The Gilt Darter

The Gilt Darter is a colorful fish that is currently endangered in Ohio. While endangered in Ohio the International Union for Conservation of Nature listed it as a species of least concern, since it has many sub-populations and large populations throughout the southeast ^[1]. The gilt darter was believed to be extirpated from Ohio since an individual has not been spotted since 1893. That was until 2010 where an individual Gilt Darter was caught at the Ohio River ^[2].

The Gilt darters are believed to have been from the upper big sandy river basin (KY) and moved back into the Ohio River as water quality improved. Their habitat preference is clear, fast to moderate-flowing riffles or clean pools in a river. They also have preferences for habitat that contain algae and aquatic vegetation. Dams and siltation (pollution of water by suspended sediments) pose a great threat to this darter, who is intolerant of murky and slow riffles ^[1;2].

These little fish can be used as barometers for stream health, since they are intolerant of change. Watershed management can gauge physical and chemical deterioration based on this darter and other organisms associated with a river system. While little is known about the darter and the extent of its contribution to an ecosystem, preservation of an endangered species is important. For wildlife, as stated by the Congress discussing the Endangered Species Act of 1973, “are of aesthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational and scientific value to the nation and its people” ^[4]_. This organism is unique for its beauty and its ability to be used as an environmental monitor, and if management can work toward better water quality who knows what else extirpated animals may return with the Gilt Darter.

References

1. Percina evides. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2017, from http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/202577/0
2. Wildlife, O. D. (n.d.). Ohio.gov / search. Retrieved September 27, 2017, from http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/species-and-habitats/species-guide-index/fish/gilt-darter
3. Gilt Darter Fact Sheet. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2017, from http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/26039.html
4. Why Save Endangered Species? U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2017, from https://www.fws.gov/nativeamerican/pdf/why-save-endangered-species.pdf