(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species DACE, DESERT
Species Id ESIS251023
Date 14 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - DACE, DESERT
OTHER COMMON NAMES - DACE, DESERT; DESERTFISH, SOLDIER MEADOWS;FISH, DESERT+ and SOLDIER MEADOWS
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Fish
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - OSTEICHTHYES,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - CYPRINIFORMES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - CYPRINIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - EREMICHTHYS,
SPECIES AND SSP - ACROS,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - EREMICHTHYS ACROS
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Desert Dace
Eremichthys acros Hubbs and Miller, 1948
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Fish
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Osteichthyes
ORDER: Cypriniformes FAMILY: Cyprinidae
Individuals are small (less than 70 mm standard length), olive-
green dorsally, silvery below with dull yellowish reflections along
sides. Some individuals, especially young, have a pronounced dark
streak along the middle of each side. The lower sides and ventral
surface of the caudal peduncle exhibit large irregular scattered,
expanded melanophores. The scales along sides reflect bluish and
greenish iridescence in sunlight. The number of pharnygeal teeth
is very constant; fifteen specimens examined by Hubbs and Miller all
had five teeth on the left side and four on the right. Presence of a
horny sheath on both jaws, evidently an adaption for feeding by
grazing, is the primary generic character of Ermichthys (02).
The genus Ermichthys, including the sole representative species
E. acros, was described by Hubbs and Miller in 1948 (02). Subsequent
researchers have retained the original nomenclature and classification
as a cyprinid, most closely related to Gila (formerly Siphatales) and
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species DACE, DESERT
Species Id ESIS251023
Date 14 MAR 96
Rhinichthys. Hubbs and Miller (02) state that the specific name acros
is derived from the Latin acer ("sharp") and os ("mouth"). However,
the etymology by LaRivers (03) gives the meaning of acros as "summit",
from nearby Summit Lake.
The holotype and all paratypes are deposited in the University
of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Illustrations and
pictures of this species is available in Nyquist (04) and the field
office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Reno, Nevada.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species DACE, DESERT
Species Id ESIS251023
Date 14 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
T: Federal Threatened
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The desert dace (Eremichthys acros) has been designated an
Threatened species 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 species has this status wherever found
including the State of Nevada. Critical Habitat has been designated
in the thermal springs and their surrounding raparian areas for a
distance of 50 feet from these springs and ouflows in T40N, R25E,
SW1/4 Sec. 5, NW1/4NW1/4 Sec. 8, W1/2 Sec. 18, W1/2SW1/4 Sec. 19;
T40N, R24E, Sec. 23, N1/2SE1/4 and S1/2NW1/4 Sec. 24, SE1/4 Sec. 25,
and N1/2 Sec. 26 of Humboldt County, Nevada (50 CFR 17.95(e)).
Special rules concerning "take" for this species can be found in
50 CFR 17.44(m).
This species 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 foreign law; 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.
BLM -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public land under their control (43 CFR 4140). Also
responsible for management/recovery on Bureau of Land
Management lands.
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
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species DACE, DESERT
Species Id ESIS251023
Date 14 MAR 96
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: Nevada
DESIGNATED STATUS: Protected
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Nevada Department of Wildlife
STATE STATUTE: NV Admin. Code 503.015 to 503.080, Dec. 21, 1981;
NV Admin. Code 503.584 to 503.589 and 503.010
to 503.80.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
The desert dace is listed in the 1986 IUCN Red List of
Threatened Animals as vulnerable (believed to be Endangered in the
near future).
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
None.
