Phylogeography of the Warpaint Shiner (Coccotis Coccogenis) in The Southern Appalachians

Warpaint shiners (Coccotis coccogenis) are small minnows endemic to southern Appalachian streams, ranging from Virginia to Alabama. They inhabit clear, fast-flowing streams with gravel riffles and pools, relying on flow for feeding, reproduction, and dispersal. Impoundments significantly restrict their movement. Their diet shifts seasonally, from mayfly nymphs to terrestrial invertebrates in summer. This study analyzed genetic variation across the species’ native and naturalized range, focusing on river basins in the Ohio Drainage and Atlantic Slope of western North Carolina. DNA from preserved specimens was extracted and analyzed using mitochondrial COI gene sequences. Haplotype networks revealed three distinct groupings: one from the Interior Basin, another from the Little Tennessee River Basin, and a smaller, genetically unique group in the upper Catawba River Basin. Most C. coccogenis individuals in the Atlantic Slope of western North Carolina appear to be introduced, except for the Catawba River group. These findings highlight both natural and anthropogenic influences on the species’ distribution and underscore the importance of preserving native populations.