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Home/Species/ Gilt Darter

Percina evides

(Jordan and Copeland, 1877)

Gilt Darter

G4Apparently Secure Found in 3 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
MediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.102101
Element CodeAFCQC04090
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderPerciformes
FamilyPercidae
GenusPercina
Synonyms
Alvordius evidesJordan and Copeland, 1877Hadropterus evides(Jordan and Copeland, 1877)
Concept Reference
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. 183 pp.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-10-31
Change Date1996-09-24
Edition Date2024-10-31
Edition AuthorsGundy, R. L. (2024)
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank Reasons
This species ranges widely through the northeastern United States where it has a limited distribution associated with three major drainages. The population has suffered historical declines where some populations became extirpated and many were reduced in overall numbers. Conservation efforts focused on this species have stabilized the population. It continues to be threatened by alterating of the habitat and pollution.
Range Extent Comments
This species is found in rivers of the eastern United States from northern Alabama and Georgia northwest to Minnesota and northeast to southwestern New York (Lee 1980, Foster 2014). It is found in large tributaries of the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee rivers (Lee 1980, Tiemann and Tiemann 2004, Simon 2006, Koryak et al. 2011, Foster 2014). Using Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2024) records from 2004-2024, range extent is estimated to be 1,251,461 km².
Occurrences Comments
Applying a 10 km separation distance to GBIF (2024) records from 2004-2024, 128 occurrences are estimated. Lee et al. (1980) mapped 123 collection sites.
Threat Impact Comments
This species is threatened by pollution and habitat alteration. Dams isolate populations by preventing upstream movements (Shepard et al. 2009, Foster 2014). Dredging reduces fish populations by altering the habitat quality, particularly the substrate (Freedman et al. 2013).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Generally in clear, small to medium rivers with clean, silt-free bottoms and permanently strong flow. Usually in moderate to fast, deep riffles and pools, over gravel, rubble, and small boulders. Occupies deeper pools in winter. Spawns apparently over gravel riffles (Becker 1983).

Reproduction

Spawns in May at 17-20 C in Virginia, late April-early May in Arkansas, probably in mid-June in northwestern Wisconsin; four age classes in Wisconsin (Hubbs 1985, Page 1983, Becker 1983). Age range of breeding females is 2-3 years; 2 spawns per lifetime (Bart and Pages 1992).
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN4
ProvinceRankNative
KentuckyS4Yes
North CarolinaS4Yes
TennesseeS4Yes
IowaSXYes
WisconsinS2Yes
MississippiS2Yes
PennsylvaniaS4Yes
MinnesotaS3Yes
AlabamaS2Yes
VirginiaS2Yes
MissouriSNRYes
OhioS1Yes
IndianaS1Yes
New YorkSHYes
West VirginiaS2Yes
ArkansasS3Yes
IllinoisSXYes
GeorgiaS3Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
7 - Natural system modificationsLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
7.2 - Dams & water management/useLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
9 - PollutionLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
9.3 - Agricultural & forestry effluentsLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
9.3.1 - Nutrient loadsLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (3)
Georgia (1)
AreaForestAcres
Lance CreekChattahoochee National Forest9,025
North Carolina (2)
AreaForestAcres
Balsam ConePisgah National Forest10,591
Big Indian (addition)Nantahala National Forest1,155
References (45)
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  2. Becker, G. C. 1983. Fishes of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 1,052 pp.
  3. Boschung, H. T., and R. L. Mayden. 2004. Fishes of Alabama. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 960 pp.
  4. Branson, B.A. 1977. Threatened fishes of the Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky. Trans. Ky. Acad. Sci. 38 (1-2): 69-73.
  5. Burr, B. M., and M. L. Warren, Jr. 1986a. Distributional atlas of Kentucky fishes. Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission, Scientific and Technical Series No. 4, Frankfort, Kentucky. 398 pp.
  6. Cooper, E. L. 1983. Fishes of Pennsylvania and the northeastern United States. Pennsylvania State University Press, University Park. 243 pp.
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