A preliminary account of the diatom flor a of Cuatro Ciénegas basin, including “Lazarus species” (evolutionary relicts) and marine disjuncts

Authors: Winsborough, Barbara M.

Year: 2005 (xxxvii)

Abstract

The aquatic habitats of Cuatro Ciénegas basin, Coahuila, contain an abundant, diverse and remarkable diatom flora (single-celled algae with a silica cell wall) that includes approximately 300 species and varieties. In addition to strictly freshwater diatoms, there are many sp ecies found typically in either brackish or marine environments. Many are cosmopolitan species but there is a significant number of undescribed forms, some of which may be endemic to the basin. One of the most common diatoms living in the spring-fed pools/lakes was known previously only from fossils of Plio-Pleistocene age. A few species appear to have undergone adaptive radiation, producing several distinct morphologies. Biological, meteorological and hydrochemical factors influence diatom distributions in the basin and, in spite of ample mechanisms for dispersal, individual taxa are often constrained to particular pools /lakes. Many are sensitive to habitat alteration and changes in nutrient or salinity concentrations, their response being a rapid shift or adjustment in community composition. This characteristic makes diatoms particularly useful for monitoring water quality in the basin.

Resumen

Descripción preliminar sobre la flora de diatomeas en la cuenca de Cuatro Ciénegas, incluyendo “las especies Lazaro” (relictos evolutivos) y especies marinas desunidas Los habitats acuáticos de la cuenca de Cuatro Ciénegas, Coahuila, contienen una flora de diatomeas abundante, diversa y excepcional (algas unicelulares con pa redes de sílice), que incluyen aproximadamente 300 especies y variedades. Además de las diatomeas estricta mente dulceacuícolas, existen muchas especies que se encuentran típicamente en ambientes de agua salobre o marina. Muchas son especies cosmopolitas, pero hay un número significativo de formas aún sin describir, al gunas de las cuales pueden ser endémicas a la cuenca. Una de las diatomeas más comunes que habita en lagos o pozas alimentados por manantial se conocía previa-

mente sólo por fósiles de la era Plio-Pleistoceno. Unas cuantas especies parecen haber sufrido radiación adaptativa, produciendo varias morfologías distintas. Los factores biológicos, meteorológicos e hidroquímicos influencian la distribución de diatomeas en la cuenca y, a pesar de los abundantes mecanismos para dispersión, los taxa individuales se encuentran muy a menudo restri ngidos a lagos o pozas específicos. Muchas especies son sensibles a la alteración del hábitat y a los cambios en nutrientes y concentraciones de salinidad, y responden con un cambio rápido o con un ajuste en la composición de la comunidad. Esta característica hace de las diatomeas un recurso útil en el monitoreo de la calidad de agua en la cuenca.

