Title: Determination of genetic taxonomic units within the native Mexican trout from northwestern México
Authors: De Los Santos, Anna Belia 1 Garcia de Leon, Francisco J. 1 Mayden, Richard 2 Barriga Sosa, Irene D.L.A. 3 Truchas Mexicanas, Group 4
Affiliations: 1. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste de México, S. C., La Paz, B.C.S. 2. Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, EUA 3. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, México, D.F. 4. 4http://www.utexas.edu/tmm/tnhc/fish/research/truchas_mexicanas/
Abstract: A high diversity of native salmonids, commonly recognized as Mexican trout and members of the genus Oncorhynchus are found in the mountain creeks and rivers of the northern part of the Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico. From these diverse groups of fishes, only two of them are formally described, Oncorhynchus mykiss nelsoni which inhabits the Sierra San Pedro Martir in Baja California, and Oncorhynchus chrysogaster from the rivers El Fuerte, Culiacan and Sinaloa in the SMO, remaining an extensive group of fishes still to be describe. This species complex in under an impending treat of extinction due to habitat degradation, global climate change, and the introduction of exotic species mainly the rainbow trout which are cultivated in almost all the rivers where the natives inhabit without a good control. Here, we describe the genetic diversity of those group salmonids using 11 microsatellite loci with the aim to determine taxonomic units that contribute to the species delimitation as well as to assess the impact and possible genetic introgression with the introduced rainbow trout. The genetic biodiversity parameters showed an average of 24 alleles per locus, allelic richness values between 1.707 and 4.8, Ho from 0.085 to 0.7234, and a total of 70 exclusive alleles distributed in the different basins. Neighbor-joining phylogeny reconstruction using Cavalli-Sforza & Edward´s genetic distances indicate the formation of seven genetically homogeneous groups (Guzmán/Yaqui-Bavispe, Yaqui-Sirupa/Mayo, Conchos, San Lorenzo/Piaxtla, Acaponeta/Baluarte/Presidio, one group in the Sidra stream from San Lorenzo basin and one more group in the Aparique stream belonging to the Fuerte basin groups) besides of the formally described O. mykiss nelsoni and O. chrysogaster and introduced rainbow trout. This grouping was corroborated by assignation analysis using the Bayesian method, gene flow estimates, and AMOVA. The results of the different analyses support the existence of seven taxonomic units corresponding to each of the mentioned groups. Furthermore, assignation analysis and genetic flow estimates showed that contrary to what we thought, only Presidio and Acaponeta basins indicate introgressions with rainbow trout, however, these results should be further corroborated with an appropriate sampling method in order to specify the impact.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Special symposium Student Award: No
Comments: computer projection monitor Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-13 10:30:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-15 11:49:20
Title: Conservation genetic status of Gila trout
Authors: Turner, Thomas F. 1 Peters, Maureen B. Wilson, Wade D.
Affiliations: 1. University of New Mexico, Museum of Southwestern Biology
Abstract: Gila trout occur in semi-isolated populations in the Gila River basin of New Mexico and Arizona. This species has been actively managed for over four decades to prevent extinction from catastrophic events and hybridization from non-native trout species. Here, we present data from mitochondrial (mt) DNA, microsatellites, and non-neutral genetic markers (MHC class II) to evaluate relationships between extant lineages of Gila trout. Of these, Main Diamond and South Diamond lineages are most closely related, followed by Whiskey and the most distantly related Spruce Creek lineage. Phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA-ND4 indicated that Gila and Apache trout form monophyletic group with respect to rainbow trout and Mexican trout. Management actions have successfully maintained the genetic integrity of Gila trout lineages. We discuss the implications of a potential trade off in managing for genetic integrity versus management for genetic diversity within lineages. Future research will attempt to evaluate demographic and genetic connectedness of Gila trout introduced into the newly renovated West Fork of the Gila River in an attempt to make recommendations about maintenance of within-lineage diversity.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Special symposium Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-13 10:45:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-22 16:49:10
Title: Cultivo de truchas nativas en el Centro Acuícola Guachochi
Authors: Banda Cortés, Miguel 1
Affiliations: 1. SAGARPA - Secretaria de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación
Resumen: Entra texto de resumen en español
Debido a la ubicación Geográfica privilegiada en la que se encuentra el Centro Acuícola Guachochi, perteneciente a la SAGARPA (Secretaria de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación) desde hace algunos años adem´s de la producci&ocute;n de cr&icute;a de trucha arco iris (Oncorhynchus mykiss) para los productores del Estado de Chihuahua, fomentando la actividad acuícola y la generaci&ocute;n de empleos, se ha dado a la tarea de trabajar en el estudio de especies de trucha nativas que se encuentran en el estado, tratando de realizar su reproducci&ocute;n para lograr su conservaci&ocute;n y repoblar los lugares de origen que se encuentran en estos momentos en peligro de extinci&ocute;n, adem&ncute;s de concientizar de su importancia a la población que habita en lugares donde son originarios; son capturados por ellos mismos de una forma indiscriminada, utilizando t&ecute;cnicas y artes de pesca no apropiadas, adem´s de ser desplazadas por la actividad pisc&icute;cola cada vez m´s amenazante por la construcci&ocute;n de infraestructura en las cuencas en donde habitan estas especies. En este trabajo se presenta la experiencia con estas especies mostrando algunos resultados obtenidos en la reproducci&ocute;n y la adaptaci&ocute;n al cultivo, en colaboraci&ocute;n de varias Instituciones.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Special Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-13 11:00:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-15 15:28:58
Title: Conservation strategies for the Conchos trout
Authors: Brooks, James 1
Affiliations: 1. Truchas Mexicanas
Abstract: Truchas Mexicanas reported on the 2005 re-discovery of the Conchos trout and made a call for immediate conservation efforts in a white paper written in 2006. Extensive survey efforts by Truchas Mexicanas for the approximate ten preceding years demonstrated the extreme rarity of this species and identified a number of conservation strategies necessary to protect the species from extinction. Originally collected in the 1880s by explorer Nathaniel T. Lupton, this rare endemic trout of the Rio Conchos Basin has persisted in a few isolated streams of the northeastern Sierra Madre Occidental, Chihuahua, México. Information is presented on the known current distribution of the Conchos trout, including results of survey efforts since 2005. Conservation strategies for short- and long-term application to prevent species extinction are identified. An overview of the management plan for protection of Conchos trout at Ejido Panalachi is also presented. Important participants in Conchos trout conservation include, along with Truchas Mexicanas, include World Wildlife Fund – Mexico and Trout Unlimited and their efforts are identified within the Ejido Panalachi efforts.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Special symposium Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-13 11:15:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-19 17:00:12
Title: Expanding native trout conservation from the Conchos headwaters to the northern Sierra Madre Occidental in México
Authors: Cortés Montaño, Citlali 1 Ramos Gómez, Mauro 2 Brooks, James E. 3 Smith, Nick Zapata López, Jenny 4
Affiliations: 1. Northern Arizona University, School of Forestry 2. Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas - Dirección Regional Norte y Sierra Madre Occidental 3. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New Mexico Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office 4. World Wildlife Fund - Programa Desierto Chihuahuense
Abstract: Recent native trout conservation efforts in northwest México are truly interdisciplinary, bringing together practitioners from different fields in biology, management and policy making as well as local communities and authorities. This presentation will summarize the lessons learned from the Conchos aparique conservation program implemented by a partnership involving the World Wildlife Fund, Trout Unlimited, Truchas Mexicanas, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas and other government agencies, local people and authorities of ejido Panalachi. We will proceed to present threats to trout populations in the Sierra Madre Occidental, as well as proposals to reduce or minimize them. We will also provide an update of current native trout conservation actions in the state of Chihuahua and recommendations on priorities and lines of work for conservation of native trout species from Northwest México. Our experience with the Conchos aparique conservation program shows that partnerships involving local communities, all levels of government and non-governmental organizations are a successful model for conservation efforts in the short term. However, we are convinced that it is also urgent to create a policy framework that includes legal mechanisms that will guarantee the long term survival of these endangered fishes.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Special symposium Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-13 11:30:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-10-23 12:33:24
Title: Conservation of the aparique trout
Authors: Montes, Jose Luis 1 Zapata López, Jenny 1 Ramos Gómez, Mauro 2
Affiliations: 1. Programa Desierto Chihuahuense, WWF Programa México 2. Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas - Dirección Regional Norte y Sierra Madre Occidental
Abstract: A 10-minute video documentary, targeted to local communities and visitors at the rio Conchos headwaters, was produced by WWF as an educational tool to inform local communities and visitors of the importance of the aparique trout and basic recommendations for conserving the species and its habitat. The video is based on the Conchos Trout Management Plan, developed by the "Truchas Mexicanas" group in collaboration with the Ejido Panalachi and the Sierra
Tarahumara Forest Conservation Program implemented by WWF and USAID. The Management Plan outlines three main strategies for conservation and enhancement of Conchos trout: (1) those that must be addressed to prevent extinction of the species, (2) those actions needed to improve its status, and (3) those commitments that will ensure its future as a
sustainable natural resource. The people of Panalachi agreed to exclude a stretch of stream for protection of the trout; restoration of aparique habitat where considered necessary was also agreed, as well as the suspension of any fishing or poisoning in the area. A participatory
committee was created for the protection of natural resources with support from the Attorney for the Protection of the Environment (PROFEPA). . Other agencies continue to pool resources and funding towards the recuperation of the aparique trout and the social processes implied. The Chihuahua State Government has included these messages in their statewide news releases and weekly TV program; the National Commission for Protected Areas (CONANP) continues to consider the Conchos headwaters in their priority areas, providing funds to the ejido for habitat restoration projects; and the Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (SAGARPA) is hosting 22 Conchos trout individuals at the Guachochi Aquaculture Center, for future reproductive stock.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Special symposium Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-13 14:00:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-12 16:33:21
Title: Taxonomic and distributional ichthyofaunal study of selected areas in northwestern Zacatecas, Mexico.
Authors: Solis-Carlos, Fernando 1 Lozano-Vilano, Ma de Lourdes 2 García-Ramírez, Ma Elena 3
Affiliations: 1. Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León
Abstract: The state of Zacatecas is located in the coordinates 21º 03’ 00” y 25º 08’00” N y 100º 48’00” y 104º 21’00” W. The most part from there territorial it is an arid zone and due to there physics, weather and topomorphic factors there ecosystems are vulnerable. The most important and more affected in the last years are aquatic ecosystem. Its annual precipitation is about 510 mm with two rain station in the summer and winter. Zacatecas have a few backgrounds about de aquatic fauna and about that we can highlight: Algansea monticola a new Cyprinid fish [Barbour y Contreras 1968, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 81:101-108], Ichthyofauna of Basins Nazas, Aguanaval, Parras [Salas, 1971, Tesis, FCB, UANL. Méx. 1-101], Review of Cyprinid Algansea monticola [Barbour y Miller 1978, Misc. Pub. Mus. Zool., Univ. Mich. (155):1-69], and a few others. This project was made in the NW from the state and included three hydrographical basins: Aguanaval, Santiago and Atengo (Santiago), we made 36 collects in 30 localities, in a period of three years, we used Chinchorro 3 m, Agallera nets and Electrofishing like a system of sample. We find 22 species in 17 generous and 8 families, 10 for them are exotic like mesa silverside, Mendía jordani, green Sunfish, Lepomis cyanellus, warmouth, Lepomis gulosus, bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, blue tilapia, Oreochromis aureus, Mozambique tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, common carp, Cyprinus carpio, blotched gambusia, Gambusia seniles, Tex-Mex gambusia, Gambusia speciosa. In accord to NOM-059-ECOL-2001, 5 species are like threatened, Nazas sucker, Catostomus nebuliferus, gibbous shiner, Cyprinella garmani, Mexican darter, Etheostoma pottsi, blotched gambusia, Gambusia seniles, nazas chub, Gila conspersa, and one danger, the Tex-Mex gambusia, Gambusia speciosa, at the same time we worked in a Zoogeographic and ecological analysis. This work is to give a very important step forward in the knowledge of the aquatic fauna of Zacatecas, not just by the mere fact of knowing which species are in the state, if not because with this you can have notion of species that have disappeared, Which have been introduced, new registrations of its current distribution, and have been displaced either by other species or by the extreme conditions in which they have been subjected. This is expected to give even being aware that a state with vast and arid region with serious problems of environmental degradation and water scarcity, there is still a large amount of aquatic life, and aquifers in good condition, which is still in time to rescue.
