Crystal Darter Crystallaria asprella Guidelines for Landowners Using Conservation Practices Missouri Department of Conservation Photo Credit: Missouri Department of Conservation Common name ▪ Crystal Darter Recommendations Scientific name ▪ Crystallaria asprella As a species that prefers clean streams, crystal State status ▪ Endangered darters may act as indicators of a healthy Federal status ▪ None ecosystem. Protecting and restoring streams for the crystal darter will also benefit other aquatic species. Ecology Efforts should be made to ensure our waterways are Crystal darters have a large historic range, healthy through protection and/or restoration of stretching from river basins in West Virginia west to habitat for this and other aquatic species. Missouri and from Minnesota south to the Gulf of Mexico. In east-central to southeastern Missouri, Avoid constructing stream crossings. If they inhabit open channels of large, clear streams unavoidable, culverts and crossings should be and ditches with low to moderate gradients and long constructed with the same bottom elevation as the stretches of silt-free sand and small gravel existing streambed to avoid restricting flow and substrate. They prefer streams with strong current obstructing fish passage. and water depths of about 3 feet. The biology of this darter in Missouri is poorly known. Studies Bank stabilization materials should consist only of suggest that darters may bury themselves in the rock, clean broken concrete or similar materials free sand during the day and become active at night. of pollutants, silt and extraneous debris including Crystal darters forage for mainly aquatic insects, exposed rebar. Erosion and sediment controls especially midges, mosquitoes, blackflies and should be implemented, maintained and monitored caddisflies. Adults are commonly about 6.5 inches for the duration of a project. in length. They most likely breed late during late January to mid-April. The life expectancy of the Follow proper sand and gravel removal procedures crystal darter is estimated at least 2 years. outlined in the Missouri Instream Sand and Gravel Removal Guidelines prepared by the Missouri Reasons for Decline Departments of Conservation and Natural Despite an historical range that included many rivers Resources. Guidelines include the following: leave throughout east-central and southeastern Missouri, a minimum 20-foot buffer zone between the water crystal darters never were considered common. line and the excavation area, do not mine within 20 Crystal darters have appeared vulnerable to siltation feet of streamside vegetation, and do not alter and other forms of pollution from urbanization, strip- stream channels. In addition, do not remove gravel mining, logging, and improper agricultural practices. during the crystal darter spawning season (February Population declines have occurred as a result of 1 to April 15). habitat modification from activities such as channelization, dredging and impoundments. Limit clearing of vegetation, including standing and Crystal darters are particularly affected by these downed timber, to that which is absolutely practices because they increase siltation, which necessary for construction purposes. Re-establish affects how darters hunt for food. and maintain forested riparian corridors at least 100- Updated: September 9, 2008 feet wide along streams used by crystal darters to Division of Environmental Quality reduce erosion and capture nutrient rich runoff. P.O. Box 176 Discourage cattle from using streams and exclude Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 livestock with fences to allow the area to naturally Telephone: 800-361-4827 / 573-751-1300 re-vegetate. Move watering areas into pastures and http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/index.html away from streams. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Branch Refer to Management Recommendations for 700 Federal Building Construction Projects Affecting Missouri Streams 601 E. 12th Street and Rivers. Consider the balance between adverse Kansas City, MO 64106-2896 and beneficial practices when determining the Telephone: 816-389-3990 overall effect of a conservation practice. http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/ Beneficial Practices U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Water, Wetlands, and Pesticides Division Limit livestock access to streams. th 901 North 5 Street Protection and restoration of riparian Kansas City, KS 66101 corridors along streams. Telephone: 913-551-7003 / 800-223-0425 Nutrient and pest management on adjacent http://www.epa.gov/region7/ agricultural fields that results in reduced opportunities for contamination of runoff. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Any practice that controls erosion and Ecological Services Field Office prevents the delivery of excess sediment to 101 Park DeVille Dr., Suite A the aquatic system. Columbia, MO 65203 Telephone: 573-234-2132 http://www.fws.gov/midwest/partners/missouri.html Adverse Practices Sand and gravel removal beyond the excess Legal material on adjacent unconsolidated bars. The Missouri Department of Conservation prepared Project activities that occur below the high these guidelines for conservation practices with bank between February 1 and April 15, the assistance from other state agencies, contractors, spawning period of this fish. and others to provide guidance to those people who Constructing dams and other impoundment wish to voluntarily act to protect wildlife and habitat. structures. Improper erosion and sediment control. Compliance with these management guidelines is Culverts, fords, and crossings that create a not required by the Missouri wildlife and forestry law barrier to fish passage or restrict flow. or by any regulation of the Missouri Conservation Unnecessary vehicle and equipment stream Commission. Other federal, state or local laws may crossing. affect construction practices. Removing or degrading the riparian corridor near springs and along streams. “State Endangered Status” is determined by the Unmanaged application of pesticides, animal Missouri Conservation Commission under waste or fertilizers. constitutional authority, and specific requirements for impacts to such species are expressed in the Information Contacts Missouri Department of Conservation Missouri Wildlife Code, rule 3 CSR 10-4.111. Policy Coordination Section P.O. Box 180 2901 W. Truman Blvd Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 Telephone: 573-751-4115 http://www.mdc.mo.gov/nathis/endangered/ Missouri Department of Natural Resources Updated: September 9, 2008 .