MINUTES OF THE BUSINESS MEETING / MINUTAS DE LA REUNION DE NEGOCIOS The Business Meeting of the 37th Annual Meeting of the Desert Fishes Council in Cuatrociénegas, Coahuila, México was called to order by President James Brooks at 1715 on 18 November 2005. NEW BUSINESS The first order of business was the report of Executive Secretary Phil Pister. Secretary Pister expressed his gratitude, and that of DFC membership, to the local organizing committee and the people of Cuatro Ciénegas for their hospitality and the excellent accommodations and arrangements. Secretary Pister then yielded floor to Chuck Minckley to present his request to membership regarding DFC meeting tee-shirt design. Minckley requested that interested members provide him design ideas/suggestions for the 38th (2006) annual DFC meeting tee-shirt within 60 days. Minckley will choose design for tee-shirts. Secretary Pister informed membership that the organizers of the Ecology and Evolutionary Ethology of Fishes Conference (http://eeef.soka.edu) had invited DFC to participate in its annual meeting at Soka University of America (SUA) in Aliso Viejo, California 3-8 June 2006 ). The California-Nevada Chapter of American Fisheries Society issued a similar invitation to DFC members for its annual meeting March 30- April 1, 2006 in Ventura, California. Secretary Pister also informed membership that CONABIO had requested input from DFC on its biodiversity list for México. Alejandro Varela-R omero will work with Mexican Area Coordinators to provide the requested information. Secretary Pister yielded floor to Dean Hendrickson who informed membership that the Cuatro Ciénegas Hotel Owners Association wished to invite DFC to co nsider regularly holding annual meetings in Cuatro Ciénegas. The President, Gilberto González Arocha of CCHOA briefly stated that the group would provide assistance in local organizing and logistics (e.g., Casa de Cultura arrangements, motel reservations, banquets, & socials). By meeting in Cuatro Ciénegas the local community would benefit from heightened recognition of the ecological importance of Cuatro Ciénegas, prestige of having international organization of scientists regularly hold meeting in town, and re-enforce linkage of economic well-being of area to conserving ecological integrity of the valley. President Brooks then solicited opinion s and suggestions from membership. Jon Sjoberg suggested that DFC should consider a four-year rotation—Death Valley, some where in US, Cuatro Ciénegas, and somewhere in México. Gary Garrett suggested a three- year rotation—Death Valley, somewhere in US or México, and Cuatro Ciénegas. Paul Ho lden suggested that Mexican membership should consider implications of meeting regularly in Cuatro Ciénegas. Alejandro Varela-Romero stated that if DFC was to have a “Mexican home,” Cuatro Ciénegas was the appropriate location. Salvador Contreras-Balderas said that if location of first meeting was criterion, then Monterey should be “Mexican home.” Scott Bonar preferred four-year rotation because that would mean more time in México. Kevin Bestgen posed question of conservation impact—which would have more impact; having meeting in large city or in Cuatro Ciénegas? Tony Echelle stated his preference for three-year rotation. One member expressed concern about agency travel support to México—Phil Pister suggested dedication to desert fishes conservation sometimes required personal sacrifices. President Brooks closed discussion. Tony Echelle moved that Desert Fish es Council hold its 2008 meeting in Cuatro Ciénegas. Hank Bart seconded motion. By voice vote, decision was unanimous in support of motion. Desert Fishes Council will next meet in Cuatro Ciénegas in 2008. Membership Secretary Heidi Blasius reported that Desert Fishes Council had 241 members for 2005, an increase of 7 over 2004. Secretary Blasius urged members to pay dues regardless of meeting attendance and that membership was on calendar year basis—1 January through 31 December. Members were also requested to check the DFC listserver to ensure their email address was correct and to remove defunct addresses. Executive Secretary Pister provided his usual detaile d accounting of Desert Fishes Council finances. The Council has three accounts; the WLM Memorial ($10,541.24), Morgan Stanley money market (ca. $45k), and operating fund (ca. $15k). Financially, DFC is healthy. Proceedings Editor Hendrickson info rmed membership that editing and translatin g 2004 Proceedings is about one-half finished. He anticipates 2004 proceedings to be mailed in about 2 months. Dean Hendrickson presented a proposal from Steve Norris for California State University—Channel Islands to host the 2007 Desert Fishes Council meeting. The meeting could be at either the university campus or in Camarillo (hotel). President Bro oks solicited other suggestions. Krissy Wilson indicated that a proposal might be submitted to have the 2007 meeting at Moab, Utah. Paul Holden suggested Farmington, New México as a meeting location. This suggestion was quickly scuppered by President Brooks, and dropped.

Program Secretary Stewart Reid reported that the Cuatro Ciénegas meeting was the largest DFC meeting to date. All who submitted presentations had paid dues and registered prior to meeting. All submitted presentations were accepted. Area reports were scattered among sessions; membership affirmed that such is preferred over having all area reports in a single session. Executiv e Secretary Pister reminded membership that area reports are integral to DFC. Area Coordinator Kara Hilwig reported that the species tracking database is in some need of updating. She also urged each area coordinator to identify research needs in their annual reports to the membership. Student Awards Chair Eric Gustafson informed membership that best student paper awards would be announced on Saturday, following last session. In recognitio n of his considerable efforts to organize vans and drivers to transport over 80 meeting attendees from Au stin and San Antonio to Cuatro Ciénegas, Gustafson presented Nathan Allan with a special award. President Brooks informed membership that all DFC executive positions are filled for 2 year terms and that four positions (president, executive secretary, proceedings editor, and program secretary) were open for nominations. Dean Hendrickson nominated Nathan Allan for President; nomination seconded by Stewart Reid. No other nomination for president was offered. There was no nomination from the floor for Executive Secretary; incumbent Executive Secretary Phil Pister was unopposed. Pam Sponholtz nominated Jeremy Voeltz for Program Secretary to oppose incumbent Stewart Reid. No nomination was offered from the floor to oppose incumbent Proceedings Editor Dean Hend rickson. President Brooks then passed ballots to membership. Ballots were returned at end of business meeting. No resolutions were submitted for consideration by the membership. Previously, Jim Deacon had provided Chuck Minckley a proposed resolution regarding a draft environmental impact statement on proposed effluent discharge into Lake Mead. This document was redrafted as a letter to be sent to SCOP EIS Project Manager PBS&J, 2270 Corporate Circle, Suite100 Henderson, NV 89074-6382. Minckley read the draft letter to membership and solicited comments. Several members (Holden, Gloss, and Sjoberg) posed several questions or concerns regarding the letter. President Brooks suggested these individuals work with Minckley to draft an acceptable letter. As soon as acceptable letter is drafted, President Brooks will sign and send it. OLD BUSINESS

