The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2008: T6134A15361508
Cyprinella caerulea, Blue Shiner
Assessment by: NatureServe
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: NatureServe. 2013. Cyprinella caerulea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013:
e.T6134A15361508. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T6134A15361508.en
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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chordata
Actinopterygii
Cypriniformes
Cyprinidae
Taxon Name: Cyprinella caerulea (Jordan, 1877)
Synonym(s):
• Photogenis caeruleus
Common Name(s):
• English:
Blue Shiner
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Endangered B2ab(ii,iii,iv,v) ver 3.1
Year Published:
2013
Date Assessed:
November 15, 2011
Justification:
This species is listed as Endangered because area of occupancy is probably less than 500 sq km, the
distribution is severely fragmented, the species occurs in a small number of locations (fewer than six
have good viability), and distribution, abundance, and habitat quality are subject to ongoing declines.
Previously Published Red List Assessments
1996 – Vulnerable (VU)
1994 – Vulnerable (V)
1990 – Vulnerable (V)
1988 – Vulnerable (V)
1986 – Vulnerable (V)
Geographic Range
Range Description:
Historical range included the Cahaba and Coosa river systems, in the Mobile Bay drainage above the Fall
Line, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee; the species is now restricted to the Conasauga River and
tributaries in Tennessee and Georgia, Coosawattee River and tributaries in Georgia, and Weogufka and
Choccolocco creeks and lower Little River, tributaries of Coosa River in Alabama (Boschung and Mayden
2004).
Country Occurrence:
Native: United States
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Cyprinella caerulea – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T6134A15361508.en
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Distribution Map
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Cyprinella caerulea – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T6134A15361508.en
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Population
In the 1990s, this species was thought to be represented by six populations (USFWS 1994). Not all of
these have good viability.
Total adult population size is unknown. This species is regarded as local and uncommon (Page and Burr
2011).
This species is now apparently extirpated over much of its former range (Lee et al. 1980). It is extirpated
in the Cahaba River and reduced in numbers in much of its former range (Boschung and Mayden 2004).
In the 1990s, the species was apparently declining in range and numbers (Etnier and Starnes 1993),
though numbers were seasonally stable at one site that was sampled monthly for one year in the Little
River (Dobson 1994).
Trend over the past 10 years or three generations is uncertain but probably still declining.
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
Habitat includes cool, clear, small to medium-sized rivers over firm substrates (sand, gravel, or rubble) in
pools, backwaters, and areas of moderate current (Lee et al. 1980, Pierson and Krotzer 1987, Etnier and
Starnes 1993, Page and Burr 2011).
Systems: Freshwater
Use and Trade
This species is not utilized.
Threats (see Appendix for additional information)
Declines have been caused by water pollution, siltation, and construction of reservoirs for hydropower,
navigation, and flood control (USFWS 1995, End. Sp. Tech. Bull. 16[5]:8). These degraded/destroyed the
habitat and fragmented the populations. Current concerns include siltation and excessive nutrient
inputs deriving from runoff from small-scale agriculture, grazing, and urbanization (USFWS 1995, J. M.
Pierson pers. comm. 1995).
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
Hatchery spawning techniques need to be developed. If spawning in captivity can be achieved, a
reintroduction to former habitat can be attempted.
Known populations should be carefully monitored. Upstream and downstream limits in Weogufka and
Choccolocco creeks and Little River in Alabama need to be determined.
Protection needs include prevention of siltation of habitat, especially during the spawning period.
Tennessee populations are dependent on protection of the Conasauga River (Etnier and Starnes 1993).
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Cyprinella caerulea – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T6134A15361508.en
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Credits
Assessor(s):
NatureServe
Reviewer(s):
Smith, K. & Darwall, W.R.T.
Facilitators(s) and
Compiler(s):
Hammerson, G.A. & Ormes, M.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Cyprinella caerulea – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T6134A15361508.en
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Bibliography
Boschung, H.T. and Mayden, R.L. Fishes of Alabama. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C.
Dobson, T.L. 1994. An Ichthyofaunal Survey of the Little River Drainage in Alabama with notes on
Cyprinella caerulea. M.S. Thesis, Jacksonville State University.
Etnier, D.A. and Starnes, W.C. 1993. The fishes of Tennessee. University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville,
Tennessee.
Etnier, D.A. and Starnes, W.C. 1993. The fishes of Tennessee. University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville,
TN.
