| dc.description.abstract | Found in the headwaters of the Comal and San Marcos River, the Fountain Darter
(Etheostoma fonticola) is on average a three-centimeter length fish that feeds upon small
invertebrates. Considered endangered by the United States and the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the darter has been controversial due to its location in the Edwards
Aquifer in south-central Texas. This aquifer is recognized worldwide for its aquatic species of
flora and fauna, many of which are endangered or threatened like the Fountain Darter. The
Edwards aquifer is also the sole water source supporting the industrial, agricultural, municipal,
and recreational needs of nearly 2 million people. The endangered darter are generally poor
competitors and are the first species affected by habitat disruption, making them a focal point for
controversies involving the Endangered Species Act, State of Texas Groundwater Law, and Private
Property Rights. An age and sex-structured population model for the Fountain Darter will be
created using pharmaceutical data and initial darter population dynamics. The model will also
extend to include population dynamics under scenarios of increased contamination that could
occur as a result of an environmental spill or increased urban construction. | en |
