Iowa Fish Atlas

Native: Yes

State Rank: S3

ITIS Code: 168488          

National Rank: N5           

Global Rank: G5

Modeled By: Anna Loan-Wilsey

State Range:

The blackside darter is widely distributed throughout the Mississippi River basin (Harlan et al. 1987).  It has also been documented in the Lower Big Sioux and Floyd Rivers in the northwestern corner of the state.  Relatively common in small to medium-sized streams, the blackside darter is one of Iowa’s most abundant and widespread darters (Harlan et al. 1987).

Habitat Affinities:

The main habitat of the blackside darter is in pools and sluggish riffles (Clay 1975), particularly in areas of quickening and lessening currents connecting the pools and riffles, of medium-sized creeks and rivers with substrates ranging from sand to detritus, silt, boulders and rubble (Cross and Collins 1995; Douglas 1974; Etnier and Starnes 1993; Pflieger 1971; Robison and Buchanan 1988; Trautman 1981). Blackside darters prefer streams of low to moderate gradient (Harlan et al. 1987; Kuehne and Barbour 1983).  The young occur in backwaters among accumulations of sticks, leaves and other debris (Pflieger 1997). The blackside darter is more tolerant of turbid and warmer waters than other darters (Pflieger 1997) but highly intolerant of considerable siltation (Etnier and Starnes 1993) and organic pollutants such as mine wastes (Trautman 1981). In Kansas the blackside darter is labeled as a threatened species (Cross and Collins 1995).

Predictive Model(s):

Statewide Model: by 8-digit HU [Decision Tree Analysis n=221]

The distribution is based upon existing collection records.

((("SOIL_TEXT" > 3 AND "SOIL_TEXT" <= 4) AND ("LINKR" > 4 AND "LINKR"

<= 6)) OR

(( "SOIL_TEXT" > 4 AND "SOIL_TEXT" <= 6) AND ("MINELEVR" > 2 AND

"MINELEVR" <= 4) AND ("LINKR" > 2 AND "LINKR" <= 6)) OR

(( "SOIL_TEXT" > 6 AND "SOIL_TEXT" <= 8) AND "SUBREGION_" <= 1 AND

("STRAHLER" > 4 AND "STRAHLER" <= 5 )) OR

( "SOIL_TEXT" >9 AND "SOIL_TEXT" <=11))

Mississippi River Model:

The distribution is based upon existing collection records and professional review.

("pool" >= 'S08' AND "pool" <= 'S10' )

Overall Prediction:

((("SOIL_TEXT" > 3 AND "SOIL_TEXT" <= 4) AND ("LINKR" > 4 AND "LINKR"

<= 6)) OR

(( "SOIL_TEXT" > 4 AND "SOIL_TEXT" <= 6) AND ("MINELEVR" > 2 AND

"MINELEVR" <= 4) AND ("LINKR" > 2 AND "LINKR" <= 6)) OR

(( "SOIL_TEXT" > 6 AND "SOIL_TEXT" <= 8) AND "SUBREGION_" <= 1 AND

("STRAHLER" > 4 AND "STRAHLER" <= 5 )) OR

( "SOIL_TEXT" >9 AND "SOIL_TEXT" <=11))

OR ("pool" >= 'S08' AND "pool" <= 'S10' )

Literature Cited:

Clay, W.M.  1975.  The fishes of Kentucky.  Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Frankfort, Kentucky.  416 pp.

Cross, F.B., and J.T. Collins.  1995.  Fishes in Kansas.  University of Kansas Natural History Museum, Public Education Series No. 14, Lawrence, Kansas.   315 pp.

Douglas, N.H.  1974.  Freshwater fishes of Louisiana.  Claitor’s Publishing Division, Sponsored by Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  443 pp.

Etnier, D.A., and W.E. Starnes.  1993.  The fishes of Tennessee.  University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, Tennessee.  681 pp.

Harlan, J.R., E.B. Speaker, and J. Mayhew.  1987.  Iowa fish and fishing. Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa. 323pp.

Kuehne, R.A., and R.W. Barbour.  1983.  The American darters.  University Press of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.  177 pp.

