Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: DARTER, LEAST

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: OSTEICHTHYES

Order: PERCIFORMES

Family: PERCIDAE

Genus: ETHEOSTOMA

Species: MICROPERCA

Taxonomic Authority: JORDAN and GILBERT

Taxonomy References: 002

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S2
GLOBAL RANK G5

Status References: 004 , 014 , 018

Habitat Summary

"Inhabits sloughs, oxbows, spring pools and pools of streams. Occurs in areas with clear, quiet water and dense vegetation, with mud, sand or organic bottoms."

Primary Habitat: "Aquatic - river/stream"

References: 001 , 003

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Occur along north and west margin of Ozarks *001*."

County Occurance

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

References for distribution: 001 , 003 , 012 , 013 , 017

Distribution by Watersheds

Miss. R. from St. Louis to River Aux Vases
Sac R.
Osage R. from Warsaw to Bagnell Dam
Gasconade R. from Headwaters to Big Piney R.
Gasconade R. from Big Piney R. to Mo. R.
Lamine R.
Spring R.

Comments: ""

Distribution by Ecoregions

Mississippi River Alluvial Plains, Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Ozark Border
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"Riverine, unknown perennial"
"Riverine, unknown perennial", "Aquatic bed, rooted vascular"
"Riverine, unknown perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, sand"
"Riverine, unknown perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, mud"
"Riverine, unknown perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, organic"

References for Aquatic Associations: 001 , 003 , 008 , 009 , 010 , 011 , 015

Habitat Types:

Permanent Stream

References for Habitat Types:

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

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

Osteichthyes (bony fishes); Egg stage
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Larva stage
Aquatic Insects; Larva stage
Trichoptera (caddisflies); Not Specified
See comments on seasonal variation; Not Specified
Annelids (segmented worms); Not Specified
Molluscs; Not Specified
Branchiopods (Daphnia, Cladocera); Not Specified
Copepods (Cyclops, Calanus); Not Specified
Malacostraca (lobster, shrimp, crayfish, crabs); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Not Specified
Plecoptera (stoneflies); Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 001 , 007 , 008 , 015

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

Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Bottom type: organic debris
Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Aquatic vegetation: algae
Density of aquatic vegetation: dense
Gradient: low
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: spring pool
Inland wetlands: spring branch
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands specified in comments(00250)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: pools

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 011

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Aquatic vegetation: algae
Inland wetlands specified in comments(00250)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 011

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Underwater cover: undercut bank
Aquatic vegetation: sedge (Carex)
Aquatic vegetation: pondweed (Potamogeton)
Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Aquatic vegetation: filamentous algae
Density of aquatic vegetation: dense
Water level: permanently flooded
Water depth: shallow
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Elevation 501-1000'
Inland wetlands: spring pool
Inland wetlands: spring branch
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features specified in comments(00280)

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 009 , 010 , 011 , 015 , 017

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Bottom type: organic debris
Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Aquatic vegetation: filamentous algae
Density of aquatic vegetation: dense
Gradient: low
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: spring pool
Inland wetlands: spring branch
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: oxbow
Inland wetlands specified in comments(00250)
Stream order: third order stream
Stream order: fourth order stream
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: sixth order stream
Natural features: pools

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 011 , 012

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Bottom type: organic debris
Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Aquatic vegetation: filamentous algae
Density of aquatic vegetation: dense
Gradient: low
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: spring pool
Inland wetlands: spring branch
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: oxbow
Inland wetlands specified in comments(00250)
Stream order: third order stream
Stream order: fourth order stream
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: sixth order stream
Natural features: pools

References for resting adult niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 011 , 012 , 015