Resumen: El estado de Zacatecas se encuentra localizado entre las coordenadas 21º 03’ 00”N y 25º 08’00”N y 100º 48’00” y 104º 21’00”O. La mayor parte de su territorio es zona árida y debido a sus factores físicos, climáticos y topomórficos sus ecosistemas son muy vulnerables. Dentro de los más importantes y que se han visto fuertemente afectados en los últimos años son los acuáticos. Su precipitación media anual es de 510 mm con dos épocas de lluvia, una en verano y otra en invierno. Zacatecas cuenta con muy pocos antecedentes en cuanto a la fauna íctica, y dentro de estos podemos destacar la descripción de una especie nueva de Cyprinido, Algansea monticola [Barbour y Contreras 1968, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 81:101-108], Ictiofauna del complejo Nazas, Aguanaval, Parras [Salas, 1971, Tesis, FCB, UANL. Méx. 1-101], revisión del Cyprinido Algansea monticola [Barbour y Miller 1978, Misc. Pub. Mus. Zool., Univ. Mich. (155):1-69], entre otros. El presente proyecto se realizo en la zona NW del estado y abarcaron tres cuencas hidrográficas que son: el Aguanaval, el Santiago y Atengo (Santiago), se realizaron 36 colectas en 30 localidades, en un periodo de 3 años, se utilizaron redes tipo Chinchorro, Agalleras y Electropesca como métodos de colecta. Se obtuvo un total de 22 especies repartidas en 17 géneros y 8 familias, de las cuales 10 son exóticas, (el Charal, Menidía jordani, Pez Sol, Lepomis cyanellus, la Mojarra golosa, Lepomis gulosus, Mojarra oreja azul, Lepomis macrochirus, Lobina negra, Micropterus salmoides, Tilapia azul, Oreochromis aureus, Tilapia Mozambique, Oreochromis mossambicus, la Carpa común, Cyprinus carpio, Guayacón del Bravo, Gambusia senilis, Guayacón de Nuevo León, Gambusia speciosa]. De acuerdo a la NOM-059-ECOL-2001, 5 especies se encuentran como Amenazadas, el Matalote del Nazas, Catostomus nebuliferus, Carpita jorobada, Cyprinella garmani, Perca Mexicana, Etheostoma pottsi, Guayacón del Bravo, Gambusia senilis, Carpa Mayrán, Gila conspersa, y una en Peligro Guayacón de Nuevo León, Gambusia speciosa), igualmente se hace un análisis zoogeográfico y ecológico de las especies. Este trabajo viene a dar un avance muy importante en el conocimiento de la fauna acuática de Zacatecas, no solo por el simple hecho de saber que especies se encuentran en el estado, si no porque con esto, podemos tener noción de las especies que han desaparecido, que se han introducido, de nuevos registros, de su distribución actual, y como han sido desplazadas ya sea por otras especies o por las condiciones extremas a las que han sido sujetas. Con esto se espera dar conocimiento de que aún siendo un Estado con una basta región árida y con graves problemas de deterioro ambiental y escasez de agua, sigue existiendo gran cantidad de vida acuática, así como mantos acuíferos en buen estado, los cuales todavía se esta a tiempo de rescatar.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: Miller
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-13 14:15:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-12 14:32:31
Title: Morphologic and genetic variation of Astyanax mexicanus in the Atlantic slope of Mexico
Authors: Sepulveda, Daniel A. 1 Espinosa, Hector 1 Garcia, Francisco 2
Affiliations: 1. Instituto de Biologia, UNAM 2. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste
Abstract: The species complex belonging to the Astyanax genus, or Mexican Tetras, whose distribution in Mexico, is a group that has many taxonomic problems, despite this, several works, osteological, morphological and genetic recognize two complexes with distribution in central Mexico, a northern group assignable to Astyanax mexicanus and a southern group assignable to Astyanax aeneus. There is also a species for Yucatan, A. altoir. Along the literature on this genra, they are different populations of forms not assigned to a species, so much for there distribution in the north as the south. One of these not described forms that appears in the literature of the genus is that population who inhabits in Cuatro Cienegas. For the following study there was realized a genetic preliminary analysis using seven localities, one of them from the population of Cuatro Cienegas, the marker used was microsatellites, Results were obtained for two loci, Ast01, in which nine alleles was observed, with a heterozygosity observed of 0.981, and Ast09, that presented eight alleles, with a heterozygosity of 0.603. A preliminary analysis of these results allows us to infer that the population from Cuatro Cienegas has an evolutionary process different from the rest of the studied localities. As response to these preliminary results, one presents the study of the morphometry of the species applying the model of Truss Network, for the same localities of the genetic study.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: Miller
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-13 14:30:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-08-30 14:57:51
Title: Reintroduction of an extinct fish, the Apodaca Monterrey Platy (Xiphophorus couchianus) in its natural habitat
Authors: Chavarria Gallegos Sr., Roberto 1 Gomez Garza Sr., Miguel A. 1 Valdes Gonzalez, Arcadio 3
Affiliations: 1. Consejo Mexicano de Peces del Desierto 2. Centro de Resguardo de Especies en Peligro
Abstract: The Monterrey Platy (Xiphophorus couchianus) used to occur in Huasteca Canyon and disappeared in the mid 1960's, but populations of the species survived until the 1990's, in Ojo de Agua de Apodaca, in the municipality of Apodaca in the Río Pesquería drainage. We accomplished the first reintroduction of this extinct-in-the-wild subspecies, after years of maintaining it in captivity and negotiating the reintroduction with authorities. Now we are now working with the local government and the local population on a campaign to establish an environmental ethic to help guarantee this species will survive into the future.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: Miller
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-13 14:45:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-23 15:58:23
Title: A comparative field study on mating behaviors of the largespring gambusia, Gambusia geiseri
Authors: Lewis, Richard 1 Kroll, Christopher 1 Hargrave, Chad 1 Martin, Rachel 1 Rosado, Samir 1 Shoemaker, Landis 1 West, Janalyn 1 Deaton, Raelynn 1
Affiliations: 1. Sam Houston State University, Department of Biology
Abstract: The largespring gambusia, Gambusia geiseri, is a livebearing mosquitofish that lives in cool water springs throughout central and west Texas. This species was introduced across Texas for mosquito control about 80 years ago. After the introductions, several of the populations survived in clear water springs, and persist today. Because these populations have been isolated for a significant time, they provide an excellent opportunity for in situ studies on potential mechanisms of speciation, including morphological, genetic, behavioral, and/or life history divergence. Deaton et. al. (in prep) have shown that there is significant genetic differentiation across six of these spring populations based on several polymorphic microsatellite loci. These findings suggest that these populations also may show divergence in behavior, population dynamics and/or life history strategies. In this study, we investigated natural mating behaviors across three spring populations in Texas (Comal River, San Marcos River, and Anson Spring) in order to assess potential behavioral differences. We used a repeated measures ANOVA experimental design choosing three target groups of fishes within each habitat, observing them (snorkeling observations) every hour for 20 minutes from dawn until dusk. We asked the following questions: (1) are their significant differences in mating behavior across the populations; (2) what are the natural peak mating times for males; (3) are mating differences correlated with predation, environmental conditions, or variations in sex ratio and/or densities. Data currently are being analyzed across the three populations, and will be presented.
Title: Test of a novel eradication method for a population of an invasive fish in a spring system in the Chihuahuan desert
Authors: Dugan, Laura E. 1
Affiliations: 1. University of Texas, Section of Integrative Biology
Abstract: Invasive species are the second greatest threat to global biodiversity. Potential impacts from invasive species range from such ecological effects as competition with and predation of native species to genetic effects such as hybridization and outbreeding depression. They can also potentially bring novel diseases with them which can spread to native hosts. While the best method for dealing with an invasive species is prevention, this is often not possible. Amelioration methods that have been commonly used to manage invasive populations include physical removal, which is often time-consuming and labor intensive, and chemical removal and biocontrol, both of which may have major deleterious effects on non-target species. Eradication is often not a possibility when invasive populations have grown too large or cover too great an area, but is sometimes possible when the invasive population is discovered early before it has spread, in smaller populations, or for populations in more isolated geographic areas. A recent theory, coined the Trojan Y-chromosome theory of eradication (Gutierrez and Teem, 2006, J. Theor. Biol. 241: 333-341), states that for a population of an invasive fish species, the repeated introduction of feminized super-males (individuals with two YY chromosomes that have been feminized with diethylstilbestrol) over a period of time will cause the sex ratio to become so skewed towards males that there will not be a sufficient proportion of females to sustain the population, and thus the population will crash. This research explores the feasibility of application of this theory on a real system, the invasive West African jewel cichlid, Hemichromis guttatus, in the Cuatro Ciénegas valley in the Chihuahuan desert in Coahuila, México. It is hypothesized that this fish competes with the endemic Cuatro Ciénegas cichlid, Herichthys minckleyi, upon which it is hypothesized to have a negative impact. Whether this method is usable for a particular species depends upon the sex-determining mechanism of the invasive fish. Microarray analysis and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) methods are being employed to determine if Hemichromis has the appropriate sex-determination mechanism for application of this theoretical eradication method.
Comments: I would like to have my presentation published in the Proceedings on the DFC website. Thank-you.
