Disclaimer:

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: Weed Shiner

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Becker (1983); Page and Burr (1991); Etnier and Starnes (1993); Pflieger (1997).

Size: 8.6 cm.

Native Range: Lowlands in Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red River), and Mississippi River basins from Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota south to Gulf; Gulf Slope drainages from Suwannee River, Georgia and Florida, to Nueces River, Texas (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: According to Bart et al. (1994), this species may have entered the Ocmulgee River by stream capture from the Flint River, or as an introduction via bait bucket release. These authors noted that Ocmulgee specimens exhibit the same unique features (deep bodies and higher numbers of body circumferential scales) as do Flint River specimens. Georgia Department of Natural Resources personnel found the species in the Ocmulgee system during 1988-1990 fish survey work. Bart et al. (1994) speculated that it appeared in the Ocmulgee system after construction of the High Falls dam because the species is apparently restricted to the area above the reservoir. The dam was completed in the early 1900s. Notropis texanus apparently invaded the Tennessee drainage from the Mobile basin by way of a canal connection, the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway (Etnier and Starnes 1993).

Status: Established in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.

Impact of Introduction: Unknown. According to Etnier and Starnes (1993), range expansion of Notropis texanus in Tennessee would bring it into potential contact with the very similar bigeye shiner N. boops.

Remarks: Samples from the Ocmulgee system, Georgia, represent the first record of this species from the Atlantic Slope (Bart et al. 1994). Mettee et al. (1996), in reference to Etnier and Starnes (1993), mentioned the possible introduction of this species into the Tennessee River drainage via the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. However, in their summary table on Alabama fishes, Mettee et al. (1996) listed it as native to the Tennessee drainage.

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.