NIANGUA DARTER - Etheostoma nianguae
![[black and white photo of niangua darter]](images/darter1.gif)
The Niangua darter is a slender, colorful fish restricted to the Osage River basin of west-central Missouri. Its survival is threatened by deterioration of stream quality, loss of habitat due to reservoir and bridge construction, stream channelization, loss of streamside vegetation, and unrestricted sand and gravel removal. The Niangua darter is listed ENDANGERED by the Missouri Department of Conservation and THREATENED by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Identification
![[line drawing of niangua darter]](images/darter2.gif)
The Niangua darter is a large, slender darter averaging three to four inches long. The fish is yellowish-olive with eight dark cross-bars along its back and orange spots scattered over its upper sides. A series of U-shaped greenish blotches alternate with narrow orange bars along its midside.
The Niangua darter can be distinguished from other darters by the presence of two small, black spots at the base of its tail fin. These spots are not apparent in breeding males. Breeding males are brilliantly colored, with an orange-red belly and a series of iridescent blue-green bars along their sides.
The Niangua darter's closest relative is the arrow darter, which occurs in eastern Kentucky and northern Tennessee and lacks the distinctive black tail spots. There are, however, many other colorful darters that use the same habitat as the Niangua darter.
For a technical description of this animal, refer to:
Pflieger, W.L. 1991. The Fishes of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 343 pp.
Life History
Adult Niangua darters move from pools and slow runs to gravel riffles prior to spawning. The spawning season runs from mid-March to early June, but most of the breeding occurs in April. After spawning, Niangua darters return to the pools and stream runs.
Niangua darters can live four or more years, but few survive longer than two years. Young darters reach sexual maturity after one year. Niangua darters eat the nymphs of stoneflies and mayflies and other aquatic insects.
Habitat and Distribution
![[Missouri map of niangua darter distribution]](images/momap.gif)
Niangua darters live in clear upland creeks and small to medium-sized rivers with slight to moderate currents. They require continuously flowing streams with silt-free gravel and rock bottoms. These streams typically drain hilly areas with chert or dolomite bedrock. Niangua darters are found most of the year in shallow pools, margins, and stream runs.
Niangua darters occur only in Missouri and are located in counties in the Osage River basin including: Osage, Maries, Miller, Camden, Hickory, Dallas, Benton, Greene, Webster, Cedar, Polk, and St. Clair counties. The Niangua darter was historically widespread and abundant in these rivers and streams.
Cause of Historic Decline
The Niangua darter has declined in numbers during the last 30 years, primarily due to habitat loss from reservoir construction, and stream channelization. Reservoirs isolated populations of Niangua darters and barred them from dispersing between suitable habitats. Land clearing and increased amounts of sediment and nutrients have also caused declines in Niangua darter populations.
Current Threats to Niangua Darters
The Niangua darter is a valuable indicator species because it appears to be more sensitive to changes or degradation in stream habitat than many other Ozark stream fishes. Changes in stream habitat resulting from increased sedimentation or excess algae growth will eventually affect other aquatic species. Measures taken to stabilize and improve Niangua darter habitat will also benefit other species, such as smallmouth bass, rock bass, and redhorse sucker.
- Unrestricted gravel and sand removal Gravel and sand removal can significantly impact Niangua darter populations when conducted in the same location year after year during the spawning season. Instream gravel removal destroys the breeding habitat.
- Poor land management Land clearing, stream channelization, and increased amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers and pesticides threaten Niangua darter habitat. Removal or alteration of riparian vegetation increases run-off, increases the amount of sediments in the water, and degrades water quality.
- Water pollution and degradation Unrestricted access to streams by cattle increases sediments and organic matter in streams and degrades darter habitat.
Protection and Management: Steps Toward Recovery
While some short sections of Ozark streams are protected on public land, private landowners own and manage most stream corridor habitat. Landowner's are encouraged to take an active role to protect the water quality and habitat of this rare fish. The Department of Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offer technical assistance and incentives to improve streams on private land. Private landowners can help by implementing the following suggestions.
- Sand and gravel removal Follow proper gravel and sand removal procedures outlined in the "Missouri Instream Sand and Gravel Removal Guidelines" prepared by the Missouri Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources. Guidelines include the following: leave a 20 foot buffer zone between the water line and the excavation area, do not mine within 20 feet of streamside vegetation, and do not alter stream channels. In addition, do not remove gravel during the Niangua darter spawning season (March 15 to June 15). For more information and a copy of the pamphlet, contact: Missouri Department of Conservation Planning Division P. O. Box 180 Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
- Riparian buffer zones Re-establish riparian corridors along streams used by Niangua darters to reduce erosion. Plant willows and other vegetation in 50 foot wide strips on either side of the stream bank. Exclude livestock with fences to allow the area to naturally re-vegetate. Establish a cedar tree revetment in areas that are severely eroded.
- Cattle management Discourage cattle from using streams that contain Niangua darter habitat. Move watering areas into pastures and away from streams. Construct fences across stream access points and plant strips of trees to reduce erosion.
Missouri and federal law prohibits the importation, transportation, sale, purchase, taking or possession of animals on the State or Federal lists.
For more information on Niangua darters, or to report sightings of this species, contact:
Endangered Species Coordinator Missouri Department of Conservation Natural History Division P.O. Box 180 Jefferson City, MO 65102 573/751-4115 or Niangua Darter Recovery Team Leader Camdenton Conservation Service Center Route 2, Box 247 Lake Rd. 5-88 Camdenton, MO 65020-1115 573/346-2210
For more information on stream management or for additional information on Niangua Darter management, contact:
Your local Natural Resources Conservation Service Office.
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