Date of Award

Spring 5-9-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Science

Department

Biological Sciences

College

College of Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics

Committee Chair

John Jackson

Second Committee Member

Kyler Hecke

Third Committee Member

Katie Morris

Program Director

Tom Nupp

Dean of Graduate College

Michael Bradley

Abstract

The Rocky Shiner (Notropis suttkusi) is a minnow species endemic to the Red River and its tributaries in southern Arkansas and Oklahoma. This species is petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act and is a species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) in Arkansas. However, there is little information for the species’ distribution, habitat use, and ecological niche, especially within the Arkansas portion of its range. Because of this data gap, my study provides an updated description of its distribution and habitat associations using conditional occupancy modeling and explores patterns of species co-occurrence within the community. I sampled 29 sites across the wadeable streams of the Lower Little River Watershed. Overall, I observed 121 Rocky Shiners at 8 of these sites over 45 sampling events. At each site, I recorded water quality, measured stream habitat, and conducted seine hauls to collect and identify fish species. At each seine haul, microhabitat variables were measured. Rocky Shiners were found in clear wetland streams with mainly gravel and sand, with moderate flow (0.36 m/s2) and depth (0.31 m), typically in the transition between riffles and pools. Rocky Shiner occupancy rate with no covariates was 0.34 (95% CI = 0.16-0.57), with a probability of detection of 0.81 (95% CI = 0.55-0.94). After assessing 11 candidate models for influences on occupancy and detection, I found that percent sand, cobble and gravel substrates within sites had the most significant influence on occupancy, while I found no influence of covariates on detection rate. I observed 56 species in the study area, and 10 SGCN. The probabilistic model of species co-occurrence suggests that Rocky Shiners co-occur with four additional species, indicating that they may have a unique ecological niche among this group. Results of my study provide a broader understanding of this species' distribution across its entire range. These data will also contribute to the upcoming US Fish and Wildlife Service's Species Status Assessment and will help guide future conservation strategies.

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