Update to the distribution of Allegheny River fishes using a new sampling technique

The Allegheny River contains the most diverse and unique fish assemblage in the state of Pennsylvania.  The source of these fishes is through connections with surrounding drainages at different points throughout its geologic history.  Sampling records are outdated and there are large portions of the Allegheny River that have not been sampled.  Sampling small benthic fishes in deepwater river habitat was nonexistent in historic surveys.  In the summer of 2008, we used an electrified benthic trawl and gill nets to sample approximately 300 km of the Allegheny River from Kinzua Dam to Pittsburgh, PA.  We collected 11,099 fish representing 63 species.  Of these, ten are listed as species of special concern by the state of Pennsylvania.  Benthic fishes (24 species) comprised 81.8% of the total catch substantiating the efficiency of the electrified benthic trawl to sample novel habitats in larger rivers.