Population density and stream-habitat relations of the Yellowcheek Darter (Nothonotus moorei) among the headwaters of the Little Red River in Arkansas

Southeastern Naturalist
By:  and 

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Abstract

Nothonotus moorei (Yellowcheek Darter [YCD]) is an endangered species endemic to the headwaters of the Little Red River in north-central Arkansas. Population decline, habitat loss and fragmentation, and threats from land use and seasonal drought necessitate monitoring of population density and distribution to determine ecological and habitat associations. We evaluated YCD density and associated stream-habitat variables from 9 sites in the South Fork, Archey Fork, Middle Fork, and Beech Fork of the Little Red River from March to April 2018. Yellowcheek Darters were present at all 9 sites and 19 of 23 riffles sampled. Densities were generally comparable or higher than reported in previous studies, and we collected YCD at some sites at which they were considered previously extirpated, suggesting a rather stable population and evidence of recolonization of some sites since they were last surveyed. Yellowcheek Darter density was significantly negatively related to substrate embeddedness, and the consistent relation to embeddedness in this study and other studies suggest that this species is vulnerable to sedimentation.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Population density and stream-habitat relations of the Yellowcheek Darter (Nothonotus moorei) among the headwaters of the Little Red River in Arkansas
Series title Southeastern Naturalist
DOI 10.1656/058.020.0124
Volume 20
Issue 1
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher BioOne
Contributing office(s) Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center
Description 18 p.
First page 227
Last page 244
Country United States
State Arkansas
Other Geospatial Little Red River
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