Stewart Reid provided a brief overview of the discussions and de bates over advocacy and the appropriate role of DFC. After the 2004 meeting, an Ad Hoc committee was formed to process resolutions and issues, solicit input from knowledgeable members, decide which issues rose to “resolution” threshold, and to advise the executive committee on appropriat e actions. During the past year only one issue, the genetics “discussion paper” prepared by the SW Region of FWS and transmitted to field offices as regional “policy”, was brought to executive committee for deliber ation. A letter from executive committee of DFC questioning the efficacy of the policy, not a resolution, was sent to the acting dir ector of FWS. Reid advise d membership that Ad Hoc committee process had not worked, but invited any in membership to volunteer to make effort. There was no volunteer. Still unresolved, perhaps, is the question of DFC and its advocacy role. In the meantime, membership was urged to convey thoughts/opinions to Member-at-Large Chuck Minckley. Dean Hendrickson updated membership on status of Cuatro Ciénegas Research Facility, specifically funding to support its rental. Previously anticipated funds have not been made available and continued rental of facility is in doubt. Hendrickson is now exploring other funding options. The current rent is $500/month and about $100/month for utilities. Instead of current location, the research facility could be moved to a local hotel (which would cost about $600/month). To date, use of facilities has not cost researchers (but donations accepted). Hendrickson plans to start charging all who use fac ilities, but this will not be sufficient to cover costs. Stewart Reid and Scott Bonar opined that DFC should continue to support facility. Jonathon Baskin moved that DFC allocate surplus meeting funds to support facility . Gary Garrett seconded motion. Steve Ross asked if Mexican students stay at facility. Hendrickson replied that yes, facility is open to all. Phil Pister suggested an amendment to the motion stating that DFC general funds (of which meeting funds are a part) be used to support facility. The amendment was seconded by Salvador Contreras-Balderas. Murmurs of confusion swept membership and recorder was hopelessly lost. Jonathon Baskin withdrew his motion. Phil Pister restated his proposed amendment as a motion—DFC general funds will be used to support Cuatro Ciénegas Research Facility on an as needed basis, as determined by DFC Executive Committee. Jonathon Baskin seconded motion. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote. President Brooks informed me mbership that votes for Pr esident, Executive Secret ary, Program Secretary, and Proceedings Editor will be tallied by Executive Committee and results announced to membership on 19 November 2005.

Executive Secretary Phil Pister reminded membership that Devils Hole pupfish status is problematic. Its numbers are diminishing and the species could be facing imminent extinction. Pister urged membership to contemplate ramifications of Devils Hole pupfish decline and how DFC might contribute to improving situation. President Brooks adjourned the business meeting of the 37 th Annual Meeting of the Desert Fishes Council at 1940 hours on 18 November 2005. On 19 November 2005, President Brooks announced that Nathan Allan was elected President, Phil Pister was returned to office as Executive S ecretary, Stewart Reid was re-affirmed as Program Secretary, and Dean Hendrickson will remain as Proceedings Editor. On 19 November 2005, Student Awards Chair Gustafson announced that Cynthia Tech was recipient of the Hubbs Best Student Paper Award for her presentation “Sex ratio bias and loss of male fertility in hybrids of Comanche Springs pupfish and sheepshead minnow” and Pablo Gesundheit received the Miller award for best paper (“Historical biogeography of the Goodeidae (Cyprinodontiformes)” by a Latin American student. The end of calendar year full financial report produced by Executive Secretary Pister was later appended: