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Abstract: We assessed the status of the Arkansas darter (Etheostoma cragini) in the Arkansas and Cimarron river basins of south-central Kansas and adjacent areas of Oklahoma. We used data from 145 sites sampled from 1994 through 1997. The Arkansas darter was present at 67 (46%) of these localities, including 26 (67%) of the 39 historic collection localities sampled during our study period. The Arkansas darter was locally abundant and occurred over most of its range in this region; however, dewatering of streams caused by large-scale groundwater withdrawals has resulted in extirpations within the western portion of the study area and poses a threat elsewhere in the region.

Key words: Arkansas darter, Arkansas River basin, Cimarron River basin, Etheostoma cragini, Kansas fishes, Oklahoma fishes, stream fishes.

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Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Methods and Materials
• Results
• Discussion
• Acknowledgments
• Literature Cited

Figures

• Figure 1 -- Diagram of streams in the study area in south-central Kansas and Adjacent Oklahoma.
• Figure 2 -- Diagram of the Arkansas darter distribution in the study area in south-central Kansas.

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Mark E. Eberle and William J. Stark, Department of Biological Sciences and Sternberg Museum of Natural History, Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas 67601-4099

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