page_title: Rio Grande sucker
section_title: Conservation and invasive species
hierarchical_section_title: Rio Grande sucker / Conservation and invasive species
caption_attribution_description: White Sucker, Catostomus commersonii
context_page_description: The Rio Grande sucker is a North American freshwater fish in the family Catostomidae. It has a typical bottom-feeding phenotype and fills lower trophic levels alongside Rio Grande cutthroat trout and Rio Grande chub species. It is smaller sized in comparison to its other family members, with females being the larger between sexes. Coloration tends to benefit the species due to counter-shading patterns. It is endemic to the Rio Grande basin and was once common throughout. The species has maintained a population in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Northern Mexico, but has faced challenges from the pressure of non-native species, habitat loss, degradation, and a variety of other aquatic ecosystem changes. There is current pressure from environmental organizations to federally list the species as threatened or endangered.
context_section_description: States that have current populations have conducted studies to understand the contractions of abundance. Arizona has listed C. plebeius as a species of concern, while Colorado has the fish listed as endangered. New Mexico has seen large enough numbers that there is no state designation at this time. Two different species compete directly for resources with the Rio Grande sucker. The White sucker, C. commersonii, and the Yaqui sucker, C. bernardini, are known to have increased phenotypic plasticity with their diets which has enhanced their ability to contend for lower trophic level resources. Through different management techniques, there is the possibility to maintain and restore the endemic species. Hydrological considerations include mimicking natural flows, decreasing channelization, and increasing floodplain connectivity. Aquatic vegetation restoration while decreasing non-native vegetative species and maintaining current riparian habitat is intended to help the species. The impact of overgrazing and its correlation to increased turbidity can be addressed if proper riparian buffer zones are sustained or introduced. Also, decreasing the use of pesticides and herbicides can limit water quality degradation.
caption: Non-native competition from the White Sucker has disrupted C. plebeius populations[2]
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