taxonID	type	description	language	source
985787A0FFF8FFB6FF33FD49FA235A69.taxon	discussion	The following dichotomous key can be utilized to identify the six other species of Moxostoma that are sympatric with M. carolina sp. nov. (Figure 10). This key has been adapted from Jenkins (1995), Jenkins & Burkhead (1994), and Tracy et al. (2024). Three species of Moxostoma also occurring only along the Atlantic slope are not included in the key: M. ariommum, M. cervinum, and M. rupiscartes. They differ from M. carolina sp. nov. in several ways: 1) all three species have modally 16 (range 14 – 6) circumpeduncle scales versus modally 12 circumpeduncle scale; 2) in M. ariommum the upper lip is papillose versus plicate; 3) in M. cervinum the dorsal and caudal fins have black tips versus black tips absent; and 4) in M. rupiscartes the lower lip plicae have numerous transverse grooves (subplicate) versus lower lip plicae without numerous transverse grooves (Jenkins and Burkhead 1994; Tracy et al. 2024).	en	Hogue, Gabriela M., Tracy, Bryn H., Raine, Jonathan A., Hughes, Lily C., Jenkins, Robert E. (2026): Carolina Redhorse-a new species of Moxostoma (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) from North Carolina and South Carolina, USA. Zootaxa 5763 (4): 501-528, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3
985787A0FFFBFFADFF63FF6CFCD35AC9.taxon	vernacular_names	Carolina Redhorse	en	Hogue, Gabriela M., Tracy, Bryn H., Raine, Jonathan A., Hughes, Lily C., Jenkins, Robert E. (2026): Carolina Redhorse-a new species of Moxostoma (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) from North Carolina and South Carolina, USA. Zootaxa 5763 (4): 501-528, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3
985787A0FFFBFFADFF63FF6CFCD35AC9.taxon	description	Figures 1, 3, 4, 7 – 9	en	Hogue, Gabriela M., Tracy, Bryn H., Raine, Jonathan A., Hughes, Lily C., Jenkins, Robert E. (2026): Carolina Redhorse-a new species of Moxostoma (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) from North Carolina and South Carolina, USA. Zootaxa 5763 (4): 501-528, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3
985787A0FFFBFFADFF63FF6CFCD35AC9.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. NCSM 41138 (REJ 1980 & WCS- 2518), adult male, 371 mm SL, 463 mm TL, 1190 g, North Carolina, Montgomery County, Little River, immediately below Smitherman Dam, 4.0 kilometers ESE center of Troy, 35.3438, - 79.8531, Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin, 11 May 2005, William H. Dixon, Joseph P. Fernatt, Robert E. Jenkins, Wayne C. Starnes, and Bryn H. Tracy. [Note: Smitherman Dam was deconstructed in 2013.] Co – occurring with the holotype that day were eight additional Moxostoma carolina (387 – 444 mm SL, 473 – 534 mm TL; six females and two males). These eight specimens (NCSM 41137) were measured, fin-clipped, and released. Paratypes. All from the Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin. North Carolina, Anson Co.: NCSM 37251, 1, 107 mm SL, Mill Creek, ca. 1.5 miles S of Cairo, 34.86000, - 79.93283, NCWRC Staff, 10 July 1961; Anson-Richmond Cos.: NCSM 30015, 1, 372 mm SL, Pee Dee River, upper Blewett Falls Lake, ca. 12.4 kilometers W center Ellerbe, 35.06000, - 79.89690, J. M. Swing, V. F. Stancil, 15 August 2001; NCSM 30048, 1, 182 mm SL, Blewett Falls Lake, cove ca. 1 mile upstream of Blewett Falls Dam, ca. 8.0 miles WNW center Rockingham, 35.00000, - 79.89095, J. M. Swing, J. U. Crutchfield, W. R. Garrett, V. F. Stancil, R. W. Lemonds, W. E. Partin, E. G. McGowan, 04 September 2001; NCSM 30049, 2, 77 – 239 mm SL, Blewett Falls Lake, cove ca. 0.5 miles downstream of Grassy Island complex, ca. 13.9 kilometers