burgess, 12 February 2002 ; UF 124839 , 2 , 93.4–121.8 mm SL, Pool at mouth of Battle Bend into Apalachicola River , 30.0175, -85.0999, S. Walsh, W. Tate, M. Burgess, 12 February 2002 ; UF 130140 , 4 , 105.9 – 115.8 mm SL, River Styx on both shorelines, between two unnamed sloughs on left descending bank, 30.0879, -85.1297, S. Walsh, W. Tate, M. Burgess, 4 November 2002 ; UF 169417 , 2 , 71.7–85.74 mm SL, Moccasin Slough connector to main river near head, 30.1109, -85.1389, W. Tate, M. Burgess , R. Gerwig , 30 July 2003 ; UF 32909 , 3 , 235.0– 411 mm SL, Apalachicola River ., 30.2380, -85.0835, B. Auth, D. Cox, February or March 1969 ; UF 75357 , 1, 167.7 mm SL, Apalachicola River ca 0.5 mi N of St Rd 20 bridge at Bristol. , 30.4389, -84.9928, H. Beecher , T. Lewis , 22 July 1976 .

Chattahoochee River system: Alabama. Barbour Co.: AUM 29198 , 1, 182.7 mm SL, Middle Fork Cowikee Cr , David Jones Rd 2 mi N Hawkinsvile, 32.0544, -85.2277, J.W. Armbruster, M. Hardman, 26 May 1999 . Lee Co.: AUM 1518 , 2 , 111.8 – 130.48 mm SL, Halawakee Creek , 10.0 miles NE of Opelika, 32.6908, -85.2156 , R. J. Gilbert, H. Hurst, W. Mixon, M. Habel, 12 December 1968 ; AUM 29184 , 2 , 92.4–183.25 mm SL, Wacoochee Creek , CR 379 0.5 miles SSE Dupriest Crossroad, 32.6228, -85.1327, J.W. Armbruster, J.D. Evans, M. Hardman, 25 May 1999 ; AUM 61916 , 1, 198.2 mm SL, Little Uchee Creek , at CR 175, at Meadows Mill, 32.5276, -85.2541, A . R. Henderson, C.P. Cleveland , T.M. Farmer , 15 June 2004 ; TU 180185 , 3 , 47.0– 53.25 mm SL, Halawakee Creek at County Road 390, NE Opelika—Segment 9., 32.6958, -85.2558, H.L. Bart, C. Gradney & K. Richardson, 16 August 1995 . Russell Co.: AUM 686 , 1 , 87.6 mm SL, Uchee Cr., 7.6 mi N. Cottonton on HWY 165, 32.3158, -85.0129 , R.J. Gilbert , L.A. Johnson, 1 September 1967 ; AUM 934 , 1 , 310.0 mm SL, Lake Eufaula , ca. 2 mi S of Cottonton, 32.1375, -85.0592, M . V. Rawson , et al., 1 August 1968 . Georgia. Carroll Co. AUM 13661 , 1, 126.3 mm SL, Snake Creek , (channelized) 1.7 mi N of Whitesburg, Co.Rd., 33.5174, -84.9070, G.C. Mitchell, et al., 26 November 1975 . Douglas Co. GMNH 2494 , 4 , 158.2 – 199.03 mm SL, Dog River at County Road 217 crossing, 4.25 air miles SW of Douglasville, 33.6664, -84.8717, GA DNR, 7 May 1992 ; GMNH 2495 , 2 , 115.0– 252 mm SL, Mobley Creek at County Road 198 crossing, 7.5 air miles SW of Douglasville, 0.25 air miles W of junction of CR 203 and CR 198, 33.6664, -84.8717, GA DNR, 7 May 1992 ; GMNH 2510 , 1, 110.3 mm SL, Crawfish Creek at County Road 238 crossing, 3.75 air miles NNW of Fairplay, 33.6725, -84.8883, GA DNR, 27 May 1992 . Habersham Co. NCSM 4951 , 8 , 102.9 – 273 mm SL; CU 53291 [nm], 1, 193 mm SL; CU 52972 [nm], 36, 48–126 mm SL [in two jars] ); KU 13061 [nm], 6, 94–252 mm SL ; UAIC 2843 [nm], 2, 229– 260 mm SL ; UMMZ 187714 [nm], 2, 235– 273 mm SL ; USNM 204008 [nm], 5, 102– 262 mm SL, all from Chattahoochee River , 1.0 miles S GA Route 115, [ca. 8.0 air miles ESE of Cleveland], 34.5622, -83.6279, Georgia Department of Natural Resources crew, and Donald C. Scott