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-13 15:15:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-15 23:31:12
Title: Habitat of lowland leopard frogs in mountain canyons of southeastern Arizona
Authors: Wallace, J. Eric 1 Steidl, Robert J. 1 Swann, Don E. 2
Affiliations: 1. University of Arizona, School of Natural Resources 2. National Park Service, Saguaro National Park
Abstract: Freshwater ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit them are imperiled worldwide, especially in the arid southwestern U.S. where aquatic environments are limited and vulnerable to human disturbances. Two of the most imperiled vertebrate taxa in Arizona, fish and amphibians, have declined over much of their ranges and often remain only in relatively undisturbed, isolated, low-order streams. We assessed habitat characteristics associated with presence of lowland leopard frogs, Rana yavapaiensis, in mountain canyons of southeastern Arizona at landscape (canyon) and patch (pool) scales. We surveyed 25 canyons for presence of frogs and measured characteristics of 91 pools within 9 occupied canyons. Canyons that were inhabited by frogs versus those that were uninhabited had larger watersheds (14.3 ± 1.85 km2 versus 6.4 ± 1.60 km2, mean ± SE), wider stream channels (3.4 ± 0.36 m versus 2.0 ± 0.33 m), were closer to the nearest valley stream (2.0 ± 0.77 km versus 5.1 ± 0.67) and had larger perennial pools (61.6 ± 6.87 m3 versus 23.1 ± 5.54 m3). Plunge pools that were inhabited had an average of 13% more perimeter vegetation, 10% more canopy cover and 1.7 more refugia than uninhabited plunge pools. In tinajas, no measured characteristics reliably distinguished inhabited from uninhabited pools. Unless natural hydrological and watershed processes that ensure perennial surface waters in mountain canyons are maintained through appropriate management, populations of leopard frogs and other aquatic organisms inhabiting aquatic refugia in these arid mountain streams will continue to decline.
Title: Flood disturbance effects on desert aquatic invertebrates with varying life histories
Authors: McMullen, Laura E. 1 Lytle, David A. 1
Affiliations: 1. Oregon State University, Department of Zoology
Abstract: Most desert rivers experience frequent disturbances in the form of floods and droughts. Dam operations often reduce the magnitude and frequency of these disturbance events, creating more stable flow conditions. Organisms adapted to life in desert rivers have adaptations that allow their populations to persist and even thrive despite large flow fluctuations, and the effect of practically eliminating these disturbances from the environment of native desert aquatic organisms is largely unknown. We studied the effect of three separate experimental flood releases (springs of 2006, 2007, and 2008) on aquatic invertebrate populations in the managed Bill Williams River, AZ, USA. In particular, we focused on three target desert aquatic invertebrate taxa that vary greatly in their life histories: the gray sand dragon, Progomphus borealis, a small mayfly, Fallceon quilleri, and ostracods. Effects of floods on particular aquatic species depends much on the details of their life histories. Gray sand dragon numbers were reduced immediately post floods, but numbers rebounded within weeks, indicating that larvae had been laterally displaced and recovered through rheotaxic crawling behaviors. Mayfly numbers were dramatically lowered post floods but quickly rebounded sometimes to higher levels than pre floods. This is attributed to their quick lifecycles of 7-11 days and year-round reproduction. Ostracod numbers were reduced post flood and continued to plummet in later weeks, indicating their susceptibility to flood events. These data are important to the design of environmental flow plans on desert rivers, and emphasize the importance of understanding baseline life history information about species’ in order to determine the potential effects of disturbances on their populations.
Title: Determining trophic interactions in a complex lake food web using a size-dependent analysis of stable isotopes and stomach contents
Authors: Landom, Kevin L. 1 Crowl, Todd A. 2
Affiliations: 1. Utah State University, Department of Watershed Sciences 2. Utah State University, Ecology Center and Department of Watershed Sciences
Abstract: The product of a series of successful nonnative fish introductions in Utah Lake, UT, is an incredibly complex and specious food web dominated by nonnative fishes. The establishment of nonnative fishes is partially responsible for the eradication of native minnow species, extreme reduction in native sucker populations, and degradation of habitat. Our goal was to construct an empirically-based food web model to determine which species pose the greatest threat to conservation of the Utah Lake aquatic ecosystem. We used stable isotopes in conjunction with seasonal quantification of stomach contents to determine ontogenetic trophic interactions within the complex nonnative food web. We identify three problematic species. White bass, Morone chrysops, are extremely abundant, become piscivorous as young-of-year, and are the primary predation threat to small native fishes. Although stomach contents provided little insight into the feeding relationships of fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas, the ä15N signature places them near the top trophic level, warranting concern regarding their effect on larval fish and egg survival. Common carp, Cyprinus carpio, are a carbon sink within the food web. Young carp grow extremely fast, making them unavailable as prey for most piscivores. Adult carp are relatively long lived and withhold energy from the rest of the food web until death. Our results will be used to assist conservation biologists in evaluating the cost-benefit potential of various management strategies.
Title: Understanding the complex life history of a lacustrine sucker for conservation and management
Authors: Hines, Brian A. 1 Crowl, Todd A. 2
Affiliations: 1. Utah State University, Department of Watershed Sciences 2. Utah State University, Ecology Center and Department of Watershed Sciences
Abstract: The federally endangered June sucker, Chasmistes liorus, is a planktivorous sucker endemic to Utah Lake, Utah. They are known only to spawn in the Provo River (the largest tributary to Utah Lake), but data collected during the summer of 2008 revealed that C. liorus were present at the mouths of other smaller tributaries during the pre-spawning period. Due to the diminished population and the complexity of the system, little is known about their life history outside of the Provo River. Understanding life history characteristics is a key component to this species’ recovery. Through a suite of methods including trap netting, trammel netting, light trapping, drift netting and stationary Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag antennae, spawning adult and larval C. liorus were documented in several of the smaller tributaries to Utah Lake. Results from this study suggest that stream rehabilitation of the smaller tributaries could increase the amount of spawning habitat for C. liorus and potentially increase natural recruitment. The knowledge gained from this study will enhance our understanding of the C. liorus’ life history and help in the recovery of this endangered species.
Title: Intraspecies interactions in giant water bug populations in drying intermittent streams
Authors: Boersma, Kate S. 1 Lytle, David A. 1
Affiliations: 1. Oregon State University, Department of Zoology
Abstract: The intermediate disturbance hypothesis predicts that abiotic processes are more important than biotic processes at structuring natural communities in frequently disturbed systems, such as high relief drought-prone desert streams. However, there is evidence that populations of the giant water bug, Abedus herberti, in the intermittent streams of southeastern Arizona are subject to intense biotic interactions throughout the dry season as their prey base dwindles and cannibalism becomes prevalent. I present results of a study on intraspecies interactions in drying stream pools and experimental tanks. Isolated juveniles preferentially distributed themselves at the air-water interface at the edges of experimental pools, however this preference disappeared when more than one bug was present, suggesting strong effects of the presence of conspecifics, possibly resulting from cannibalism. Field studies confirmed a relationship between bug distribution and depth. Adults were found in pools with high surface areas and maximum depths, while juveniles were more evenly distributed throughout the reach. The selection of shallow, peripheral habitats by juveniles and deep, perennial habitats by adults suggests that an ontogenetic niche shift must occur, but the details of this transition remain unknown. As anthropogenic water use in arid lands increases, it is important to determine organism responses to intermittent streams during the drying season in order to create effective conservation plans for these ecosystems.
Title: Morphological variation, genetic structuring, and stable isotopic signatures in the Utah Lake, Utah sucker complex
Authors: Cole, David D. 1 Cardall, Brian L. 2 Mock, Karen E. 2 Crowl, Todd A. 1
Affiliations: 1. Utah State University, Ecology Center and Department of Watershed Sciences 2. Utah State University, Department of Wildland Resources
Abstract: Population decline in the federally endangered June sucker, Chasmistes liorus, a lakesucker unique to Utah Lake, Utah, has been attributed in part to hybridization with the more widespread Utah sucker, Catostomus ardens. Meristic and morphological ambiguities, presumably the result of hybridization, create a continuum of intermediate forms between Chasmistes and Catostomus extremes and prevent definitive identification to species. Here we describe and evaluate the morphological and genetic variation in suckers in Utah Lake by comparing a morphological analysis with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and microsatellite analyses; additionally, we use stable isotopes (13C and 15N ) to compare sucker diet along the morphological gradient. Suckers were differentiated using mouth characters associated with different presumed feeding strategies: planktivory (June sucker) and benthivory (Utah sucker). Although we found no genetic evidence for a deep divergence between June and Utah morphs, slight, but significant, population structuring accompanied the substantial morphological variation. Bayesian model-based genetic clustering detected two sucker populations in Utah Lake, though these clusters were only weakly concordant with morphological groupings or between marker systems. Stable isotopic signatures were congruent with the presumed feeding strategies. The suckers in Utah Lake present an interesting dilemma regarding conservation: should one conserve (breed and stock) a subset of the morphotypic variation in the Utah Lake sucker complex, focusing on the endangered June sucker morphotype, or should one conserve both June sucker and Utah sucker morphotypes in this complex, possibly maximizing evolutionary potential?
Title: Habitat preferences and movement of three desert fishes in a highly altered stream: implications for maintaining viable populations
Authors: Bottcher, Jared L. 1 Budy, Phaedra 2 Thiede, Gary 3
Affiliations: 1. Utah State University 2. Utah State University, Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit 3. Utah State University
Abstract: An organisms’ ability to disperse to suitable habitats across multiple life-history stages, especially in modified and fragmented systems typical of desert streams, influences individual fitness and overall population viability. The bluehead sucker, Catostomus discobolus, flannelmouth sucker, Catostomus latipinnis, and roundtail chub, Gila robusta, are three species native to the upper Colorado River Basin that now occupy 50% of their historic range, likely as a result of widespread habitat degradation, interactions with non-native species, and a mismatch between past adaptations and the current environmental template. Despite these declines, populations of all three species are present in the San Rafael River, a highly-regulated tributary of the Green River, Utah, providing an area of high conservation priority and an opportunity for research. Our goal is to determine the extent, timing, and environmental cues associated with movement, habitat preferences for each species and life stage, and limiting factors, ultimately to guide effective management and recovery of these species. In 2007-2008, we sampled fish using a variety of methods from 25 systematically-selected, 300-m reaches in the lower 64 km of the San Rafael River, spaced to capture the range of species, life-stages, and habitat conditions present. We implanted all target species with a passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag, installed a passive PIT tag antennae, and measured key habitat parameters throughout each reach and at the site of native fish capture. Multiple age-classes of each species were collected in the San Rafael River, with the highest total densities occurring in complex habitats near the confluence with the Green River and in the most upstream reaches of our research area. Flannelmouth sucker were habitat generalists, whereas bluehead sucker and roundtail chub actively selected for riffles and pools, respectively. These discrete channel units, along with important rearing habitat (e.g. backwaters, eddies) are relatively rare in the lower San Rafael River, possibly limiting recruitment and overall population viability. Both local (<1 km) and long-distance (>50 km) movement is pervasive for the entire Colorado River fish assemblage, as all but one recaptured individual (passive and active) was captured at a location different from the initial tagging location. The abundance of age-0 and juvenile fish throughout the sampling period, along with a significant peak in adult downstream movement after the spawning period, suggests that the San Rafael River may provide important spawning and rearing habitat for several sensitive species. These results will allow us to better understand the importance of tributaries and complex habitats for native fish persistence and provide the first step towards completing population viability analyses within a spatially-explicit framework.
