Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: DARTER, NIANGUA

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: OSTEICHTHYES

Order: PERCIFORMES

Family: PERCIDAE

Genus: ETHEOSTOMA

Species: NIANGUAE

Taxonomic Authority: GILBERT and MEEK

Taxonomy References: 002

Status

FEDERAL THREATENED
STATE ENDANGERED
STATE RANK S2
GLOBAL RANK G2

Status References: 003 , 008 , 013

Habitat Summary

"Inhabits riffles, pools and runs of clear, silt-free streams with gravel or rock bottoms."

Primary Habitat: "Aquatic - river/stream"

References: 007

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Occurs in a few tributaries of the Osage river in southcentral Missouri *001*."

County Occurance

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

References for distribution: 006 , 007 , 009 , 010 , 011 , 001

Distribution by Watersheds

Sac R.
Pomme De Terre R.
Niangua R.
Osage R. from Bagnell Dam to Mo. 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

Big Rivers: Lower Missouri
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Upper Ozark

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"Riverine, upper perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, cobble/gravel"

References for Aquatic Associations: 006 , 001

Habitat Types:

Permanent Stream

References for Habitat Types: 004

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

Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Larva stage
Plecoptera (stoneflies); Larva stage
Coleoptera (beetles); Not Specified
Trichoptera (caddisflies); Not Specified
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Not Specified
Hymenoptera (sawflies, ants, wasps, bees); Not Specified
Aquatic Insects; Not Specified
Branchiopods (Daphnia, Cladocera); Not Specified
Copepods (Cyclops, Calanus); Not Specified
Malacostraca (lobster, shrimp, crayfish, crabs); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies); Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 006 , 011 , 001

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)

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

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Bottom type: gravel
Gradient specified in comments(00140)
Current velocity: slow current
Current velocity: moderate current
Current velocity specified in comments(00150)
Water level: permanently flooded
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles
Natural features: runs or raceways

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 006 , 014 , 001

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Gradient specified in comments(00140)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles
Natural features: runs or raceways

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 006 , 001

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Turbidity: clear water
Turbidity: clear water, but tolerates periodic cloudiness
Turbidity specified in comments(00040)
Bottom type: pebble
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Gradient specified in comments(00140)
Current velocity: swift current
Current velocity specified in comments(00150)
Water level: permanently flooded
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Elevation specified in comments(00240)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Stream order: third order stream
Stream order: fourth order stream
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order specified in comments(00260)
Natural features: riffles

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 006 , 011 , 014 , 015 , 001

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Turbidity: moderate turbidity
Siltation: low
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Gradient specified in comments(00140)
Current velocity: slow current
Current velocity: moderate current
Water level: permanently flooded
Water depth: shallow
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Elevation specified in comments(00240)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Stream order: third order stream
Stream order: fourth order stream
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order specified in comments(00260)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles
Natural features: runs or raceways
Natural features specified in comments(00280)

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 006 , 008 , 009 , 014 , 001

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Turbidity: moderate turbidity
Siltation: low
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Gradient specified in comments(00140)
Current velocity: slow current
Current velocity: moderate current
Water level: permanently flooded
Water depth: shallow
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Elevation specified in comments(00240)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Stream order: third order stream
Stream order: fourth order stream
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order specified in comments(00260)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles
Natural features: runs or raceways
Natural features specified in comments(00280)

References for resting adult niche requirements: 006 , 008 , 009 , 011 , 001

Niche Requirement Summary

Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: pebble
Current velocity specified in comments(00150)
Current velocity: moderate current
Current velocity: slow current
Current velocity: swift current
Elevation specified in comments(00240)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Gradient specified in comments(00140)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Natural features specified in comments(00280)
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles
Natural features: runs or raceways
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Siltation: low
Stream order specified in comments(00260)
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: fourth order stream
Stream order: third order stream
Turbidity specified in comments(00040)
Turbidity: clear water
Turbidity: clear water, but tolerates periodic cloudiness
Turbidity: moderate turbidity
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
007 Spawn during April and May *006,011,014*. Spawning tapers off in mid-late May *016*.
008 Females spawn with more than 1 male *001,014*
022 Mature at 1 year *006,011*
099 Feed primarily by sight *006*. In a MO study few individuals sampled had lived longer than 2 years *006*
041 Average no. Of mature ova is 189.8 for age i, 387.5 for age II, 748 for age III *011*
035 Rainbow darters prey on eggs. In a MO study, rainbow darters were present during all observed spawning events. This egg predation may be reducing niangua darter recruitment. *014*. Parasites include trematodes, acanthocephalans, and anchorworms. Incidence of parasites in intestines 22.0 % for trematodes, 9.8 % for acanthocephalans *006*
038 Age groups from 0 - IV have been found. Largest specimen found was a female 111 mm long. Males grow more rapidly than females. 50% of adult length is achieved during the first growth period. *011*
017 In MO lab study, incubation period was 10-11 days at 16 degrees C *015*.
012 An egg-burying species *016*.