NW center Rockingham, 35.03000, - 79.88055, J. M. Swing, J. U. Crutchfield, W. R. Garrett, V. F. Stancil, R. W. Lemonds, W. E. Partin, E. G. McGowan, 05 September 2001; NCSM 31134, 1, 64 mm SL, Blewett Falls Lake, cove ca. 0.5 miles downstream of Grassy Island complex, ca. 13.9 kilometers NW center Rockingham, 35.03000, - 79.88058, J. M. Swing, T. E. Thompson, R. S. Hobbs., W. E. Partin., D. R. Pender, W. R. Garrett., C. R. Cofield., M. J. Chambers, 17 August 1999; NCSM 44084, 7, 79 – 94 mm SL, Pee Dee River, upper Blewett Falls Reservoir, Grassy Islands complex near mouth of Mountain Creek, 6.7 miles W of Ellerbe, 35.05000, - 79.87860, W. C. Starnes, R. J. Heise, 11 October 2005; NCSM 44237, 3, 105 – 189 mm SL, Pee Dee River, Grassy Islands area and lower Mountain Creek (upper Blewett Falls Reservoir), ca. 6.8 miles W Ellerbe, 35.05000, - 79.87880, W. C. Starnes, M. E. Raley, B. H. Tracy, 05 May 2006; NCSM 48269, 2, 306 – 310 mm SL, Pee Dee River, 2.8 mile reach from 0.5 mile below Blewett Falls Dam to US 74, ca. 6.1 – 5.5 miles WNW – W center of Rockingham, 34.98000, - 79.86860, W. C. Starnes, J. U. Crutchfield, R. J. Heise, J. M. Swing, G. M. Hogue, B. K. Jones, J. M. Fisk, C. Sanders, J. E. Marsik, W. E. Stewart, E. A. Ozier, A. K. Hammers, T. J. Kwak, K. O. Sellers, D. Weaver, 08 May 2008; NCSM 59899, 1, 109 mm SL, Pee Dee River, (upper Blewett Falls Reservoir), island complex opposite and below mouth of Mountain Creek and lower 0.25 mile of creek, ca. 9.7 miles NW center Rockingham, 35.05000, - 79.87700, W. C. Starnes, B. K. Jones, J. L. Griffin, 14 May 2010; Montgomery Co.: ANSP 211069, 2, 393 – 468 mm SL, Little River, at head of impoundment (of Hurley Dam), ca. 1.5 to 2 river miles N of Pekin Road (near confluence Big Creek), ca. 3.8 – 2.8 miles SSE center Troy, 35.31000, - 79.87540, W. C. Starnes, G. M. Hogue, D. A. Hewitt, J. U. Crutchfield, J. M. Swing, V. F. Stancil, 23 April 2003; AUM 89625, 2, 359 – 436 mm SL, Little River, upper reach of Hurley Dam impoundment between Capelsie and Big Creek, ca. 1.5 to 2 river miles above Pekin Road, 3.4 miles S Troy, 35.32000, - 79.86670, W. C. Starnes, R. E. Jenkins, J. M. Swing, V. F. Stancil, 29 April 2003; NCSM 35931, 3, 401 – 426 mm SL, Little River, upper reach of Hurley Dam impoundment between Capelsie and Big Creek, ca. 1.5 to 2 river miles above Pekin Road, 3.4 miles S Troy, 35.32000, - 79.86670, W. C. Starnes, R. E. Jenkins, J. M. Swing, V. F. Stancil, 29 April 2003; NCSM 35947, 2, 402 – 439 mm SL, Little River, at head of impoundment (of Hurley Dam), ca. 1.5 – 2 river miles N of Pekin Road (near confluence Big Creek), ca. 3.8 – 2.8 miles SSE center Troy, 35.31000, - 79.87540, W. C. Starnes, G. M. Hogue, D. A. Hewitt, J. U. Crutchfield, J. M. Swing, V. F. Stancil, 23 April 2003; NCSM 44238, 1, 357 mm SL, Little River, ca. 1.0 mile reach from 100 m below NC 24 / 27 downstream to Smitherman Dam just above Troy-Candor Road, ca. 2.4 – 2.5 miles E-ESE of Troy, 35.36000, - 79.85210, W. C. Starnes, M. E. Raley, B. H. Tracy, R. E. Jenkins, 04 May 2006; Richmond Co.: NCSM 35951, 2, 357 – 373 mm SL, Little River, ca. 5 mile reach from mouth to 200 m above NC 73, ca. 8.5 – 10.6 miles WNW – NW Ellerbe, 35.10000, - 79.90860, W. C. Starnes, G. M. Hogue, D. A. Hewitt, J. U. Crutchfield, J. M. Swing, V. F. Stancil, 21 April 2003; NCSM 37249, 1, 43 mm SL, Little River, above and below SR 1148 (Grassy Island Road), ca. 1 mile above Pee Dee River, 8.3 miles WNW Ellerbe, 35.11000, - 79.89810, W. C. Starnes, R. E. Jenkins, J. U. Crutchfield, J. M. Swing, E. F. Menhinick, 31 July 1996; NCSM 44081, 4, 153 – 192 mm SL, Mountain Creek, lower 0.3 mile from 200 m above Grassy Island Road to mouth, 