Natural history and conservation assessment of the Red River Shiner (<em>Alburnops bairdi</em>, Hubbs and Ortenburger) within the upper Red River of its Texas distribution

In this study, components of the Species Status Assessment were incorporated into the natural history assessment of the Red River Shiner Alburnops bairdi to facilitate information sharing between researchers and resource managers responsible for species protection. Red River Shiner is not a currently listed species nor a candidate species for listing by USFWS, but due to its limited range and status as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need, future federal assessment might be warranted. Study objectives were to document occurrence, abundance, habitat association, age structure, reproduction, and diets, and to assess the current conditions of the Red River Shiner within the upper Red River basin of Texas. Red River Shiner was detected from 8 of the sites sampled and are associated with shallow, moderate current velocities, and silt to sand substrates, where the fish feed predominantly on a variety of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. Based on indicators of resiliency, representation, and redundancy, the current condition was ranked 22nd among 51 fish species, using a previously published methodology for rapid estimation of current conditions among Texas fishes. Combining traditional natural history work with estimates of the current condition enables clearer communication among biologists and resource managers.