NIANGUA DARTER Etheostoma nianguae (Gilbert and Meek, 1887) 



Order: PERCIFORMES Family: PERCIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : Palatine teeth present, spinous dorsal fin with orange 

 or red marginal or submarginal band, lateral line almost complete, scales 74-80 along 

 body, with 2 discrete, jet-black spots on the base of the caudal fin. 



Present distribution : Big Tavern Creek, Niangua River and the Maries River of the 

 Osage River drainage in Missouri. 



Former distribution : Same as present. 



Status : Very uncommon. 



Estimated numbers : Probably less than 1,000 . 



Fecundity : No data . 



Reasons for decline : Habitat reduced by construction of the Lake of the Ozarks . 



Protective measures already taken : None . 



Measures proposed : Surveillance of plans for reservoir construction and restriction 

 of pesticide spraying near present habitat. 



Number in captivity : No data. 



Remarks: Data submitted by the Missouri Conservation Commission. 



Reference : 



Gilbert, C. H. 1888. Descriptions of new and little known etheostomids . 

 Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus . 1887, Vol. 10, p. 47-64. 



59 