6.6 – 6.8 miles W Ellerbe, 35.05000, - 79.87580, W. C. Starnes, R. J. Heise, 11 October 2005; South Carolina, Chesterfield-Marlboro Cos.: NCSM 115360, 1, 243 mm SL, Pee Dee River, 4.1 miles S North Carolina state line, ca. 6.3 kilometers NNW Cheraw, 34.75000, - 79.90620, Carolina Power & Light Staff, 24 April 1979; Darlington-Marlboro Cos.: NCSM 115361, 1, 159 mm SL, Pee Dee River, ca. 1 mile below US 15 – 401, ca. 1.9 kilometers ENE Society Hill, 34.52000, - 79.83070, G. Grunzal, 17 October 1989. Other Specimens Examined (Non-types catalogued). All from the Cape Fear River basin. North Carolina, Chatham Co.: NCSM 37255, 2, 120 – 142 mm SL, Indian Creek, on SR 2306 Goldston-Carbonton Road, ca. 6.1 kilometers S of Goldston, 35.54000, - 79.33538, NCWRC staff, 09 August 1962; UT 45.790, 2, 223 – 232 mm SL, Deep River, lower Carbonton Reservoir, 35.519708, - 79.348143, C. Saylor, D. A. Tomlijanovich, 16 October 1988; UMMZ 243472, 1, 313 mm SL, Haw River, ca 0.25 river mile below Jordan Dam, 35.632196, - 79.060976, R. E. Jenkins, et al., 15 July 1997; Chatham-Lee Cos.: UMMZ 243473. 1, 321 mm SL, Cape Fear River, east channel of McKay’s Island, 2.2 miles below junction of Deep and Haw rivers, 35.565402, - 79.038242, R. E. Jenkins, et al., 15 July 1997; Harnett Co.: NCSM 11532, 1, 366 mm SL, Cape Fear River, 0.8 kilometers below Daniels Creek, 5.5 miles NNW Mamers, 35.49000, - 78.95340, R. J. Gilbert, G. Doxtater, 12 February 1974; Lee-Moore Cos.: NCSM 26908, 19, 197 – 369 mm SL, Deep River, 0.2 to 4.0 miles above Carbonton Dam, ca. 9.0 miles WNW Sanford, 35.51000, - 79.34230, W. C. Starnes, T. L. Fullbright, R. E. Jenkins, M. Chambers, A. A. Coons, 17 July 1997; NCSM 29395, 2, 322 – 344 mm SL, Deep River, within 0.25 miles of Carbonton boat ramp, 0.25 miles above NC 42, 10.3 miles W Sanford, 35.52000, - 79.35180, W. C. Starnes, G. M. Hogue, B. H. Tracy, T. L. Fullbright, M. E. Raley, R. M. Smit, 18 October 2000; NCSM 39873, 1, 322 mm SL, Deep River, Carbonton boat ramp and 200 meter reach upstream, ca. 15.9 kilometers WNW center Sanford, 35.52000, - 79.34860, M. E. Raley, T. J. Kwak, E. Malindzak, J. M. Fisk, Y. Y. Huang, 09 June 2004; Moore Co.: NCSM 26844, 3, 314 – 346 mm SL, Deep River, at High Falls, at, NC 22, 4.8 miles NE Robbins, 35.48000, - 79.52090, W. C. Starnes, K. D. Fitzpatrick, 18 May 1997; NCSM 29776, 1, 339 mm SL, Deep River, at NC 22 (High Falls), 4.8 miles NE Robbins, 35.48000, - 79.51960, W. C. Starnes, G. M. Hogue, M. E. Raley, 27 April 2001; NCSM 30363, 6, 67 – 389 mm SL, Deep River, from shoal area and old mill site ca. 0.4 miles downstream of Glendon-Carthage Road (SR 1006) to railroad bridge ca. 2.3 miles downstream, 12 – 13 miles W Sanford, 35.49000, - 79.41420, W. C. Starnes, G. M. Hogue, B. H. Tracy, M. E. Raley, N. Medlin, 13 September 2001; NCSM 37250, 1, 72 mm SL, Falls Creek, SR 1606 (River Road), ca. 8.5 kilometers NE center Robbins, 35.48000, - 79.51611, B. H. Tracy, M. Hale, D. Lenat, N. Medlin, 05 May 1998; NCSM 39587, 2, 324 – 390 mm SL, Deep River, 3.8 miles impounded reach (river mile 50.7 – 54.5) from dam at High Falls to first shoal above, ca. 4.6 – 3.7 miles NE-NNE of Robbins, 35.48000, - 79.52510, W. C. Starnes, B. H. Tracy, R. E. Jenkins, J. T. DeBerardinis, 22 October 2004; NCSM 52742, 1, 105 mm SL, Deep River, shoal / pool area just above mouth of Buffalo Creek, off end of Hallison-Highfalls Lane, off NC 22, ca. 5.8 miles NE of Robbins, 35.48000, - 79.50590, W. C. Starnes, G. M. Hogue, B. H. Tracy, T. J. Kwak, B. K. Jones, J. Gray, K. K. Irvin, E. N. Buttermore, N. Beasley, J. Dycus, J. Brewster, H. Renninger, P. B. Cooney, B. Wallace, D. Weaver, 29 May 2008; NCSM 115322, 1, 78 mm SL, Deep