and his ichthyology class, 24 October 1963 ;. Hall Co. GMNH 2630 , 1, 109.6 mm SL, West Fork Little River , downstream of bridge on County Road 49, 5.10 air miles SSW of Clermont, 34.4153, -83.8214, J.C. DeVivo , USGS, 3 November 1993 ; GMNH 2658 , 3 , 63.1–73.49 mm SL, West Fork Little River , downstream of bridge on Co. Rd. 49, 5.10 air miles SSW of Clermont, 34.4153, -83.8214, J.C. DeVivo , USGS, 6 June 1994 . Harris Co. AUM 368 , 2 , 143.6 – 153.2 mm SL, Osahatchee Creek , 2.6 miles N of Cataula, Hwy 27, 32.6887, -84.8569, J.S. Ramsey , R.J. Gilbert , 05 August 1967 ; GMNH 2643 , 1 , 149.0 mm SL, Ossahatchee Creek , upstream of bridge on County Road 173, 2.30 air miles ENE of Catula, 32.6675, -84.8328 , CA Couch , USGS, 20 October 1994 . Heard Co. AUM 31035 , 1 , 279.0 mm SL, Hillabatchee Creek , 3 miles WSW of Franklin; CR 210, 33.3109, -85.1881, J. Biagi, 01 September 1999 ; GMNH 43237 , 1, 144.6 mm SL, Centralhatchee Creek just downstream of US Hwy 27, 2.2 air miles North of Franklin city center. Heard Co, GA, 33.3112, -85.1046, M.C. Freeman, P.A. Marcinek, J. Shields , USGS, 3 September 2003 ;. Lee Co. AUM 7024 , 1 , 224.0 mm SL, Kinchafoone Cr., at mouth of Middle Cr. 4.8 mi W of Leesburg, 31.7589, -84.2533, L.E. McSwain , R.M. Gennings , et al., 30 September 1971 ; AUM 18330 , 1 , 300.0 mm SL, Kinchafoonee Cr. , 4.8 airmi WNW of Leesburg, at junction with Middle Cr., 31.7589, -84.2533 , T. Scott , GA Game & Fish Division, 19 September 1973 . Meriwether Co. GMNH 3206 , 1 , 263.0 mm SL, Cane Creek 4.3 air miles SW of Woodbury on St Rd 85 W, 32.9421, -84.6368, GA DNR, 1 July 1991 ; GMNH 3240 , 2 , 143.0– 158.63 mm SL, Rocky Ford Creek 2.4 air miles NNW of Warm Springs on St Rd 27 Alt, 32.9222, -84.6942, GA DNR, 30 July 1991 . Muscogee Co. GMNH 2560 , 1, 143.4 mm SL, Bull Creek at Schatulga Road in Ft. Benning Military Reservation, 32.5090, -84.8694 , R.H. Pegram , P.M. Purcell, 13 May 1994 . Troup Co. AUM 33475 , 1 , 318.0 mm SL, Wehadkee Creek , from confluence with Chattahoochee River; 4 miles S.of Evansville to 0.5 miles NW of hwy 238 bridge, 33.0784, -85.2226, Shelton, Hiranvat, Singholka, 7 July 1972 ; GMNH 2508 , 1, 196.1 mm SL, Flat Shoals Creek at Secondary Route 1428 crossing, 9.25 air miles SE of LaGrange, 32.9617, -84.9011, GA DNR, 26 May 1992 ; GMNH 2540 , 1 , 244.0 mm SL, Sulpher Creek at County Road 191 crossing, 4.1 air miles NNE of Oak Grove, 32.9447, -84.8714, GA DNR, 1 July 1992 ; GMNH 2547 , 4 , 214.0– 235 mm SL, Yellow Jacket Creek at State Route crossing, 1.0 air mile NW of Hogansville, 33.1786, -84.9292, GA DNR, 9 July 1992 ; GMNH 2641 , 1 , 226.0 mm SL, Flat Shoals Creek , upstream of bridge crossing on County Road 524, 9.25 air miles ESE of LaGrange, 32.9617, -84.9011, J.C. DeVivo, J.W. Garrett, M.J. Zieg, S. Jones, 18 May 1994 . White Co. GMNH 3777 , 1 , 67.6 mm SL, Sautee Creek at County Route 101 ( Lynch Mountain Road) crossing, 8.1 air miles NNE of Cleveland, GA city center., 34.6849, -83.6692, M.M. Hagler, J.A. Harper, C.E. Menken , R.L. Machyousky , D.E. Sedgwick, 23 June 2003 .

