Desert fishes research and management in Texas during 2012

Authors: Megan G. Bean, Gary P. Garrett, Robert J. Edwards, Mike Montagne

Year: 2012 (xliv)

Abstract

The federally threatened Devils River minnow (Dionda diaboli) is at risk of extirpation from one of three known locations, Pinto Creek. Upper and lower portions of the creek have gone dry due to diminished spring flow. The region continues to suffer through an intense drought and groundwater pumping has been identified as another potential threat to loss of critical habitat. The Pinto Creek population has declined within the past eight years from 10% of the total fish assemblage in 2004 to 2% in 2011. This past summer, approximately 160 Devils River minnows were captured from Pinto Creek and placed in refugia at San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center. Pecos Pupfish (Cyprinodon pecosensis) is at risk of extirpation from Texas. Recent surveys showed the range is now restricted to about a mile of Salt Creek, a tributary of the Pecos River. Pecos pupfish are hybridizing with Cyprinodon variegatus and loosing habitat as a result of reduced spring flow. Pecos Pupfish from Salt Creek have been placed in refugia at the Fort Worth Zoo, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are currently seeking an alternate site to secure their existence in a second habitat. Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus) recovery and monitoring efforts continue in Texas. Over two million Rio Grande silvery minnows have been released into the Big Bend region of the Rio Grande during the last five years. Monitoring efforts for the Big Bend gambusia (Gambusia gaigei) are also continuing. A new refuge has been established near the existing refuge and both populations appear to be thriving. In early September, Gary Garrett represented Texas Parks & Wildlife Department at a meeting of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation in Mexico City. The goals of the meeting were biological planning and development of a conservation strategy for approximately 3,000,000 acres in the Big Bend region in Texas and Mexico. The final report, entitled The Big Bend-Río Bravo Collaboration for Transboundary Landscape Conservation, is scheduled for release in January and is meant to provide a binational and comprehensive regional approach to conservation based on the best available scientific information and expert opinion.