Cottus gulosus wintu Moyle and Campbell 2022

Moyle, Peter B. & Campbell, Matthew A., 2022, Cryptic Species of Freshwater Sculpin (Cottidae: Cottus) in California, USA, Zootaxa 5154 (5), pp. 501-527 : 517

Cottus gulosus wintu Moyle and Campbell 2022 . Sacramento Riffle Sculpin, new subspecies.

Description as for C. gulosus ( Table 1 , Fig. 1 ). Characteristics of C. g. wintu used in this study (n=15) are as follows: anal fin rays (12–15), dorsal spines (7–10), dorsal rays (14–19), dorsal fins joined? (variable), black spot on dorsal (yes), palatine teeth present (variable), mouth vs eye (variable but maxilla mostly reaches mid-eye), chin pores (0–2), pelvic fins spines + rays (1+3), pelvics fins mostly do not touch vent, pectoral fin rays (14–16), preopercular spines (1–2), lateral line variable, lateral line pores (26–38). Other characters are listed in Table 1 .

Holotype. WFB 3424. 78 mm SL, 96 mm TL. Fig. 1 . North Fork Feather River , Butte County, California. Coll. Jason Baumsteiger, Oct. 5, 2017. Anal-fin rays 13; dorsal-fin spines 8; dorsal-fin rays 17; dorsal fins joined; dorsal fin spot present; palatine teeth absent; maxilla reaches middle of eye; 1 chin pore; pelvic fins 1 spine, 3 rays; pelvics do not touch vent; pectora1 fin rays 14; preopercular spines 1; lateral line complete; lateral line pores, 35; axillary prickles present.

Paratypes (4). WFB 3425–3428. 78–89 mm SL, 96–108 TL. Anal-fin rays 13; dorsal spines 8; dorsal-fin rays 17–18; dorsal fins joined; dorsal fin spot present on 3; palatine teeth absent; maxilla reaches middle of eye; 1–2 chin pores; pelvic fins 1 spine, 3 rays; pelvics do not touch vent; pectora1 fin rays 15; preopercular spines 1; lateral line complete; lateral line pores, 36–41; axillary prickles present.

Distribution. Found in the Sacramento River watershed (northern Central Valley), from the American River (and tributaries) north to Shasta Dam. Above Shasta Reservoir, it occurs primarily in the upper Sacramento River and its tributaries ( Baumsteiger et al. 2014). Other tributaries to Shasta Reservoir (e.g. McCloud River, Squaw Valley Creek) support C. pitensis , while the reservoir itself supports C. asper (Prickly Sculpin) . It inhabits cool-water permanent tributaries and rivers and rivers below dams, where reservoir releases provide cool water (generally less than 24°C).

Etymology. The species name honors the Wintu people who were the region’s original inhabitants, with their lands encompassing many of the streams and rivers where this subspecies lives. The Winnemem Wintu (The Middle Water People) still live in the area and are working to restore salmon runs and to protect sacred rivers and sites in the region.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Inland (A, B) and Coastal (C, D) Riffle Sculpins from the UC Davis Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology. (A) San Joaquin Riffle Sculpin, Cottus gulosus gulosus. WFB-277-08-09. Kaweah River, Tulare County, California (68 mm SL, 82 mm TL). Coll. Larry Brown, September 10, 1985. Holotype is same as for C. gulosus (USNM 291). (B) Sacramento Riffle Sculpin, Cottus gulosus wintu. Holotype WFB-3464. North Fork Feather River, Butte County, California (78 mm SL, 96 mm TL). Coll. Jason Baumsteiger, October 5, 2017. (C) Coastal Riffle Sculpin, Cottus ohlone. Holotype. WFB-3402.Also, holotype for Ohlone Sculpin, C. o. ohlone. Guadalupe River, Santa Clara County, California (65 mm SL, 79 mm TL). Coll: J. J. Smith, November 18, 1986. (D) Pomo Riffle Sculpin, Cottus ohlone pomo. Holotype. WFB-3396. Pieta Creek near mouth on Russian River, Mendocino County, California (90 mm SL, 105 mm TL). Coll. P Moyle, J. Baumsteiger, August 2, 2017.