Title: Effects of trammel nets on native Arizona fishes using cortisol as a stress index
Authors: Hunt, Teresa A. 1 Propper, Catherine R. 2 Gibb, Alice C. 2
Affiliations: 1. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Northern Arizona University 2. Northern Arizona University
Abstract: Sampling and handling fish is critical for surveying fish populations, but such sampling should have minimal impacts on those populations surveyed. Trammel nets are commonly used to sample fish; however, little is known about post-capture effects. We evaluated the impact of trammel net sampling on survival of razorback sucker, Xyrauchen texanus, bonytail, Gila elegans, and roundtail chub, Gila robusta, at 15, 20 and 25°C using plasma cortisol concentrations as a potential indicator of stress. Fish between 139 and 388 mm in total length were obtained from both captive hatchery-stock and wild populations, quarantined for 2 weeks, and acclimated in two 18,000-L artificial tanks for 13 days. “Treatment” fish were entangled in a trammel net for two hours and “control” fish were captured with a seine net. After capture, all fish were weighed, measured and PIT tagged according to established field procedures. We extracted on average 0.37 mL (no more then 0.5 ml) of blood from the caudal vasculature from 56% of the total number of experimental fish. Fish were then placed in a 36,000-L recovery/holding tank and monitored for survivorship for 13 days. Although the species varied in the magnitude of their response (p<0.05), cortisol levels were higher for fish captured by trammel nets then for fish captured by seine (p<0.05). Fish captured at the highest temperature (25°C) were more likely to have elevated cortisol levels than fish captured in the same way at lower temperatures (p<0.05). We also note that significantly more fish died after capture by trammel net (p<0.05), and more fish died at the highest experimental temperature 20 and 25°C (p<0.05). For bonytail and razorback suckers, elevated cortisol levels were an effective predictor of mortality (p<0.05); however, in this study, roundtail chub did not demonstrate a significant association between cortisol levels and subsequent mortality. These results suggest that cortisol is a potential index of stress and post-capture mortality, at least for some species. Our results also suggest researchers and managers should consider the risk of delayed mortality when using trammel nets, especially in warm water environments where temperatures exceed 20ºC.
Title: Predator detection and learning ability in an endemic lake sucker
Authors: Kraft, Stephanie 1 Crowl, Todd 1
Affiliations: 1. Utah State University, Ecology Center
Abstract: In 2007, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reported that 39% of all fish species evaluated are threatened; the highest for any vertebrate group. Threats to fish populations include habitat destruction, alteration, pollution, overexploitation, and nonnative species. Nonnative fish can impact native fish fauna in many ways including competition, disease, hybridization, and predation. Predation is often cited as the largest effect of nonnative fish, possibly due to the inability of native fish to recognize the predation threat posed by nonnatives. Endemic fish may be particularly susceptible to the effects of nonnative predators due to their limited range and often limited evolutionary ties to predators. Many fish assess predation risk through chemical alarm cues, which are stored in skin cells and released when cells are ruptured. The alarm cue serves as a signal of immediate threat to conspecifics in the area. Many fish also possess the ability to detect this alarm cue in the odor of predators who have recently consumed conspecifics. This ability may allow native fish to learn to recognize the odor of nonnative predators and thus evade predation. We investigated this using the June sucker, Chasmistes liorus , an endemic lake sucker in Utah Lake, Utah. Of the thirteen fish species native to Utah Lake only the June and Utah sucker, Catostomus ardens, still reside in the lake. Several nonnative predatory fish, including Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides, have been introduced. We found that while the June sucker did not innately recognize the odor of largemouth bass, they were able to detect chemical alarm cues in the odor of a bass fed June sucker. We also found that June sucker could learn to associate Largemouth Bass odor with predation threat, though this association was short lived.
Title: Sex ratio and density alter male mating strategies in the coercive livebearing mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)
Authors: Cureton II, James C. 1 Martin, Rachel 2 Deaton, Raelynn 3
Affiliations: 1. Sam Houston State University, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract: Both operational sex ratio (OSR) and density fluctuations can cause sexual conflict to arise in many systems. The western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, is an ideal organism for investigating sexual conflict because males of all sizes coerce (force copulate with females). In this experiment, we hypothesized that both OSR and density would influence male mating and aggression. Specifically, we predicted that (1) males will attempt to mate with all available females as OSR becomes more female-biased and density increases, and 2) male aggression will increase as the OSR becomes more male-biased and as density increases. In this study, we used two approaches: first, we observed one focal male (N=40) across all densities (two and four) and all sex ratios (4:0, 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3) to assess shifts in individual male behavior; and second, we observed focal males, across all sex ratios at two different densities (two and four) in a repeated measures design (N=20 males per sex ratio treatment). When one male was observed across all treatments, copulation attempts and female harassment did not vary across sex ratio or density, but the male mated with more females as the number of available females increased. When different males were observed across the two densities, copulation attempts and the number of females mated with increased as the sex ratio became more female-biased and as density increased. In both analyses, males became more aggressive as the sex ratio became more male-biased. Both approaches suggest that males attempt to fertilize more females as the sex ratio becomes more female-biased. In female-biased sex ratios, males have less aggressive interactions and spread their copulations across several females, thereby maximizing their reproductive success.
Title: Impacts of mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, on endangered Mohave tui chub, Siphateles bicolor mohavensis, growth and population dynamics: A mesocosm study approach
Authors: Henkanaththegedara, Sujan M. 1 Stockwell, Craig A. 1
Affiliations: 1. North Dakota State University, Biological Sciences
Abstract: In the western United States, many native fish species have been negatively impacted by the introduction of mosquitofish, Gambusia sp., however some species have co-existed with non-native mosquitofish for many decades. Such in the case with the Mohave tui chub, Siphateles bicolor mohavensis (Cyprinidae), a state and federally protected fish species that co-occurs with mosquitofish in two of its four habitats in California. We conducted a controlled mesocosm experiment to evaluate possible impacts of mosquitofish on Mohave tui chub (Lake Tuendae population) growth and population dynamics. We stocked mesocosms with 8 Mohave tui chubs (TL=80-120mm) and 75 mosquitofish (25 males and 50 females) and monitored the growth rates of tui chubs and population dynamics of two species over a 4-month period. Although the experiment yielded comparatively high numbers of Mohave tui chub larvae at the end of the experiment, there is no significant difference of number of chub larvae produced between control and treatments (t=0.566; P>0.05). However, there was relatively low survival and recruitment of mosquitofish in the mesocosms (F=1766.04; P<0.001). Both male and female mosquitofish populations declined significantly (F=262.42; P<0.001) possibly due to predation by adult tui chubs. Additionally there are significant interaction term between time of sampling and sex of mosquitofish (F=172.85; P<0.001). Most surviving mosquitofish were large females which incidentally are too large for the measured gape size of tui chubs. There was no significant treatment effect on tui chub condition (F=0.85; P>0.05). Mean instantaneous growth rate of individual chubs (g/year) was significantly higher in the presence of mosquitofish compared to the control (t=-1.7998; P<0.05); contrary to the expectations. These results suggest Mohave tui chub may impact non-native populations of mosquitofish which in turn may allow co-occurrence of these two species.
Title: Female reproductive success in a fish with a coercive mating system (Gambusia affinis)
Authors: Martin, Rachel E. 1 Cureton II, James C. 1 Hargrave, Chad C 1 Deaton, P. Raelynn 1
Affiliations: 1. Sam Houston State University
Abstract: The Western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, is known to force copulate with females and thus serves as a model organism for testing sexual selection in coercive mating systems. In this species, much is known about the males’ role in mating; however, how much control females have over male mating success or her own reproductive fitness remains untested. We tested for correlations between male mating behaviors and female fitness, and whether females have behavioral control over their own reproductive success. We also tested if more time spent with a male (30-min vs. 24-hrs) would lead to increased fecundity. Female receptive behaviors were correlated with both male unsuccessful and successful copulations, and female resistant behaviors were correlated with male unsuccessful copulations. There was no difference in female fecundity between two time treatments. Females were largely unreceptive to coercive males, as expected, and more receptive to less coercive males. Male reproductive success (measured as successful copulations) was not dependent on female behaviors; however, males harassed less than expected (in terms of unsuccessful copulation attempts) when females were receptive, suggesting that males obtained more successful copulations with receptive females. In addition, males harassed more than expected when females were unresponsive, and thus, not resistant. Results suggest that, although male coercive behaviors appear to be the most important factor predicting both male and female reproductive success, female mosquitofish do have some level of behavioral control over their own reproductive fitness.
Comments: n/a Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-14 09:00:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-12 18:29:45
Title: Restoration of the California golden trout in the South Fork Kern River, Kern Plateau, Tulare County, California, 1965-2004, with reference to Golden Trout Creek
Authors: Pister, Edwin P. (Phil) 1
Affiliations: 1. Desert Fishes Council
Abstract: In 1873, renowned mountaineer and surveyor Clarence King (a member of the legendary Whitney/Brewer survey party) commented in his classic "Mountaineering in the Sierra Nevada" about the horrendous damage created on the Kern River Plateau through unrestricted livestock grazing upon the vast mountain meadows that provide the evolutionary habitat of the California golden trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita, since designated by the California State Fish and Game Commission as the California State Fish and one of the most valuable recreational and biological assets on public lands within California.
Recovery of this area was slow in coming, but planning began in 1959 under mandate of California Governor Pat Brown and supported by his counterparts within upper echelons of the USDA-Forest Service. Under the joint responsibilities of both state and federal agencies, grazing allotments were gradually reduced, and California Department of Fish and Game fishery biologists, teamed with Inyo National Forest counterparts, began a recovery program involving removal of a population of invading brown trout, Salmo trutta, an exotic species which seriously threatened continued existence and evolution of the California golden trout. During early days of the recovery effort, brown trout (through competition and predation) in certain areas outnumbered golden trout at a ratio of more than 100:1. Obviously, this situation could no longer be tolerated. Genetically uncontaminated golden trout were nearing extinction.
The current recovery program was implemented in 1965 and, although largely completed, remains in progress to this day as geneticists sort out the various populations within the recovery area. This work, closely adhering to philosophies and principles of early Forest Service pioneers Gifford Pinchot, Bob Marshall, and Aldo Leopold, has been summarized in this paper, authored by Edwin P. (Phil) Pister, a retired California Department of Fish and Game fishery biologist who has directed the recovery effort since its inception in 1959 in close cooperation with Inyo National Forest personnel.
