New darter species described!

Just when you thought you were learning many of the darters, a new one is discovered.

The new species name is Etheostoma akatulo and the species occurs in only four tributaries in Caney Fork River (upper Cumberland River drainage). It is a Federally recognized endangered species.

The scientific paper that describes the new species appeared in Copeia . Click on this link to see color photos of the new species as well as to review the content of a technical article that fully describes a new species to the scientific community.

The common name is the Bluemask darter and the species name, akatulo is from the Cherokee noun meaning mask. The bluemask refers to the intense blue pigment covering the lower face of breeding males.