River, at NC 22, at High Falls, 4.8 miles NE Robbins, 35.48000, - 79.51960, W. C. Starnes, T. L. Fullbright, R. E. Jenkins, J. Bohlen, B-T. Lorper, G. B. Pottern, 11 April 1997; NCSM 115323, 5, 285 – 405 mm SL, Deep River, river mile 37.3 – 37.9, above railroad trestle near rocky bend, ca. 18.5 kilometers W Sanford, 35.49000, - 79.38470, R. E. Jenkins, J. M. Fisk, T. J. Kwak, 25 May 2005; Randolph Co.: NCSM 17661, 1, 57 mm SL, Fork Creek, ca. ¼ mile W confluence with Deep River, 8.4 miles S Coleridge, 35.52000, - 79.60380, A. L. Braswell, J. M. Alderman, R. Biggins, 22 September 1992; NCSM 44078, 5, 61 – 67 mm SL, Fork Creek, lower 1.55 mile reach from Riverside Road to mouth, ca. 6.5 – 5.8 miles NNW of Robbins, 35.52000, - 79.61950, W. C. Starnes, J. Taylor, T. P. Walker, B. H. Tracy, 26 October 2005; NCSM 46045, 2, 77 – 78 mm SL, Deep River, just above Bennett Road (SR 1002), 7.7 miles N of Robbins, 35.54000, - 79.58690, W. C. Starnes, B. H. Tracy, G. M. Hogue, P. E. Mascarelli, 06 September 2007. Non-types (uncatalogued, likely destroyed). Cape Fear River basin. North Carolina, Moore Co.: REJ 1489, 8, 198 – 374 mm SL, Deep River Carbonton Reservoir and above, ca. 3 – 9 river miles above Carbonton boat ramp, R. E. Jenkins, W. C. Starnes, K. W. Ashley, R. T. Rachels, S. L. Bryant, D. A. Besler, 08 May 1996.	en	Hogue, Gabriela M., Tracy, Bryn H., Raine, Jonathan A., Hughes, Lily C., Jenkins, Robert E. (2026): Carolina Redhorse-a new species of Moxostoma (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) from North Carolina and South Carolina, USA. Zootaxa 5763 (4): 501-528, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3
985787A0FFFBFFADFF63FF6CFCD35AC9.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Moxostoma carolina can be separated from M. albidum (Girard 1856), M. ariommum, M. austrinum Bean 1880, M. cervinum, M. congestum (Baird and Girard 1854), M. hubbsi Legendre 1952, M. lachneri Robins and Raney 1956, M. mascotae (Regan 1907), M. milleri Robins & Raney 1957, M. rupiscartes, M. valenciennesi Jordan 1885, and the undescribed M. sp. Brassy Jumprock by having 11 – 13 circumpeduncle scales (vs. greater than 13, usually 16) (Akin et al. 2025; Page et al. 2023); from M. anisurum, M. collapsum, and M. pappillosum by having deeply plicate lower lips (vs. papillose or semi-papillose lips); from M. antelunare by having males with cephalic breeding tubercles (vs. males lacking cephalic breeding tubercles) and by lacking dark and light stripes laterally along the body (vs. having dark and light stripes laterally along the body) (Akin et al. 2025); from M. breviceps (Cope 1870), M. carinatum (Cope 1870), M. macrolepidotum, M. pisolabrum Trautman & Martin 1951, M. robustum, and M. ugidatli by having a lower lip angle generally less than 120 º (vs. lower lip angle ca. 180 º); from M. duquesnei (Lesueur 1817) by having males with cephalic breeding tubercles (vs. males lacking cephalic breeding tubercles); from M. erythrurum by having embedded breast scales (vs. breast scales not embedded) and by having an interrupted supratemporal canal (vs. a not interrupted supratemporal canal); from M. lacerum (Jordan & Brayton 1877) by lacking a unique mouth with cleft lower lip (vs. unique mouth with cleft lower lip) (Akin et al. 2025); and from M. poecilurum Jordan 1877 by lacking a conspicuous black stripe on the lower lobe of the caudal fin (vs. black stripe present) (Page et al. 2023).	en	Hogue, Gabriela M., Tracy, Bryn H., Raine, Jonathan A., Hughes, Lily C., Jenkins, Robert E. (2026): Carolina Redhorse-a new species of Moxostoma (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) from North Carolina and South Carolina, USA. Zootaxa 5763 (4): 501-528, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3