IUCN. 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2013.1). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 12 June 2013).
Krotzer, R.S. 1984. The ecological life history of the blue shiner, Notropis caeruleus (Jordan), from the
upper Conasauga River, Georgia. M.S. thesis, Samford University.
Lee, D.S., Gilbert, C.R., Hocutt, C.H., Jenkins, R.E., McAllister, D.E. and Stauffer, J.R. Jr. 1980. Atlas of
North American freshwater fishes. North Carolina State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, North
Carolina.
Mayden, R.L. 1989. Phylogenetic studies of North American minnows, with emphasis on the genus
Cyprinella (Teleostei: Cypriniformes). University of Kansas Museum Natural History Miscellaneous
Publication 80: 1-189.
Mettee, M.F., O'Neil, P.E. and Pierson, J.M. 1996. Fishes of Alabama and the Mobile Basin. Oxmoor
House, Birmingham, Alabama.
Nelson, J.S., Crossman, E.J., Espinosa-Perez, H., Findley, L.T., Gilbert, C.R., Lea, R.N. and Williams, J.D.
2004. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. American
Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.
Page, L.M. and Burr, B.M. 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes: North America north of Mexico.
Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
Page, L.M. and Burr, B.M. 2011. Peterson field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of
Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston, Massachusetts.
Pierson, J.M. and Krotzer, R.S. 1987. The distribution, relative abundance, and life history of the blue
shiner, Notropis caeruleus (Jordan). Alabama Nongame Wildife Final Report. Alabama Dept. of
Conservation, Montgomery, Alabama.
Pierson, J.M. and Krotzer, R.S. 1987. The distribution relative abundance, and life history of the blue
shiner Notropis caeruleus (Jordan). Report to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Montgomery, Alabama.
Robins, C.R., Bailey, R.M., Bond, C.E., Brooker, J.R., Lachner, E.A., Lea, R.N. and Scott, W.B. 1991.
Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada. American Fisheries Society.
Stewart, J.H. and Larson, R. 1995. Blue shiner (Cyprinella caerulea) recovery plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Jackson, Mississippi.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1992. Threatened status for two fish, the goldline darter Percina
aurolineata and blue shiner Cyprinella caerulea. Federal Register 57(78): 14786-14789.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Cyprinella caerulea – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T6134A15361508.en
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Citation
NatureServe. 2013. Cyprinella caerulea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013:
e.T6134A15361508. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T6134A15361508.en
Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.
External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Cyprinella caerulea – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T6134A15361508.en
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Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
5. Wetlands (inland) -> 5.1. Wetlands (inland) - Permanent
Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls)
-
Suitable
Yes
Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Threat
Timing
Scope
Severity
Impact Score
7. Natural system modifications -> 7.2. Dams & water
management/use -> 7.2.11. Dams (size unknown)
Ongoing
Majority (5090%)
-
-
9. Pollution -> 9.1. Domestic & urban waste water ->
9.1.3. Type Unknown/Unrecorded
Ongoing
Majority (5090%)
-
-
9. Pollution -> 9.3. Agricultural & forestry effluents ->
9.3.1. Nutrient loads
Ongoing
Majority (5090%)
-
-
9. Pollution -> 9.3. Agricultural & forestry effluents ->
9.3.2. Soil erosion, sedimentation
Ongoing
Majority (5090%)
-
-
Conservation Actions in Place
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions in Place
In-Place Research, Monitoring and Planning
Action Recovery plan: Yes
Conservation Actions Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions Needed
1. Land/water protection -> 1.1. Site/area protection
1. Land/water protection -> 1.2. Resource & habitat protection
2. Land/water management -> 2.1. Site/area management
2. Land/water management -> 2.3. Habitat & natural process restoration
3. Species management -> 3.2. Species recovery
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Cyprinella caerulea – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T6134A15361508.en
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Conservation Actions Needed
3. Species management -> 3.3. Species re-introduction -> 3.3.1. Reintroduction
3. Species management -> 3.4. Ex-situ conservation -> 3.4.1. Captive breeding/artificial propagation
Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends
1. Research -> 1.3. Life history & ecology
1. Research -> 1.5. Threats
3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends
3. Monitoring -> 3.4. Habitat trends
Additional Data Fields
Habitats and Ecology
Movement patterns: Not a Migrant
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Cyprinella caerulea – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T6134A15361508.en
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The IUCN Red List Partnership
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN
Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation
International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas
A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™