Rainbow Shiner-Alabama River form, Southwest Alabama

Our research has resolved 5 distinct lineages within the Rainbow Shiner complex, with exhibiting three distinct phenotypes. This form is the southernmost form, where fish tend to have lower merisitc counts, more blue scales than other populations and more blue/chrome in the fins and head

comments (12)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

That's quite the Christmas gift, Zach! Unbelievable species. Posted 3 months ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Zach, have a small technical question where perhaps you have advise. Looking at the family "cyprinidae":
https://www.jungledragon.com/wildlife/browse/animalia/chordata/actinopterygii/cypriniformes/cyprinidae

...I sometimes come across species where some sources say they are in family "Leuciscidae" instead. I don't really have the background to understand which one to pick, wondering if you have any thoughts about it? Posted 3 months ago
1. Zach Alley
  
  Lion
  
  Certainly! A taxonomic revision in recent years (I believe 2018 perhaps? Maybe sooner) reorganized the relationships between different Cypriniformes, and now most NA minnows as well as a handful of Asian and European minnows are now in the family Leucicidae. Cyprinidae now includes loaches, barbs, carps and allies! Posted 3 months ago
2. 1. Zach Alley
    
    Lion
    
    I'll attempt to track down the paper, I referenced it in my masters research! Posted 3 months ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Great, thanks so much! Posted 3 months ago
    2. 1. Zach Alley
        
        Lion
        
        Better yet, I have two papers for you! Here are the titles!
        
        Phylogenetic relationships and classification of the Holarctic family Leuciscidae (Cypriniformes: Cyprinoidei)
        
        Phylogenetic evaluation of North American Leuciscidae (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinoidea) as inferred from analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA …
        Posted 3 months ago
      2. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Many thanks! I've went through all cyprinidae on JD and checked their latest taxonomy, about 75% needed an update. Posted 3 months ago
      3. Patomarazul
        
        Lion
        
        The WORMS database is a good one, I think but I am not and expert like Zach, for taxonomic updates on fishes :-)
        https://www.marinespecies.org/ Posted 3 months ago

Patomarazul

Lion

Very beautifuyl species! Posted 3 months ago

William Bodine

Lion

These fish show fantastic colors and variety. I'm surprised that they are not more widely bred and collected for freshwater aquariums in the consumer market world. Posted 3 months ago
1. Zach Alley
  
  Lion
  
  I'm surprised also. They are available in various places around the world, but can be quite rare and expensive. Some of these lineages would definitely benefit from breeders keeping ark populations also, they seem to be in decline across their range Posted 3 months ago