David Eisenhour

Professor

Biology & Chemistry

Contact Info

606-783-2963

301F Lappin Hall

Degrees, Licensures and Certifications: B.S. - Biology, Evangel College; M.S. - Zoology, University of Tennessee; Ph.D. - Zoology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Research Interests: Biodiversity of North American freshwater fishes

Bio

Dr. Eisenhour documents the biodiversity of North American freshwater fishes, concentrating on those of the central United States, especially Kentucky. Although he is interested in all local fishes, his focus is on the poorly known non-game fishes, especially minnows, darters, and madtom catfishes. He is hopeful his work will help preserve the incredible biodiversity of our state's fishes and to make the public aware of this diversity. Eisenhour's research is often diverse in form and involves collecting or observing fishes in dark swamps, large rivers and tiny creeks, collecting data in a lab setting and extensive library research.

Making a contribution to the understanding of the conservation and status of Kentucky's fishes has taken the form of studies of specific fishes, along with studies encompassing examining many fish species. Eisenhour's studies can be categorized into three areas: (1) Systematic studies of fish species documenting geographic variation and species boundaries; (2) Ecology and conservation biology studies of specific species; (3) Broad contributions to understanding of regional fish diversity, including development of a book about Kentucky fishes.

Selected Publications

2018. Eisenhour, D. J., M. R. Thomas, J. Culp, M. C. Compton, S. Brandt, and R. Pierce. Updated distributional records of selected Kentucky fishes. Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings.58:1-19.
2018. Echelle, A. A., N. J. Lang, W. C. Borden, M. R. Schwemm, C. W. Hoagstrom, D. J. Eisenhour, R. L. Mayden, and R. A. Van Den Bussche. Molecular systematics of the chub genus Macrhybopsis (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Zootaxa 4375 (4):537-554.
2017. Eisenhour, D. J., and B. A. Washburn. Long-distance movements of six darters (Teleostei: Percidae) in the Red River, Kentucky. Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science 77:19-24.
2018. Eisenhour, D. J., M. R. Thomas, J. Culp, M. C. Compton, S. Brandt, and R. Pierce. Updated distributional records of selected Kentucky fishes. Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings.58:1-19.
2018. Echelle, A. A., N. J. Lang, W. C. Borden, M. R. Schwemm, C. W. Hoagstrom, D. J. Eisenhour, R. L. Mayden, and R. A. Van Den Bussche. Molecular systematics of the chub genus Macrhybopsis (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Zootaxa 4375 (4):537-554.
2017. Eisenhour, D. J., and B. A. Washburn. Long-distance movements of six darters (Teleostei: Percidae) in the Red River, Kentucky. Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science 77:19-24.
2018. Hickman, C. P., Jr., L. S. Roberts, S. Keen, A. Larson, and D. J. Eisenhour. Animal Diversity, 8th edition. McGraw-Hill.
2017. Hickman, C. P., Jr., L. S. Roberts, S. Keen, D. J. Eisenhour, A. Larsen, and H.I’Anson. Integrated Principles of Zoology, 17th edition. McGraw-Hill.
2013. Eisenhour, D. J, and M. A. Floyd. A culvert acts as a barrier for Blackside Dace (Chrosomus cumberlandensis) movements in Lick Fork, Kentucky. Southeastern Naturalist 12:82-91.
2013. Eisenhour, D. J., A. M. Richter, L. V. Eisenhour, and C-R. Gingras. Reproductive biology of the Frecklebelly Darter, Percina stictogaster (Teleostei: Percidae). Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings 54:1-8.
2011. Eisenhour, D. J., A. M. Richter, and J. M. Schiering. Conservation status of the longhead darter, Percina macrocephala, in Kinniconick Creek, Kentucky. Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings 53:13-20.
2008. Scheibly, J. F., D. J. Eisenhour, and L. V. Eisenhour. Reproductive Biology of the Northern Madtom, Noturus stigmosus (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae) from the Licking River, Kentucky. Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science 69:178-186.
2008. Hopkins, R. L., II, and D. J. Eisenhour. Hybridization of Lythrurus fasciolaris (Cope) and Lythrurus umbratilis (Girard) (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) in the Ohio River basin. Copeia 2008:162-171.
2007. Eisenhour, D. J. and L. V. Eisenhour. Clinal variation in Ohio River basin populations of the redfin shiner, Lythrurus umbratilis. Northeastern Naturalist 14:519-530.
2005. Burr, B. M., D. J. Eisenhour, and J. M. Grady. Two new species of Noturus (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae) from the Tennessee River drainage: description, distribution, and conservation status. Copeia 2005:783-802.
2004. Eisenhour, D. J., and L. V. Eisenhour. Morphological variation and systematics of the Notropis rubellus complex (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in Kentucky and Tennessee. Southeastern Naturalist 3:431-450.
2003. Underwood, D. M., A. A. Echelle, D. J. Eisenhour, M. D. Jones, and W. L. Fisher. Genetic variation in western members of the Macrhybopsis aestivalis complex (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), with emphasis on those of the Red and Arkansas River basins. Copeia 2003:493-501.
1999. Eisenhour, D. J. Systematics of Macrhybopsis tetranema (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). Copeia 1999:969-980.
1999. Luttrell G. R., A. A. Echelle, W. L. Fisher, and D. J. Eisenhour. Declining status of two species of the Macrhybopsis aestivalis complex (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in the Arkansas River basin and related effects of reservoirs as barriers to dispersal. Copeia 1999:981-989.
1998. Eisenhour D. J. and R. M. Strange. Threatened fishes of the world: Phoxinus cumberlandensis Starnes & Starnes, 1978 (Cyprinidae). Environmental Biol. Fishes. 51:140.
1997. Eisenhour, D. J. and K. R. Piller. Two new intergeneric hybrids involving Semotilus atromaculatus and the genus Phoxinus with analysis of additional S. atromaculatus-Phoxinus hybrids. Copeia 1997:204-209.
1995. Eisenhour, D. J. Systematics of Etheostoma camurum and E. chlorobranchium (Osteichthyes: Percidae) in the Tennessee and Cumberland River drainages with analysis of hybridization in the Nolichucky River system. Copeia 1995:368-379.