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Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) > Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and flatheads) > Cottidae (Sculpins)
Etymology: Cottus: Greek, kottos = a fish (Ref. 45335); specus: The specific epithet 'specus' means a cave or cavern, in reference to the primary habitat in caves.

Environment / Climate / Range Ecology

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Temperate, preferred ?

Distribution Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Point map | Introductions | Faunafri

North America: Bois Brule drainage in eastern Missouri, USA.

Size / Weight / Age

Maturity: L_m ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 10.3 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 92978)

Short description Morphology | Morphometrics

Dorsal spines (total): 7 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-18; Anal soft rays: 12 - 14. Distinguished from all congeners, except Cottus carolinae, Cottus chattahoochee, Cottus confusus, Cottus hubbsi, and some populations of Cottus beldingii by the complete lateral line ending near the base of the caudal fin and dorsal fins not usually connected. Cottus specus only occupies geographically adjacent to C. carolinae and can be distinguished by a reduction in eye size: 1-5% SL in 98% of specimens (1-4% in 85% of specimens) versus eye size 5-9% of SL in 100% of specimens. Cottus specus possesses a significant increase in cephalic lateralis pore size, 92% above 500 mm (vs. 100% in C. carolinae between 200-500 mm) (Ref. 92978).

Occurs in cave streams as well as their resurgences, primarily over gravel, cobble, or bedrock bottom (Ref. 92978).

Life cycle and mating behavior Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae

Builds nests under cobble or pebble substrate. Lays adhesive eggs, in a clump, that are attached to the underside of a rock (Ref. 92978).

Main reference Upload your references | References | Coordinator | Collaborators

Adams, G.L., B.M. Burr, J.L. Day and D.E. Starkey, 2013. Cottus specus, a new troglomorphic species of sculpin (Cottidae) from southeastern Missouri. Zootaxa 3609(5):484-494. (Ref. 92978)

IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)

Not Evaluated

CITES (Ref. 94142)

Not Evaluated

Threat to humans

Harmless

Human uses

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Internet sources

Cottus specus Adams & Burr, 2013