Species of Greatest Conservation Need

1279 species
Taxonomic Group
Federal Status
State Status
Endemic

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Species of Greatest Conservation Need (Updated: 01/31/2024)
Common Name Scientifc Name Taxonomic Group Federal Status State Status Global Rank State Rank Endemic General Habitat Type(s)
paddlefish Polyodon spathula Fish - Freshwater Not Listed T G4 S3 False Species occurred in every major river drainage from the Trinity Basin eastward, but its numbers and range had been substantially reduced by the 1950�s; recently reintroduced into Big Cypress drainage upstream of Caddo Lake. Prefers large, free-flowing rivers but will frequent impoundments with access to spawning sites.
Mexican blindcat Prietella phreatophila Fish - Freshwater LE E GNR S1 False Subterranean freshwater cave environments in the northern Coahuila, Mexico and Val Verde County, Texas portions of the Edwards-Trinity Aquifer. Usually found associated with a silt substrate in still pools at water temperatures of 21 - 31.5 Celsius.
bluehead shiner Pteronotropis hubbsi Fish - Freshwater Not Listed T G3 S1 False Mainstem and tributaries of Big Cypress Bayou and Caddo Lake in Texas. Quiet backwater areas of small to medium-sized, sluggish streams and oxbow lakes having mud or mud-sand substrate; water typically tannin-stained; heavy growth of submergent or semi-emergent vegetation often present.
longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae Fish - Freshwater Not Listed Not Listed G5 S2 False Can only be found in the Big Bend portion of the Rio Grande. Occasionally taken in lakes and clear pools of rivers but prefers clear, flowing water in gravelly riffles.
widemouth blindcat Satan eurystomus Fish - Freshwater Not Listed T G1G2 S1 True Restricted to five artesian wells penetrating the San Antonio Pool of the Edwards Aquifer; found at depths of 305-582 m.
shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus Fish - Freshwater SAT T G4 S2 False Found only in the Red River below Denison Dam (Lake Texoma). Evidence of the presence of this species in the lower Pecos River, during prehistoric times, strongly suggests that it likely occurred in many Texas rivers. Inhabits flowing water over sandy bottoms or near rocky points or bars.
toothless blindcat Trogloglanis pattersoni Fish - Freshwater Not Listed T G1G2 S1 True Restricted to five artesian wells penetrating the San Antonio Pool of the Edwards Aquifer; found at depths of 305-582 m.
yellowedge grouper Epinephelus drummondhayi Fish - Marine Not Listed Not Listed G3 S3 False Gulf of Mexico
goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara Fish - Marine Not Listed Not Listed G3 S4 False Gulf of Mexico
red grouper Epinephelus morio Fish - Marine Not Listed Not Listed GNR SNR False Gulf of Mexico
sailfish Istiophorus platypterus Fish - Marine Not Listed Not Listed GNR S3 False Gulf of Mexico
white marlin Kajikia albida Fish - Marine Not Listed Not Listed GNR S3 False Gulf of Mexico
red snapper Lutjanus campechanus Fish - Marine Not Listed Not Listed GNR S4 False Gulf of Mexico
blue marlin Makaira nigricans Fish - Marine Not Listed Not Listed GNR SNR False Gulf of Mexico
Atlantic tarpon Megalops atlanticus Fish - Marine Not Listed Not Listed G5 S2S3 False Bays/Estuaries; Marine
black grouper Mycteroperca bonaci Fish - Marine Not Listed Not Listed GNR S3S4 False Gulf of Mexico
scamp Mycteroperca phenax Fish - Marine Not Listed Not Listed GNR SNR False Gulf of Mexico
smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata Fish - Marine LE E G1G3 SNR False Different life history stages have different patterns of habitat use: young of year, Age 1, and Age 2 are dependent upon shallow (<1m), eurahayline waters with red mangrove lined shoreline (Norton et al. 2012). These age classes are often found found very close to shore over muddy and sandy bottoms in sheltered bays, on shallow banks, and in estuaries or river mouths. These age classes can tolerate a wide range of salinities, but will move in and out of protected areas (estuaries) due to changes in flow and salinity (Poulakis and Seitz 2011). Larger juveniles may occupy greater depth strata in areas further from shore as they consistently occupy marine waters. Adult sawfish are encountered in various habitat types (mangrove, oyster reef, seagrass, and coral), in varying salinity regimes and temperatures, and at various water depths, feed on a variety of fish species. Adult female sawfish return to protected estuarine areas to give birth.
largetooth sawfish Pristis pristis Fish - Marine LE Not Listed G2G3 SX False Gulf of Mexico
cobia Rachycentron canadum Fish - Marine Not Listed Not Listed GNR S3S4 False Gulf of Mexico
Atlantic guitarfish Rhinobatos lentiginosus Fish - Marine Not Listed Not Listed GNR S2S3 False Gulf of Mexico
vermilion snapper Rhomboplites aurorubens Fish - Marine Not Listed Not Listed GNR S4 False Gulf of Mexico
king mackerel Scomberomorus cavalla Fish - Marine Not Listed Not Listed GNR S5 False Gulf of Mexico
Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus Fish - Marine Not Listed Not Listed G5 S4S5 False Gulf of Mexico
greater amberjack Seriola dumerili Fish - Marine Not Listed Not Listed GNR S3 False Gulf of Mexico