(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species TROUT, CUTTHROAT, PAIUTE
Species Id ESIS251002
Date 14 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - TROUT, CUTTHROAT, PAIUTE
OTHER COMMON NAMES - TROUT, CUTTHROAT, PAIUTE; TROUT, PAIUTE; TROUT and CUTTHROAT
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Fish
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - OSTEICHTHYES,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - SALMONIFORMES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - SALMONIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - SALMO,
SPECIES AND SSP - CLARKI, SELENIRIS
SCIENTIFIC NAME - SALMO CLARKI SELENIRIS
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Paiute Cutthroat Trout
Salmo clarki seleniris Snyder, 1933
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Fish
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Osteichthyes
ORDER: Salmoniformes FAMILY: Salmonidae
J.O. Snyder (01) described Salmo seleniris in 1933 based on
specimens collected above Llewellyn Falls in Silver King Creek of the
Lahontan basin, Alpine Co., CA. Subsequent study of Paiute trout
specimens demonstrated that they are morphologically and
electrophoretically identical to Lahontan cutthroat, S. clarki
henshawi, with the exception that seleniris specimens have no or very
few spots on the body (02,03,04,05). The Paiute trout is now
recognized as a subspecies of cutthroat trout, S. c. seleniris, and is
considered to have resulted from a population of Lahontan cutthroat
trout isolated in Silver King Creek for perhaps 5000 to 8000 years
(02,03,04,05,06,07). Although Paiute cutthroat trout and Lahontan
cutthroat trout are genetically virtually identical, the slight
genetic difference does produce a striking diagnostic character -- a
spotless or virtually spotless body in seleniris whereas S. c.
henshawi are heavily spotted.
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species TROUT, CUTTHROAT, PAIUTE
Species Id ESIS251002
Date 14 MAR 96
The holotype specimen is in the California Academy of Sciences
(CAS) collection, number 212. The CAS also has 33 paratype specimens,
CAS 20754, 20755 and former Stanford University collection 37069 which
is now in the CAS collection.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species TROUT, CUTTHROAT, PAIUTE
Species Id ESIS251002
Date 14 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
T: Federal Threatened
Commercial/consumption
Game (Consumptive Recreational)
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Paiute cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki seleniris) has been
designated as Threatened pursuant to the Endangered Species Act
of 1973 (50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C.
1531-1540), as amended. The subspecies has this status wherever found
including the State of California. Critical Habitat has not been
designated. Special rules for this species can be found in 50 CFR
17.44(a), which allow for take in accordance with applicable state
laws.
This subspecies is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild animal
(alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
USFS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for management/recovery on Forest Service lands. The
Forest Service is responsible for integrating
management, protection, and conservation of Federally
listed species into the Forest Planning process
(36 CFR 219.19 and 219.20). Management practices that
would cause detrimental changes in water temperature
or composition, water course blockage, or sediment
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species TROUT, CUTTHROAT, PAIUTE
Species Id ESIS251002
Date 14 MAR 96
deposits within 100 feet of the edges of perennial
streams, lakes or other bodies of water are prohibited
(36 CFR 219.27(e)).
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: California
DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Threatened
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: California Department of Fish and Game
STATE STATUTE: California Endangered Species Act, Fish and Game
Code Ch. 1.5, Article 1, Section 2050.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
Salmo clarki seleniris Synder, 1933 (Paiute cutthroat trout) is
listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red Data Book, Vol. 4 (1977). It is
also listed by the U.S. in the Convention on Nature Protection and
Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere Convention Annex,
1970.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
This subspecies is extremely vulnerable to angling and has
historically been taken as a sport fish.
67/03/11:32 FR 04001/ - Original listing, Endangered
70/10/13:35 FR 16047/ - Listed as Endangered w/ additional info.
75/07/16:40 FR 29863/29864 - Reclassified as Threatened
85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
INLAND AQUATIC
SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTRY TYPES
SAF TYPE STAGE CLOSURE
Aspen-paper birch mature tree
Lodgepole pine mature tree
LAND USE -
Deciduous Forest Land
Evergreen Forest Land
Herbaceous Rangeland
Streams and Canals
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Riverine, upper perennial UB1
Riverine, upper perennial SB1
Riverine, upper perennial FL1
Riverine, upper perennial BB1
Riverine, upper perennial AB1
Riverine, upper perennial
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
A point to be emphasized is that Paiute trout do not require any
unique habitat -- they can thrive in essentially any habitat in which
other species of trout (or subspecies of cutthroat trout) can thrive.
