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Rhinichthys nevadensis

(Gilbert, 1893)

Desert Speckled Dace

GNRUnranked Found in 9 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
GNRUnrankedGlobal Rank
PSESA Status
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1312092
Element CodeAFCJB37170
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderCypriniformes
FamilyLeuciscidae
GenusRhinichthys
USESAPS
Concept Reference
Moyle, P.B., N. Buckmaster, N. and Y. Su. 2023. Taxonomy of the speckled dace species complex (Cypriniformes: Leuciscidae, Rhinichthys) in California, USA. Zootaxa 5249(5): 501-539.
Taxonomic Comments
This concept of Rhinichthys nevadensis includes three subspecies: nevadensis, robustus, and caldera. This treatment of this species is based on results from previous taxonomic, genetic, and zoogeographic studies that found distinct evolutionary lineages within the Speckled Dace complex (e.g., Su et al. 2022, Mussmann et al. 2020, Oakey et al. 2004). Speckled Dace from the Death Valley and Owens Valley regions share a recent ancestry but because they show some divergence, are treated as Distinct Population Segments of subspecies nevadensis (Moyle et al. 2023).
Ecology & Habitat
Other Nations (1)
United StatesNNR
ProvinceRankNative
NevadaSNRYes
CaliforniaSNRYes
Roadless Areas (9)
California (6)
AreaForestAcres
Caples CreekEldorado National Forest17,854
Carson - IcebergStanislaus National Forest56,430
PyramidEldorado National Forest24,347
Raymond PeakEldorado National Forest2,518
Raymond PeakStanislaus National Forest3,646
Trail LakeLassen National Forest1,124
Nevada (3)
AreaForestAcres
Arc Dome - Blank Mtn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest3,662
GrantsvilleHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest6,156
Mt. ArdiveyHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest37,984
References (5)
  1. Moyle, P.B., N. Buckmaster, N. and Y. Su. 2023. Taxonomy of the speckled dace species complex (Cypriniformes: Leuciscidae, <i>Rhinichthys</i>) in California, USA. Zootaxa 5249(5): 501-539.
  2. Mussmann, S. M., M. R. Douglas, D. D. Oakey, and M. E. Douglas. 2020. Defining relictual biodiversity: Conservation units in speckled dace (Leuciscidae: <i>Rhinichthys osculus</i>) of the Greater Death Valley ecosystem. Ecology and Evolution 10:10798-10817. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6736
  3. Oakey, D. D., M. E. Douglas, and M. R. Douglas. 2004. Small fish in a large landscape: diversification of <i>Rhinichthys osculus</i> (Cyprinidae) in western North America. Copeia 2004:207-221. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1448559?refreqid=excelsior%3Ac3f75581aab14f7dd9053fef030d3b91&seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
  4. Su, Y., P.B. Moyle, M.A. Campbell, A.J. Finger, S. O’Rourke, J. Baumsteiger, and M.R. Miller. 2022. Population genomic analysis of the Speckled Dace species complex identifies three distinct lineages in California. Transactions of American Fisheries Society 151: 695-710.
  5. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2025. 90-Day Findings for Eight Species. Notification of petition findings and initiation of status reviews. Proposed Rule. Federal Register 90(12): 7038-7043.