Maryland darter
Encyclopedia
The Maryland darter is freshwater
fish species that has been found only in Deer Creek
, Maryland
. It is now a thought to be extinct. It was long known only by two specimens until it was rediscovered in 1962. From 1965 to the 1980s, it was only confined to a single riffle
in Deer Creek. The species may have fallen victim to habitat destruction
. It was last observed in 1988. While the IUCN has declared the species extinct, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
has not, and keeps it on the Endangered Species List.
Freshwater
Fresh water is naturally occurring water on the Earth's surface in ice sheets, ice caps, glaciers, bogs, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams, and underground as groundwater in aquifers and underground streams. Fresh water is generally characterized by having low concentrations of dissolved salts and...
fish species that has been found only in Deer Creek
Deer Creek (Maryland)
Deer Creek is a river in Maryland that flows through the scenic areas of Harford County and empties into the Susquehanna River, roughly halfway between the Interstate 95 bridge and Conowingo Dam...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. It is now a thought to be extinct. It was long known only by two specimens until it was rediscovered in 1962. From 1965 to the 1980s, it was only confined to a single riffle
Riffle
A Riffle is a short, relatively shallow and coarse-bedded length of stream over which the stream flows at higher velocity and higher turbulence than it normally does in comparison to a pool....
in Deer Creek. The species may have fallen victim to habitat destruction
Habitat destruction
Habitat destruction is the process in which natural habitat is rendered functionally unable to support the species present. In this process, the organisms that previously used the site are displaced or destroyed, reducing biodiversity. Habitat destruction by human activity mainly for the purpose of...
. It was last observed in 1988. While the IUCN has declared the species extinct, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats...
has not, and keeps it on the Endangered Species List.