Micropterus calliurus

Micropterus calliurus Freeman and Freeman, 2025
Altamaha Bass

Photo by Brett Albanese (Georgia DNR – Wildlife Resources)

Federal Protection: No US federal protection

State Protection: No Georgia state protection

Global Rank: GNR

State Rank: S1S2

Element Locations Tracked in Biotics: Yes

SWAP 2015 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): Yes

SWAP 2025 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): Yes

2025 SGCN Priority Tier: Highest Conservation Concern

Element Occurrences (EOs) in Georgia: 17

Habitat Summary for element in Georgia: Believed to be headwater species but patterns altered by non-native species

Description

The following description is excerpted directly from Freeman et al. (2015): Altamaha and Ogeechee River specimens have burnt orange on the anterior distal third of soft dorsal fin rays 1–5 (often just restricted to the tips), the anterior distal third of rays 1–6 of the anal fin, and a narrow margin along the upper and lowermost two caudal rays, often reduced to the distal one-third to one-fourth of these rays. This burnt-orange coloration is more pronounced in juveniles and is rapidly reduced in extent of coverage in adults. The basal half of the caudal fin rays is pigmented to produce a spotted appearance. The soft dorsal and anal fin rays are pigmented and appear variously banded but not spotted. Specimens have 8–11 lateral blotches, some of which are 7 or more scales in width; subdued in specimens larger than 90 mm SL. Lateral line scale count usually 65–69 (mean 67.5).

Similar Species

Micropterus chattahoochae, Micropterus sp. "Savannah"

Habitat

Believed to be headwater species, but patterns altered by non-native species.

Diet

Life History

Survey Recommendations

Range

Primarily above the fall line in the Altamaha and Ogeechee. Largely wiped out in the Ocmulgee River in the area below Lake Jackson (Lloyd Shoals Dam). Endemic to Georgia.

Threats

Invasive/Alien Species, Residential Development, Dam and Impoundment Construction, Hybridization with spotted bass and competition with shoal bass, Population fragmentation from any source

SWAP 2025 Threat Matrix

Threat 1 Threat 2 Threat 3

General Threat Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases Pollution Natural system modifications

Specific Threat Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases None Dams & water management/use

SWAP 2025 Conservation Actions:

Action 1: Assess population genetics

Action 2: Assess aquatic connectivity in SWAP priority watersheds

Action 3: Minimize impacts of urbanization on aquatic SGCN and habitats

Action 4: Research basic life history, habitat and conservation needs

Action 5: Develop and implement a plan to reintroduce or augment specific populations

Action 6: Provide technical and financial assistance to farmers/landowners to protect stream buffers and wetlands, minimize runoff of sediment and pollutants, and protect habitat from livestock trampling

	Threat 1	Threat 2	Threat 3
General Threat	Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Pollution	Natural system modifications
Specific Threat	Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases	None	Dams & water management/use

References

Freeman, Byron, Andrew Taylor, Kenneth Oswald, John Ware, Mary Freeman, Joe Quattro and Jean Leitner. 2015. Shoal Basses: A Clade of Cryptic Identity. In Black Bass Diversity, Multidisciplinary Science for Conservation, American Fisheries Society Symposium 82, editors M.Tringalli, J.Long, T.Birdsong and M.Allen, pp 449-466

Date Compiled or Updated

8/21/2018