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The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.

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Common name: Rainbow Shiner

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Page and Burr (1991); Etnier and Starnes (1993); Mettee et al. (1996).

Size: 8.1 cm.

Native Range: Mobile Bay basin, including the Coosa, Cahaba and Alabama river drainages, and possibly the upper Black Warrior River system (Lee et al. 1980 et seq.; Page and Burr 1991).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Native range data for this species provided in part by NatureServe

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Means of Introduction: Unknown; possible bait bucket release (Starnes and Etnier 1986).

Status: Established in Alabama; possibly established in Georgia.

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

Remarks: Lee et al. (1980) listed this species as native to the Mobile Bay basin but noted that it was possibly introduced into the Black Warrior. Swift et al. (1986) listed it as "native, possibly introduced" to the Black Warrior system. Page and Burr (1991) apparently considered it native to the Black Warrior drainage. In their summary table on Alabama fishes, Mettee et al. (1996) listed it as native to the Black Warrior River system. Starnes and Etnier (1986) considered the presence of this species, and also Fundulus stellifer, to represent "recent accidental (bait bucket?) introductions" into the South Chickamauga Creek system (Tennessee River drainage) of Georgia. These two species occur together in small streams and could easily be taken by individuals seining for bait and subsequently transferred. In a footnote to their table summary of Tennessee fishes, Etnier and Starnes (1993) stated that this species is present in the Tennessee River drainage in northern Alabama (native?) and Georgia (introduced?). The Tennessee River drainage site in Alabama is mentioned as being Town Creek near Fort Payne. Within the state of Tennessee, Etnier and Starnes found it to be confined to tributaries to the Conasauga River (Mobile basin). Mettee et al. (1996) noted that isolated populations exist in two sites in the Tennessee River drainage in Alabama, the Town and Short creek systems. They do not discuss the possibility the possibility of introduction. In our opinion, the records from the Tennessee River drainage in Alabama and Georgia represent introductions. The Town Creek site (northern Alabama) is considerable distance from the drainage divide where a stream capture would be expected to occur. If it was in the Tennessee drainage via stream captures, then the species would likely be much more widespread. That region has been fairly well sampled, so if it were more widely distributed then it would most likely been collected. Reports of this species as possibly introduced into the Black Warrior system are questionable. We base this on the fact that N. chrosomus is typically found in streams with limestone outcrops in the watershed. Based on the distribution map given by Mettee et al. (1996), it is found along the southeast edge of the Black Warrior system. These are streams that have their headwaters in limestone formations. It likely entered the Black Warrior system via stream capture a long time ago or, if introduced, was transplanted by Native Americans. In their report on Georgia fishes, Dahlberg and Scott (1971) made no mention of the occurrence of this species outside the Coosa River drainage.

References: (click for full references)

Dahlberg, M.D., and D.C. Scott. 1971. The freshwater fishes of Georgia. Bulletin of the Georgia Academy of Science 29:1-64.

Etnier, D.A., and W.C. Starnes. 1993. The fishes of Tennessee. The University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, TN.

Lee, D.S., C.R. Gilbert, C.H. Hocutt, R.E. Jenkins, D.E. McAllister, and J.R. Stauffer, Jr. 1980. Atlas of North American freshwater fishes. North Carolina State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, NC.

Mettee, M.F., P.E. O'Neil, and J.M. Pierson. 1996. Fishes of Alabama and the Mobile Basin. Oxmoor House, Inc, Birmingham, AL.

Page, L.M., and B.M. Burr. 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Volume 42. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA.

Starnes, W.C., and D.A. Etnier. 1986. Drainage evolution and fish biogeography of the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers drainage realm. Pages 325-362 in Hocutt, C.H., and E.O. Wiley, eds. The zoogeography of North American freshwater fishes. John Wiley and Sons. New York, NY.

Swift, C.C., C.R. Gilbert, S.A. Bortone, G.H. Burgess, and R.W. Yerger. 1986. Zoogeography of the fishes of the southeastern United States: Savannah River to Lake Pontchartrain. Pages 213-266 in Hocutt, C.H., and E.O. Wiley, eds. The zoogeography of North American freshwater fishes. John Wiley and Sons. New York, NY.

Other Resources:

Author: Nico, L.

Peer Review Date: 12/5/2003

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.