Devils Hole and the Legacy of Lee Simons: 2011-2016

Authors: Kevin P. Wilson, Jeffry A. Goldstein, Ambre L. Chaudoin, John G. Wullschleger, Brandon L. Sengor, Michael R. Schwemm, Olin G. Feuerbacher, Corey W. Lee, Javier Linares-Casenave, Jon C. Sjoberg

Year: 2018

Abstract

Devils Hole has a history of conservation and recovery efforts dating back to the late 1940s. Since this time several individuals have played leading roles in keeping the iconic Devils Hole Pupfish Cyprinodon diabolis from becoming extinct. One such person was Dr. Lee Simons, a naturalist and desert fishes specialist, who during his tenure at the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Las Vegas office significantly influenced management decisions. Lee was an integral part of the Devils Hole Pupfish team for five years. During this time, Lee witnessed the species decline to the lowest count on record of 35 observable pupfish in the spring of 2013 and increase to one of the highest counts in the last 10 years: 131 fish in fall 2015. Lee was instrumental in developing a captive propagation effort entitled “Recovery and Husbandry of Devils Hole Pupfish Eggs from Devils Hole” that is still in use today, and the guiding document to establish the refuge population at Ash Meadows. Lee will always be remembered for his critical thinking, camaraderie, and contributions of experimental design to the recovery teams on which he served. Even though Lee’s time involved with Devils Hole was too brief, his efforts afforded lasting impacts on how managing agencies address recovery efforts in the future. P.S. Don’t forget your knee pads!