985787A0FFFBFFADFF63FF6CFCD35AC9.taxon	description	Description. Meristic, morphometric, and descriptive characteristics of Moxostoma carolina are presented in Table 4. A medium-size, moderately elongate to very robust redhorse sucker; head length moderate; snout rounded or nearly blunt; body thick dorsoventrally. Fins medium size; dorsal-fin distal margin moderately or slightly concave, S-shaped, or straight, most frequently straight in adults, tips not distinctly rounded; caudal-fin lobes about equally long, tips acuminate or lower lobe slightly rounded. Lateral line multi-pored with as many as five pores per scale. Vertebrae modally 39 (38 – 39), dorsal-fin rays 14 (13 – 17); pectoral-fin rays 17 (16 – 19); pelvic-fin rays 10 (9 – 10); anal-fin rays 7 (7); caudal-fin rays 18 (18); lateral-line scales 45 (43 – 47); circumferential scales 34 (32 – 36); circumferential scales above lateral line 15 (13 – 15); circumferential scales below lateral line 17 (16 – 19); circumpeduncle scales 12 (11 – 13); predorsal scales 15 (13 – 18); gill rakers 24 (22 – 27) [not recorded for holotype due to destructive technique required to remove the arch]; upper lip plicae 33 (19 – 38); lower lip plicae 18 (14 – 24); supratemporal pores 16 (4 – 29); postorbital pores 7 (5 – 11); supraorbital pores 20 (13 – 27); infraorbital pores 29 (21 – 43); and preopercular-mandibular pores 17 (14 – 28). Breast modally 90 % (70 – 100 %) scaled; embedded scales on the breast, modally 100 % (50 – 100 %). Lips entirely plicate, relatively smooth-surfaced, except for plication. Lower lip ridges (and grooves) are distinctly wider than upper lip ridges. All lower lip ridges, except in small triangular anteromedial area, are angled medio-posteriorly from the mid-longitudinal axis. Lower lip unnotched posterolaterally, thinning to junction with upper lip occurring along anterolateral area of lower lip. Posterior margin of lower lip moderately angled, lower lip indented in an inverted U-shape; the halves forming modally 117 ° (98 – 140 °) angle. Circumlabial tissue often variously folded in small area near junction of upper and lower lips. Surficially prominent, large semicircular gular pad between the halves of the lower lip and posteriorly present. Pharyngeal arch thin, teeth comb-like [not examined on the holotype due to destructive technique required to remove arch]. Supratemporal canal interrupted. Sexual Dimorphism. No mean differences between males and females across 19 morphometric characters (see Supplemental file S 6). Statistical difference found between males and females in mean length of anal fin (male = 24.4 % SL ± 1.5, n = 40 vs. female = 22.8 ± 0.9 % SL, n = 34; unpaired t test, p <0.001), as was hypothesized in Jenkins 2011. No modal differences between males and females across 20 meristic characters and percentage of breast scalation (Table 6). Sexual dimorphism noted in nuptial tuberculation patterns. Males with few tubercles on head – orbital area; anterior snout and lower opercular region densely tuberculate from upper lip to nostrils, except directly below eye. Internasal, interorbital, and occipital areas bear scattered tubercles. Ventral head, including branchiostegal area, heavily tuberculate. Dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins lack tubercles; anal and caudal fins have tubercles on rays. Tubercles vary from small to large; on body minute and irregularly scattered, one to several per scale (Jenkins 2011; Page & Burr 2011, Figure 8). Females lack nuptial tubercles. Coloration. In life (Figure 9), body of large juveniles and adults laterally dominantly