The species was recognized as bluemask (= jewel) darter (Etheostoma(Doration) sp.), but had not been formally described, at the time of listing and at the time the Recovery Plan was written in 1997. Layman and Mayden (2009) described the bluemask darter, a species of the darter subgenus Doration(Percidae:Etheostoma)endemic to the upper Caney Fork River system and gave it the name Etheostoma akatulo. The Service is recognized the use of this accepted name in the 5-year review, but would have to release a more formal notice to be able to reflect this change under 50 CFR 17.11.