The only limitation is that Paiute trout cannot coexist in habitat
occupied by other trouts.
The "type locality" habitat of Silver King Creek above Llewellyn
Falls, is a large mountain meadow (Upper Fish Valley) from about 8000
to 8300 feet elevation. At higher elevations to the upstream limit of
Paiute habitat (about 8800 ft.), the dominant vegetation of the
watershed consists of Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, and red fir.
Stands of aspen trees occur throughout the watershed (02). Water
temperatures in Silver King Creek range from 32 degrees F in winter to
summer maxima of about 65 degrees F. The stream is mainly shallow
riffles with a scarcity of large pool habitat (08,09). The North Fork
Cottonwood Creek is a smaller stream than upper Silver King Creek, and
is located at slightly higher elevations which receive less
precipitation. Here the overall habitat is not strikingly different
from Silver King Creek (10).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species TROUT, CUTTHROAT, PAIUTE
Species Id ESIS251002
Date 14 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Crustaceans
General Arthropods
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species TROUT, CUTTHROAT, PAIUTE
Species Id ESIS251002
Date 14 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Aquatic Features: Pool areas
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species TROUT, CUTTHROAT, PAIUTE
Species Id ESIS251002
Date 14 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
Paiute trout, as all trout, are essentially opportunistic
feeders. In their present habitats virtually their entire diet is
composed of insects. They feed on aquatic larval stages throughout
much of the year and also on adults of aquatic insects and on
terrestrial insects during summer months (02,03,06,07). In lentic
water environments they will also consume crustaceans. The lack of
any real differences in feeding preferences or niche differentiation
from other species of trout results in the inability of Paiute trout
to coexist with other trout.
Food requirements are not a limiting factor for the preservation
of Paiute trout or for their successful establishment in new
environments.
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Territoriality is typical of Paiute trout and of all species of
trout in a stream environment. Any particular stream section, such as
a pool-riffle sequence, will be inhabited by different size classes.
Typically, the largest fish is dominant and utilizes the choice
resting and feeding habitats. Aggression is sometimes observed but
once a social hierarchy is established, agonistic encounters are rare
(07,11).
PERIODICITY:
No unique periodicity is known. Feeding is opportunistic
depending on food availability which usually coincides with dawn and
dusk periods. Paiute trout are diurnally active (07,11).
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
Paiute trout are generally sedentary once a territorial residency
has been established. They undertake no migrations. Spawning occurs
in the nearest suitable gravel area to the resident site, typically
within 100 feet (11).
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
There are no unique cover or shelter requirements. Successful
establishment of new populations in small mountain streams requires
that suitable pool volumes exist for overwinter habitat (as with all
species of trout).
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Reproductive site requirements are similar to other trout
species. Spawning occurs in gravel areas typically above or below a
riffle to insure adequate flow of water through the redd (05).
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
Paiute trout are usually sexually mature at two years of age.
Spawning occurs from May to July depending on water temperature. The
female excavates a redd and spawns with a dominant male, but smaller,
subdominant males may also participate in egg fertilization. The eggs
incubate during the period of increasing water temperatures (ca. 42-52
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species TROUT, CUTTHROAT, PAIUTE
Species Id ESIS251002
Date 14 MAR 96
degrees F) for about 35 days before hatching. An eight inch female
will spawn about 250-400 eggs. Few fish survive to spawn again (05).
PARENTAL CARE:
After spawning no care or protection is given to the redd and no
care or protection is given to the young (02,06).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
The main factor limiting population size is the small habitat
size inhabited by the present populations (2000 or fewer fish one year
or more in age in about 10 miles of small streams). The small habitat
volume may also limit life span. Very few Paiute trout exceed three
years of age. Populations will be depressed after severe floods or
droughts. Stream sections with habitat degraded from livestock
grazing could support greater biomass of Paiute trout if habitat
improved (02,05,09).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
As previously discussed, Paiute trout cannot coexist with other
species of trout.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species TROUT, CUTTHROAT, PAIUTE
Species Id ESIS251002
Date 14 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow
Beneficial Developing/maintaining/protecting wetlands
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Mining
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Creating Artificial Habitat/Nesting Structure
Beneficial Reforestation
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Beneficial Restricting Poaching
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Exotic Vertebrates
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals
Adverse Poaching
Existing Poaching
Adverse Sport Hunting/Fishing
Existing Sport Hunting/Fishing
Adverse Hybridization
Existing Hybridization
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The Paiute cutthroat trout had a very limited distribution;
probably no more than six miles of lower Silver King Creek, a small
third order stream, tributary to the East Fork Carson River, Alpine
Co., CA. The original population was lost to hybridization with
rainbow trout in the 1920's, but earlier transplants into previously
barren waters, Coyote and Corral Valley Creeks, and into the upper
Silver King drainage above Llewellyn Falls, preserved pure populations
of Paiute trout. Inadvertent stocking of rainbow trout led to
hybridization of Paiute trout in upper Silver King Creek and in Coyote
and Corral Valley Creeks. Remaining pure poulations were restricted
to two tributaries in upper Silver King Creek, Fly Valley and Four
Mile Canyon Creeks and in the North Fork Cottonwood Creek, of Death
Valley system, Mono Co., CA, where a 1946 transplant had established a
population (02,03,05,06).
