Page 31 - Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine Mar-Apr2023

did answer the longstanding question: “Are all
these different-looking longears really the same
kind of fish?”
Bauer’s research continues and he plans to
receive several more specimens from Oklahoma.
Altogether, he has examined 5,406 individual
longears and 39 morphometric traits on each fish
– that’s a remarkable 210,834 data points.
The most widespread longear in Oklahoma
is currently known as the “plains longear” or
Lepomis aquilensis (although that common
name may change). It’s found throughout cen-
tral and western Oklahoma and in lowlands of
the Arkansas and Red rivers as far east as the
Arkansas line. They are typically powder blue or
turquoise green on the front half of the fish, tran- PLAINS LONGEAR
sitioning to brick red on the back half. They are
also stockier-bodied with stout “bulldog jaws”
and are probably the largest of Oklahoma’s
three species.
The tentatively named “redstripe longear”
is one of Oklahoma’s newly recognized longear
species and is currently designated Lepomis sp
Ozark. Its range is basically the Ozark region of
Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas, but
it can be found in a few streams as far west as
Ponca City and as far south as tributaries of the
Poteau River. These longears are best known for
their distinctive red stripe extending along the
nape from the dorsal fin to the top of the fore-
head. Their coloration is brilliant blue intermixed
with vivid orange-reds throughout the body,
stomach, forehead, and fins.
The third Oklahoma longear species is also
new and is currently referred to as the “Caddoan
longear” or Lepomis sp Ouachita. These are per- REDSTRIPE LONGEAR
haps Oklahoma’s most genetically and morpho-
metrically distinct longear, and one of the original
forms that first got Bauers’ attention 50 years ago.
They are found throughout the Little and Kiamichi
river drainages of the Ouachita Mountains and
extend to near the Gulf coastal plain to the south.
Their primary colors are shiny deep red or orange
with iridescent blue markings on the face, and
blue dots well-distributed across the body.
Longears are undoubtedly one of Oklahoma’s
most unusual and interesting fish species. Often
caught on hook and line, they are decidedly too
small for table fare, too pretty to use as bait, and
too special and unique not to be appreciated for
what they are. Perhaps their best purpose is to
just be admired and appreciated for their unpar-
alleled beauty, tireless energy, and the role they
play as one of the true gems among Oklahoma’s
native fish. CADDOAN LONGEAR

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