The fishes of Oklahoma, their gross habitats, and their tolerance of degradation in water quality and habitat

This paper lists 179 species of fishes known in Oklahoma, two species which have been reported but may not occur, and two abundant stocked hybrids. Nomenclature conforms with recent taxonomic revisions. Gross habitats for each species are listed in order of preference for rivers, creeks, lakes, ponds, and swamps and sloughs. In order of occurrence in habitat, 170 species and the two hybrids occur in rivers, 154 species in creeks, 88 species and the hybrids in lakes, 52 species in swamps and sloughs, and 32 species in ponds. In terms of diversity, nine species occur in only one habitat, 81 species and two hybrids in two habitats, 58 species in three habitats, 16 species in four habitats, and 17 species occur in all five habitats. Mean numerical scores tested against ±2Sx, are used to classify all species as Intolerant, Moderately Intolerant, Moderately Tolerant, or Tolerant of water quality changes and habitat alterations. The two intolerant categories contain 47 and 60 species respectively for water quality and 84 and 43 species respectively for habitat. The tolerant categories contain 48 and 28 species respectively for water quality and 41 and 15 species respectively for habitat. Forty-five species are equally tolerant or intolerant of degradation of both water quality and habitat. Only 11 species are more intolerant of water quality degradation and 127 species are more intolerant of habitat degradation. This list will become the official tolerance classification for regulatory purposes in Oklahoma upon adoption in the state water quality standards