The paper provides a 40-year history that will serve as a basis for resource management upon the Kern River Plateau far into the foreseeable future. The recovery work no doubt constitutes the most lengthy, and difficult, such program ever undertaken for a fish, freshwater or otherwise.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Special symposium Student Award: No
Comments: Enter other information; entra otra información Nada mås. Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-14 09:15:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-08-25 15:16:56
Title: Rehabilitation of School Spring, Ash Meadows, Nevada to improve habitat quality for Warm Springs pupfish, Cyprinodon nevadensis pectoralis, and its cohabiting thermal endemic invertebrates
Authors: Andress, Robert J. 1 McKelvey, Sharon 2 Baldino, Cristi R. 2 Weissenfluh, Darrick 2 Goodchild, Shawn C. 2 Scoppettone, Gayton G. 3
Affiliations: 1. Otis Bay Ecological Consultants 2. U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service 3. United States Geological Survey
Abstract: School Spring is one of six low discharge thermal springs within the Warm Springs complex, on the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Springs within the complex occur within a 500 m radius, and are sufficiently isolated from other Ash Meadows springs, to harbor their own endemic biota, premiere of which is the Warm Springs pupfish Cyprinodon nevadensis pectoralis. This unique biota is imperiled due to habitat alteration and invasion of non-native species prior to the area becoming a National Wildlife Refuge. Ash Meadows National Wildlife personnel have given the Warm Springs complex high priority for restoring its habitat and extirpating non-native species. Rehabilitation of School Spring is an important first step in restoring the Warm Springs complex to a semblance of its historic condition. The rehabilitation goal was to create habitat that would be a strong-hold for C. nevadensis pectoralis and its cohabiting endemic invertebrates while other Warm Spring complex spring systems are being restored. School Spring was selected for rehabilitation because its thermal endemic invertebrates had been previously extirpated and it had been serving as a C. nevadensis pectoralis refuge for the past 25 years. Our rehabilitation efforts included the removal of the deteriorating concrete ponds serving as the pupfish refuge; construction of a semi-natural stream channel in the vicinity of the historical spring outflow channel; improving the hydraulic and thermal conditions to accommodate thermal endemic invertebrates as well as C. nevadensis pectoralis; and eradicating non-native species. Monitoring to date indicates that the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii and mosquitofish Gambusia affinis have successfully been eradicated from the system, and C. nevadensis pectoralis flourish. We are presently working on re-introduction of thermal endemic invertebrates.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Special symposium Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-14 09:30:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-19 01:26:33
Title: Aquatic habitat restoration efforts on private lands in the upper Río Yaqui watershed, Arizona and Sonora
Authors: Austin, Valer 1 Austin, Josiah 1
Affiliations: 1. Cuenca Los Ojos Foundation
Abstract: The San Bernardino Valley, a Río Yaqui tributary of southeast Arizona, USA, and northeast Sonora, México, was historically the site of a large ciénega (4 kilometers wide by 16 kilometers long) that harbored a unique assemblage of endemic and range-restricted endangered fishes. Fishes of interest here include the endangered Yaqui chub (Gila purpurea), Sonoran topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis sonoriensis) and and Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei), threatened Sonora sucker (Catostomus bernardini), Mexican stoneroller (Campostoma ornatum), an undescribed southern form of Agosia and others. A number of endangered and threatened aquatic invertebrates and plants also occur on the properties. Unfortunately, the ciénega and their biotic communities were severely damaged by a combination of drought, poor range management practices, and intensive farming. As vegetation was lost from the ciénega during the late 19th Century, intense periodic flooding accelerated erosion and formed head-cuts that slowly drained the majority of the wetland. The Cuenca Los Ojos Foundation (www.cuencalosojos.org), working with land owners and managers on both sides of the international border, is using a variety of restoration methods to recover the ciénega. These methods include: the installation of rock-and-wire gabions to slow flood waters, increase soil deposition, and permit establishment of vegetation in barren washes; extensive rehabilitation of existing wetlands and creation of new ones; and the restoration of uplands to help regulate the water cycle. These efforts have resulted in a dramatic increase in the extent of perennial wetlands, the establishment of vegetation that mediates the effects of floods, and the expansion of native fish populations. We further discuss some lessons learned throughout the process.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Special symposium Student Award: No
Comments: abstract submitted by Dean Hendrickson Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-14 09:45:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-15 15:06:23
Title: Fixing broken ecosystems: Conservation and restoration in Fossil Creek and Cuatro Cienegas
Authors: Marks, Jane 1 Dinger, Eric 1 Haden, Allen 1 O'neill, Matt 1 Pace, Cinnamon 1 Adams, Ken 1 Compson, Zacchaeus 1 Hendrickson, Dean 2
Affiliations: 1. Northern Arizona University, Department of Biology 2. University of Texas, Department of Biology
Abstract: Our research program integrates food web ecology with biological monitoring to quantify the relative magnitude of different threats to freshwater biodiversity and study the restoration potential of management actions. In Fossil Creek, Arizona we combined stable isotope studies of food web structure with fish surveys to show that native fish were more threatened by the presence of exotic bass and sunfish than the reduction of flow. We tested this result using a before after control impact design following the restoration of Fossil Creek where flow was restored as part of dam decommissioning and exotic fish were removed from a large section of the river. Native fish responses were consistent with predictions, showing a fifty fold increase in native fish with the return of flow and the removal of exotic fish relative to a three fold increase due to restoration of flow alone where exotics never invaded. Native fish did not increase with the restoration of flow where exotic fish remain. In Cuatro Cienegas, Mexico, we combined stable isotope studies with field surveys and competition experiments to test how exotic fish affect native cichlids. We found that the effects of the exotic fish, Hemichromis guttatus were most pronounced on juvenile cichlids but relatively minor on adult cichlids. In a second experiment we tested whether native cichlids are essential to the persistence of stromatolites, a unique life form found only in a few freshwater habitats worldwide. We found that the molluscivore morph of this polymorphic fish maintains the integrity of stromatolites via a trophic cascade where molluscivores control snail densities thereby releasing stromatolites from intense grazing pressure
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Special symposium Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-14 10:00:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-12 14:35:05
Title: History of Cuatrociénegas’ aquatic habitats with reflections on current conditions and restoration potential
Authors: Hendrickson, Dean A. 1
Affiliations: 1. University of Texas, Texas Natural History Collection, Austin, Texas, USA
Abstract: Cuatrociénegas’ long history of human impacts on wetlands will be reviewed and the broad scale measures required to sustain the natural aquatic ecosystems and a prosperous human community will be discussed. Surface waters have been massively reduced since the first canals were constructed over 100 years ago, and the valley is now further threatened by invasive species and increasing tourism. Much remains to be learned about hydrology of the region, but it appears that in many cases impacts of past manipulations are slow to be expressed as they propagate downstream over decades. The temporal scale of changes is enough that the sliding baseline phenomenon has resulted in ignorance among many stakeholders regarding what the area used to be like. If current trends continue, extinctions of endemic fauna will be witnessed in the not too distant future, and the human economy will continue to decline, forcing emigration of a large segment of the population. Declaration of the area as a protected area 14 years ago, while certainly appropriate, has had little beneficial impact on turning the tide that slowly started going out with those first canals and has accelerated with rapidly increasing groundwater exploitation during the last decade. The issues that need to be addressed greatly transcend CONANP’s geographic and legislated scope and authority. Sustainable solutions for both native fauna and flora and humans are in fact complementary, though neither the biota nor the human will be able to persist without compromises. Sustaining Cuatrociénegas as both a Protected Natural Area that truly protects its diverse and highly endemic biota, while at the same time sustaining a viable human economy, will require broad, inter-agency and community-wide binding and enforceable agreements, as well as substantial government investment over an extended time period. While data gaps persist, enough is known now to allow some meaningful steps in the right direction to be taken immediately, but immediate actions are socioeconomically not possible. Negotiating and finalizing agreements required to implement such actions will entail intensive, well coordinated, interdisciplinary research carried out in close collaboration with the local community. Such broad scale collaborations and discussions will require researchers and government agencies to establish trusting relationships among themselves and with all stakeholders – a task that will be difficult at best given current levels of animosity among many stakeholders. Invariably sustainable solutions will require some stakeholders to make difficult compromises, and legal actions by some government agencies will also probably be unavoidable to force others, yet a sustainable and prosperous future for Cuatrociénegas’ fauna (human and other) and flora is attainable.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Special symposium Student Award: No
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Special symposium Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-14 10:30:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-08-29 13:19:39
Title: Evidence of young humpback chub, Gila cypha , overwintering in the mainstem Colorado River, Marble Canyon, Arizona
Authors: Andersen, Matthew E. 1 Ackerman, Michael W. 2 Hilwig, Kara D. 1 Fuller, A. Elizabeth 1 Abel, Angela A. 1
Affiliations: 1. U.S. Geological Survey, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center 2. SWCA Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Abstract: Global climate change models predict that the southwestern United States will become warmer and drier, resulting in decreased reservoir volumes and increased water temperatures. These physical changes to aquatic habitats are further predicted to cause changes to native and nonnative fish distributions. Our observations of humpback chub Gila cypha allowed us to test predicted impacts of habitat changes on this federally listed endangered cyprinid endemic to the Colorado River Basin. Recent drought conditions in the southwestern United States have caused a lowering of Lake Powell, the reservoir created by Glen Canyon Dam, upstream of our Colorado River study site. The lower reservoir has, in turn, resulted in the release of warmer water between 2004 and 2006 than the twelve year running average that included the study period. We used bioenergetics models, laboratory swimming performance data, and river flow velocities to evaluate the potential that the young humpback chub we captured in 2006 and 2007 were hatched and reared up to 45 km upstream from the mouth of the Little Colorado River, the location where the majority of the humpback chub population below Glen Canyon Dam is hatched and reared. We determined that the most parsimonious explanation for our observations, especially for the largest fish we captured, was that the young humpback chub captured at our study site appear to have been able to take advantage of warmer water released from the dam by growing larger and faster, allowing them to overwinter upstream from the area where most of their congeners live. These results suggest that increased water temperature may be allowing humpback chub below Glen Canyon Dam to reproduce and rear in the mainstem Colorado River, upstream of their traditional natal tributary, the Little Colorado River.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-14 10:45:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-11 11:32:47
Title: Desert fishes research and management in Texas during 2008
Authors: Garrett, Gary 1 Allan, Nathan 2 Edwards, Robert 3
Affiliations: 1. HoH Fisheries Science Center, Texas Parks & Wildlife 2. U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services 3. University of Texas-Pan American, Department of Biology
Abstract: The critical habitat final rule for Devils River minnow, Dionda diaboli, was published on 12 August 2008. It will only apply to a portion of the range (San Felipe and Pinto creeks) which will allow continued partnerships for conservation in the Devils River. A very rainy 2007 seems to have enhanced populations in the Devils River and Pinto Creek. The San Felipe Creek population continues to be detrimentally impacted by the introduced suckermouth catfish, Hypostomus sp.
Reestablishment plans for Rio Grande silvery minnow, Hybognathus amarus, in the Big Bend region are under way with an initial stocking scheduled for late 2008-early 2009.
The Big Bend gambusia, Gambusia gaigei, population is stable at present. The National Park Service is maintaining the refuge by clearing some of the cattails and providing enhanced habitat diversity. A new refuge pond with a different spring source is ready for stocking from the refuge population and all will be monitored twice per year.
The Clear Creek gambusia, Gambusia heterochir, population seems stable and a plan to establish a captive population at Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery is being developed.
Population status of Leon Springs pupfish, Cyprinodon bovinus, is stable. Habitat modification at Diamond Y Spring seems to be working and there are now more territorial male pupfish and less interference from Gambusia.
A new ciénega is being planned for Comanche Springs pupfish, Cyprinodon elegans, at Balmorhea State Park and progress continues on the new ciénega at Fort Stockton.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Area Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-14 11:00:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-02 13:17:40
Title: Lake Mead razorback sucker recruitment: An informative anomaly regarding continued, natural, wild razorback sucker recruitment despite nonnative fish presence
Authors: Albrecht, Brandon 1 Kegerries, Ron 1 Holden, Paul 1
Abstract: An ongoing razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) research project on Lake Mead, Arizona and Nevada, has been funded by the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for 12 years. This study continues to document the continued presence of actual, wild razorback sucker recruitment in the form of young, sexually immature individuals. This recruitment denotes the Lake Mead razorback sucker population as an anomaly in terms of razorback sucker persistence throughout the Colorado River drainage, despite similar non-native fish composition and densities as other locations. Fin ray aging data and back-calculation techniques have indicated that recruitment of razorback sucker on Lake Mead has occurred nearly every year. Furthermore, data collected have indicated that high lake elevations - those typically associated with maximum amounts of inundated terrestrial vegetation- appear to be responsible for pulses in recruitment. However, beginning with the 2007 spawning period, we have captured large numbers of juvenile/subadult, and adult razorback suckers that, based on back-calculation techniques, were spawned under low and declining lake elevations. In fact, the largest number of recruits observed to date now coincides with 2002, a low-water year which has produced 24 recruits thus far and has prompted a need to revisit our hypothesis regarding factors driving recruitment in Lake Mead.