Flint River system: Georgia. Baker Co. GMNH 2312 , 1, 162.4 mm SL, Big Cypress Creek, ca. 0.2 mi. down from SR 91 crossing, 31.2020, -84.4979, B.J. Freeman, M.C. Freeman, B. Wooten, M. Maynard, 5 October 1991 ; GMNH 2378 , 2 , 122.9 – 204.02 mm SL, Ichawaynochaway Creek , between old power dam and SR 200 crossing, 31.2901, -84.4917, B.J. Freeman, M.C. Freeman, R. N. Smith, 18 May 1992 . Clayton Co. UF 110599 , 1 , 296.0 mm SL, Flint River , North Bridge Road at JW Smith water treatment plant, 33.4154, -84.3851, D. Ruessler, et al., 11 December 1997 . Crawford Co. GMNH 2640 , 2 , 135.1 – 138.14 mm SL, Ulcohatchee Creek , upstream of bridge crossing on County Road 85, 9.30 air miles West of Roberta, 32.7236, -84.1726, J.C. DeVivo, J.W. Garrett, M.J. Zieg, S. Jones, 18 May 1994 . Macon Co. AUM 86400 , 6 , 81.1–269 mm SL, Flint River , 3 miles NNE of Montezuma, 32.3469, -84.0413, J.W. Evans, B. Freeman, M.C Freeman, R. E. Jenkins, 08 May 1993 ; GMNH 2949 , 2 , 179.5 – 202.74 mm SL, Flint River , upstream at CR 267, upstream several miles to above junction with Whitewater Creek, ca. 1.25 air miles N of Montezuma., 32.3528, -84.0412, B.J. Freeman, J.W. Evans, R. E. Jenkins, 8 May 1993 . Pike Co. GMNH 3128 , 1, 174.5 mm SL, Elkins Creek off Dripping Rock Road at bridge crossing., 32.9704, -84.5161, D.S. Ruessler et al., 11 November 1997 . Sumter Co. GMNH 2677 , 1, 190.6 mm SL, Lime Creek , upstream of bridge crossing on Co. Rd. 53, 5.2 air miles N of Cobb, 32.0349, -83.9926, J.C. DeVivo, USGS, 17 May 1995 . Talbot Co. GMNH 4619 , 1 , 55.3 mm SL, Flint River just downstream Big Lazer Creek at Big Lazer Creek WMA., 7.2 air miles SE Thomaston, 32.8103, -84.4013, B.J. Freeman, C. R. Straight, C.M. Storey, M.M. Hagler, 1 August 2001 ;. Upson Co. GMNH 3295 , 3 , 179.1 – 243 mm SL, Tobler Creek 7.2 air miles ESE of Thomaston on CR 192, 32.8418, -84.2318, GA DNR, 4 September 1991 . Worth Co. UF 105280 , 1, 124.3 mm SL, Mercer Mill Pond on unnamed tributary of Mill Creek , below the dam, on CR 12, 7 air miles South of Oakfield, 31.6584, -84.0147, J. Brim-Box, R. Lattimore, O’Brien, 25 June 1994 .

St. Andrew’s Bay: Florida. Washington Co.: AUM 86814 , 2 , 285.0– 321 mm SL, Econfina Creek, At Cr 388, 30.38464, -85.5569, J. R. Knight, 30 April 2024 .

Non-types (cataloged, not measured).

