Notropis texanus (Weed Shiner) Fishes Native Transplant
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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).
Nonindigenous Occurrences:
Table 1. States with nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Notropis texanus are found here.
Table last updated 12/7/2024
† Populations may not be currently present.
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.
Other Resources:
FishBase Summary
Author:
Nico, L.
Revision Date: 12/5/2003
Peer Review Date: 12/5/2003
Citation Information:
Nico, L., 2024, Notropis texanus (Girard, 1856): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=613, Revision Date: 12/5/2003, Peer Review Date: 12/5/2003, Access Date: 12/7/2024
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.