<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<oai_dc:dc xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:oai_dc="http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc/" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc/ http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc.xsd">
  <dc:contributor>Katie M. Morris</dc:contributor>
  <dc:contributor>Jonathan J. Spurgeon</dc:contributor>
  <dc:contributor>Steve E. Lochmann</dc:contributor>
  <dc:creator>Maxwell L. Hartman</dc:creator>
  <dc:date>2025</dc:date>
  <dc:description>&lt;p&gt;Objective&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;The limited distribution of the Paleback Darter&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;Etheostoma pallididorsum&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span&gt;, which is often associated with dynamic headwater streams, makes the species vulnerable to changes in its environment in west-central Arkansas. A detailed understanding of habitat characteristics that support the species at multiple spatial scales is limited. This project assessed the relative influences of local- and broadscale habitat characteristics on Paleback Darter occupancy and detection probability.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Methods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Backpack electrofishing was performed, and a mix of in situ and remote habitat characteristics was linked to the Paleback Darter data. A single-season occupancy model was used to examine factors influencing Paleback Darter occupancy. Candidate models were ranked using Akaike's information criterion corrected for small sample sizes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Results&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;A total of 158 Paleback Darters were collected at 13 sites during 35 of the 150 surveys. Paleback Darter occupancy and detection probability were estimated to be 0.26 (95% CI = 0.16–0.40) and 0.90 (95% CI = 0.75–0.96), respectively. Distance from springs was negatively related to Paleback Darter occupancy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Conclusions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Springs appear to be a key in the Paleback Darter's life history strategy, and spring preservation is likely vital to the species’ conservation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</dc:description>
  <dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
  <dc:identifier>10.1093/tafafs/vnaf033</dc:identifier>
  <dc:language>en</dc:language>
  <dc:publisher>American Fisheries Society</dc:publisher>
  <dc:title>Multi-scale habitat characteristics influence Paleback Darter occupancy and detection probability</dc:title>
  <dc:type>article</dc:type>
</oai_dc:dc>