(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CUI-UI
Species Id ESIS251024
Date 14 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - CUI-UI
OTHER COMMON NAMES - CUI-UI; SUCKER, LAKE+, CUI-UI; LAKESUCKER and CUI-UI
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Fish
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - OSTEICHTHYES,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - CYPRINIFORMES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - CATOSTOMIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - CHASMISTES,
SPECIES AND SSP - CUJUS,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - CHASMISTES CUJUS
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Cui-ui
Chasmistes cujus Cope, 1883
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Fish
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Osteichthyes
ORDER: Cypriniformes FAMILY: Catostomidae
The cui-ui is a plump, robust sucker (01,06,07,10). The head is
very large, wide and somewhat round in cross-section with
proportionately small eyes. Its mouth is unsuckerlike being in a
ventro-terminal position. Lips are thin and obscurely papillose. The
lower lip is somewhat pendant as characterized by the genus and
divided by a wide median notch (illustration in Miller and Smith,
1981; 06). Cui-ui are coarsely scaled, with counts of 13-14 above the
lateral line, 59-66 along the lateral series and 22-26 around the
caudal peduncle. Total body length is 9 times that of the dorsal fin
base. Fin ray counts are: dorsal, 10-12; anal, 7; and caudal, 8 or
less. The caudal fin is weak to moderately forked and the caudal
peduncle is thick, least depth about 12 times body standard length.
Pharyngeal teeth are delicate, the last pharyngeal arch bears a row of
more than 10 comb-like teeth confined to a single row. Gill rakers
are numerous, 44 on first left arch, and branched like broccoli
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CUI-UI
Species Id ESIS251024
Date 14 MAR 96
(illustration, 06). The swim bladder is two-celled and the peritoneum
nearly black. Both sexes are generally black or brown above, more
broken laterally, fading into flat white on the venter.
Breeding males develop a reddish to brassy color on the sides as
well as nuptial tubercles on their fins. Females have a more bluish
cast than males, attain greater length and weight than males, are more
stocky in appearance, and have proportionally shorter fins. Also,
during the spawning season the vent of females becomes swollen and
extended. Diagnostic characters useful in identifying larval and
early juvenile cui-ui from other syntopic suckers include differences
in pigmentation, size at onset of specific developmental events, and
gut and mouth morphologies (02).
Taxonomy of the cui-ui is completely stable. With its restricted
distribution and distinctive appearance, it is unlikely this species
would be confused with any other fish or that individuals would
attempt its taxonomic subdivision based on trivial characters (01).
Cope 1883: 149 is the taxonomic author for Chasmistes cujus (03). The
holotype (ANSP 20523) is a 360 mm standard length specimen in very
poor condition (06). The only synonyms proposed for this genus and
species are Lipomyzon for C. brevirostris (03) and the subgeneric
Pithecomyzon applied by Fowler (04) to Chasmistes cujus. Locations of
additional specimens in collections are given in Miller and Smith
(06). Other common names used in referring to this fish includes
cui-ui lake sucker and cui-ui lakesucker.
Photographs of adult cui-ui appear in references 01, 06, 09, and
28 and drawings are in references 01, 07, and 08. Drawings of larval
and juvenile cui-ui are included in references 02, 06, 26, and 30.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CUI-UI
Species Id ESIS251024
Date 14 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
Commercial/consumption
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The cui-ui (Chasmistes cujus) has been designated as Endangered
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.
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.
BIA -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 Bureau of Indian Affairs
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
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:
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CUI-UI
Species Id ESIS251024
Date 14 MAR 96
STATE: Nevada
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Nevada Dept. of Wildlife
STATE STATUTE: Nev. Admin. Code, Sec. 503.015 to 503.080,
Dec. 21, 1981.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
This species is listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red Data Book
(1977) and by the 1986 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. This
species is also listed in Appendix I of CITES and by the U.S. in the
Annex to the Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation
in the Western Hemisphere (1970).
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
This fish has some value as food for human consumption.
