The missing Maryland darter is still AWOL. That's the word from biologists who've been scouring the lower Susquehanna River and its creek tributaries the last few weeks for the phantom fish, which hasn't been seen in 21 years.

Joined by a West Virginia biologist and his students with a specially equipped boat, Maryland scientists dragged the Susquehanna last weekend for the 2- to 3-inch fish, one of the rarest in the world. The searchers made 95 trawls using regular and electrified nets, according to Jay Kilian of the state Department of Natural Resources.

"We managed to catch every darter in the river," Kilian said. "Unfortunately,no Maryland darters came up."

Named for the only state in which it's ever been found, this bottom-feeding member of the perch family has been seen in just three creeks off the lower Susquehanna. It's only been found sporadically over the years, and hasn't turned up since 1978 (cx: 1988) despite repeated efforts to locate it. Scientists are reluctant, however, to declare it extinct until they've made a full-court press.

Researchers plan to make another intensive search of the river next spring, when the Marshall University team can return. In-state biologists, meanwhile, will keep checking Deer Creek and other tributaries, Kilian said.

"If it's out there, it's going to take more effort," the DNR biologist said. But after dragging the bottom so many times without success, he added, "it makes you wonder.''