Geographic Variation in Cyprinella lutrensis (Pisces: Cyprinidae) in the United States, with Notes on Cyprinella lepida

Matthews, William

Cyprinella lutrensis, red shiner as presently defined includes a widespread complex of variable forms in the United States and Mexico. Contreras-B.(1975) summarized variation and systematics of this complex in Mexico; this study uses univariate and multivariate methods to analyze variation in C. lutrensis throughout its native range in the United States and to compare C. lutrensis to the problematic C. lepida. Meristics exhibit clinal increases from Illinois west and south in the Great Plains, but are low in Gulf coastal populations. Mantel analyses and spatial autocorrelations show that meristics vary regionally and meristic similarities are more distinct across direct geographic distances than by stream connectivity distances. Individuals from Great Plains drainages are larger than those of Gulf coastal drainages and have deeper bodies, but much variation in morphometrics was evident at the local level. However, mean sheared principal components scores, which describe shape of body parts (excluding standard length) independent of overall size effects, showed no significant non-random patterns. Morphometrics were uncorrelated with latitude or longitude, upland vs lowland stream characteristics, or stream size; they were correlated with flow regimes of collecting localities. Three populations with unusual yellow coloration are described from Kansas-Missouri, and nuptial colors of C. lepida of the Nueces and Frio rivers, in Texas, are described in detail. Overall results in meristics, morphometrics, and nuptial coloration suggest that the putative subspecies C. lutrensis suavis is likely valid, and that an Illinois-upper Mississippi river drainage form might represent C. l. forbesi, but more detailed study of these taxa is needed. Cyprinella l. blairi may no longer exist. Cyprinella lepida of the Neuces and Frio rivers is highly distinctive in nuptial coloration and morphology, and warrants recognition as a species

Geographic Variation in Cyprinella lutrensis (Pisces: Cyprinidae) in the United States, with Notes on Cyprinella lepida

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