Conservation success for least chub, Iotichthys phlegethontis, through introductions and habitat restoration

Authors: Cassie D. Mellon, Rebecca Lorig, Justin Jimenez, Chris Crockett, Kevin Wheeler, Paul D. Thompson, Phil K. Tuttle, Krissy W. Wilson

Year: 2014 (xlvi)

Abstract

The least chub, Iotichthys phlegethontis, is a small cyprinid endemic to the Bonneville Basin of Utah and naturally remains in only six locations. Least chub have been managed as a state sensitive species and under a voluntary multi-agency conservation agreement and strategy since 1998. Least chub has been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) multiple times. In 2010 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) determined least chub was warranted but precluded which placed it on the candidate list. In 2014, FWS determined that ESA protection was no longer warranted for least chub and withdrew it from the candidate list. There are multiple factors that changed since 2010 which resulted in this decision. This includes conservation actions taken by the least chub conservation team (Team) which included: establishing refuge populations and reintroducing least chub in its historic range, habitat restoration work, grazing management, restoring and maintaining hydrologic connectivity, and controlling non-native species. The Team has worked with multiple landowners and has introduced least chub into over 30 locations with 10 considered secure and viable refuge populations. These include locations on private land, Bureau of Land Management Land (BLM), Department of Defense (DoD), Utah State Parks, and a local elementary school. While many of these populations were established in 2010, the introduced populations were not considered in the FWS decision at that time. Since that time, the Team established criteria defining a secure refuge population and established goals for the desired number of secure refuge populations. These conservation actions plus establishment of multiple successful refuge populations resulted in successful conservation of least chub.

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