golden with brassy sheen, or individual scales graded silvery to brassy. Lateral body occasionally golden-brown or olive-toned in adults, silvery in juveniles. Scales two to four rows below lateral-line scale row with one to three golden or brassy, short to medium, horizontal stripes extending posteriorly from uniformly patterned, non-striped anterior area; mid-height of stripes centered at approximate mid-height of scales. Body bicolored, golden brassy laterally grading to pale white below lateral line, including the belly. Belly white, creamy, and / or silvery, sometimes with slight golden sheen. Snout and cheek laterally with upper dark area dark olive or brown, usually sharply demarcated in large juveniles and adults from often distinctly yellowed lower area, yellowish sometimes paling to white in lower opercular, gular, and branchiostegal areas. Iris silvery in inner half or nearly entirely, inner edge narrowly silvery- or brassyrimmed. Lips white, cream, or slightly pink-tinted, occasionally rusty- or orange-stained, or with blackish areas. Scale-pocket crescents usually black dorsally to dusky olive in lateral line area, posterior edge of crescents above lateral line are usually moderately well defined; posterior margin of dorsal and lateral scales often silvery, grading to brassy toward crescents. Dorsal and caudal fins olive or hyaline (occasionally red-orange), darkest in membranes; pectoral and pelvic fins mostly orange to orange-red, pectoral fin the brightest. Anal fin usually slightly or moderately dusky in juveniles, usually moderately to strongly hyaline, darkest in membranes, rays tending olive in adults; anal fin of some adults suffused pale orangish. Nuptial males with long, wide, uniformly moderately dusky or hyaline, mid-lateral stripe on body, in peak being black, encircling snout and extending to tail base; bordered dorsally by wide pale stripe that encircles the occiput. Females tend towards lesser development of the pattern. In alcohol (Figures 7, 8), specimens lack chromatic coloration in body and fins; bicoloration greatly diminished. Specimens lacking distinct posterior horizontal stripes just beneath lateral-line scale row. For specimens with nuptial tuberculation, tubercles visually much more pronounced (Figure 8), as well as lateral line and cephalic pores.	en	Hogue, Gabriela M., Tracy, Bryn H., Raine, Jonathan A., Hughes, Lily C., Jenkins, Robert E. (2026): Carolina Redhorse-a new species of Moxostoma (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) from North Carolina and South Carolina, USA. Zootaxa 5763 (4): 501-528, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3
985787A0FFFBFFADFF63FF6CFCD35AC9.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Moxostoma carolina is endemic to lower Piedmont streams and inshore areas of mainstem rivers and reservoirs in the Cape Fear and Yadkin-Pee Dee basins of North Carolina and South Carolina (Jenkins 2011; Rohde et al. 2009; Starnes 2004; Starnes et al. 2005; Tracy et al. 2020, 2024; Figure 10). In North Carolina, adults and juveniles have been found in the mainstem of the Pee Dee River downstream from Blewett Falls Dam to the state line; in the mainstem of the Cape Fear River downstream from mouth of Daniels Creek to just downstream from Buckhorn Dam; the mainstem of the Deep River; in run-of-river reservoirs with spawning shoals upstream of the impoundments along the Deep and Little rivers; and in inshore areas of the upper reaches of Blewett Falls and Tillery reservoirs. Young-of-year and juveniles have been collected from tributaries to the Pee Dee River, Blewett Falls Reservoir, and Deep River such as Mill Creek in Anson County, Mountain