The Status of Fishes in the Missouri River, Nebraska: Emerald Shiner (\u3ci\u3eNotropis atherinoides\u3c/i\u3e), Red Shiner (\u3ci\u3eCyprinella lutrensis\u3c/i\u3e), River Shiner (\u3ci\u3eN. blennius\u3c/i\u3e), Sand Shiner \u3ci\u3eN. stramineus\u3c/i\u3e), Spotfin Shiner (\u3ci\u3eC. spiloptera\u3c/i\u3e)

Abstract

Despite major anthropogenic modification to the Missouri River system, relative abundance of five shiner species within Nebraska’s reach of the Missouri River has increased since the 1940’s. The combined abundance of five species: Red Shiner Cyprinella lutrensis, Spotfin Shiner C. spilopterus, Emerald Shiner Notropis atherinoides, River Shiner N. blennius, Sand Shiner N. stramineus, represented \u3e 50% of the small fish community in the Missouri River over the past ten years (2003-2012). More than 3,600 mini-fyke nets were deployed, resulting in over 158,600 shiners collected from the Missouri River along Nebraska’s eastern border between 2003 and 2012. Past literature has documented population declines of several native chub and minnow species; however, limited information exists about the magnitude of change in relative abundance and species composition amongst the fish community. A review of the population status for five shiner species and a discussion of population trends among four reaches along the borders of Nebraska are presented