D3544: The stoneflies (Plecoptera) of Arkansas: A checklist compiled from museum specimen data

Arkansas' diverse landscape, encompassing mountains, forests, and waterways, makes it a significant but often overlooked biodiversity hotspot, home to many endemic species. Among these, stoneflies (Order Plecoptera) are key bioindicators of freshwater ecosystem health, yet comprehensive data on their distribution within the state are lacking. With the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission preparing to update its State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) in 2025, there is a critical need for accurate occurrence records to inform conservation strategies. Here, I have published a data paper and preliminary dataset comprised of specimen data primarily from the Illinois Natural History Survey Insect Collection, Canadian National Collection, Western Kentucky University, P. N. Hogan Personal Collection, and from existing literature sources. These data are made publicly available by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) to allow for comprehensive assessment of the Arkansas Plecoptera assemblage. More recent occurrence data are needed to accurately assess imperilment of Arkansas stonefly species; these data will be provided through targeted collecting, collaboration with others in Arkansas, and through investigation of additional museum collections.