Creek in Richmond County, McClendons and Falls creeks in Moore County, Indian Creek in Chatham County, and Fork Creek in Randolph County. In the Cape Fear River basin there are no records from the mainstem of the Cape Fear River downstream from Lillington, NC; from the Haw River system upstream from Jordan Reservoir, including Jordan Reservoir; or from the Rocky River system. In the Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin there are no records upstream from Narrows Dam or from the Rocky River watershed. In South Carolina, M. carolina occurs only in the mainstem of the Pee Dee River from the state line downstream to Florence, SC (Rohde et al. 2009). In North Carolina or South Carolina there are no records of collections from the upper Santee River basin (i. e., Catawba, Congaree, Wateree, and Broad rivers; Jason Bettinger, pers. comm., 01 July 2024) or the Coastal Plain. Historically, the distribution of Moxostoma carolina was possibly much more widespread. Tracy and Jenkins (2021) speculated that in 1869, Edward Drinker Cope did encounter this species in the Yadkin River at the Koontz Plantation in Rowan County based on unclearly described nominal species of redhorses (e. g., Ptychostomus albus Cope 1870 and P. thalassinus Cope 1870, both synonyms of M. collapsum), a description of an unnamed species (Cope 1870, p. 474, last paragraph under P. erythrurus), and because of another species sympatric with M. carolina, which is widely distributed in the middle Yadkin River system, M. sp. Brassy Jumprock. Moxostoma carolina might have been more widely distributed in the upper Cape Fear River basin (i. e., the Haw River subbasin) prior to water quality degradation from the cities of Greensboro and Burlington, effluent from textile mills, and the creation of Jordan Reservoir in the late 1970 s. The creation of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Chain of Lakes in the middle and lower Yadkin River basin between 1917 – 1928 would also have fragmented its distribution. Currently, populations of M. carolina are fragmented by a series of run-of-river impoundments along the Deep and Little rivers and by hydroelectric dams along the mainstem of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River.	en	Hogue, Gabriela M., Tracy, Bryn H., Raine, Jonathan A., Hughes, Lily C., Jenkins, Robert E. (2026): Carolina Redhorse-a new species of Moxostoma (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) from North Carolina and South Carolina, USA. Zootaxa 5763 (4): 501-528, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3
985787A0FFFBFFADFF63FF6CFCD35AC9.taxon	biology_ecology	Life History. Much of the life history information of Moxostoma carolina was accumulated by Dr. Jenkins and undergraduate students at Roanoke College in Salem, VA. Unpublished age and growth data calculated by Dr. Jenkins can be found in the Supplemental file S 1 H. Based on aging of the opercles, the maximum age of M. carolina was determined to be 17 years and from scales it was determined to be a maximum of 13 years. These two ages were calculated from a female specimen (ANSP 211069), 468 mm SL, 566 mm TL, 2512 g, collected on 23 April 2003 from the Little River, in the upper reaches of Hurley Reservoir, Montgomery County, NC. The maximum weight of M. carolina was reported to be 3000 g from a 585 mm TL fish netted and released on 23 April 2003 from the Little River, in the upper reaches of Hurley Reservoir, Montgomery County, NC (Starnes 2004). The maximum weight that Dr. Jenkins recorded was 2512 g (ANSP 211069). The diet of M. carolina was studied by undergraduate students, William H. Dixon and Joseph P. Fernatt, at Roanoke College