The Balsas shiner (Notropis boucardi) is a species of freshwater fish endemic to Mexico.[1][2][3]

Balsas shiner
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Subfamily: Leuciscinae
Clade: Pogonichthyinae
Genus: Notropis
Species:
N. boucardi
Binomial name
Notropis boucardi
(Günther, 1868)
Synonyms

Leuciscus boucardi Günther, 1868

Distribution and habitat edit

Earlier believed to be widespread in the Balsas River drainage, recent studies have shown that it is confined to a small system of streams in the vicinity of its type locality near Cuernavaca, as well as an endorheic spring in nearby Jiutepec, both in the state of Morelos. It inhabits shallow streams with a rocky bottom. The diet consists of insects such as simulids and chironomids.[3]

Description edit

Balsas shiner have an elongated body and can grow to 12 cm (4.7 in) total length. The mouth is sub-terminal. The body is silver in color, slightly darker dorsally, and with a black stripe that runs from the eye to the caudal fin. During the reproductive season that peaks in the winter, the ventral region develops bright red coloration.[3]

Conservation edit

Balsas shiner is considered threatened in Mexico, but its narrow range should qualify it as critically endangered.[3] It has not been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).[2]

References edit

  1. ^ Eschmeyer, W. N. and R. Fricke (eds) (4 January 2016). "Catalog of Fishes". California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 19 January 2016. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2015). "Notropis boucardi" in FishBase. October 2015 version.
  3. ^ a b c d Contreras-MacBeath, Topiltzin; Rivas, Juan Manuel (2006). "Threatened fishes of the world: Notropis boucardi (Günther 1868) (Cyprinidae)". Environmental Biology of Fishes. 78 (3): 287–288. doi:10.1007/s10641-006-0039-8. S2CID 38609805.