Apalachicola River system: Florida. Gulf County: TU 20893 (2), Chipola cutoff, 1959; TU 34871 (1), Chipola cutoff, 1964; UF 3164 (1), Chipola River, 1954; TU 41298 (1), Calhoun County, Dead Lake, 1966. Gulf-Liberty County: TU 22467 (2), Apalachicola River, from Chipola River to below mouth Florida River, 1959; TU 32084 (1), TU 32089 (2),Apalachicola River, RM 44.5, 1963; TU 21108 (1), “bulls arm” slough mouth, 1959; Gadsden-Jackson County, Apalachicola River in area from Jim Woodruff Dam to about 3 miles downstream, near Chattahoochee, 1959: TU 22380 (4); 1960: UF 57992 (4), TU 22899 (9); 1961: TU 24473 (2); 1962: TU 25713 (2), TU 29878 (2); 1963.

Chattahoochee River system: Georgia. UF 56620 (1), Early County, Kirkland Creek, 1960; AUM 815 (1), Stewart County, Hannahatchee Creek, 1967; UF 57047 (1), Talbot County, South Fork Upatoi Creek, 1960; AUM 346 (3), Harris County, Mulberry Creek, 1967; UF 56674 (1), Harris County, House Creek, 1960; CU 52975 (1), Heard County, Chattahoochee River, 1959; Fulton County: CU 52980 (3), CU 52976 (2), Chattahoochee River, 1959; CU 17128 (5), Vickery Creek, 1950; TU 12217 (5), TU 12139 (1), Vickery Creek, 1955; AUM 726 (1), Forsyth County, Vickery Creek, 1967; CU 26578 (1), Hall County, Chattahoochee River tributary, 1952; Lumpkin County: CU 52977 (2), Chestatee River, 1958; TU 30441 (2), Chestatee River, 1963; TU 38357 (2), Cane Creek, 1965; TU 29755 (2), White County, Dukes Creek, 1962; CU 26582 (1), Habersham County, Chattahoochee River, 1951. Alabama-Georgia. CU 52979 (2), Clay-Henry County, Chattahoochee River, 1959; UMMZ ( IU 2956) (2), [? Barbour-Quitman County] Eufaula, probably late 1800s; CU 52978 (1), Russell-Muscogee County, Chattahoochee River, 1959. Alabama. Russell County: CU 26579 (1), Hatchechubbee Creek tributary, 1949; Uchee Creek, 1967; AUM 1885 (1), Wartoula Creek, 1938; UAIC 1233 (1), Lee County, Wacoochee Creek, 1964.

Flint River system: Florida-Georgia UMMZ 134607 (2), Gadsden-Jackson County, Flint River mouth, 1941. Georgia. CU 52974 (3), Dooley-Sumpter County, Flint River, 1958; KU 8808 (1), Taylor-Upson County, Flint River, 1964; TU 27519 (1), Upson County, Potato Creek, 1962; CU 52973 (3), Talbot-Upson County, 1958; CU 50691 (7), OSUMZ (1), Meriwether County, Cane Creek, 1963; UG 688 (3), Fayette County, Flint River, 1959.

Diagnosis. Moxostoma antelunare can be separated from M. albidum , M. ariommum Robins & Raney 1956 , M. austrinum , M. cervinum ( Cope 1868) , M. congestum , M. hubbsi Legendre 1952 , M. lachneri , M. mascotae , M. milleri Robins & Raney 1957 , M. rupiscartes , and M. valenciennesi by having 12 or 13 circumpeduncular scales (vs greater than 13, usually 16); from M. anisurum ( Rafinesque 1820) , M. collapsum ( Cope 1870) , and M. pappillosum ( Cope 1870) by having deeply plicate lower lips (vs. semi-papillose or papillose lips); from M. breviceps ( Cope 1870) , M. carinatum ( Cope 1870) , M. macrolepidotum ( Lesueur 1817) , M. pisolabrum Trautman & Martin 1951 , M. robustum ( Cope 1870) , and M. ugidatli Jenkins, Favrot, Freeman, Albanese, and Armbruster 2025 by color of caudal fin dark gray, gray, or gray with slight orange tint (vs. caudal fin reddish, red, or dark red); from M. lacerum ( Jordan & Brayton 1877) by lacking unique mouth with cleft lower lip (vs. unique mouth with cleft lower lip); from M. duquesnei by number of gill rakers usually less than or equal to 27 (vs. usually greater than 27; only adult M. antelunare larger than 200 mm SL may rarely have greater than 27 gill rakers n=2/46 while only juvenile M. duquesnei smaller than 120 mm SL occasionally have less than 27 n=51/148); from M. erythrurum by number of lateral line scales usually 43–46 (vs. usually less than 43 ( M. antelunare rarely with 42 lateral line scales n=4/157 and M. erythrurum occasionally having 43 or more lateral line scales n=83/900); from M. poecilurum by lacking conspicuous black stripe on the lower lobe of the caudal fin (vs. black stripe present). Within its geographic range, M. antelunare is most easily diagnosed from congeners M. rupiscartes and M. lachneri by having 12 or 13 circumpeduncular scales (vs greater than 13).

