Program Type
Honors
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Kyler Hecke
Document Type
Poster
Location
Face-to-face
Start Date
18-4-2024 2:00 PM
Abstract
Highland Darters (Etheostoma teddyroosevelt) are an Ozark regional endemic species, occurring in the Arkansas River and upper White River systems of Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. There have been very few studies on this species, specifically those that have quantified the habitat use of this species across its range. A new study was needed to fill in the knowledge gap of microhabitat use by the Highland Darter in Arkansas. We wanted to address this knowledge gap by assessing the microhabitat use of this species in the Illinois Bayou watershed in Arkansas. Highland Darters were observed during snorkel surveys at known and unknown localities for this species. For each unique observation, microhabitat use (1-m2 area) was determined for this species. Various environmental and habitat variables were measured within the area of observation Microhabitat data were assessed across multiple spatial scales (watershed and site). A total of 12 individuals were observed from 3 sites during August-September 2023. At the watershed level, mean (±SE) frequency of substrate in Highland Darter microhabitats were 65.4 (±7.3) % cobble, 15.4 (±7.0) % gravel, 0.7 (±0.7) % bedrock, and 10.2 (±3.6) % sand/silt. Further, at 35 the watershed level, mean estimates of other environmental/habitat variables at Highland Darter microhabitats were 25.4 (±7.3) % for canopy cover, 0.01 (±0.01) m3/sec for discharge, and 0.4 (±0.7) m for depth. There appears to be some spatial variation in the environmental variables within the microhabitat of the Highland Darter. This research is will aid in the understanding of Highland Darter biology and ecology. Future research will assess the seasonality of microhabitat use by Highland Darters.
Recommended Citation
Morris, Colton W., "Microhabitat Use of the Highland Darter (Etheostoma teddyroosevelt) in the Illinois Bayou Watershed of Arkansas" (2024). ATU Research Symposium. 52.
https://orc.library.atu.edu/atu_rs/2024/2024/52
Included in
Microhabitat Use of the Highland Darter (Etheostoma teddyroosevelt) in the Illinois Bayou Watershed of Arkansas
Face-to-face
Highland Darters (Etheostoma teddyroosevelt) are an Ozark regional endemic species, occurring in the Arkansas River and upper White River systems of Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. There have been very few studies on this species, specifically those that have quantified the habitat use of this species across its range. A new study was needed to fill in the knowledge gap of microhabitat use by the Highland Darter in Arkansas. We wanted to address this knowledge gap by assessing the microhabitat use of this species in the Illinois Bayou watershed in Arkansas. Highland Darters were observed during snorkel surveys at known and unknown localities for this species. For each unique observation, microhabitat use (1-m2 area) was determined for this species. Various environmental and habitat variables were measured within the area of observation Microhabitat data were assessed across multiple spatial scales (watershed and site). A total of 12 individuals were observed from 3 sites during August-September 2023. At the watershed level, mean (±SE) frequency of substrate in Highland Darter microhabitats were 65.4 (±7.3) % cobble, 15.4 (±7.0) % gravel, 0.7 (±0.7) % bedrock, and 10.2 (±3.6) % sand/silt. Further, at 35 the watershed level, mean estimates of other environmental/habitat variables at Highland Darter microhabitats were 25.4 (±7.3) % for canopy cover, 0.01 (±0.01) m3/sec for discharge, and 0.4 (±0.7) m for depth. There appears to be some spatial variation in the environmental variables within the microhabitat of the Highland Darter. This research is will aid in the understanding of Highland Darter biology and ecology. Future research will assess the seasonality of microhabitat use by Highland Darters.