Devils Hole pupfish, Cyprinodon diabolis: status and recent research in 2016

Authors: Jeffrey Goldstein, Ambre Chaudoin, Kevin Wilson, John Wullschleger, Corey Lee, Olin Feuerbacher, Luke Oliver, Brandon Senger

Year: 2016 (xlviii)

Abstract

Managing agencies in collaboration with academic institutions continue studying the ecosystem at Devils Hole to help guide management decisions for the recovery of the endangered Devils Hole pupfish, Cyprinodon diabolis. The National Park Service (NPS), U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) continue to monitor ecosystem and population dynamics at Devils Hole through the Long Term Ecosystem Monitoring Plan (LTEMP). The number of observable pupfish increased from 131 observable fish in the fall of 2015 to 144 observable fish in the fall of 2016. The number of observable fish during the spring 2016 count was 115. Six peer reviewed manuscripts regarding Devils Hole were published in 2016 on a variety of topics such as climate change, biogeochemistry, and genetics. On 30 June 2016, 5.28 cm of rain fell within 90 minutes (3.02 cm in the first 20 minutes) creating a flood that deposited 2.4 m3 of material onto the shallow shelf of Devils Hole. To prevent the exposure of the material to air during low tide, 0.3 m3 (12.5%) of that material was relocated to the 5 m shelf through self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA). A revegetation project to mitigate further soil erosion of the disturbed terrestrial area surrounding Devils Hole will begin this upcoming spring. Continued research at Devils Hole has enhanced the decision making abilities of managing agencies by providing more scientifically supported recovery actions for the ecosystem and fish.