One potential autapomorphy for M. antelunare was found in the hyomandibula.The hyomandibula in catostomids has a double condyle to the sphenotic and pterotic with the larger condyle posteriorly. The bone is roughly shaped like a battle axe with the handle of the axe making an arch posterior to the orbit and the blade angled anteromedially ( Figure 3). The posterior edge of the handle has a furrow that receives the anterior margin of the preopercle. In most suckers, the posteromedial lamina of this concavity is not as developed as the anterolateral lamina ( Figure 3A; posteromedial lamina does not obscure the more developed anterolateral lamina) while both laminae are equally developed in M. antelunare ( Figure 3B; posteromedial lamina obscures the equally developed anterolateral lamina). A similar state was observed in Erimyzon and possibly Carpiodes (all but one available skeleton for Carpiodes is articulated making the character difficult to see, but the one disarticulated specimen appeared to have the laminae equal). Moxostoma antelunare can additionally be identified from most other Moxostoma by the gap between the anteromedial and posteromedial processes of the cleithrum forming a V (Fig., 3D) vs. forming a U ( Fig. 3C) or W (polarity is unclear). Mensurally, M. antelunare can be separated from M. duquesnei by having wider skulls (Skull W/SL 11.5–14.4% vs. 10.1–11.0%, Orbital Width/SL 9.0–10.4% vs 7.8–8.5%); from M. poecilurum by having longer skulls (Skull L/SL 17.8–21.2% vs. 15.8–17.2%); and from M. duquesnei , M. erythrurum , M. lachneri , and M. poecilurum by having a relatively shorter premaxilla ascending processes (Premaxilla Ascending Process L/ Premaxilla Oral Surface L 61.6–76.1% vs. 76.2–90.6).

Description. Lips. Posterior margin forming a slightly to moderately obtuse angle. Surfaces deeply plicate, occasionally with a slightly wrinkled appearance in adults, but not deeply, transversely cut. Lip width moderate (4.1)4.4–5.9(6.3)% SL in juveniles, (4.6)5.0–6.6(7.7)% SL in adults; upper lip length short, (2.9)3.1–4.5(5.1)% SL in juveniles, (3.4)3.8–5.2(6.1)% SL in adults.

Meristics. Lateral line scales (42)43–46(47); circumbody scales 30–33(37); scales above lateral line (6)7(8); scales below lateral line (4)5(7); circumpeduncle scales (11)12(13); predorsal scales (14)15–17(18), postdorsal scales (17)19–22(24); breast scalation 95–100%. Postweberian vertebrae 38–40. Dorsal rays (11)12–13; caudal rays (17)18; pectoral rays (15)16–18(19); pelvic rays (8)9(10); anal rays (6)7(8).