We believe that cover - both vegetative and in the form of turbidity - provides protection and food resources for larval and juvenile razorback sucker, thereby enabling them to avoid predation by nonnative sportfish present in the system. Interestingly, it appears as though turbidity (another form of cover) may be even more important that we have typically considered to date. As monitoring efforts continue, we would expect to begin capturing individuals spawned during 2007, 2008, and beyond. Continued monitoring efforts on Lake Mead should help ascertain if recruitment events continue, and perhaps begin to help understand more fully how to enable this unique trend in other locations. We suggest that Lake Mead provides a look at what naturally recruiting razorback sucker populations look like in the real world of nonnative predators and we suggest potential documentation of how functioning spawning aggregates are formed.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-14 11:15:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-12 16:37:48
Title: Conservation and management of the Quitobaquito pupfish, Cyprinodon eremus, in Sonora and Arizona
Authors: Duncan, Doug 1 Tibbitts, Tim 2
Affiliations: 1. U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service 2. National Park Service
Abstract: The Quitobaquito pupfish (Cyprinodon eremus), an endangered species, is extremely rare and threatened. Formerly considered a subspecies of the endangered desert pupfish, it occurs at only two sites in the wild; a half-acre pond at Quitobaquito Springs on Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona, and just across the border in a one kilometer-long reach of the Río Sonoyta, in northern Sonora. The risk of extinction for the Quitobaquito pupfish is very high because of its limited distribution. Excessive groundwater pumping in a dry year combined with predation from nonnative fish species could easily eliminate the Río Sonoyta populations of Quitobaquito pupfish and longfin dace. Drying and possible contamination of Quitobaquito Springs threaten the Quitobaquito population of pupfish.
In 2004 and 2005, refuge ponds were established at the visitor’s centers for Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and were stocked with pupfish from Quitobaquito. In spring and summer 2007, two refuge ponds were established and stocked with Quitobaquito pupfish and longfin dace from the Río Sonoyta. One is located at the Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve headquarters and one at the Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans in Puerto Peñasco. Additionally, in summer 2007, we collected pupfish and dace from portions of the Río Sonoyta that were drying due to drought conditions and released them in the spring system at the Quitovac Indigenous Community.
We built another pond in 2008, in the town of Sonoyta, at the high school. These ponds not only help us meet recovery tasks identified in the desert pupfish recovery plan, but will also be used as tools to educate the public about the importance of conserving our rare desert resources (educational panels will be displayed adjacent to the ponds).
In 2006 through 2008, Quitobaquito Pond experienced acute reductions in water. Causes are suspected to include long-term drought and leaks in the retaining berm caused by tree roots. Monument staff increased routine maintenance, renovated the northeast spring, reinforced the retaining berm, and hauled supplemental water to the pond. Over 2000 pupfish have been temporarily evacuated, to monument headquarters, Cabeza Prieta, and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
This project has been a joint effort of multiple partners, including: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve, Commission of Ecology and Sustainable Development of Sonora, CEDO, Quitovac Indigenous Community, University of Arizona, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Caldwell Design, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, International Sonoran Desert Alliance, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and students from the Oregon State University Fish and Wildlife Club and Ajo Middle School.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-14 11:30:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-10 12:57:38
Title: Current status of the freshwater fishes of northern Coahuila, México
Authors: Lozano-Vilano, M. de Lourdes 1 Contreras-Balderas, Armando J. 2
Affiliations: 1. Facultad de Biología, Laboratorio de Ictiología, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, México 2. Facultad de Biología, Laboratorio de Ornitología, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, México
Abstract: We report on a study to ascertain the current status of freshwater fishes of the northern part of the state of Coahuila. Three field trips visited a total of 48 locations, from which 41 species in 26 genera and 13 families were reported. Thirteen of these are listed in the Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2001, eight as "Threatened", four as "In danger" and one as "Special Protection." These collections include range extensions for longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus), Devils River minnow (Dionda cf diaboli), blacktail shiner (Cyprinella venusta), Mexican blindcat (Prietella phreatophila), Rio Grande darter (Etheostoma grahami), and bigscale logperch (Percina macrolepida). We report the first records of Hybognathus sp., Heterandria cf. formosa, and Lucania sp., and new exotic species for the area, including sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna), giant killifish (Fundulus grandis) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu).
Resumen: Se realizó un estudio para conocer el estado actual de los peces dulceacuícolas de la región Norte del Estado de Coahuila. Se efectuaron tres salidas de campo con un total de 48 localidades visitadas, de las cuales se reportan 41 especies, repartidos en 26 géneros y 13 familias. Ee éstas especies 13 se encuentran dentro de la norma oficial Mexicana NOM059-SEMARNAT-2001, 8 como "Amenazada", 4 "En Peligro" y 1 como "Protección Especial." Se amplia la distribución de catán aguja (Lepisosteus osseus), Diablos Río minnow (Dionda cf diaboli), carpita colinegra (Cyprinella venusta), bagre ciego de Múzquiz (Prietella phreatophila), perca del Bravo (Etheostoma grahami) y perca escamosa (Percina macrolepida). Se reporta por primera vez a Hybognathus sp., Heterandria cf. formosa, y Lucania sp. y, como nuevos registros de exóticos en el área, topote velo negro (Poecilia latipinna), sardinilla gigante (Fundulus grandis) y pequeña boca (Micropterus dolomieu).
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-14 11:45:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-08 14:53:11
Title: Could salt be used to control bullfrogs in small ponds?
Authors: Ward, David 1 Finch, Colton 2 Blasius, Heidi 3
Affiliations: 1. Arizona Game and Fish, Research Branch 2. University of Arizona 3. Bureau of Land Management
Abstract: New techniques and tools are greatly needed for selective removal of invasive aquatic species. We examined survival of bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, eggs and tadpoles at 3 parts per thousand (ppt) and 6 ppt salinity in the laboratory to determine if low-level salinity could be used to eradicate bullfrogs from small ponds containing native fish. Bullfrog eggs and newly hatched tadpoles experienced 100% mortality when held at 6 ppt salinity for 10 days. Bullfrog tadpoles 10-15 days old also experienced significantly reduced survival when exposed to salinity of 6 ppt for 10 days. Older bullfrog tadpoles (>9 months old) appeared unaffected by 14 days of 6 ppt salinity. Salinity of 3 ppt did not impact survival of bullfrog eggs or tadpoles at any of the life stages we tested. Adding salt to ponds in the early spring to increase salinity to 6 ppt may be a cost effective way to eradicate bullfrogs from small ponds without harming native fishes.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-14 14:00:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-15 13:47:21
Title: History and management of the endemic Ambrysus of Ash Meadows, Nye County, Nevada
Authors: Goodchild, Shawn C. 1 Parker, Michael S. 2
Affiliations: 1. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office 2. Southern Oregon University, Department of Biology
Abstract: Spring systems within the Amargosa Valley, southern Nevada, support one of the highest densities of endemic species in North America, with at least 27 endemic species occurring within the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Habitat isolation created by the matrix of springs, desert upland, and sodic soils compartmentalized non-volant aquatic invertebrates, which influenced speciation. Two species of Naucoridae, Ambrysus amargosus and Ambrysus relictus, are restricted to a few very small, low-flow springs. Severely altered by anthropogenic activity, these springs were on the verge of losing their thermally-endemic species. To address this issue, investigations were completed to determine habitat suitability for these insects. These investigations informed management actions, which included addition of appropriate substrate and bank vegetation management. As a result, populations of naucorids have dramatically increased. Substrate additions and increased primary production resulted in two- to three-fold increases in A. amargosus densities, and densities of associated invertebrate populations, in restored channels within the Point of Rocks system. In contrast, A. relictus populations have either declined or remained stable in unmanipulated spring habitats in the Warm Springs system. There are numerous interacting factors that still present challenges for successful management of naucorid populations and the habitats that sustain them, but they are not insurmountable. These include effects of management for other endemic species such as Assiminea, potential effects of invasive invertebrates such as crayfish and Melanoides, continual presence of a Devils Hole pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis) refuge, and ongoing need for habitat maintenance. Overall, management for these aquatic invertebrates has been successful, and one of the few documented programs to manage for aquatic insects.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-14 14:15:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-15 11:31:07
Title: Phylogeographic patterns within the central Australian rainbowfishes
Authors: Unmack, Peter J 1 Adams, Mark 2 Dowling, Thomas E. 3
Affiliations: 1. Brigham Young University, Department of Biology 2. South Australian Museum, Evolutionary Biology Unit 3. Arizona State University, School of Life Sciences
Abstract: Phylogenetic patterns within Australian desert fishes remain relatively poorly known, although considerable research is underway to investigate the systematics and biogeography of this unusual fauna. A phylogeographic study was recently completed on one of the more abundant groups, the rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae: Melanotaenia) as part of a broader Australia wide examination of the group. Two species occur in the eastern arid portion of Australia, Melanotaenia fluviatilis in the Murray-Darling Basin and M. splendida tatei which occurs in western portion of Murray-Darling Basin and the Lake Eyre Basin. We used SSCP to determine variation in a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and allozyme electrophoresis on 18 variable loci to examine phylogeographic patterns. Results suggest that central Australian rainbowfishes have a complicated history, with several potential invasions into the Lake Eyre Basin from surrounding drainages. In addition, M. s. tatei appears to have recently invaded the Murray-Darling Basin and a hybrid zone now exists where they come into contact with M. fluviatilis. The history of M. fluviatilis is also complicated by introgression with M. duboulayi, a species found in eastern coastal drainages. This work adds to the growing body of evidence that hybridization and introgression in rainbowfishes may be more common than previously thought and has important implications at multiple temporal and spatial scales.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-14 14:30:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-08-29 11:36:16
Title: Ecomorphological relations between Cottus species and their environment in northeastern Utah
Authors: Hoagstrom, Christopher 1 Holmes, Nathan 1
Affiliations: 1. Weber State University, Department of Zoology
Abstract: Factors inducing phenotypic plasticity of fishes are poorly understood. A recent study in middle North America revealed a relation between sculpin (Cottus) morphology and stream bottom velocity. We investigated this relation in 16 streams of northeastern Utah, but included 16 additional environmental variables, representing three spatial scales (mesohabitat, stream reach, watershed). We took 21 morphometric and two meristic measurements on all sculpin over 71 mm standard length, measuring a total of 373 individuals from 12 streams and 36 mesohabitats. Fifty-eight of these were mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdii) and 315 were Paiute sculpin (Cottus beldingii). Sculpin morphology varied substantially. One principle component (PC; explaining 29% of variation) revealed disparity in robustness, mouth size, and number of prickles among individuals and between species. Mottled sculpin were more robust with a larger mouth and more prickles. Another PC (explaining 11% of variation) revealed disparity in fin length, fin height, and head width among individuals but not between species. Environmental variables significantly explained morphological variation suggesting substantial phenotypic plasticity. Variation associated with the first PC was partly explained (r2 = 0.64) by brown trout (Salmo trutta) abundance, fish species richness, mottled sculpin abundance, and stream bottom velocity. Variation associated with the second PC was partly explained (r2 = 0.41) by Paiute sculpin abundance, mottled sculpin abundance, watershed area, brown trout abundance, water depth, stream bottom velocity, and substrate type. Overall, our results support the earlier study because stream bottom velocity influenced morphology. However, inclusion of additional variables substantially improved the explanatory model. In particular, biotic interactions (competition, predation) were important. Notably, nonnative brown trout were a substantial influence on sculpin morphology.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-14 14:45:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-11 18:45:01