Niche Requirement Summary

Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Aquatic vegetation: algae
Aquatic vegetation: filamentous algae
Aquatic vegetation: pondweed (Potamogeton)
Aquatic vegetation: sedge (Carex)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: organic debris
Bottom type: sand
Density of aquatic vegetation: dense
Elevation 501-1000'
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Gradient: low
Inland wetlands specified in comments(00250)
Inland wetlands: oxbow
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: spring branch
Inland wetlands: spring pool
Natural features specified in comments(00280)
Natural features: pools
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: fourth order stream
Stream order: sixth order stream
Stream order: third order stream
Underwater cover: undercut bank
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Water depth: shallow
Water level: permanently flooded
Water temperature specified in comments(00010)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
022 Mature at 1 year old *008*
003 In MN study, deposit eggs on leaves of vallisneria, potamogeton, and cares *015*
007 Spawn from May to June *001,008,009,010*. In MN, spawn from late May - late July *015*
017 Incubation period approximately 6 days at 18-20 degrees C. *009,010*. Incubation approximately 6 days at 22-23 degrees C., 7 days at 20 degrees C., and 11 days at 15.5 degrees C. *008*
018 Average clutch in MN study 88 *015* average no. Of eggs per spawning season 858 *010*
019 In MN may have up to 3 clutches during the spawning season *015*
035 Parasites include acanthocephalans, nematodes, copepods, and flukes *008*
099 A MI study found that females remain in deeper water until ready to spawn *009*. May spend much of time off stream bottom among leaves and stems of aquatic plants *001*
038 In MN study, age i males 29 mm tl and .20 g, females 34 mm tl and .22 g, age II males .33 g, females .38 g *015*
041 Fecundity in MN study average 226-264, increased with increased body size *015*

Life History Information

Periodicity: active in day
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Age and growth information specified in comments(038)
Fecundity specified in comments(041)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
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: aquatic vegetation
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Number of broods/litters per year specified in comments(019)
Parental care of young: no care
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)
Territoriality: defends breeding territory

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
022 Mature at 1 year old *008*
003 In MN study, deposit eggs on leaves of vallisneria, potamogeton, and cares *015*
007 Spawn from May to June *001,008,009,010*. In MN, spawn from late May - late July *015*
017 Incubation period approximately 6 days at 18-20 degrees C. *009,010*. Incubation approximately 6 days at 22-23 degrees C., 7 days at 20 degrees C., and 11 days at 15.5 degrees C. *008*
018 Average clutch in MN study 88 *015* average no. Of eggs per spawning season 858 *010*
019 In MN may have up to 3 clutches during the spawning season *015*
035 Parasites include acanthocephalans, nematodes, copepods, and flukes *008*
099 A MI study found that females remain in deeper water until ready to spawn *009*. May spend much of time off stream bottom among leaves and stems of aquatic plants *001*
038 In MN study, age i males 29 mm tl and .20 g, females 34 mm tl and .22 g, age II males .33 g, females .38 g *015*
041 Fecundity in MN study average 226-264, increased with increased body size *015*

References for life history: 001 , 007 , 008 , 009 , 010 , 015

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Water - control sedimentation

Beneficial Management References: 003

Adverse Managment Practices:

Adverse Management References:

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 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. Mo Dept. Of Conserv., 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
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 Cordes, L.E. and L.M. Page. 1980. Feeding Chronology And Diet Compisition Of Two Darters (Percidae) In The Iroquois River System, Illinois. Am. Midl. Nat. 104(1):202-206.
008 Burr, B.M. and L.M. Page. 1979. The Life History Of The Least Darter, Etheostoma Microperca, In The Iroquois River, Illinois. IL Nat. Hist. Surv. Biol. Notes. No. 112:1-15.
009 Petravicz, J.J. 1936. The Breeding Habits Of The Least Darter, Microperca Punctulata Putnam. Copeia 1936(2):77-82.
010 Winn, H.E. 1958. Comparative Reproductive Behavior And Ecology Of Fourteen Species Of Darters (Pisces-Percidae). Ecol. Monogr. 28:155-191.
011 Cross, F.B. 1967. Handbook Of Fishes Of Kansas. Univ. Ks Mus. Nat. Hist. Misc. Publ. 45. 357 Pp.
012 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. (573-449-3
013 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
014 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
015 Johnson, J.D. and J.T. Hatch. 1991. Life History Of The Least Darter Etheostoma Microperca At The Northwestern Limits Of Its Range. Amer. Midl. Nat. 125(1):87-103).
016 Pflieger, W.L. 1989. Aquatic Community Classification System For Missouri. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Aquatic Series No. 19. 70 Pp + Supplement.
017 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. Collection Records. Mo Dept Of Conservation, 1110 College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. 573-882-9880.
018 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.