Body moderately compressed to almost terete, elongate to moderately stout, wider and stouter in larger specimens; greatest depth in advance of dorsal fin in some adults due to slight, smoothly-elevated predorsal hump. Head moderate, head dimensions nearly isometric to standard length, body depth and width positively allometric, resulting in blocky head for compressed-bodied juveniles compared to thicker-bodied adults. Body depth (19.0)20.3– 24.3(26.8)% SL in juveniles, (20.8)21.8–27.0(29.8)% SL in adults; head depth at the nape (14.9)15.5–17.3(18.2)% SL in juveniles, (15.6)16.0–18.3(19.3)% SL in adults; head depth through the eye (12.7)13.0–14.7(15.9)% SL in juveniles, (13.0)13.3–15.4(16.1)% SL in adults; head width (11.3)12.1–13.6(14.6)% SL in juveniles, (7.3)12.2– 14.2(15)% in adults; head length (20.2)22.0–24.7(25.9)% SL in juveniles, (19.7)21.4–23.5(25.2)% SL in adults. Snout tip profile truncate or slightly rounded, tip little or not at all exceeding upper lip, snout length (8.8)9.2– 10.9(12.2)% SL in juveniles, (9.0)9.8–11.9(12.5)% SL in adults; postorbital length (7.5)8.0–10.0(11.0)% SL in juveniles, (6.9)7.7–9.7(11.3)% SL in adults. Eye moderate in size, orbit diameter (4.2)4.6–6.7(7.1)% SL in juveniles, (3.3)3.5–4.5(4.8)% SL in adults. Caudal peduncle elongate, moderate in depth, length (14.8)16.2–18.8(20.8)% SL, depth (7.9)8.8–10.0(10.6)% SL.

Fins. Dorsal-fin margin usually slightly concave, occasionally moderately concave or straight. Pectoral fin in adults somewhat pointed, tip slightly rounded, rays 3 or 4 or 4 or 5 longest; (12.6)15.6–19.9(21.1)% SL. Anal fin margin slightly to well-rounded, its tip usually not exceeding posteriormost caudal peduncle scales. Caudal fin in adults with lobes equal in length or upper or lower slightly longer; upper lobe tip pointed, margin approximately straight; lower lobe with slightly rounded tip, margin slightly to moderately, convexly rounded; notch shallow and rounded.

Gill rakers increase in number from 17–25 (modally 20 and 21, n = 31) in small specimens under 100 mm to 22–27 (modally 25, n = 26) in medium specimens between 100 mm and 180 mm to 22–29 (modally 25, n = 46) in adult specimens. Raker length moderate, longest raker on first arch 0.90–1.90% SL (n = 17; 132–389 mm SL).

Pharyngeal arch light, lower teeth well-compressed. Pharyngeal teeth 60–77 (n = 10 specimens, 20 jaws). Scales lack lateral radii. Intestine highly coiled, longitudinal section 1 crossed 12 times in two specimens, 184 and 253 mm SL; crossed eight times in two species, 115 and 133 mm SL; crossed four times in seven specimens, 33–64 mm SL. Peritoneum silvery. Air bladder usually with three chambers and a slightly to well-developed fourth chamber in three specimens, 184–249 mm SL, of the 17 examined, 33–306 mm SL; third chamber, when fourth absent, usually with a slightly to well-tapered posterior end.

Tuberculation. Male: Caudal fin with all or only lower rays tuberculate, tubercles generally small, particularly on upper lobe. Anal fin with almost entire length of all rays tuberculate, largest tubercles moderate in size. Paired fins with minute tubercles, slightly larger on pelvic fins. Dorsal fin lacking tubercles or with few minute tubercles on its anterodistal portion. Head with scattered minute tubercles on all surfaces. Body with most or all scales with minute tubercles scattered over all exposed scale fields. Skin not evidently thickened (TU 22899, 5, 305–368, not well-tuberculated [but most were spawning at time of capture, fide Yerger & Suttkus, 1962:325]; TU 24473, 3, 292–329; TU 29878, 1, 345).

Female: Caudal-fin rays lack tubercles or with very low non-pointed cornifications on lower lobe. Anal-fin rays with slightly to well-developed cornifications, effecting rounded condition to rays in latter case; in other specimens low, very bluntly-tipped and basally-separated cornifications occur. Paired and dorsal fins lack tubercles. Head dorsally and laterally, or only dorsally, with few minute tubercles. Body with minute tubercles only on nape. Lower urosome scales overlaid with slightly to well-developed cornifications; in latter case some of the cornifications form ridge-like striae that radiate from approximately the focal area of scales; cornified ridges occur on the dorsal aspect of the caudal peduncle in some specimens. (TU 22899, 4, 331–377; TU 24473, 1, 333; TU 29878, 1, 350).