83/06/14:48 FR 27273/27274 - Notice of finding on petition
84/05/29:49 FR 22355/22359 - Proposed Rule w/ Critical Habitat
85/12/10:50 FR 50304/50309 - Final Rule Threatened w/ Critical Habitat
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
INLAND AQUATIC
LAND USE -
Cropland and Pasture
Streams and Canals
Nonforested Wetland
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Palustrine EM5
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The desert dace occurs in warm springs and their outflows,
including small irrigation ditches (for pasture and hay fields),
within the Soldier Meadows area, a small, roughly circular basin
approximately 5-6 miles in diameter. Outflows from the numerous small
springs either terminate in marshy areas or coalesce into Mud Meadow
Wash which eventually terminates in the Black Rock Desert. Occupied
habitats include spring pools up to 8 feet in depth with peripheral
emergent vegetation and little or no current, as well as small flowing
natural channels and irrigation ditches with dense emergent vegetation
(02,04). Nyquist (04) recorded horned pondweed (Zanichellia),
saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), spikerushes (Eleocharis sp.), and
bulrush (Scirpus olneyi) in springs and outflows where Eremichthys
occurred.
Water temperatures in desert dace-occupied habitats range from
18 - 40.5 deg. C, but the species prefers water temperatures between
23 and 29 deg. C (04). Hubbs and Miller (02) found individuals
present in 38 deg. C water in one spring head in 1939. Nyquist (04)
reported two observations of desert dace in 40.5 deg. C water, the
highest temperature ever recorded for a cyprinid fish habitat in
North America. Laboratory bioassays indicated that individulas
acclimated at 23 deg. C could survive in water temperatures from
2 - 37 deg. C. Water temperatures in the spring heads tend to be
constant seasonally, generally varying less than 4 deg. C between
winter and summer (04).
Habitats in the Soldier Meadows area, where desert dace occur,
exhibit pH values from 7.1 to 9.1 (04). Dissolved oxygen generally
ranges from 0.5 mg/l to 6.5 mg/l in the spring heads (04), but no
measurements have been made in outflow areas. Carbonate alkalinity
in the spring heads ranges from 0 mg/l to 28 mg/l, and bicarbonate
alkalinity ranges from 23 mg/l to 95 mg/l (04).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species DACE, DESERT
Species Id ESIS251023
Date 14 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
OMNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Detritus
General Diatoms
General Algae
General Arthropods
General Crustaceans
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species DACE, DESERT
Species Id ESIS251023
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
G Aquatic Features: Pool areas
G
G Aquatic Features: Springs [flowing]
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species DACE, DESERT
Species Id ESIS251023
Date 14 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species DACE, DESERT
Species Id ESIS251023
Date 14 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS:
The dace is apparently primarily herbivorous in its feeding
habits. Presence of horny sheaths on the jaws was considered by
Hubbs and Miller (02) to be an adaptation to feeding by grazing.
Nyquist (04) reported stomach analyses and laboratory observations
which indicated that "various insect larvae were found to be a
supplement to Eremichthys' normal diet of algae". Nyquist reported
diatoms, Lyngbya, Oedogonium, Oscillatoria, Rhizoclonium, and
Spirogyra from springs in Soldier Meadows, but made no mention of
specific algae consumed by desert dace. No other information is known
regarding Ermichthys' food habits or feeding ecology. Hubbs and
Miller (02), reported that the intestine of Eremichthys is long and
coiled, and the peritoneum is dark, both characteristics of an
herbivorous or omnivorous diet.
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
No information available.
PERIODICITY:
No information available.
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
No information available.
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
No information available.
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
No information available.
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
Nyquist (04) reported desert dace spawning to have occurred
naturally on three occasions during his study, in November, 1961,
and March and May, 1962. Analysis of preserved specimens indicated
that some mature eggs were carried throughout the year, but ovaries
contained the most eggs in March and April. Fish hatched in the
laboratory matured and produced young at 13 months (04).
No other information exists regarding desert dace reproductive
characteristics.
PARENTAL CARE:
No information available.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
No information available.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
No information available.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
No information available.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species DACE, DESERT
Species Id ESIS251023
Date 14 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles
Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow
Beneficial Controlling water levels
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Mining
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Exotic Vertebrates
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals
Adverse Water Level Fluctuation
Existing Water Level Fluctuation
Adverse Irrigating
Existing Irrigating
Adverse
Existing
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Many of the spring outflows have been diverted from their
natural channels into man-made ditches for irrigation, domestic use,
and providing water for livestock (01,03,04). These diversions have
reduced habitat available to the desert dace (i.e. habitat has been
loss due to water diversion and water level fluctuations), and are
expected to continue in the foreseeable future. Prior yo Federal
listing as a Threatened species in December, 1985, there were no State
or Federal laws or regulations to protect the habitat of the desert
dace.
Potential threats to the species include geothermal development,
ground water depletion, and introduction of exotic fishes. Much of
the Soldier Meadows basin has been designated by BLM as a "known
geothermal resorce area". Geothermal leasing and exploration has
occurred in the past, but no known such activities are presently
active. Additionally, ground water pumping in areas adjacent to
Soldier Meadows could adeversely effect the aquifer supplying the
springs. Reservoirs have been constructed at the north and south end
of the basin, and channel catfish and smallmouth bass have been
introduced into the southern reservoir. If such exotic species should
successfully invade desert dace habitat, they could further reduce
dace numbers through predation, competition, and introduction of
parasites and disease (01,03).
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
A recovery plan is targeted for completion by 1988 or 1989.
No recovery plan exists for the desert dace. Based on recovery
plans under development for localized endemic fishes in Nevada, such
a plan would contain the following recommended actions:
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species DACE, DESERT
Species Id ESIS251023
Date 14 MAR 96
Goal - to prevent the desert dace from becoming endangered, and
delist the species by (1) conducting life history and ecological
studies to provide guidance in evaluating quality of existing habitat;
and (2) managing species and securing existing habitat, including
rehabilitation and species transplants if research indicates it as
necessary.
Research activities will include determination of: (1) required
habitats of juveniles and adults; (2) foods and feeding habits; (3)
population dynamics; (4) current distribution and abundance; (5)
characteristics of occupied habitats; and (6) interactions with native
and introduced species.
Securing of existing habitat may include: (1) preparation of a
land protection plan; (2) control/removal of exotic species and
domestic animals; (3) protection of habitat integrity (includeing
restricting agricultural and other development as well as detrimental
agricultural practices, land acquisition, restricting mining,
maintaining water table and water flow, and restricting habitat
damage by ORV's); (4) apply life history and ecological information
derived through research to species/habitat management; (5) establish
a public information system; and (6) enforce Endangered Species
Act and State of Nevada regulations.
Current on-going recovery activities consist solely of a joint
effort between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Nevada
Department of Wildlife resulting in the recent transplanting (1983
before the species was listed as Threatened) of desert dace into two
formerly fishless springs on BLM administered land. BLM is
maintaining a water temperature and flow recorder on the same two
springs.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species DACE, DESERT
Species Id ESIS251023
Date 14 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Endangered and threatened
wildlife and plants; determination of threatened stats and critical
habitat for the desert dace. Dec. 10, 1985. Fed. Reg. 50:50304-
50309.
02 Hubbs, C.L. and R.R. Miller. 1948. Two new, relect genera of
cyprinid fishes from Nevada. Occ. Papers, Mus. of Zool., Univ. of
Mich., No. 507. 30 pp.
03 La Rivers, I. 1962. Fishes and fisheries of Nevada. Nevada State
Fish and Game Commision, Reno. pp. 441-447.
04 Nyquist, D. 1963. The ecology of Ermichthys acros an edemic
thermal species of cyprinid fish from northwestern Nevada. M.S.
thesis. Univ. Nevada, Reno. 247 pp.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Endangered and threatened
wildlife and plants; determination of threatened status and
critical habitat for the desert dace. Fed. Reg. 50:50304-50309.
02 Hubbs, C.L. and R.R. Miller. 1948. Two new, relect genera of
cyprinid fishes from Nevada. Occ. Papers, Mus. of Zool., Univ. of
Mich., No. 507. 30 pp.
03 Nyquist, D. 1963. The ecology of Ermichthys acros an edemic
thermal species of cyprinid fish from northewestern Nevada. M.S.
thesis. Univ. Nevada, Reno. 247 pp.
References - 1