67/03/11:32 FR 4001 - Final rule, Endangered
79/01/17:44 FR 03636/03654 - Notice of review
79/05/21:44 FR 29566/29577 - Notice of review
85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Notice of review
87/07/07:52 FR 25522/25525 - Notice of 5-year review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
INLAND AQUATIC
LAND USE -
Cropland and Pasture
Deciduous Forest Land
Streams and Canals
Lakes
Reservoirs
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Riverine, upper perennial UB3
3UB
Riverine, upper perennial UB1
Riverine, upper perennial SB3
Riverine, upper perennial SB2
Riverine, upper perennial SB1
Riverine, upper perennial OW0
Riverine, lower perennial UB3
Riverine, lower perennial UB2
Riverine, lower perennial UB1
Riverine, lower perennial SB3
Riverine, lower perennial SB2
2SB
Riverine, lower perennial OW0
Lacustrine, littoral UB3
Lacustrine, littoral UB2
Lacustrine, littoral UB1
Lacustrine, littoral RB2
Lacustrine, littoral OW0
Lacustrine, limnetic UB3
Lacustrine, limnetic UB2
Lacustrine, limnetic UB1
Lacustrine, limnetic RB2
Lacustrine, limnetic OW0
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Cui-ui are obligate lacustrine suckers with a very restricted
distribution, occurring only in Pyramid Lake, Nevada. Adults migrate
from Pyramid Lake up the lower Truckee River in spring to reproduce
and return to Pyramid Lake immediately following spawning. Larvae
emigrate to Pyramid Lake shortly after hatching (01,08,10,14).
Habitat of adults in Pyramid Lake is the inshore benthic region. Over
90 percent of gill net catches of adults have been from water 0-15 m
depth and none have been captured deeper than 46 m (15). Dominant
substrate in this zone of Pyramid Lake are: clay-silt-fine sand, 47
percent; medium sand, 33 percent; tufa boulders and outcrops,
13 percent; and coarse non-tufa material (mostly gravel, rubble and
boulders), 6 percent (16). The 0 to 15 m depth approximates the
epilimnion in monomictic Pyramid Lake where maximum summer water
temperatures in the limnetic zone seldom exceed 23 degrees Celsius
(09). Few juveniles cui-ui have been collected from Pyramid Lake and
most were collected at depths less than 20 m (17). No published
information on larval habitat associations in Pyramid Lake is
available.
Habitat Associations - 1 Adult cui-ui spawn in Truckee River over predominately gravel
substrate at water depths ranging from 21 to 110 cm, with most
spawning occurring at depths of 71 to 80 cm (08). Stream velocities
range from 27 to 140 cm/s and near bed velocities 21-90 cm/s. Most
spawning was reported at stream velocities of 101 to 110 cm/s and near
bed velocities of 71 to 80 cm/s (08). Stream velocity preferences of
larval cui-ui are not known. Cui-ui spawning has also been reported
in Pyramid Lake at the entrance of freshwater streams on fine to
coarse gravel (18,27) and in the Marble Bluff fishway where the
substrate is predominately compacted soil (08). Upstream migrating
prespawning adults require pool environments, typically log jam pools,
as refugia during the day (28).
Koch (19) recommended a safe maximum temperature for adult cui-ui
of 20.0-21.6 degrees Celsius (C); stress was reported at temperatures
of 21.7 to 23.9 degrees C and the upper incipient lethal temperature
range was 25.0 to 29.9 degrees C. Safe maxima for juvenile cui-ui
5 to 18 months old ranged from 23.9 to 25.6 degrees C, stress level
26.2 to 28.0 degrees C and upper incipient level 29.9 to 32.0 degrees
C. Koch (20) found 13.9 degrees C was the optimum incubation
temperature for cui-ui eggs; 40 percent mortality occurred at 17.8
degrees C and 70 percent mortality at 21.7 degrees C.
Mortality of cui-ui eggs fertilized and water hardened in about
775 ohms/cm fresh water was nearly complete when incubated in
Pyramid Lake water at salinities of 5.2 to 5.9 g/L (10,21,22).
Decreasing mortality following transfer of developing cui-ui embryos
to Pyramid Lake water was observed with progressively longer periods
of incubation in fresh water, until 4 days when differences in
mortality were not significant. By three days post-hatch cui-ui
larvae could tolerate 5.8 g/L Pyramid Lake water with less than 10
percent mortality (10,22). Cui-ui juveniles showed reduced survival
over 180-day chronic bioassays at Pyramid Lake salinities ranging from
3.6 to 5.2 g/L (10,22). Adult and juvenile cui-ui appear to tolerate
the salinity and chemical composition of Pyramid Lake water (pH = 9.2,
total alkalinity = 23 meq/L, sodium = 1.7 and chloride = 2.0 g/L,
(09). No information is known about oxygen requirements of egg,
larval, juvenile or adult life history stages of cui-ui.
