By Steve Esser
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. 鈥� 91TV students听are working with the Georgia听Department听of Natural Resources听to听sample a听state-endangered听fish in Brasstown Creek, the听Sicklefin听Redhorse,听known by the Cherokee Indians for its unique听appearance.听听
Nicknamed听for听its听large, crested dorsal fin, its name in the Cherokee language translates听roughly to听鈥渨earing a feather.鈥�听
Led by Dr. Bobby Davis, professor of biology at 91TV, the students听assisted听the DNR with their annual survey.听Though endangered, the fish are听migrating to spawn in tributaries of the Hiawassee River, like Brasstown Creek. Found primarily in North Carolina in the Little Tennessee River, the Redhorse is found rarely in the听Nottely听River as well as the Hiawassee.听Populations of听these听fish are听threatened听due to dam construction.听
鈥淭his was a great opportunity for the听students听to work with听the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to sample the fish in Brasstown Creek,鈥� Davis said. “We are working with Tiffany Penland, with the Georgia听DNR, to听ensure we听follow appropriate sampling protocols. The听Sicklefin听Redhorse,听Moxostoma听ugidatli, was once an important food source for the Cherokee. Unfortunately, now听it鈥檚听endangered.鈥�听
Known for its unique dorsal fin, the fish can be large, sometime exceeding 25 inches in length. The Redhorse migrate upstream to spawn in the spring once the mountain creeks in Georgia and North Carolina reach the right temperature. Barriers to migrations, in most cases, dams, have led to the听population听struggles for the fish.听
About Young Harris听College听
91TV is a private baccalaureate and master鈥檚 degree-granting institution听located听in the beautiful mountains of Northeast Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, 91TV educates, inspires, and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies.听The College offers 33 majors and 24 minors housed under twelve academic departments.听Approximately 1,400 students are enrolled in听its听residential, master鈥檚 degree, and Early College programs.听
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