Aquatic biota have been identified as excellent indicators of stream health because they respond rapidly to environmental changes. We surveyed aquatic macroinvertebrate and fish assemblages in 2 stream sites differing in land-cover (agriculture and urban centers) within their riparian corridor along La Nana Creek (East Texas) to examine the health of this ecosystem. Biotic indices on macroinvertebrate taxa suggest that the stream is healthy and contained pollution-sensitive taxa. Fish assemblages showed spatiotemporal variation; however, both sites received relatively poor health scores for fish communities, indicating potential land-cover effects throughout this watershed. Our results highlight the importance of using a combination of biological indicators to get a more holistic glance at potential local-scale anthropogenic stressors when assessing stream health. Continued monitoring of streams in East Texas is essential to provide better management for restoration and conservation.

Geomys bursarius ozarkensis (Ozark Pocket Gopher) occurs in well-draining sandy soils of stream deposits in prairies of a single county of the Ozark Highland region in Arkansas. Our objective was to update the distribution of this geographically restricted subspecies and further characterize its habitat. Using remote sensing, we found that Ozark Pocket Gophers remain most prevalent in sandy soils with open, grassy vegetation. Using vehicle surveys, satellite imagery, and communication with landowners, we identified 46 previously documented and 91 additional occupied sites. Overall, the areal range in 2021–2024 was 34% greater than in 2008. The expansion in the Ozark Pocket Gopher's range may be from increased survey effort, but other factors (e.g., land development) may have also impacted the species' distribution.

Sampling conducted from May to August of 2024 yielded new distributional records for the federally threatened Theliderma cylindrica (Rabbitsfoot) in the Caney River, OK. We found 4 live individuals, representing at least 2 age classes, ∼7 km upstream of the confluence with the Verdigris River. This report is the first documentation of live Rabbitsfoot in the Caney River, where the species was previously known only from weathered shells. This finding extends the known distribution of Rabbitsfoot into a system previously unrecognized as part of its range.