Desert Sucker
Pantosteus clarkii
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G4
State (S-rank): S3
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
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.