move into shallow gravel runs. The males change to bright colors and clear out areas for spawning with their tales. Breeding males are brilliantly colored, exhibiting an orange to red bottom-sides as well as series of blue and green bars along their sides (Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center).To spawn, males generally follow the females into shallow riffles where they may engage in threat displays with other males. This is common among fishes and has been observed in many species. Also during this time, males exhibit somewhat of a change in color. Along with the differences in color previously mentioned, they oftentimes lose the distinguishing dots found at the base of the tail. This is due to the clearing out of area with the tail. All markings do return to normal as soon as spawning has taken place.The darter is a secondary consumer and can often times be found searching around in cracks of rocks for aquatic insect larva to eat. It also consumes small crustaceans, snails, and nymphs of stoneflies and mayflies. Also, and unfortunately for the darter, it is a food source for almost all fish species larger than it is. Most fish naturally predate upon other species of fish and comprise a decent portion of their diet this way. Without the darter fulfilling this vital link in the food chain, the ecology of the stream system would be largely obsolete. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service and the Missouri Department of Conservation, construction has wreaked havoc on the darters habitat, driving it from much of its range. Actions of people have created barriers in its habitat, fragmented its range, and thus blocked escape from streams that become polluted or altered. Highway and bridge constructions straighten and widen streams, eliminating the small pools in which darters live. Construction and other streamside activities such as clearing brush and gravel dredging has also increased erosion and added silt to t...
