Desert Fishes Research and Management in Texas during 2015 and 2016

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

Year: 2016 (xlviii)

Abstract

Updates on desert fishes research, conservation, and habitat restoration projects from 2015-2016 will be provided. Mexican Blind Catfish, Prietella phraetophila, was discovered in the Amistad National Recreation Area. It is the first record of the species on the northern side of the Rio Grande. West Texas Shiner, Notropis megalotis, was recently described from tributaries of the Rio Grande in Texas and Mexico. A study is underway to evaluate habitat use by age-0 Rio Grande Blue Sucker as well as factors affecting recruitment in this population. An evaluation of the trout population in McKittrick Creek in Guadalupe Mountains National Park was conducted to determine the presence of genetic evidence for the historic occurrence of Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis, where Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were subsequently introduced. A study to evaluate the current distribution and population genetic structure of Rio Grande Shiner, Notropis jemezanus, is ongoing. Surveys of freshwater mussel distributions, abundances, and community compositions are underway in the Rio Grande. Monitoring of Pecos Pupfish, Cyprinodon pecosensis, and Devils River Minnow, Dionda diaboli, are continuing in the Pecos and Devils Rivers, respectively. A conservation easement to protect the lower reaches of the McKittrick Creek watershed is currently being negotiated. Habitat restoration in Terlingua Creek is being implemented and includes reestablishing riparian hardwood communities and hydraulic processes.