Range reduction of the Appalachia Darter in the lower New River drainage with comments on the status of endemic fishes.

Abstract

The Appalachia Darter, Percina gymnocephala, is an endemic fish of the New River drainage in North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Within the lower New River watershed, this species has a limited distribution range in the Gauley and Greenbrier river drainages, and conservation of the species could benefit from population status and threat assessments. We documented temporal changes in distribution range based on historic and current fish survey data. The range reduction of the Appalachia Darter is consistent with patterns found for other New River endemics, including the Candy Darter, New River Shiner, and Kanawha Minnow. The range reduction of the Appalachia Darter and other New River endemics in West Virginia waters likely has multiple causes, where threats could include land use, impacts to habitat and water quality, and nonnative species.