Coloration in life. ( Figure 4). Head dorsum olive; opercular and suborbital areas brassy to yellow-olive; lower cheek white to off-white; lower edge of snout, lips, gular area, and isthmus white or off-white. Iris dusky and golden orange dorsally, most of remainder brassy or coppery; narrow inner ring pale gold.

Body dark olive or olive dorsally to lighter brassy or golden sheen laterally to silver or white ventrally with colors transitioning gradually dorsoventrally. Scale hues consistent with general body coloration. Individual scales with slightly darker hues at scale pockets and dimmer brightness at thin posterior margins and thick dorsal and ventral margins. Faint, dusky lateral stripes along body from overlaid dorsal and ventral margins of individual scales alternating with lighter stripes from brighter middle portions of sequential scales.

Caudal fin typically light gray to dark gray almost black, occasionally with some peach or orange tint in lowermost ray and membranes near the peduncle, diffusing distally to solid gray covering the posterior one-third of caudal fin when color present. In smaller fish, lowermost ray and adjacent membrane white or lighter than remaining rays.

Dorsal-fin membranes olive to dark gray almost black, diffuse distally. Rays lighter than membranes, olive to gray, darker basally.

Pectoral and pelvic fins variable in color from peach or orange to dark gray almost black. Membranes basally dusky peach or gray diffusing to washed-out or white distal margins. First ray lighter from dusky peach to white; remaining rays lighter than membranes, grading darker basally to lighter distally. Pelvic fins similar to pectoral fins.

Anal-fin membranes variable in color from dusky peach or light orange to dark gray almost black; light gray or white at distal margin. Anterior membranes darker than posterior membranes. Rays lighter than membranes, grayish, grading darker basally to lighter distally.

Coloration in alcohol. Scale bases: scale pockets slightly to well-excised (usually moderately excised), moderately to well-darkened in larger juveniles and adults; scale bases in young anteriorly, slightly or not at all darkened; posteriorly slightly to moderately darkened; posterior scale margins usually moderately darkened in most specimens, pale in young. Posteriormost scales over caudal fin almost always moderately to very dark-margined, rarely pale-margined, except in young which lack dark margin. Alternating dark and light horizontal body stripes almost always well-developed in juveniles and adults; stripes in young moderately developed to, in smallest specimens, absent. Lateral blotch-saddle pattern well developed in larger young and smaller juveniles, typically three lateral blotches connecting over dorsum as saddles near origin and insertion of dorsal fin and origin of anal fin with fourth lateral blotch near caudal peduncle not connecting as a saddle ( Figure 5).

Caudal fin with lowermost ray and adjacent membrane white in larger young and juveniles until about 140 mm SL, becoming progressively darkened to the intensity of other caudal rays in larger specimens due to melanophoric deposition; rays 2–18 equally dark; small young have the lowermost ray and membrane lightly dappled with melanophores, about equal in concentration to that of the other fins; larger young and small juveniles occasionally have slight amount of melanophores in or along lowermost ray, but the ray appears basically white to the naked eye; the caudal in adults is generally darker than in juveniles.

All melanophoric color patterns are intense in two adults ( TU 41298 , UF 3164 ) from dark-stained Chipola River system waters, whereas the young and an adult in two other TU series from white-colored Chipola River waters have lighter color patterns, as in specimens from farther upstream in the Apalachicola drainage .

Distribution. Found throughout the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint River systems in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia and in Econfina Creek of the St. Andrew’s Bay drainage in northwestern Florida, United States of America (USA) ( Figure 6).

Ecology. Moxostoma antelunare lives in small streams to large rivers. Numerous records are from lower Chattahoochee River and larger Apalachicola River, particularly from tailwaters of Jim Woodruff Dam, Florida USA to about five kilometers downstream. A large series of juveniles and adults was also taken (by rotenone) in the extreme upper Chattahoochee River. Adults have been taken in the Lake Eufaula impoundment (Walter F. George Reservoir) on the Chattahoochee River, Alabama-Georgia border USA.

The Apalachicola Redhorse appears to be a fairly common species in the upper and lower Chattahoochee River system and upper Flint River system. There are few records of the Apalachicola Redhorse in the lower Flint River system, but this may be due to sampling bias as indicated by the presence of Apalachicola Redhorse both upstream in the upper Flint River and further downstream in the Apalachicola River. When sampling the sloughs of the lower Apalachicola, D. R. Akin never encountered any individuals when seining in wadable habitat, but only when boatelectrofishing near where the mouth of the sloughs opened into the main stem Chipola River and Apalachicola River. The relative abundance of M. antelunare (and its preferred habitat) is not known.

