Craig Stockwell
Biological Sciences
North Dakota State University
Abstract: The
Mohave tui chub (Siphateles bicolor mohavensis) is the
only fish native in the Mojave River watershed. Now extirpated
from its riverine habitat, the federally-endangered fish
survives in the isolated ponds, Lake Tuendae and MC Spring on
the Mojave National Preserve, a wetland on the China Lake Naval
Air Weapons Station and an artificial pond at Camp Cady.
Unfortunately, the recent appearance of the exotic mosquitofish
(Gambusia affinis) in Lake Tuendae, from an unknown and
illegal introduction, has seriously degraded the suitability of
the lake as habitat for the Mohave tui chub. Further,
coincident with the introduction of mosquitofish, the lake has
shifted to a turbid state associated with high productivity of
phytoplankton. Mojave National Preserve hosted a workshop of
desert fish experts in September, 2003 to develop management
recommendations for dealing with threats facing the species
(Hughson and Woo 2004). One recommendation of this workshop was
for a thorough study of Lake Tuendae ecology, including the
effects of mosquitofish and lake turbidity on the Mohave tui
chub. This information will be used to sustain the population
in Lake Tuendae, evaluate threats for the other existing
populations, and to design new refugia to improve the status of
the species. This proposal aims to evaluate the impacts of
mosquitofish and lake clarity on experimental populations. The
work will be used in developing appropriate management actions
to improve the status of the Mohave tui chub.
Funding Agency:
National Park Service
Modification # J8380060075 ($54,300);
mod/0001 ($39,700)
$94,000
Effective Dates: May 1, 2006 through September 30, 2008
