CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A small, translucent fish known to exist only in the lower Elk River of West Virginia is among five plants and animals to be reviewed for nomination to the federal endangered species list this year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced.

Believed extinct since the early 1900s, when the last known populations disappeared from the Green and Cumberland rivers in Kentucky and the Muskingum River in Ohio, the diamond darter was found in the Elk River in 1980 by WVU fisheries resources professor Stuart Welsh. Genetic testing identified the Elk River diamond darter as a distinct species in 2008.

The taxonomic name of the species, Crystallaria cincotta, was chosen to honor Division of Natural Resources fisheries biologist Dan Cincotta for his contributions toward managing and conserving the biodiversity of fish in West Virginia.

"The discovery of a new species in West Virginia is not something that happens every day," Welsh said in a 2008 interview. "To our knowledge, the diamond darters found in the Elk River represent the only known extant population of this species."

Adult diamond darters range in size from three to five inches long. They have sickle-shaped pelvic fins, a dark spot in front of the eye and a wide mouth.

Among other species nominated for possible protection under the Endangered Species Act is a freshwater mussel known to live in West Virginia and 14 other states. The rabbitsfoot mussel is an olive-colored rectangular shellfish with populations limited to 49 rivers nationwide.

Also to be reviewed for endangered species status are the Florida bonneted bat, Kentucky gladecress and the Florida bristle fern.

Reach Rick Steelhammer at rsteelham...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5169.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A small, translucent fish known to exist only in the lower Elk River of West Virginia is among five plants and animals to be reviewed for nomination to the federal endangered species list this year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced.

Believed extinct since the early 1900s, when the last known populations disappeared from the Green and Cumberland rivers in Kentucky and the Muskingum River in Ohio, the diamond darter was found in the Elk River in 1980 by WVU fisheries resources professor Stuart Welsh. Genetic testing identified the Elk River diamond darter as a distinct species in 2008.

The taxonomic name of the species, Crystallaria cincotta, was chosen to honor Division of Natural Resources fisheries biologist Dan Cincotta for his contributions toward managing and conserving the biodiversity of fish in West Virginia.

"The discovery of a new species in West Virginia is not something that happens every day," Welsh said in a 2008 interview. "To our knowledge, the diamond darters found in the Elk River represent the only known extant population of this species."

Adult diamond darters range in size from three to five inches long. They have sickle-shaped pelvic fins, a dark spot in front of the eye and a wide mouth.

Among other species nominated for possible protection under the Endangered Species Act is a freshwater mussel known to live in West Virginia and 14 other states. The rabbitsfoot mussel is an olive-colored rectangular shellfish with populations limited to 49 rivers nationwide.

Also to be reviewed for endangered species status are the Florida bonneted bat, Kentucky gladecress and the Florida bristle fern.

Reach Rick Steelhammer at rsteelham...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5169.