Micropterus pucpuggy
Freeman and Freeman, 2025
Bartram's Bass
G1Critically ImperiledGlobal Rank
UnknownThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1128102
Element CodeAFCQB12140
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderCentrarchiformes
FamilyCentrarchidae
GenusMicropterus
Concept ReferenceFreeman, B.J., M.C. Scott, K.N. Petersen, N.J. Bayona-Vásquez, A.T. Taylor, B.G. Hilburn, M.C. Freeman, and J.P. Wares. 2025. Two new species of Micropterus (Centrarchidae) endemic to Atlantic Slope river drainages in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, USA. Zootaxa 5683(1): 67-89.
Taxonomic CommentsThis species, described in 2025, is part of the Redeye Bass species complex (Micropterus coosae). Molecular and morphological analyses have shown that the Redeye Bass species complex (Micropteris coosae) is comprised of seven species, each endemic to a single drainage (Freeman and Freeman 2025; Freeman et al. 2015, Baker et al. 2013).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2026-04-24
Change Date2026-04-24
Edition Date2026-04-24
Edition AuthorsT. Cornelisse
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent250-1000 square km (about 100-400 square miles)
Number of Occurrences6 - 20
Range Extent CommentsThis species occurs primarily above the Fall Line in the upper Savannah Basin in Georgia and South Carolina, USA, east to the Broad River system of the Santee Basin in South Carolina and North Carolina, USA. There is some uncertainty as to whether populations in the upper Santee Basin (Saluda and Broad River systems) are introduced or native (e.g., Rohde et al. 2009; Tracy et al. 2024), but Freeman and Freeman (2025) believe they are likely native based on their analyses and the fact that the headwaters of the Savannah and Saluda river systems share at least 16 other upland fish species.
Occurrences CommentsThis species is known from approximately 14 occurrences (Freeman et al. 2025).
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Found in upland streams and rivers.
Other Nations (1)
United StatesNNR
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| North Carolina | S1 | Yes |
| Georgia | S1 | Yes |
| South Carolina | S1 | Yes |
References (6)
- Baker, W.H., R.E. Blanton and C.E Johnston. 2013. Diversity within the Redeye Bass, <i>Micropterus coos</i>ae (Perciformes: Centrarchidae) species group, with descriptions of four new species. Zootaxa 3635(4):379-401.
- Freeman, B.J., A.T. Taylor, K.J. Oswald, J. Wares, M.C. Freeman, J.M. Quattro, and J.K. Leitner. 2015. Shoal basses: a clade of cryptic identity. Pages 449-466 in M. Tringalli, J. Long, T. Birdsong, and M. Allen (eds.) Black Bass Diversity, Multidisciplinary Science for Conservation, American Fisheries Society Symposium 82
- Freeman, B.J., M.C. Scott, K.N. Petersen, N.J. Bayona-Vásquez, A.T. Taylor, B.G. Hilburn, M.C. Freeman, and J.P. Wares. 2025. Two new species of <i>Micropterus</i> (Centrarchidae) endemic to Atlantic Slope river drainages in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, USA. Zootaxa 5683(1): 67-89.
- Kim, D., A. T. Taylor, and T. J. Near. 2022. Phylogenomics and species delimitation of the economically important Black Basses (<i>Micropterus</i>). Scientific Reports 12, 9113. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-11743-2
- Rohde, F. C., R. G. Arndt, J. W. Foltz and J. M. Quattro. 2009. Freshwater fishes of South Carolina. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC. 430 pp.
- Tracy, B.H., F.C. Rohde, S.A. Smith, J.L. Bissette, and G.M. Hogue. 2024. A guide to North Carolina's Freshwater Fishes. The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. 454 pp. [As modified by subsequent updates at: https://ncfishes.com/freshwater-fishes-of-north-carolina/]