Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1167686
Element CodeAFCJC02350
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderCypriniformes
FamilyCatostomidae
GenusPantosteus
SynonymsCatostomus discobolusCope, 1871
Concept ReferenceUnmack, P.J., T.E. Dowling, N.J. Laitinen, C.L. Secor, R.L. Mayden, D.K. Shiozawa, and G.R. Smith. 2014. Influence of introgression and geological processes on phylogenetic relationships of western North American mountain suckers (Pantosteus, Catostomidae). PLoS One 9(3), p.e90061.
Taxonomic CommentsThis is a narrow concept of Pantosteus discobolus that is recognized by the American Fisheries Society (Page et al. 2023). Divergent mtDNA and morphological differences support the recognition of virescens as distinct from discobolus (Chen and Mayden 2012, Unmack et al. 2014, Bangs et al. 2018). As circumscribed here, Pantosteus discobolus occurs in the larger rivers in the Upper Colorado Basin and Pantosteus virescens occurs in the Bonneville and Upper Snake river basins.
Unmack et al. (2014) elevated the subgenus Pantosteus to generic status based on a comparison of molecular, morphological, and paleontological data. Page et al. (2023) accepted this elevation, but others (e.g., Bangs et al. 2018) retain as a subgenus pending additional morphological and molecular analyses.
Pantosteus discobolus, P. virescens, P. clarkii, P. santaanae and P. plebeius form a clade diagnosed by mtDNA as well as morphological traits (Smith et al. 2013).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-12-18
Change Date2024-12-18
Edition Date2024-12-18
Edition AuthorsGundy, R. L. (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank ReasonsThis species is widespread in larger rivers in the Upper Colorado River Basin, Lower Colorado River Basin, and Grand Canyon. The impacts of dams, anthropogenic water use, and invasive fishes are not well-understood. The population has suffered historical declines and range contraction, but the population is presumed to be relatively stable.
Range Extent CommentsThis species occurs in the larger rivers in the Upper Colorado drainage (Grand Canyon and north) in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming, USA (Page and Burr 2011, Smith et al. 2013, Unmack et al. 2014, Bangs et al. 2018). Using Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2024) records, range extent is estimated to be 299,414 km².
Occurrences CommentsThis species is represented by a large number of occurrences (subpopulations).
Threat Impact CommentsRiverine habitat has been fragmented and degraded by construction of passage barriers (e.g., diversion dams and reservoirs), diversion of water and associated changes in flow, stream channelization, and general deterioration of riparian corridors (Bezzerides and Bestgen 2002, Weitzel 2002, Ptacek et al. 2005). Droughts are causing increasing water temperatures which can reduce egg survival (Cadmus et al. 2022). Introduced, and now widely established, non-native species pose a threat through predation and competition (Bezzerides and Bestgen 2002, Weitzel 2002, Ptacek et al. 2005).