Taxonomic name: Cyprinella lutrensis (Baird and Girard, 1853)
Synonyms: Leuciscus lutrensis (Baird and Girard, 1853), Notropis lutrensis (Baird and Girard, 1853)
Common names: carpita roja (Spanish), red horse minnow, red shiner (English)
Organism type: fish Cyprinella lutrensis commonly known as red shiner, is native to the rivers and streams of the Midwest of the United States. Its use as bait has helped in expanding its range to include the southwest of the United States and Mexico. The fish prefers disturbed areas where there are few other cyprinids. They are known to eat small invertebrates and spawn in the mid-summer months. Description
Cyprinella lutrensis is a mix of olive green and silver on its sides (TPWD, 2007). The scales are diamond shaped and outlined in crosshatch pattern. The "lateral band extends 1/3 of the way forward. The beginning of the dorsal fin is close to the start of the pelvic fin (ColoState, undated). The dorsal fin has 7-8 rays. The anal fin has 8-10 rays, although 9 is most commonly seen (TPWD, 2007). There is a triangle on the side behind the head (ColoState, undated). Occurs in:
lakes, ruderal/disturbed, water courses Habitat description
Cyprinella lutrensis populations are usually located where there are few other cyprinids. They can be found in turbid water, muddy river beds, and unstable banks (Douglas et al. 1994). It is rare for C. lutrensis to establish itself in undisturbed areas (Baltz and Moyle, 1993). In Wyoming this species was found mostly at elevations of < 250m (Quist et al. 2004). It can also be found in backwaters, creek mouths, mid-sized streams with sandy and silty bottoms, rocky pools, and riffles (NatureServe, 2006). General impacts
At the end of the 1970s the natural spread of C. lutrensis was through use as a baitfish which led it to New Mexico. With this also came the disappearance of the native spikedace (Meda fulgida) (Douglas et al. 1994). The niche of the native spikedace changes when it co-exists with C. lutrensis (Mooney and Cleland, 2001). C. lutrensis has been said to be the cause of the decline of the endangered woundfin (see Plagopterus argentissimus in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) and Virgin River chub (see Gila seminuda in the US Federal Register. Both species occur within the area designated as critical habitat (includes portions of the Virgin River in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada) (NatureServe, 2006) where C. lutrensis is the most numerous and the most problematic among a list of fourteen introduced fish, that prey on and compete with the two listed fish (The Federal Register Environmental Documents, 2000). They compete for food and available habitats and are known to prey on the eggs and early life stages of the listed fishes. Uses
Cyprinella lutrensis is commonly used as a bait fish (TPWD, 2007). This fish is also sold for use in aquariums (USGS, 2005). Geographical range
Native range: USA: Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Illinois, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, South Dakota, Kansas (Ashbaugh et al. 1996; Douglas et al. 1994; Matthews, 1987; TPWD, 2007)
Known introduced range: USA: Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, North Carolina, Alabama, North Dakota, Colorado (Brandenburg and Gido, 1999; Douglas et al. 1994; Quist et al. 2004; NatureServe, 2006; USGS, 2005) Introduction pathways to new locations
Other: Bait release is how C. lutrensis spread into rivers and streams ouside its native range in the midwest of the United States (USGS, 2005). Nutrition
C. lutrensis is considered an invertivore because it feeds on small invertabrates such as insects and crustraceans (NatureServe, 2006). According to Wang (1986), plant leaves were found in the stomachs of young C. lutrensis. Reproduction
C. lutrensis spawns from spring into fall. The peak is during the mid-summer months. The actual spawning occurs "on riffles, on or near submerged, over vegetation beds, or in association with sunfish nests (TPWD, 2007). The eggs hatch at a temperature of 24.5°C. The offspring will be sexually mature in 1-2 years (NatureServe, 2006). Lifecycle stages
The eggs of C. lutrensis are layed on many different substrates such as gravel and vegetation (Wang, 1986). The larvae emerge after about 105 hours (NatureServe, 2006). C. lutrensis mature in a years time and its lifespan is 3 years (Wang, 1986). Principal sources: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 2007. Red Shiner Cyprinella lutrensis.; NatureServe. 2006. Online Encyclopedia of Life. Cyprinella lutrensis.
Compiled by: National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
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Last Modified: Monday, 14 May 2007
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