Life History Information

Territoriality: defends nesting territory
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
Foraging strategy: probing
Foraging sites: water
Foraging sites: feed on bottom of stream, lake or pond
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Mating system specified in comments(008)
Spawning site: flowing water
Spawning site: gravel
Spawning site specified in comments(012)
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)
Sex ratio: 1:1
Territoriality: defends breeding territory

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
007 Spawn during April and May *006,011,014*. Spawning tapers off in mid-late May *016*.
008 Females spawn with more than 1 male *001,014*
022 Mature at 1 year *006,011*
099 Feed primarily by sight *006*. In a MO study few individuals sampled had lived longer than 2 years *006*
041 Average no. Of mature ova is 189.8 for age i, 387.5 for age II, 748 for age III *011*
035 Rainbow darters prey on eggs. In a MO study, rainbow darters were present during all observed spawning events. This egg predation may be reducing niangua darter recruitment. *014*. Parasites include trematodes, acanthocephalans, and anchorworms. Incidence of parasites in intestines 22.0 % for trematodes, 9.8 % for acanthocephalans *006*
038 Age groups from 0 - IV have been found. Largest specimen found was a female 111 mm long. Males grow more rapidly than females. 50% of adult length is achieved during the first growth period. *011*
017 In MO lab study, incubation period was 10-11 days at 16 degrees C *015*.
012 An egg-burying species *016*.

References for life history: 006 , 011 , 014 , 015 , 016 , 001

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Shrub/brush - control erosion
Water - control sedimentation
Water - control pollution (thermal, physical, chemical)
Water - develop/maintain streamside vegetation
Agricultural - control erosion
Forest - control erosion
Grassland - control erosion

Beneficial Management References: 008 , 014 , 016

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - application of fertilizer - organic
Water - application of fertilizer - inorganic
Water - develop/maintain lakes/ponds
Water - dredging and filling
Water - navigational improvements (channelization, dams, locks)
Water - stream channelization
Water - gravel dredging in streams
Water - other (specify in comments)

Adverse Management References: 007 , 014

Comments on Management:
Accelerated erosion and sedimentation, nutrient enrichment, and introduction of potential predators are probable threats *006*. Streambank erosion should be reduced on many reaches within a stream or segment *014*. Introduction of possible predators (such as spotted bass and rock bass) is also adverse *008*. Reservoir construction is a principal threat. Removal of woody streambank vegetation is detrimental *011*. It is important to maintain the integrity of riffle habitats, especially late March to early June *015*. A MO study recommended prohibiting removal of gravel from streams within the niangua darter range from March 1 - June 30 each year *014*.

References for Management Comments: 006 , 008 , 011 , 014 , 015 , 016

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 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
004 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
005 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
006 Pflieger, W.L. 1978. Distribution, Status, And Life History Of The Niangua Darter, Etheostoma Nianguae. Aquatic Series No. 16, Mo Dept. Of Conserv.
007 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. Mo Dept. Of Conserv., 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
008 U.S. Dept. Of The Interior. 1985. Endangered And Threatened Wildlife And Plants - Determination Of Threatened Status And Critical Habitat For The Niangua Darter (Etheostoma Nianguae). Federal Register 50(113): 24649-24654.
009 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).
010 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
011 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1989. Niangua Darter Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv., Twin Cities, Mn.
012 Pflieger, W.L. 1989. Aquatic Community Classification System For Missouri. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Aquatic Series No. 19. 70 Pp + Supplement.
013 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.
014 Mattingly, H.T. and D.L. Galat. 1998. Ecological Requirements For Recovery Of The Federally Threatened Niangua Darter (Etheostoma Nianguae). U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. End. Species Proj. Se-01-28. 164 Pp.
015 Mattingly, H.T., J. Hamilton and D.L. Galat. 2003. Reproductive ecology and captive breeding of the threatened Niangua darter Etheostoma nianguae.
016 Mattingly, H.T., J. Hamilton, and D.L. Galat. 2003. Reproductive ecology and captive breeding of the threatened Ninangua darter, Etheostoma ninanguae. Am. Mid. Nat. 149: 375-383.