The habitat of six upper and middle Chattahoochee River system localities at which M. antelunare were captured usually ranged: width 4.6–46 m ( 15–150 feet); depth to 1.2 m ( 4 feet); current generally slow or pool and riffles present; bottom usually sand and gravel, but ranging from silt through rubble to bedrock; water colorless, clear or turbid; higher aquatic vegetation generally scant except Podostemum (Hornleaf Riverweed) common in riffles at some localities. Laurence & Yerger (1967) described upper Apalachicola River, below Jim Woodruff Dam, as having a sand and gravel bottom, and the lower Apalachicola River as including dark sloughs. The Chipola River was described by Laurence & Yerger (1967) as a clear, strongly flowing stream that originates from springs. Data for a Chipola River system collection (TU 34871) indicated that the bottom was shifting sand with silt in backwaters and the water was nonstained but turbid. At a site in Dead Lake, Chipola River system (TU 41298), the area was a swampy flowage with sand and silt substrate, water brownish and slightly turbid; one adult was taken by trammel net or gill net at 1.5–4.6 m ( 5–15 feet) depth.

Life history aspects of the Flint system population were studied by McSwain & Pasch (1973). Twenty-six mature males ranged 247–395 mm SL. The largest female examined was 389 mm SL, but fewer adult females than males were examined. Yerger & Suttkus (1962) reported a 417 mm SL specimen of unstated sex.

Spawning males and females were taken in upper Apalachicola River on 28–29 March 1960 ( Yerger & Suttkus, 1962). Males running milt were collected on 26 March 1961 at the same locality (R. D. Suttkus, pers. com. with R. E. Jenkins; Jenkins (1970)). Reproductive adults were collected in a life history study by Grabowski et al. (2012) in February–April 2007 below Jim Woodruff Dam on the Apalachicola River (4 vouchers, NCSM 45829). Sex ratio of all collected Apalachicola Redhorse (n=125) was skewed 5:1 favoring males, and age at first maturity was estimated to be between 3 and 4 years with 3 year old fish being an average length of roughly 300 mm TL ( Grabowski et al., 2012), and the largest and the oldest individuals being 550 mm TL and 8 years old, respectively. This study found spawning aggregations of Apalachicola Redhorse arriving on gravel bars in late February and early March at water temperatures of 14°C, shortly after Spotted Sucker Minytrema melanops ( Rafinesque 1820) . At this site, spawning overlapped in space and time with Spotted Sucker continuing through late March and early April, but declining rapidly as water temperature increased from 18°C–20°C. Grabowski et al. (2012) also found the Apalachicola Redhorse to produce fewer, but larger eggs than Spotted Sucker. Detailed reproductive behavior is unknown throughout most of the remaining range.

Conservation Status. With an extent of occurrence of 50,905 km 2 and an approximate area of occurrence of 35,000 km 2, M. antelunare is considered Least Concern (LC) under IUCN criteria ( IUCN 2012). The species is commonly encountered throughout its range and is found from small upland creeks to lowland main river channels. Water from the Apalachicola River system is extensively used for human activities, which can lead to a decrease in water quality, but such appears to be having no discernible effect on the distribution of M. antelunare . However, Grabowski et al. (2012) suggested that altered flow regimes may negatively affect populations near dams.

Note. Some non-type specimens exhibited the scale phenotype known in Common Carp ( Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus ) as “mirror” or “helix” or “scattered.” This appears to be exceedingly rare in Moxostoma antelunare , noted in only three specimens of over 300 museum specimens observed during data collection, and therefore considered not typical.

Etymology. A neuter adjective from the Latin ante for before, and luna for moon. This name is a reference to Bob recognizing this species one year prior to the moon landing in 1969. We believe this name is appropriate because it both represents the passage of time by referencing a monumental scientific event, and also reminds us that the Apalachicola Redhorse was still a species before description just as the moon existed before mankind set foot upon it or first recognized it in the sky.