Pflieger, W.L.  1971.  A distributional study of Missouri fishes.  University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History  20(3):225-570.

Pflieger, W.L.  1997.  The fishes of Missouri.  Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.  372 pp.

Robison, H.W., and T.M. Buchanan. 1988.  Fishes of Arkansas.  University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville, Arkansas.  536 pp.

Trautman, M.B.  1981.  The fishes of Ohio.  Revised Edition.  Ohio State University Press in collaboration with the Ohio Sea Grant Program Center for Lake Erie Area Research,  Columbus, Ohio.  782 pp.

Data Sources:

Call, R.E.  1890.  The fishes of the Des Moines basin. Iowa Academy of Sciences 1 pt.2

(1890, 1891):43-56.

Clear Lake Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Northwest

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Clear Lake, Iowa.

Cleary, R.E.  1950.  Forage fish abundance and distribution in N.E. Iowa.  Quarterly

Biology Reports 2(1):18-26.

Decorah Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Northeast

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Decorah, Iowa.

Dieterman, D., and C.R. Berry Jr.  1995.  The distribution and relative abundance of

fishes in the Big Sioux River, South Dakota: statewide fisheries investigations progress report.  South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota.

Dowell, V.  1981.  Collections in Cedar River Basin, 1956-1981.  University of Northern

Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Gelwicks, G., J. Heitke, and G. Simmons.  2002.  Contemporary fish survey. Iowa

Department of Natural Resources, Manchester, Iowa.

Iowa State University.  2002.  Miscellaneous field notes from fish surveys conducted by

faculty and students, 1972 and 1980.  Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Iowa State University Museum.  1985.  Collection of fishes catalog, 1878-1985.   Iowa

State University, Ames, Iowa.

Kaminski, M.T.  1996.  Smallmouth bass habitat and fish community relationships in

central Iowa streams.  Master’s thesis. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Lake Darling Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Southeast

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Brighton, Iowa.  

Lake MacBride Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports. 

Southeast Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Solon, Iowa.

Manchester Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Northeast

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Manchester, Iowa.

Meek, S.E.  1892.  Report upon the fishes of Iowa, based upon observations and

collections mad during 1889, 1890, 1891.  Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission. 10(1890):217-248.

Meek, S.E.  1894.  Notes on the fishes of Western Iowa and Eastern Nebraska.  Bulletin

of the United States Fish Commission 14(1894):133-138.

Menzel, B.W.  1983.  Field notes: northeast.  Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  1984.  Field notes: Des Moines-Skunk.  Iowa State University, Ames,

Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  1984.  Field notes: Iowa-Cedar.  Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  1997.  Field notes: Topeka shiner survey.  Iowa State University, Ames,

Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  1998.  Field notes: Topeka shiner survey.  Iowa State University, Ames,

Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  1999.  Field notes: Topeka shiner survey, 1999 in-channel collections. 

Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  2000.  Field notes: Topeka shiner survey, 2000 in-channel collections. 

Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Menzel, B.W., and H.L. Fierstine.  1976.  A study of the effects of stream channelization

and bank stabilization on warmwater sport fish in Iowa: Subproject No. 5.  Effects of long-reach stream channelization on distribution and abundance of fishes.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Contract 14-16-0008-745.  Iowa Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, Ames, Iowa.

Miller, L.R., T. Putnam, and J. Wahl.  1988.  Evaluation of lowhead riffle construction on

riverine fish populations.  Fish Management Investigations 1988 Annual Report.  Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Mount Mercy College Museum.  2002.  Vertebrate collection database report.  Mount

Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Museum of Natural History.  2002.  Freshwater fish collection.  Division of Zoology,

University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, Louisiana.

Museum of Zoology.  2002.  Division of Fishes collection database.  University of

Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/. (May 2002)

Nord, R.C.  1967.  A compendium of fishery information on the Upper Mississippi River.

Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee, Rock Island, Illinois. 238 pp. 

Olson, C.L.  1975.  Effects of chlorinated sewage effluent on fish in the Iowa River,

Marshalltown, Iowa.  Master’s thesis. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Olson, J.R.  1998.  Historic fish survey database.  Water Quality Bureau, Iowa

Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Paragamian, V.L.  1990.  Fish populations of Iowa rivers and streams.  Technical Bulletin

No. 3.  Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Schmidt, K.  1999.  Upper Iowa River 1998-1999 fish survey: database overview

summary.  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Spirit Lake Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Northwest

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Orleans, Iowa.