Title: Bonneville Basin Area Report
Authors: Wilson, Krissy W. 1
Affiliations: 1. Utah Division Wildlife Resources
Abstract: I present a brief summary of activities for this year associated with native aquatic species in the Bonneville Basin. Least chub, Iotichthys phlegethontis, has been reintroduced into several new refuge and range expansion locations. Nine thousand least chub were reintroduced to five locations in Box Elder and Cache counties. Utah Division Wildlife Resources is working with the local County Mosquito Abatement District to test the effectiveness of using least chub in mosquito abatement programs. The Mosquito Abatement District is conducting a pilot study testing effectiveness of least chub compared to western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis in controlling mosquitos. If least chub are effective at reducing mosquito larvae, least chub could replace western mosquitofish in mosquito abatement programs in the Bonneville Basin. The June Sucker, Chasmistes liorus, Recovery Program continues to be very active. Approximately 68,000 (200 mm TL) June sucker were reintroduced into Utah Lake as part of recovery efforts. June sucker are propagated from brood stock held at Utah Division of Wildlife Resources hatchery facility at the Fisheries Experiment Station (FES), Logan, Utah. Thirty-seven thousand were reared at FES and the remaining 31,000 were reared in grow out ponds. Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho form the rangewide team for the northern leatherside chub, Lepidomeda copei. The team plans to expand the Conservation Strategy for northern leathersides to a Conservation Agreement and Strategy (CAS). The Nevada Department of Wildlife has been contacted to join the northern leatherside team because recent surveys have documented northern leatherside chub in northeast Nevada. The CAS for northern leatherside chub will be finalized and signed by all signatory agencies soon. The southern leatherside chub, Lepidomeda aliciae will also have its own CAS supported by signatory agencies solely in Utah and soon finalized.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Area Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-14 15:00:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-16 11:11:16
Title: The reintroduction of five native fish species into Ash Creek Arizona: Partnerships and policy change
Authors: Carveth, Cori 1 Cantrell, Chris 2
Affiliations: 1. Golder Associates Inc. 2. Arizona Game and Fish Department
Abstract: In fall 2007 five native fish species were reintroduced to Ash Creek, a small perennial stream which flows into the Salt River, Arizona. Despite the fact that this stream was fishless, required no chemical renovation, and was solely located on federal land, this project took over 5 years to complete and faced significant hurdles during the implementation. This project brought to light the challenges that internal policy created for native fish reintroductions in Arizona and ultimately created a policy change that will make future native fish reintroductions more feasible. Lesson learned focus on the benefits of working cooperatively with multiple government agencies and involving the public in early planning.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-14 15:15:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-08 14:08:41
Title: The state of Devils Hole and the Devils Hole pupfish in 2008
Authors: Barrett, Paul J 1 Bower, Mike 2 Wilson, Kevin P 2 Wullschleger, John 3 Sjoberg, Jon 4 Harris, Sean 4
Affiliations: 1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2. National Park Service, Death Valley National Park 3. National Park Service 4. Nevada Department of Wildlife
Abstract: At the 2007 Desert Fishes Council Symposium in Ventura California, representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service and Nevada Department of Wildlife held an open discussion with the membership. Following this discussion and subsequent internal discussions within the three agencies as well as recommendations of the Recovery Team, several changes were made in the focus of the recovery program for the Devils Hole pupfish Cyprinodon diabolis. Past efforts focused on genetic analyses, disease identification, and captive propagation all of which were conducted away from Devils Hole. Although these disciplines remain important, we have shifted to understanding and manipulating the environment of Devils Hole itself.
The captive propagation program has been relocated to the University of Arizona under the direction of Dr. Scott Bonar with the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Until pure Devils Hole pupfish are available, the Unit will work with hybrid C. diaboli x C. mionectes fishes. Included in this work will be the culture of ostracods native to Devils Hole as a potential food for larval and juvenile growth.
In addition to supplemental feeding of the pupfish in Devils Hole, we have or are in the process of, issuing contracts for a series of investigations into the biological and physical nature of Devils Hole including, a model of the physical mechanisms at work in Devils Hole, such as water temperature andturnover, examination of the physical tolerance and temperature acclimation of pupfish, quantitative habitat description of spawning locations on the shelf at Devils Hole, the isolation of eggs and larvae in floating live cars to avoid cannibalism and other predation, reevaluation of pupfish demographic data to develop more accurate methods, continued examination of the water quality parameters, research into the bacteria and other microfauna of Devils Hole and investigation of the N:P ratio and it’s effect on algae and cyanobacteria growth and competition.
Bi-weekly larval surveys of Devils Hole continue as does work toward the construction of a new refuge and propagation facility near School Springs on Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-15 09:00:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-10 12:42:50
Title: Patterns of genetic diversity in a community of cyprinid fish in the Pecos river, New Mexico
Authors: Osborne, Megan J. 1 Diver, Tracy A. 1 Turner, Thomas F. 1
Affiliations: 1. University of New Mexico, Department of Biology
Abstract: Genetic diversity has long been recognized as an important parameter to measure in conservation biology. The level of genetic variation displayed by a species is determined by the interaction of several factors including mutation rate, effective population size, selection and evolutionary history. Contemporary population dynamics and life-history can affect patterns of diversity as well. In this study we collected molecular data from seven members of the Pecos river (New Mexico) cyprinid community including native and recently introduced taxa, to explore the effects of these factors on diversity. We examined predictions including (i) that recent immigrants should show evidence of having undergone founding events with only a fraction of genetic variants of the source population and, (ii) native species should have higher levels of diversity as they have had longer to accumulate mutations. Results obtained were contrary to expectations with lower diversity in native species including Pecos bluntnose shiner (Notropis simus pecosensis), Rio Grande shiner (Notropis jemezanus) and speckled chub (Macrhybopsis aestavalis) compared to recent immigrants including Plains minnow (Hybognathus amarus) and the Arkansas river shiner (Notropis girardi). The sand shiner (Notropis stramineus) shows patterns of diversity that align it with the recent immigrants even though it is considered native to the Pecos river. Deeper divergences among haplotypes for recent immigrant imply introductions from multiple source populations. Our results also suggest that the Pecos river supports two genetically distinct forms of red shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis).
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-15 09:15:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-09 09:52:47
Title: The Desert Fish Habitat Partnership: Striving for no more extinctions
Authors: Blasius, Heidi B 1 Boyer, Kathryn 1 Cantrell, Chris 1 Sjoberg, Jon 1
Affiliations: 1. Bureau of Land Management, Safford Field Office 2. USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service 3. Arizona Game and Fish Department 4. Nevada Department of Wildlife
Abstract: Approximately half of U.S. threatened and endangered fishes occur in the arid western United States. State wildlife action plans identify habitat loss as a primary factor threatening aquatic species in desert ecosystems. Conservation of aquatic resources is a fundamental and pervasive challenge facing people and fish sharing increasingly limited waters of the arid west. The Desert Fish Habitat Partnership is mobilizing to address this issue. In light of global climate change and enormous population growth in western states, our challenge is daunting. Yet our goals are clear: no species will go extinct and no species will be added to the threatened and endangered species list. Our objectives are simple: protect intact habitats by addressing threats and prioritize our efforts based on likelihood of success. We intend to meet these goals by integrating and implementing strategies and actions for desert fish identified in the state wildlife action plans of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wyoming, multi-species conservation plans, or other species/habitat plans. Partners are poised to work across jurisdictions to focus dollars, expertise, and efforts on protecting intact desert fish habitats and restoring degraded ones. Yet with all the partners and conservation efforts in place, we still need your help. We need partners that are currently working on desert fish species to share data we can use to evaluate species and habitat trends, provide additional opportunities for leveraging money to accomplish our ambitious goals, and offer innovative ideas to expedite progress. Time is of the essence. This presentation will provide details of the emerging Desert Fish Habitat Partnership and offer participants the opportunity to join our efforts to protect and conserve desert fishes and their habitats.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-15 09:30:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-15 09:39:12
Title: Oregon / Northern California Area Report, November 2007-2008
Authors: Scheerer, Paul 1 Mauer, Alan 2 Reid, Stewart 3 Hogen, Dave 4 Walters, Tim 1
Affiliations: 1. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 2. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 3. Western Fishes 4. U.S. Forest Service
Abstract: The northwestern extreme of the desert region includes six endorheic drainage subbasins in Oregon and northeastern California (Fort Rock, Chewaucan, Goose, Warner, Catlow, and Alvord). This region supports remnant fish faunas that once inhabited extensive pluvial Pleistocene lakes. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) conducted distribution surveys and obtained population estimates for Interior redband trout, conducted population surveys and radio tracked spawning migrations for lake-dwelling Warner suckers, operated a upstream and downstream migrant traps for Warner suckers, Catostomus warnerensis, and redband trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, in the Warner Basin, obtained a population estimate for Borax Lake chub, Gila boraxobius, in the Alvord Basin (see presentation by Scheerer), and treated a 13 mile section of upper McDermitt Creek to remove non-native rainbow, brook, and brown trout from Lahontan cutthroat trout habitat. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), ODFW, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) designed a restoration project to expand habitat for Foskett speckled dace, Rhinichthys osculus ssp., at Dace Spring. Work will be conducted by the BLM crew with funding assistance from USFWS and will be completed in 2009 and fish will likely be introduced later in the year, or early 2010. USFWS completed a Five-Year Status Review for Hutton Springs Tui Chub, Siphateles bicolor ssp., in accordance with the Endangered Species Act. The review supports recommendations by the recovery working group to set up a long term agreement with the landowner to secure an easement to conserve Hutton tui chub and its habitat. The Natural Resources Conservation Service will contact the landowner regarding interest in enrolling the habitat in the Wetlands Reserve Program, under which the landowner could be reimbursed for a 30 year or permanent easement. ODFW re-discovered a second spring, referred to as 3/8-Mile Spring, which contains Hutton Tui chub (last documented 30 years ago). The USFWS also initiated Five-Year Status Reviews for Foskett Specked dace and Borax Lake chub. The U.S. Forest Service completed fish passage improvement projects and conducted Modoc Sucker snorkel surveys in the Goose Lake subbasin, completed a fish passage improvement project, a head-cut stabilization project, and a large wood restoration project in the Warner Lakes subbasin, and completed a stream bank restoration project in the Lake Abert (Chewaucan) subbasin. Stewart Reid, Western Fishes, developed survey protocols to monitor populations of Modoc sucker, Catostomus microps, and worked to remove nonnative fishes from its habitat in the Goose Lake subbasin. Stewart assisted the USFWS in completing a Five-Year Status Review of the Modoc Sucker which recognized the presence of the Goose Lake population in Oregon. Stewart was also involved in a redband trout genetics study of California and Goose Lake redband, designed in part to ascertain the potential uniqueness of the Goose Lake (Pit) redband trout.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Area Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-15 09:45:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-15 22:08:49
