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Predicting the range of a regionally threatened, benthic fish using species distribution models and field surveys
Author(s) -
Sherwood Joshua L.,
Stites Andrew J.,
Dreslik Michael J.,
Tiemann Jeremy S.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/jfb.13819
Subject(s) - range (aeronautics) , etheostoma , threatened species , species distribution , benthic zone , distribution (mathematics) , field (mathematics) , historical ecology , ecology , fishery , biology , fish <actinopterygii> , geography , habitat , mathematical analysis , materials science , mathematics , pure mathematics , composite material
Understanding a species' historical and current distribution is critical when making conservation and management decisions. Recent observations in headwater streams of northern Illinois, USA, where no previous records of Iowa Darters Etheostoma exile occurred, revealed the need to re‐evaluate its state‐wide distribution. We conducted a series of species distribution modelling procedures coupled with targeted field surveys to generate historical and contemporary distribution models. The historical distribution model indicated E. exile distributions were concentrated across extreme northern Illinois. Both contemporary models included results of the historical model as a model variable. Based on the initial contemporary model, 30 potential Iowa Darter sites, 10 each of three groups representing low, medium and high model scores, were sampled during the summer of 2016. Field surveys provided nine new E. exile localities and presence–absence data from field surveys were then applied to revise the contemporary model. The revised contemporary model suggests a decrease in certain areas of its historic Illinois range, as well as areas where it has potentially expanded its range.