Coexistence of Three Stream Dwelling Cyprinid: the Blacktail (Cyprinella venusta), Blackspot (Notropis atrocaudalis) and Sabine (N. sabinae), in Urban Streams in East Texas

Stephen F Austin State University, Baker Pattillo Student Center, Student Center Theatre and Twilight Ballroom

We examined the population structure of three sympatric shiners Blacktail shiner Cyprinella venusta Blackspot shiner Notropis atrocaudalis and Sabine shiner N sabinae in the La Nana Banita stream complex system in east Texas during three seasons of 2022 and three habitat types ( riffles, and runs) Overall, the three species occurred together in similar habitats during the spring season when habitats were connected Despite the severe 2022 summer fall drought, populations of Blacktail Shiner dominated in the stream habitats However, Sabine shiner, which showed affinity for riffles, declined in occurrence in summer and fall, when riffles were absent due to drought conditions.