Channel darter (Percina copelandi) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 10

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Evaluation and Proposed Status

Existing Legal Protection or Other Status

In Canada there is no protection specific to the channel darter. Fish habitat is protected by the federal Fisheries Act. The Ontario Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act provides additional protection for the habitat of this species. In Quebec, fish habitat is protected by the Environmental Quality Act.

• Current Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) status in Canada: Threatened (1993)
• Current Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO) status in Ontario: Threatened (May 2001)

Natureserve

• Global Heritage Status Rank: G4 (September 1996)
• National Heritage Status Rank Canada: N3 (December 1996)
• National Heritage Status Rank United States: N4 (September 1996)
• Provincial Heritage Status Rank Ontario: S2
• Provincial Heritage Status Rank Quebec: S2

Assessment of Status and Authors’ Recommendation

Percina copelandi is at the northern limit of its distribution in Canada with low numbers of individuals, limited habitat, and disjunct distributions. Although the distribution of the channel darter is more widespread than first thought, fewer than ten specimens were captured at most sites. There are seven sites in Ontario and Quebec where this species is no longer being captured and is possibly extirpated. These factors call into question the continued survival of the channel darter in Canada. As such, the current status of threatened should be retained. It is not recommended that the status of the channel darter be down-graded to “not at risk” because this species has a very limited range and is sensitive to disturbance.