Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: DARTER, ARKANSAS

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: OSTEICHTHYES

Order: PERCIFORMES

Family: PERCIDAE

Genus: ETHEOSTOMA

Species: CRAGINI

Taxonomic Authority: GILBERT

Taxonomy References: 002

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S3S4
GLOBAL RANK G3

Status References: 004 , 010 , 015

Habitat Summary

"Occurs in riffles and pools of springs and spring branches with thick growths of watercress. typical habitat is shallow water with some type of cover and no strong currents."

Primary Habitat: "Aquatic - river/stream"

References: 001 , 007

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Occurs in the Spring river system of southwest Ozarks *001*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
BARRY MCDONALD ADAIR
BARTON ANDREW
DADE ATCHISON
JASPER AUDRAIN
LAWRENCE BATES
NEWTON BENTON
BOLLINGER
BOONE
BUCHANAN
BUTLER
CALDWELL
CALLAWAY
CAMDEN
CAPE GIRARDEAU
CARROLL
CARTER
CASS
CEDAR
CHARITON
CHRISTIAN
CLARK
CLAY
CLINTON
COLE
COOPER
CRAWFORD
DALLAS
DAVIESS
DEKALB
DENT
DOUGLAS
DUNKLIN
FRANKLIN
GASCONADE
GENTRY
GREENE
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HICKORY
HOLT
HOWARD
HOWELL
IRON
JACKSON
JEFFERSON
JOHNSON
KNOX
LACLEDE
LAFAYETTE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MADISON
MARIES
MARION
MERCER
MILLER
MISSISSIPPI
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEW MADRID
NODAWAY
OREGON
OSAGE
OZARK
PEMISCOT
PERRY
PETTIS
PHELPS
PIKE
PLATTE
POLK
PULASKI
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
RAY
REYNOLDS
RIPLEY
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SCOTT
SHANNON
SHELBY
ST. CHARLES
ST. CLAIR
ST. FRANCOIS
ST. LOUIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
STODDARD
STONE
SULLIVAN
TANEY
TEXAS
VERNON
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WAYNE
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 001 , 007 , 008 , 009 , 014 , 018

Distribution by Watersheds

Spring R.

Comments: ""

Distribution by Ecoregions

Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Ozark: Springfield Plateau

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"Riverine, intermittent", "Aquatic Bed"
"Riverine, unknown perennial", "Aquatic Bed"

References for Aquatic Associations: 001 , 003 , 007

Habitat Types:

Intermittent Stream
Permanent Stream

References for Habitat Types: 005

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Herbivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Larva stage
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Larva stage
Crustaceans; Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 016

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: spring outlet
Inland wetlands: spring pool
Inland wetlands: spring branch
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 003

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 003

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Bottom type: gravel
Water level: permanently flooded
Water depth: shallow
Elevation 301-500'
Elevation 501-1000'
Elevation 1001-2000'
Inland wetlands: spring outlet
Inland wetlands: spring pool
Inland wetlands: spring branch

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 001 , 003 , 013

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: organic debris
Underwater cover: undercut bank
Underwater cover: organic debris
Aquatic vegetation: bulrush (Scirpus)
Aquatic vegetation: pondweed (Potamogeton)
Aquatic vegetation: arrowhead (Sagittaria)
Aquatic vegetation: duckweed (Lemna)
Aquatic vegetation: coontail (Ceratophyllum)
Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: spring outlet
Inland wetlands: spring pool
Inland wetlands: spring branch
Stream order: second order stream
Stream order: third order stream
Stream order: fourth order stream
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: sixth order stream
Stream order specified in comments(00260)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 001 , 003 , 008 , 013 , 014 , 017

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: organic debris
Underwater cover: undercut bank
Underwater cover: organic debris
Aquatic vegetation: bulrush (Scirpus)
Aquatic vegetation: pondweed (Potamogeton)
Aquatic vegetation: arrowhead (Sagittaria)
Aquatic vegetation: duckweed (Lemna)
Aquatic vegetation: coontail (Ceratophyllum)
Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: spring outlet
Inland wetlands: spring pool
Inland wetlands: spring branch
Stream order: second order stream
Stream order: third order stream
Stream order: fourth order stream
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: sixth order stream
Stream order specified in comments(00260)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles

References for resting adult niche requirements: 001 , 003 , 008

Niche Requirement Summary

Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Aquatic vegetation: arrowhead (Sagittaria)
Aquatic vegetation: bulrush (Scirpus)
Aquatic vegetation: coontail (Ceratophyllum)
Aquatic vegetation: duckweed (Lemna)
Aquatic vegetation: pondweed (Potamogeton)
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: organic debris
Bottom type: sand
Elevation 1001-2000'
Elevation 301-500'
Elevation 501-1000'
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Inland wetlands: spring branch
Inland wetlands: spring outlet
Inland wetlands: spring pool
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles
Stream order specified in comments(00260)
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: fourth order stream
Stream order: second order stream
Stream order: sixth order stream
Stream order: third order stream
Underwater cover: organic debris
Underwater cover: undercut bank
Water depth: shallow
Water level: permanently flooded
Water temperature specified in comments(00010)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
007 In KS may spawn April-May *003*
003 Most often associated with stippled, orangethroat and fantail darters *014*.

Life History Information

Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Closely associated plant or animal species specified in comments(003)
Foraging strategy: gleaning
Foraging sites: water
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Spawning site: flowing water
Spawning site: gravel

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
007 In KS may spawn April-May *003*
003 Most often associated with stippled, orangethroat and fantail darters *014*.

References for life history: 001 , 003 , 007 , 014

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Beneficial Management References:

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - control aquatic plants

Adverse Management References: 007

Comments on Management:

References for Management Comments:

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Pflieger, W.L. 1997. The Fishes Of Missouri, Revised Edition. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 372 Pp.
002 Nelson, Joseph S., Edwin J. Crossman, Héctor Espinosa-Pérez, Lloyd T. Findley, Carter R. Gilbert, Robert N. Lea, and James D. Williams. 2004. Common And Scientific Names Of Fishes From The United States, Canada and Mexico (6th Ed.). Amer. Fish Soc. Spec.
003 Cross, F.B. 1967. Handbook Of Fishes Of Kansas. Univ. Ks Mus. Nat. Hist. Misc. Publ. 45. 357 Pp.
004 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
005 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
006 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
007 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. Mo Dept. Of Conserv., 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
008 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. The Stream Resources Of Missouri. D-J Project F-1-R-28. Study S-20. Mo Dept. Of Conserv. 1110 S. College Ave. Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
009 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
010 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. List Of Missouri Animal Notice Species, February 2, 1989. Mo Fws, P.O. Box 1506, Columbia, Mo 65205.
011 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
012 Pflieger, W.L. 1989. Aquatic Community Classification System For Missouri. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Aquatic Series No. 19. 70 Pp + Supplement.
013 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. Collection Records. Mo Dept Of Conservation, 1110 College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. 573-882-9880.
014 Pflieger, W.L. 1992. Distribution And Status Of The Arkansas Darter (Etheostoma Cragini) In Missouri. Mo Dept. Conserv. Final Report, Endangered Species Proj. Se-01-22. 25 Pp.
015 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2018. Missouri Species and communities of conservation concern checklist. MO Dept. of Conservation. Jefferson City, MO. pp.56.
016 Taber, C.A., B.A. Taber and M.S. Topping. 1986. Population Structure, Growth And Reproduction Of The Arkansas Darter, Etheostoma Cragini (Percidae). Southwest Nat. 31(2):207-214.
017 Eberle, M.E. and W.J. Stark. 2000. Status Of The Arkansas Darter In South-Central Kansas And Adjacent Oklahoma. Prairie Nat. 32(2):102-113.
018 Unpb Westhoff, Jacob. Missouri Dept. of Conservation, 3500 E Gans Rd, Columbia, MO 65201. 573-815-7900.