in Salem, VA. The stomach contents of six fish from the Deep, Pee Dee, and Little rivers, collected in April, May, and October, were found to contain primarily chironomid larvae, microcrustaceans (cladocerans and copepods), and detritus. Typical habitat of food items indicated that M. carolina usually feeds in littoral depositional areas rather than lotic erosional areas (Dixon 2005; Fernatt 2005). Moxostoma carolina inhabits well-flowing and slow sections of streams and at least inshore areas of a few small (run-of-river) to large reservoirs and seems to prefer slow current and lacustrine habitats (Jenkins 2011). During most of the year, except during spawning, M. carolina can be found in deeper pools of warm, moderate-gradient creeks to major rivers, mainstem reservoirs, and small run-of-river reservoirs. Many lotic sites where this species has been found have rocky to sandy to considerably silted substrate. Based on tubercle and gonad development, spawning is suspected to occur in the spring (late April – early May) for a short period of time on gravelly shoals in larger streams similar to other redhorse suckers, although no one has observed actual spawning. It is also postulated that upon hatching, the young-of-year migrate into the smaller creeks to grow until they reach Age 1 or 2 before returning to the mainstem of rivers or impoundments (Jenkins 2011; Starnes 2004; Starnes et al. 2005). No estimates of population size have been made for the Yadkin-Pee Dee or Cape Fear River populations of M. carolina. However, based upon targeted surveys and those who have collected specimens, it is rare in collections and rare when encountered. It is often difficult to collect due to the deep, non-wadeable pools it inhabits, which can only be sampled by a boat electrofisher. Competition with nonindigenous species such as Ictiobus bubalus (Rafinesque 1818) in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River and predation by the nonindigenous Pylodictis olivaris (Rafinesque 1818) in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River and Cape Fear River may also be limiting its numbers. Most adult specimens encountered by researchers are measured, PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) tagged, and released rather than being preserved. Young-of-year (i. e., those <100 mm TL) are rare in collections because they are thought to inhabit small, rocky-bottomed streams, which can be difficult to sample.	en	Hogue, Gabriela M., Tracy, Bryn H., Raine, Jonathan A., Hughes, Lily C., Jenkins, Robert E. (2026): Carolina Redhorse-a new species of Moxostoma (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) from North Carolina and South Carolina, USA. Zootaxa 5763 (4): 501-528, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3
985787A0FFFBFFADFF63FF6CFCD35AC9.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Carolina is derived from the Latin version of King Charles I of England’s name, Carolus, and means the “ Land of Charles ”, originally called Carolana in 1629. The species epithet, a noun in apposition, was found written in Dr. Jenkins’ handwriting on his 11 May 2005 field data sheet (REJ 1980) and we concur with this name. The species epithet and common name reflect the fact that the Carolina Redhorse is the only species of Moxostoma endemic to both North Carolina and South Carolina.	en	Hogue, Gabriela M., Tracy, Bryn H., Raine, Jonathan A., Hughes, Lily C., Jenkins, Robert E. (2026): Carolina Redhorse-a new species of Moxostoma (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) from North Carolina and South Carolina, USA. Zootaxa 5763 (4): 501-528, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.3
