Utah Species Field Guide | Utah Natural Heritage Program
Utah Species Field Guide Utah Species Field Guide

Desert Sucker

Pantosteus clarkii

NatureServe conservation status

Global (G-rank): G4
State (S-rank): S3

External links

Species range

In Utah the Desert Sucker is found only in the Virgin River drainage. This includes Beaverdam Wash, the Santa Clara River and the Virgin River.

Habitat

Lee et al. (1980) summarized habitat information for this species as: ". . . small to moderately large streams with pool-riffle development, occupies riffle areas when small in size. Large adults in pools during day, moving to riffles and rapids at night in periods of high turbidity . . .." Sigler and Sigler (1987) noted that the "range of habitat [of this species] . . . is highly varied."

Threats or limiting factors

The primary threats that pose the most immediate impact to populations of Desert Sucker are invasive species and threats related to climate changeincluding droughts and increasing stream temperatures.

Species search

Species search


Multicellular organisms that are autotrophic or make complex carbohydrates from basic constituents. Most use photosynthesis.

Flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed in an ovary

Multicellular organisms that develop from the fertilization of an egg by a sperm. Heterotrophic - obtain food by ingestion.

Have skulls and backbones.

Cold blooded, lay eggs on land

Have feathers and lay eggs

Invertebrates with an exoskeleton, jointed appendages, and segmented bodies

Animals having 3 pair of legs, 3 body sections, generally 1 or 2 pair of wings, 1 pair of antennae.

Soft bodied animals with an internal or external shell and a toothed tongue or radula. Have a mantle that lines and secretes the shell and a muscular foot that allows for movement.

Two hinged lateral shells and a wedged shaped "foot". Bivalves lack tentacles and a head.


Lee Kay and Cache Valley Shooting Centers
» Shooting centers
Wildlife Blog: Views from DWR employees
» Wildlife Blog
Report poachers — 1-800-662-3337
» Report poachers
Wildlife dates
» Important dates
Hunter, angler mobile app
Hunter Education: Sign up for classes
» Hunter education
The Natural Resources Map & Bookstore: discover hands-on resources
» DNR Map & Bookstore