7 replies to this topic

[JasonL]

Here are a few darter pics from recent sampling in western KY


Rainbow darter (E. caeruleum) actually rare west of the Lakes region, common elsewhere in KY



Saddleback darter (P. vigil)



Johnny darter (E. nigrum) large male



Dusky darter (P. sciera)



Gulf darter (E. swaini) uppermost portion of their range extends into far west KY



Slabrock darter (E. smithi)

[JasonL]

Here are pics of two sister species of darters separated by just 30 miles or so on the map, but they never occur together. The best way to tell them apart is to catch a male in the spring and note the changes to the second dorsal fin. Otherwise they are nearly identical in female or non breeding males. Spottail and Relict darters (not pictured) are also part of the same complex of darters here in KY.




Fringed darter (E. crossopterum






Guardian darter (E. oophylax)

[MtFallsTodd]

Cool pics, thanks for sharing.

[Fleendar the Magnificent]

Awesome pix! Thanks for posting! I love darters!

[Ournativeson]

Very nice, wish we had them up here!

[Chasmodes]

Cool pics, thank you!!!

[Matt DeLaVega]

Good deal Jason. Always great to see good photos. BTW Google images does not have any comparable oophylax photos.

[itsme]

Love the egg mimics on the crossopterum!