Sullivan, D.J.  2000.  Fish communities and their relation to environmental factors in the

Eastern Iowa Basins in Iowa and Minnesota, 1996.  Water-Resources Investigations Report 00-4194, United States Geological Survey, Iowa City, Iowa.

UMRCC.  1953.  Revised species list- northern section of the river.  Pages 19-32 in

Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Meeting, Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee, Rock Island, Illinois.

Wilton, T., K. Krier, and J. Mootz.  2003.  Stream Biological Assessment Database.

Environmental Services Division, Water Quality Bureau, TMDL and Water Quality Assessment Section, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Additional References:

Aadland, L.P.,  C.M. Cook, M.T. Negus, H.G. Drewes, and  C.S. Anderson.  1991.  Microhabitat preferences of selected stream fishes and community-oriented approach to instream flow assessments.  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Section of Fisheries, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  142 pp.

Bart, H.L., Jr., and L.M. Page.  1992.  The influence of size and phylogeny on life history variation in North American percids.  Pages 553-572 in R. L. Mayden, editor.  Systematics, historical ecology, and North American freshwater fishes.  Stanford University Press, Stanford, Calfiornia. xxvi + 969 pp.

Becker, G.C.  1983.  Fishes of Wisconsin.  University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 1052 pp.

Cross, F.B.  1967.  Handbook of fishes of Kansas.  University of Kansas Museum of Natural History Miscellaneous Publication  No. 45, Lawrence, Kansas.  357 pp.

Eddy, S., and J.C. Underhill.  1974.  Northern fishes; with special reference to the upper Mississippi Valley.  University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  414 pp.

Kelly, G., editor.  1986.  Animal habitat relations handbook.  Missouri Department of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Jefferson City, Missouri.  293 pp.

Lee, D.S., C.R. Gilbert, C.H. Hocutt, R.E. Jenkins, D.E. McAllister, and J.R. Stauffer, Jr.  1980.  Atlas of North American freshwater fishes.  North Carolina State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, North Carolina.  867 pp.

Page, L.M. 1983.  Handbook of darters.  T.F.H. Publishing, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey.  271 pp.

Page, L.M., and B.M. Burr.  1991.  A field guide to freshwater fishes: North America north of Mexico.  Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. 432 pp.

Pflieger, W.L.  1989a.  Aquatic community classification system for Missouri.  Missouri Department of Conservation.  Jefferson City, Missouri.  Aquatic Series No. 19. 70 pp. plus Supplement.

Pflieger, W.L.  1989b.  The stream resources of Missouri.  D-J Project - F-1-R-28.  Study S-20.  Missouri Department of Conservation, Columbia, Missouri.  

Phillips, G.L., W.D. Schmid, and J.C. Underhill.  1982.  Fishes of the Minnesota region.  University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  248 pp.

Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea, and W.B. Scott.  1991.  Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada.  American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 20, Bethesda, Maryland. 183 pp.

Smart, H. J., and J.H. Gee.  1979.  Coexistence and resource partitioning in two species of darters (Percidae), Etheostoma nigrum and Percina maculata.  Canadian Journal of Zooogy 57: 2061-2071.

Thom, R.H., and J.H. Wilson.  1980.  The natural divisions of Missouri.  Transactions of the Missouri Academy of Science  14:9-24.

Thomas, D.L.  1970.  An ecological study of four darters of the genus Percina, Percidae, in the Kaskaskia River, Illinois.  Illinois Natural History Survey Biological Notes 70:1-18.

Winn, H.E.  1958.  Comparative reproductive behavior and ecology of fourteen species of darters (Pisces- Percidae).  Ecological Monographs 28:155-191.

Photo Credits:

Upper Left:       Photo courtesy of Konrad P. Schmidt, copyright Konrad P. Scmidt.

Upper Right:     Photo courtesy of Konrad P. Schmidt, copyright Konrad P. Scmidt.