Upper Silver King Creek and Coyote and Corral Valley Creeks were
treated with rotenone in 1964 and restocked with pure Paiute trout
from Fly Valley and Four Mile Canyon Creeks. All hybrids were not
eradicated, however, and these streams were treated again in 1977.
Again the treatment failed to eradicate all hybrids, except for Corral
Valley Creek which appeared to still have pure Paiute trout in 1984
(06).
An illegal introduction of rainbow trout into North Fork
Cottonwood Creek also led to hybridization below an upper barrier area
(05,06,07). In 1972 Paiute trout were stocked and established in
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species TROUT, CUTTHROAT, PAIUTE
Species Id ESIS251002
Date 14 MAR 96
Stairway Creek, a headwater tributary to San Joaquin River, Madera Co.
Thus, the present (1985) totality of assumed pure populations
recognized as S. c. seleniris by the U.S. Fish and Wlidlife Service
(06) is limited to about 10 miles of small stream habitat in: Fly
Valley, and Four Mile Canyon Creeks; Corral Creek (Silver King
drainage); N. Fork Cottonwood Creek; and Stairway Creek.
Other transplants were failures due to incomplete eradication of
rainbow trout, which results in hybridization, or brook trout
(Salvenius fontinalis) which competitively replace Paiute trout.
Thus, there is no question that the cause of the near demise of Paiute
trout was due to the stocking of rainbow trout in the Silver King
Creek drainage. Recovery efforts have been hampered by the lack of
suitable barren waters for transplants and by the difficulties of
obtaining complete eradication from chemical treatments necessary to
reestablish populations in the Silver King drainage or to establish
new populations elsewhere.
Other negative impacts that, although they have not threatened
extinction, have acted to limit abundance include, livestock grazing
which caused habitat degradation, overfishing and poaching (Paiute
trout are highly vulnerable to angling), and beaver activity. Beaver
are not native to the east side of the Sierra's, but were introduced
and became established in the Silver King drainage and N. Fk.
Cottonwood Creek. The beaver activity of damming and destruction of
vegetation has caused severe erosion problems which probably involves
a synergistic effect with domestic livestock grazing (06).
Future threats to Paiute trout will always include the
possibility of non-native trout introductions that will eliminate
Paiute trout due to hybridization or competition. All present Paiute
habitats are on National Forest lands which allows for revised grazing
management to protect habitat, but habitat degradation from livestock
remains a problem (06). Beavers have been trapped and removed but
continually reinvade and are likely to remain a problem (06).
Small-scale hydropower development must be considered as a possible
threat (06), but probably only a remote threat because of the
protected status of S. c. seleniris.
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Paiute Cutthroat Trout
Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR. 68 pp.
The primary objective of the Paiute Cutthroat Trout Recovery Plan
is to improve the status of the species to permit delisting. Criteria
for delisting include (1) establishing a pure strain and
(2) maintaining stream habitat and a stable or increasing population
of at least 500 wintering adults in three drainages for a period of
five years.
The recovery activities necessary to accomplish these objectives
are:
1. Protect and secure populations by (a) maintaining or restoring
genetically pure strains, (b) restocking renovated streams with
fish from wild populations, (c) mixing populations for genetic
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species TROUT, CUTTHROAT, PAIUTE
Species Id ESIS251002
Date 14 MAR 96
diversity, and removing introgressed fish and exotics, and
(d) conducting surveys for spotted fish and for documenting
status.