Levels of unionized ammonia (NH3-N) 1.35 mg/L and higher were
reported lethal to cui-ui egg development and larval development has
been retarded at ammonia concentrations of 0.15 mg/L and higher (23).
Nitrite concentrations as high as 43.7 mg/L NO2-N had no effect on
fertilized egg incubation or hatching, but growth of larval cui-ui was
retarded at concentrations 22.0 mg/L NO2-N and greater (23). Nitrate
had little noticeable effect on cui-ui embryonic development or
hatching success at concentrations less than 56 mg/L NO3-N and no
effect on larval growth has been detected at nitrate concentrations up
to about 82 mg/L (23).
The two previous channelization projects administered by the
Corps of Engineers on the lower Truckee River, resulted in widening of
the channel and the loss of protective cover, leaving many areas
exposed to direct sunlight and solar heating. Gone were the deep
pools and the shade that had kept water temperatures cool enough to
support the fish (18).
Where livestock have unlimited access, all of the readily
available forage had been removed, leaving the barren ground subject
to unlimited erosion during high runoff. Here again, no undergrowth
or protective canopy is developing, only the few old willows and
cottonwoods have survived, and these periodically topple over into the
river when undercut by high runoff, causing mass erosion. Thousands
of cottonwood seedlings covered the ground in early summer, but by
fall, very few could be found. It is obvious that livestock grazing
is having a very detrimental effect on new growth, and has prevented
Habitat Associations - 2 the re-establishment of needed protective bank cover in many areas
(18).
Habitat Associations - 3 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species CUI-UI
Species Id ESIS251024
Date 14 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
OMNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Phytoplankton
General Diatoms
General Algae
General Zooplankton
General Arthropods
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species CUI-UI
Species Id ESIS251024
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 Inland wetlands: swamp
G Aquatic Features: Pool areas
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CUI-UI
Species Id ESIS251024
Date 14 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
Food habits and diet of cui-ui are not well known. Most fish
captured from Pyramid Lake have been pre-spawning adults which do not
appear to feed (07,18). Adults captured at other seasons feed
primarily on zooplankton, filamentous algae and aquatic insects (01,
24). In terms of energy content (carbon) zooplankton, primarily
cladocerans and copepods, made-up over 90 percent of gut contents of
yearling (104-120 mm long) cui-ui from Mud Lake Slough. Chironomid
larvae comprised 7 percent, with diatoms and filamentous green and
blue-green algae of negligible importance (08). The few juvenile
cui-ui collected from Pyramid Lake in 1986 had eaten ostracods and the
copepod Cyclops almost exclusively (25). Juvenile cui-ui reared in
hatchery raceways have been observed feeding on periphyton along the
sides of tanks (10). Larval cui-ui (12-28 mm long) from a natural
side channel alongside the Truckee River consumed primarily chironomid
larvae (56 percent stomach carbon), following by copepods, cladocerans
and ostracods in order of decreasing importance (08). When placed in
aquariums containing Pyramid Lake water, larval cui-ui readily consume
zooplankton, and selected cladocerans over copepods (26).
The large number and highly dissected structure of cui-ui gill
rakers (06) and subterminal rather than inferior mouth position (01)
indicates this fish is efficient at straining plankton from the water
column. This feeding morphology, plus its inshore benthic rather than
limnetic distribution (15), suggests juvenile and adult cui-ui in
Pyramid Lake feed primarily on benthic zooplankton, although it is
likely they feed further off the bottom than species of suckers with
ventral mouths (10).
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
There is no evidence that cui-ui are territorial during any
life-stage (01,08,10).
PERIODICITY:
No information is available on diel periodicity of cui-ui in
Pyramid Lake. Spawning runs of cui-ui up the Truckee River or Marble
Bluff fishway are heaviest in late afternoon and evening, when daily
water temperatures are highest (08). Adult spawning in Truckee River
occurs primarily at night (2000-0600 hours) followed by nocturnal
downstream movement of adults (14). Downstream movement of hatched
larval cui-ui is almost exclusively at night primarily between
2200 and 0600 hours (08). Seasonal activity of cui-ui in Pyramid
Lake, as evidenced from gill net catches, peaks during late winter and
spring (Feb. - May) when fish congregate at the south end of Pyramid
Lake to ascend the Truckee River to spawn (10).
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
The only migratory behavior reported for cui-ui involves adults
ascending the Truckee River from Pyramid Lake to spawn, their return
to the Lake and downstream migration of hatched larvae (01,08,10,14).
Adult cui-ui migrate to the south end of Pyramid Lake from late winter
to early spring (Feb. - May) where pre-spawning adults congregate off
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CUI-UI
Species Id ESIS251024
Date 14 MAR 96
the mouth of the river (10,15,29). Fish ascend the river or fishway
primarily between April through June (01,07,08,14,28) with peak
upstream movement usually occurring in May and cued by water
temperature and photoperiod (08,11). Diel upstream movements of
pre-spawning cui-ui also appear to be temperture related, peaking in
late afternoon and early evening and tapering off at night (11).
Radio tagged males remained in the Truckee River between 6.5 to 16.5
days and females for 4.0 to 10.5 days before returning to Pyramid Lake
(08). Young cui-ui migrate downstream shortly after hatching,
primarily from mid-May through mid-July, usually within about one
month of peak adult migration (08). Historically cui-ui migrated up
the Truckee River as far as Reno, Nevada (about 100 km upstream of
Pyramid Lake, (01)), until construction of Derby Dam in 1905 limited
their upstream movements to 62 km (01,10,14). Most cui-ui presently
migrate only as far upstream as 15-20 km (08,10,14).
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
It is not known if larval, juvenile, or adult cui-ui require
cover or shelter in Pyramid Lake. Upstream migrating pre-spawning
adults require pool environments, typically log jam pools, as refugia
during the day (28). Migration of larval cui-ui from Truckee River to
Pyramid Lake occurs immediately following hatching (08,11) and it is
not known what, if any, cover is utilized. Channelization of the
lower river by Corps of Engineers resulted in widening the channel and
the loss of protective cover, leaving many areas exposed to direct
sunlight and solar heating (18).
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Reproductive site requirements are described in detail by
Scoppettone et al. (08,14,28). Cui-ui spawn primarily over gravel
substrate in water 20 to 110 cm deep often at the head of gravel bars
where flow is rapid and relatively free of silt (10). Stream
velocities where cui-ui spawning has been observed ranged from 27 to
140 cm/s, with most spawning occurring at velocities of 101 to 110
cm/s. Near-bed velocities ranged from 21 to 90 cm/s, with most
spawning occurring at near-bed velocities between 71 and 80 cm/s.
Truckee River water temperatures during which peak spawning migrations
have occurred range from 9 to 17 degrees Celsius (C), with daily means
of 12 to 15 degrees C. Peak migration occurred when minimum mean
daily water temperatures reached 12 to 13 degrees C (11).
Temperature requirements for incubating cui-ui eggs are described
under heading HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS.
Koch (19) recommended a safe maximum temperature for adult cui-ui
of 20.0-21.6 degrees C, stress was reported at temperatures of
21.7 to 23.9 degrees C and the upper incipient lethal temperature
range was 25.0 to 29.9 degrees C. Safe maxima for juvenile cui-ui
5 to 18 months old ranged from 23.9 to 25.6 degrees C, stress level
26.2 to 28.0 degrees C and upper incipient level 29.9 to 32.0 degrees
C. Koch (20) found 13.9 degrees C was the optimum incubation
temperature for cui-ui eggs; 40 percent mortality occurred at
17.8 degrees C and 70 percent mortality at 21.7 degrees C.
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CUI-UI
Species Id ESIS251024
Date 14 MAR 96
Cui-ui first enter the spawning run at 5 to 6 years of age and
lengths of 380-420 mm and fish as old as 41 years have been collected
from spawning runs (08). Fecundity ranges from 24,000 eggs (432 mm
female) to 196,000 eggs (657 mm female) (08). There is one
reproductive period per year primarily between April and late June,
spawning migrations peaking in May (01,07,08,10). Timing of spawning
migration is dependent on temperature and flow characteristics of
Truckee River (08,10,11,14). Scoppettone (14) described in detail
spawning behavior of cui-ui in Truckee River. Spawning occurs
primarily at night (2000-0600 hours) in clusters of 2 to 7 fish, most
frequently with a female flanked on either side by a male. No nest is
constructed and the demersal, adhesive eggs and sperm are broadcast
over a large area (14,27). Males and females spawn repeatedly, often
over 100 times, each spawning act lasting 3-6 seconds. Males spawn
actively over 4-5 days and females 2.5 to 4 days. There is no
aggression among spawners and females spawn with different
combinations of males (promiscuity) (14). Length of incubation is
temperature dependent. At 13 degrees C in the laboratory incubation
to hatching occurred at 9 days (10). Incubation time for hatchery
incubated eggs was 13 days at 10 degrees Celsius, 11 days at
13 degrees C, and 6 days at 15.5 degrees C (26). Hatching was first
observed in Truckee River channels 7 days after spawning had begun
(14).
