Clear Creek gambusia
Encyclopedia
The Clear Creek gambusia (Gambusia heterochir) is a species of fish
in the Poeciliidae
family. It is endemic to the United States
, particularly Menard County, Texas.
. The fish congregate around submerged aquatic vegetation that provides them with food and shelter. They have recently fallen victim to damming, relocation which has presented a change of climate, and nutria feeding. Thus, the Clear Creek gambusia was put on the United States' list of endangered species
in 1967.
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
in the Poeciliidae
Poeciliidae
Poeciliidae is a family of fresh-water fish which are live-bearing aquarium fish . They belong to the order Cyprinodontiformes, tooth-carps, and include well-known aquarium fish such as the guppy, molly, platy, and swordtail...
family. It is endemic to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, particularly Menard County, Texas.
Life and habitat
The species is born live. Most births occur between March and September. The fish live their entire lives in the clear spring waters of the Clear Creek tributary of the San Saba RiverSan Saba River
The San Saba River is a river in the U.S. state of Texas. It is an undeveloped and scenic waterway located on the northern boundary of the Edwards Plateau.-Course:...
. The fish congregate around submerged aquatic vegetation that provides them with food and shelter. They have recently fallen victim to damming, relocation which has presented a change of climate, and nutria feeding. Thus, the Clear Creek gambusia was put on the United States' list of endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
in 1967.