Percina pantherina

Analysis of allozyme variation revealed three primary clades: (1) populations in Little and Glover rivers, (2) populations in the Mountain Fork River drainage, and (3) populations in Robinson Fork and Cossatot rivers; this pattern of variation should be considered in future management of the species (Echelle et al. 1999).

Occurs in the Little River system of Oklahoma and Arkansas; several reservoirs have destroyed habitat, leaving small, fragmented populations; pine monocultures have increased siltation of stream bottoms.

Range includes the Little River system (Red River drainage) of southeastern Oklahoma and southwestern Arkansas; upper Little River (above Pine Creek Reservoir), Glover River, Mountain Fork River (above Broken Bow Reservoir), Cossatot River (above Gillham Reservoir), and Robinson Fork of the Rolling Fork River (James and Maughan 1989, Williams et al. 1999).

This species is restricted to 5 river drainages (Echelle et al. 1999, Williams et al. 1999). Within the upper Little River, Glover, and Mountain Fork river drainages, the species is represented by multiple locations in the mainstem and several tributaries; the Robinson Fork and Cassatot drainages each are represented by only a few sites within relatively short sections of stream (see maps in Zale et al. 1994 and Williams et al. 1999).

Factors limiting the recovery of the leopard darter include water quality degradation caused by timber and agricultural industries, drought, poorly constructed road crossings, and impoundments.

"Except in the Glover River, the current distribution consists of constricted populations in upper reaches of the former range isolated by impoundments. Whereas populations in the upper Little River and Mountain Fork are widely distributed and relatively secure, those in the Cossatot and Robinson Fork are precariously vulnerable to extirpation because they consist of few individuals, are geographically localized, and occupy no tributary refugia. Impoundment of the Glover River would place headwater populations there in similar jeopardy and eliminate populations and habitat within and below the reservoir. " (Zale et al. 1994).

Hypolimnetic water release has led to losses of populations downstream from reservoirs. Expanding pine monoculture has resulted in increased siltation of stream bottoms (W. Matthews, pers. comm., 1995). Potential threats include further loss of habitat due to dam/reservoir construction. Water pollution deriving from a lumber treatment waste pond has caused fish kills in the Cossatot River (Matthews and Moseley 1990). Heavy recreational use of habitat also is a potential threat.