Title: An overview of captive breeding methods for five imperiled desert chub and topminnow species
Authors: Bonar, Scott A. 1 Archdeacon, Thomas P. 1 Iles, Alison 1 Kline, S. Jason 1 Schultz , Andrew A. 1 Sontz, Erica 1
Affiliations: 1. Arizona Fisheries and Wildlife Cooperative Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona
Abstract: Knowledge of captive breeding methods is important for conservation of highly imperiled species. Here we provide an overview of methods developed to successfully propagate five desert fishes: headwater chub Gila nigra; Gila chub Gila intermedia; Mohave tui chub Gila bicolor mohavensis; Yaqui chub Gila purpurea and Yaqui topminnow Poeciliopsis occidentalis sonorensis. Propagation was conducted in tanks and aquaria. Temperature and physical habitat manipulations were important for triggering reproduction in many of the species. Ceramic tiles covered with grating on the bottom of tanks served as chub spawning substrate, and protected recently-spawned eggs from parental predation. Chub eggs were then hatched in nearby rearing tanks. Refuges were used to successfully protect young topminnow from predation. The effects of feed types, fish density and optimal rearing temperatures on survival and growth were also investigated for larvae and juveniles of some of the chub species.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-15 10:00:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-08-24 18:59:42
Title:Megupsilon aporus and Cyprinodon alvarezi: Observations in the field and laboratory behavior of two cyprinodontid fishes extinct in the wild
Authors: Liu, Robert K. 1
Affiliations: 1. Ornament Magazine
Abstract: The speciose and fast-evolving Cyprinodontids have been, and continue to be, the subject of much phylogenetic research and management concern. Many species are endangered, and between 1971 and 1997, 7 species of Mexican Cyprinodon and the monotypic genus Megupsilon were extirpated in their habitats, although some are being maintained in captivity. For most of these species now extinct in the wild, as well as many still extant in the wild, nothing or little is known about their biology, especially behavior. Megupsilon and Cyprinoodon alvarezi, both from El Potosí, exemplify this lack of behavioral data. Discovered between 1948 and 1961, described in 1972, and extinct in the wild sometime after 1994 but with stocks maintained in captivity, Miller and Walters (1972) mention two unique behaviors of M. aporus, but nothing more has appeared regarding their behavior. In 1968, while finishing my dissertation on the comparative behavior of Cyprinodon, for about 10 months I kept and occasionally studied the laboratory behavior of about 40 specimens of these two species, and in 1972 I spent a day observing them in their then extant habitat. I report on those studies here, noting that Cyprinodon alvarezi behaves much like others of the C. eximius complex, but male M. aporus show Opercular Rotation (OR) and Jaw Nudging (JN), two behavioral acts not reported for any other New World Cyprinodontids except Floridichthys carpio, in which males exhibit a form of JN. OR may be very similar to Lowering Branchiostegal Membrane (LB), seen in Fundulus and in 3 genera of Old World cyprinodontids. Interestingly, JN also occurs in Fundulus, Adinia and at least 2 genera of Old World cyprinodontids. These and other observations will be discussed in relation to cyprinodontid phylogeny.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-15 10:15:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-08-29 15:37:24
Title: Population genetics of Ash Meadows pupfish
Authors: Martin , Andrew 1
Affiliations: 1. University of Colorado, Dept of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Abstract: Ash Meadows harbors a large number of pupfish (Cyprinodon nevadensis) distributed across multiple springs and their outflows. Using a battery of 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci and ND2 mitochondrial DNA sequences I inferred the present and historical connectivity among populations and estimated effective population size for populations based on collections spanning a decade. Several inferences from the molecular data are noteworthy. First, there is robust separation of the two subspecies C. n. mionectes and C. n. pectoralis; however, assignment tests suggest South Scruggs may provide a conduit for migration between the lower elevation springs harboring mionectes and the upper elevation springs supporting pectoralis. Second, there is clear evidence for strong differentiation among spring pools and that these pools export individuals to the outflow system and lower elevation marshes; nonetheless, there is evidence for distinct outflow and marsh gene pools. Third, there is some indication that springs without flumes that channelize water from the spring exhibit greater connectivity than those with flumes. Fourth, individuals springs harbor modest effective population sizes, yet the two subspecies are characterized by enormous amounts of genetic diversity, a situation best explained by the effects of moderate population structure determined by the geographic configuration of springs. Finally, there is evidence for recent migration between North Indian and School springs sometime between 1998 and 2007, perhaps as a consequence of flooding. Interestingly, it appears movement was upstream. These and other inferences gained from analysis of molecular variation will be discussed in the light of planned restoration efforts.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-15 10:30:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-15 09:53:22
Title: Conservation of aquatic and riparian systems: the need to evaluate alternative management strategies
Authors: Kodric-Brown, Astrid 1 Brown H, James 1
Affiliations: 1. University of New Mexico, Biology Department
Abstract: A recurring theme in the management and restoration of aquatic and riparian habitats in the southwest is fencing, to exclude cattle and other large grazers. When present, these megaherbivores typically remove much of the surrounding vegetation. Removal of grazing and browsing mammals and continued exclusion by fencing typically results in extensive growth of riparian vegetation, reduction of open aquatic habitat, and decrease in biodiversity. Local extinctions of species or reduction in population sizes have repeatedly been documented for fish and amphibians, and likely hold for invertebrates as well. Small springs, streams, and seeps are especially vulnerable to the impacts of fencing, but large ones are also affected. Although there are numerous anecdotal accounts, there are few studies that quantify community structure before and after fencing and even fewer long-term studies of changes in vegetation and aquatic fauna after fencing. Here we stress the need for long-term experimental studies, which will provide background data to guide current management activities, such as fencing and megaherbivore exclusion, controlled burning, and mechanical and/or manual removal of vegetation.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: No
Comments: computer projection monitor for powerpoint presentation Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-15 10:45:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-08 17:13:07
Title: Preliminary report of a new platy, Xiphophorus sp., from near Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
Authors: Valdés-Gonzalez, Arcadio 1 Contreras-Balderas, Salvador 2 Angeles-Villeda, Maria elena 1
Affiliations: 1. Lab de Acuacultura, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 2. Bioconservación, A. C. Apartado Postal 405 San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, México 66450
Abstract: For several years, hybrids of regionally native platies and the introduced Xiphophorus variatus have been reported near Monterrey, Nuevo León. Knowing those reports, we searched headwaters of local streams (which will soon disappear due to urban growth) and discovered an isolated population of an undescribed northern platy in the origin of the Arroyo Santa Ana, a tributary of the Arroyo Ebanal of the San Juan River system. Specimens have a slender body, a spotted or freckled color pattern (80% of specimens), and only occasionally show vertical bars. The new species is separated from other northern platies by having 10-12 gill rakers on the first arch (13-18 in closely related species) and, on average, two more and one less dorsal and anal fin rays, respectively. Lateral line and circumbody scale counts are both one less than in closely related species. The third gonopodial ray has 4 molariform/multicuspid hooks and 3 unicuspid hooks, while that of X. couchianus has 8 unicuspid hooks and ends in a small terminal hook. The fourth "a" gonopodial ray has fewer elements and ends in a pair of elongate, recurved elements. The fourth "p" ray ends with 6 elements of the ramus, followed by 4 undifferentiated elements with 8 forked spines supporting the "canoe" of the fifth ray. The latter has 3 undifferentiated elements with a reduced vestigial hook (usually absent in other platies). Additionally, the terminal portion of the caudal fin lacks or has a vestigial sword. Currently, we are making morphological comparisons with other platies (X. couchianus, X. couchianus apodaca, X. variatus, X. xiphidium, X. gordoni, X. meyeri) and are conducting molecular genetic work to fully characterize the species, with a view to formally naming it to reflect its status as the last local species to persist and so far tolerate introductions of exotics, habitat alterations, water resource abuses, and (soon) the "Cerro de la Silla tunnel" which will be constructed through the exact canyon and stream that harbors the new species.
Resumen: En las cercanías de Monterrey por años se han conocido híbridos de los platis regionales con Xiphophorus variatus. Conociendo lo anterior buscamos en las cabeceras de los cuerpos de agua que pronto estarán por desaparecer por el crecimiento urbano y se ha localizado una población de peces indescritos del grupo de platis norteños en el origen del Arroyo de Santa Ana, afluente del Arroyo Ebanal del Río San Juan. Dichos peces presentan una estabilidad morfológica más esbelta, coloración moteada por “pecas” en el 80% de los ejemplares y barras verticales solo ocasionalmente. Se separa de las demás especies de platis norteños” por el número de branquiespinas del primer arco branquial 10-12, cuando en las especies cercanas es de 13-18. Por el conteo de los radios de la aleta dorsal y anal con uno a dos radios mas y uno menos en promedio. Presentan aproximadamente una escama menos en la línea lateral y alrededor del cuerpo, significando escamas más grandes relativamente. El numero de ganchillos del 3er radio gonopodial son 4 molariformes policuspides y 3 unicuspides mientras que en X. couchianus tienen 8 unicuspides, además forma un pequeño gancho terminal; el radio gonopodial 4ºa contiene menor numero de elementos y termina en un par de artículos elongados retrorso, el 4ºp termina en 6 elementos del ramus seguido por 4 indiferenciados y 8 espinas furcas para soportar la “canoa” del 5º radio con 3 elementos indiferenciados y un gancho reducido vestigial ausente en los demás platis. Además en la porción terminal cuenta con espada vestigial o ausente. Se esta haciendo la comparación con el grupo de platies X. couchianus, X. “couchianus” apodaca, X. variatus, X. xiphidium, X. gordoni and X. meyeri para su morfometría y los trabajos de genética molecular para obtener una clara distinción de esta especie que será llamada X. regio por ser la última especie para sobrevivir y aguantar todas las introducciones, alteraciones y uso abusivo del agua y ahora el “Túnel del Cerro de la Silla” que pronto se construirá justo sobre el Cañón y Arroyo que dio origen a esta especie.
Presentation Type: Oral Session: Contributed Student Award: No
Comments:
Presentation Date and Time: 2008-11-15 11:00:00
Submitted Date and Time: 2008-09-15 10:50:49
Title: Isolated oases in the Sierra El Aguaje, Sonora, México: a biological inventory of aquatic animal species
Authors: Bogan, Michael T. 1 Noriega-Felix, Nohemí 2 Vidal Aguilar, Sylvette L. 2 Gutiérrez, Oscar 2 Alvarado, Andrés 2 Findley, Lloyd T. 3 Varela-Romero, Alejandro 4 Lytle, David A. 1
Affiliations: 1. Oregon State University, Department of Zoology 2. Centro de Estudios Superiores del Estado de Sonora, Hermosillo 3. Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo-Unidad Guaymas, Sonora 4. Departamento de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo