Auburn researcher names newly discovered fish species, honoring Cherokee knowledge and advancing conservation

Jonathan Armbruster, professor and curator of fishes in Auburn University’s College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM), has led a groundbreaking effort to give a long-overlooked species its scientific name. The Sicklefin Redhorse — a species long known to the Cherokee people but only recognized by science in 1990 — has now been formally described as Moxostoma ugidatli in a paper published in the journal “Ichthyology & Herpetology.”

For more than three decades, researchers have studied the Sicklefin Redhorse, a sucker species found in the mountain tributaries of North Carolina and Georgia. Despite its scientific importance and cultural significance, it remained unnamed — until now. Armbruster, working alongside a team of dedicated scientists, took up the challenge left by the late Robert Jenkins, a pioneer in the study of Redhorse species, to complete its official description.

“This is the kind of discovery that reminds us how much is still unknown in our own backyard,” Armbruster said. “It’s a powerful example of how scientific research and indigenous knowledge can work together to better understand and protect biodiversity.”

The research, driven by Auburn and COSAM’s bold commitment to advancing scientific discovery, involved collaborations with leading experts, including Byron “Bud” Freeman from the University of Georgia, Brett Albanese from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Scott Favrot, a specialist in Sicklefin Redhorse ecology. Their work has already influenced ongoing conservation efforts, including a reintroduction program including raising young at the Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery.

A species name is more than just a label — it can be the key to conservation. Without a scientific name, species often remain in bureaucratic limbo, limiting their protection and recognition. Now, with Moxostoma ugidatli officially in the record, researchers and conservationists have a critical tool to advocate for its future.

The name “ugidatli” pays tribute to the Cherokee people, who had known of the fish for centuries. The Sicklefin Redhorse Working Group, led by Dave Matthews of the Tennessee Valley Authority, has played a crucial role in gathering knowledge about the species, highlighting how collaboration between scientists, government agencies, and indigenous communities can drive real change.

“This discovery is a milestone for biodiversity research and for Auburn University,” Armbruster said. “It’s about more than just naming a species — it’s about recognizing its place in history, ecology, and culture, and ensuring it has a future.”

As Auburn University continues to push the boundaries of scientific discovery, this work embodies COSAM’s vision of innovation, collaboration, and impact. Armbruster and his team are leading the way in research that doesn’t just expand knowledge — but transforms how we think about the world around us.

For more information, read the full publication in “Ichthyology & Herpetology.”

COSAM is dedicated to pushing the frontiers of knowledge through world-class research, innovative teaching and transformative scientific discovery. From biodiversity conservation to cutting-edge biomedical research, Auburn scientists are shaping the future.