2. Maintain and enhance habitat conditions by (a) restoring stream
habitats, (b) constructing cattle drift fences to exclude
livestock, (c) installing log-drop structures, (d) replanting
willows, (e) removing beavers (introduced, not native to the
area) and beaver dams to maintain water flow and prevent
sedimentation, (f) reviewing/revising land use practices (e.g.,
recreation, grazing, mining, and small hydroelectric
development), (g) restrict off-road vehicles and other
recreational (human) access, and (h) monitoring water quality
(especially for the potential effects of acid rain).
3. Implement public information and education program through
signing and informing the public of restoration activities.
4. Enforce laws and regulations, which includes (a) maintaining a
seasonal guard to prevent poaching, (b) preventing exotic fish
introductions, and (c) reviewing/proposing new laws as necessary.
Action has been taken in some areas to improve the quality of the
spawning substrate by placing fine gravel in the steambeds.
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species TROUT, CUTTHROAT, PAIUTE
Species Id ESIS251002
Date 14 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Snyder, J.O. 1933. Description of Salmo seleniris a new
California trout. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 20:471-472.
02 Ryan, J.H. and S.J. Nicola. 1976. Status of the Paiute cutthroat
trout, Salmo clarki seleniris, in California. Ca. Dept. Fish Game,
Inland Fish. Adm. Rept. 76-3. 56 pp.
03 Behnke, R.J. and M. Zarn. 1976. Biology and management of
threatened and endangered western trouts. USDA Forest Service,
Gen. Tech. Rept. RM-28. 45 pp.
04 Behnke, R.J. 1960. Taxonomy of the cutthroat trout of the Great
Basin with notes on the rainbow series. M.A. Thesis, Univ. Calif.,
Berkeley. 98 pp.
05 Busack, C.A. and G.A.E. Gall. 1981. Introgressive hybridization
in populations of Paiute cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki seleniris).
Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 38:939-951.
06 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Paiute Cutthroat Trout
Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Portland, OR. 68 pp.
07 Wong, D.M. 1975. Aspects of the life history of the Paiute
cutthroat trout, Salmo clarki seleniris, in North Fork Cottonwood
Creek, Mono County, California. M.A. Thesis, Calif. St. Univ.,
Long Beach. 178 pp.
08 Ashley, R.R. 1970. Habitat management plan - Paiute trout. U.S.
Forest Serv., Toiyabe N.F., Reno, NV. 19 pp.
09 Dunham, D.K. 1968. Preliminary survey analysis of Silver King
Creek habitat above Llewellyn Falls, Alpine County, California.
U.S. Forest Serv., Toiyabe N.F., Reno, NV. 10 pp.
10 Schneegas, E.R. and E.P. Pister. 1965. Paiute trout habitat
management plan. U.S. Forest Serv., Inyo N.F., Bishop, CA. 46 pp.
11 Diana, J.S. 1975. The movement and distribution of Paiute trout,
Salmo clarki seleniris, in the North Fork of Cottonwood Creek,
Mono, County, White Mountains, California. M.A. Thesis, Calif. St.
Univ., Long Beach. 98 pp.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Paiute Cutthroat Trout
Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Portland, OR. 68 pp.
02 Ryan, J.H. and S.J. Nicola. 1976. Status of the Paiute cutthroat
trout, Salmo clarki seleniris, in California. Ca. Dept. Fish Game,
Inland Fish. Adm. Rept. 76-3. 56 pp.
03 Behnke, R.J. and M. Zarn. 1976. Biology and management of
threatened and endangered western trouts. USDA Forest Service,
Gen. Tech. Rept. RM-28. 45 pp.
04 Behnke, R.J. 1960. Taxonomy of the cutthroat trout of the Great
Basin with notes on the rainbow series. M.A. Thesis, Univ. Calif.,
Berkeley. 98 pp.
05 Wong, D.M. 1975. Aspects of the life history of the Paiute
cutthroat trout, Salmo clarki seleniris, in North Fork Cottonwood
Creek, Mono County, California. M.A. Thesis, Calif. St. Univ.,
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species TROUT, CUTTHROAT, PAIUTE
Species Id ESIS251002
Date 14 MAR 96
Long Beach. 178 pp.
06 Busack, C.A. and G.A.E. Gall. 1981. Introgressive hybridization
in populations of Paiute cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki seleniris).
Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 38:939-951.
07 Behnke, R.J. 1985. Unpublished data. Fishery and Wildlife
Biology, Colorado St. Univ., Ft. Collins, CO 80523.
References - 2