Characterization of Upper Tennessee River Fish Assemblages

One of the most diverse temperate freshwater fish faunas is found in the upper Tennessee River drainage. Not only is the species diversity high, but also the variety and disparity of functional traits exhibited by this fauna is notable. Often, these fish functional traits are correlated with aspects of the environment and patterns of community segregation can be observed. The rivers of the upper Tennessee River drainage flow over a heterogeneous landscape varying in several biotic and abiotic traits. Based on 220 recent samples from the drainage, we correlated drainage traits with fish functional traits to describe patterns of fish community assemblages.