Fishes of the Chicago Region (Chicago University Press), is a valuable resource to all fishers alike, whether they be researchers, ecologists, or your everyday nature enthusiast, this book provides a plethora of valuable information not only on the Chicago region but also on the fish fauna documented within it.
The book starts off by setting the scene for what is to be expected in terms of the aquatic habitats and ecosystems, as well as the range of weather conditions and climatic variables that fishes within this region have adapted too. The authors also inform the readers of major events in Chicagoland’s history that directly relate to the presence, distribution, and knowledge of fishes, providing valuable historical context.
The third chapter of this book provides an amazing dichotomous tree, which provides a helpful step by step guide to identify fish in the field for both researchers and fisherman, which is paired with an additional appendix for fish anatomy in the back.
Detailed information for each family is found at the beginning, followed by a physical description and a run down of individual species and their natural history. Each family and species shows the common and scientific name, making identification more accessible to anyone who uses the book. The images used for all the fish are very high quality, and are up against a black background which is very helpful for noticing specific details crucial to identification. Along with high quality pictures of the fishes, there are also corresponding maps of the Chicago region, showing the geospatial distribution of that species in the region, which has been based on decades of field observations and research studies from several institutions and scientists.
In short, I highly recommend this field guide to anyone remotely interested in fish or fishing in the Chicago region. Whether you are cataloging fish biodiversity, teaching others about local aquatic life, or simply fishing in your local streams, this guide is an accessible and reliable tool.
Writer/scientist– Kaleigh Arnold is a PhD student in Dr. Kory Evans’(AE for IOB) lab at Rice University. Her current work specializes in evolutionary developmental biology, specializing in fish skull morphology and novel dentitions in reef fishes utilizing Amphiprion ocellaris (clownfish) as an emerging developmental model system. Kaleigh’s previous work during her Master’s with Dr. Windsor Aguirre at DePaul University looked into how vertebral anomalies and deformities impacted the escape response in Astyanax mexicanus (Mexican tetra), contributing to evidence that changes in environment and climate can lead to severe developmental deformities, resulting in significant impacts to fish performance, fitness, and longevity. Her broader interests lie in the intersection of ecology, evolution, and development, where she aims to uncover underlying mechanisms that have contributed to the vast diversity seen among fishes worldwide.
Summary of the book from Chicago Univ. Press & IOB papers on sticklebacks & perches
Fish don’t heed state boundaries, and neither does this comprehensive, photo-filled guide to the diverse species of Chicago and beyond.
Encompassing southern Lake Michigan, northeastern Illinois, and adjacent areas of Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, the Chicago Region is home to rare habitats supporting diverse fish populations. From small creeks to large rivers and from small ponds to one of the world’s largest freshwater ecosystems, Lake Michigan, these systems are home to some 164 fish species representing 31 families. In this essential field guide, the most complete and up-to-date reference for fishes in the Chicago Region, we meet them all—lampreys, sturgeon, paddlefish, gars, drum, darters, perches, sticklebacks, sculpins, and more. Written by leading local ecologists and featuring a pictorial family key, color photographs, detailed species distribution maps, and natural history observations unique to the region, this go-to guide belongs on the shelf—and in the boat—of every angler, naturalist, fisheries manager, and biologist.Francis M. Veraldi is a fish biologist and restoration ecologist for the US Army Corps of Engineers, where he leads multidisciplinary teams for the formulation, design, and implementation of aquatic ecosystem restoration projects. Stephen M. Pescitelli is retired from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, where he spent thirty years as a Natural Resources Advanced Specialist and stream biologist. He was responsible for monitoring fish assemblages in the watershed areas of the Des Plaines, DuPage, Fox, Kankakee, and Mazon Rivers as well as the Aux Sable Creek. He was also involved in stream restoration, focusing on dam removals in northeastern Illinois. He also worked and studied at the Illinois Natural History Survey. Philip W. Willink is an academic researcher for the Illinois Natural History Survey. He was previously a senior research biologist in the Daniel P. Haerther Center for Conservation and Research at the John G. Shedd Aquarium and the assistant collections manager for the Fish Division at the Field Museum of Natural History.
Integrative Organismal Biology 