Black-sided Darter (Percina maculata)
(State-listed as Threatened)
Description:
A small, streamlined fish approximately 3.5 inches in length.
Its body is a yellowish-olive color with seven or eight
horizontal blotches running along each side. It also has a dark
spot at the base of its tail fin. It feeds on small aquatic
invertebrates.
Habitat: The Black-sided Darter is found in clear,
gravel-bottom, perennial streams in eastern Oklahoma along the
state line with Arkansas.
Current and Historic Distribution: The Black-sided Darter is
found in Lee Creek, and some of the tributary streams to the
Poteau and Mountain Fork rivers. This species tends to occur in
low densities in Oklahoma, which is at the southwestern edge of
its geographic range, so it is difficult to locate during stream
surveys and its current and historic ranges are poorly known.
Historic records exist for the Black-sided Darter in Pushmataha
and McCurtain counties. In addition to its range in Oklahoma, it
is widespread in the Mississippi River watershed and can be
found in many states north and east of Oklahoma.
Reasons for Decline: Alteration of stream habitat through the
loss of riparian vegetation and increased amounts of silt and
sediment probably played a large role in its decline. As with
many stream fish, reservoir construction may negatively affect
this species by isolating populations above and below dams.
County by County List of Endangered and Threatened Species
US Fish and Wildlife Endangered Species Lists