Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program:
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

The Diamond Darter is an endangered species that has experienced a dramatic reduction in its geographic distribution range. To improve our understanding of the Diamond Darter's distribution range, we are Identifying the genetic marker for Diamond Darter eDNA applications and conducting an evaluation of its effectiveness. The project is a collaborative effort of the USGS West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, West Virginia University, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Our results provide USFWS with distribution data on the Diamond Darter, which will inform conservation efforts for this species.