First Observation of the Eastern Sand Darter (Ammocrypta pellucida) in Raccoon Creek (Ohio River Basin) in Southeastern Ohio in 57 Years

Abstract Ammocrypta pellucida (Eastern Sand Darter) has a broad and sporadic distribution in eastern North America. Once common, the species has experienced a sharp decline in its range during the last 50 years primarily because of habitat destruction. Populations now persist only in isolated localities which contain clean, sandy substrates. In this paper, we document the presence of the Eastern Sand Darter in Racoon Creek in southeastern Ohio, where it had not been reported in over 57 years, and briefly review its historical and contemporary distribution throughout the state. This new distributional observation suggests stabilization and perhaps gradual recovery of an ecologically sensitive species recently considered for federal listing.