PARENTAL CARE:
No parental care occurs for cui-ui. Embryological development
has been described by Koch (26), and Bres (30).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Information on the population biology of cui-ui has been
developed largely from analysis of spawning adults. Estimated numbers
of cui-ui in the pre-spawning aggregation in Pyramid Lake were 187,065
(151,270 to 236,451, 95 percent CI) for 1982 and 103,407 (82,270 to
134,161 95 percent CI) for 1983 (08). Male to female sex ratios in
the spawning run from Marble Bluff Fish Facility have been highly
variable from 1978 through 1985, ranging between 1.0:0.2 to 1.0:2.5
(11). Variable access to the fishway due to design constraints and
flow characteristics are considered the primary cause for these
year-to-year differences. Sampling the offshore spawning population
in 1985 yielded a sex ratio of 1.0:1.8 males to females (11). Age of
cui-ui determined from opercules indicates they are an extremely
long-lived fish, 28-41 years, and 97 percent of the 1983 spawning
population was from the 1969 year class (08). The major factor
limiting cui-ui populations is reproductive success due to restricted
access to the lower Truckee River (01,08,10,14). Several years of
high Truckee River discharge to Pyramid Lake in the early 1980's
resulted in production of sizeable new year classes as evidenced by
capture of juvenile cui-ui in Pyramid Lake (08,25,31). No population
density objective for recovery of cui-ui has been established (32).
However, recovery potential of a stable naturally reproducing cui-ui
population appears good if adequate Truckee River flows of (14 degrees
Celsius water are provided for spawning from early April through June
(10), access of spawning adults to the lower Truckee River at the
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CUI-UI
Species Id ESIS251024
Date 14 MAR 96
Marble Bluff Fish Facility is improved (08,11), river water quality is
enhanced (10,13,28), water level of Pyramid Lake is stabilized (10),
and nutrient loading to Pyramid Lake is not increased (10,13).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
Little information on interactions between cui-ui and other
species is available. Cui-ui have not been recorded in the diet of
Lahontan cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki henshawni). White pelicans
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) has been reported taking cui-ui (08), but
this is probably insignificant (34,35). Extensive predation by
Lahontan redsides (Richardsonius egregius) on cui-ui eggs in Truckee
River occurs during diurnal spawning. Diet and habitat use by cui-ui
in Pyramid Lake suggest they may interact with Tahoe suckers
(Catostomus tahoensis) and tui chubs (Gila bicolor) although
competition has not been demonstrated. Effects of parasites on cui-ui
are unknown (10).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 4 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CUI-UI
Species Id ESIS251024
Date 14 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Developing fishways
Beneficial Regulating Water Temperature
Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow
Beneficial
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Beneficial Reforestation
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Restricting Poaching
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Noncommercial Harvest
Adverse Predation
Existing Predation
Adverse Water Temperature Alteration
Existing Water Temperature Alteration
Adverse Salinity alteration
Existing Salinity alteration
Adverse Water Level Fluctuation
Existing Water Level Fluctuation
Adverse Irrigating
Existing Irrigating
Adverse Reservoirs
Existing Reservoirs
Adverse Migration barriers
Existing Migration barriers
Adverse Erosion
Existing Erosion
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The primary cause for decline of the Pyramid Lake cui-ui
population was disruption of its reproductive cycle (08). Spawning
adults have had only restricted access to Truckee River, the only
permanent tributary to Pyramid Lake, during the past 50 years (08).
Construction of Derby Dam on the Truckee River in 1905 began the
transbasin diversion of Truckee River to the Carson River system. In
1915 Lahontan Reservoir was constructed to receive diverted Truckee
River water. Except during high water years, nearly half the total
annual flow of Truckee River has been diverted from Pyramid Lake (08,
10). Because of droughts and diversion the water level of Pyramid
Lake declined over 24 m between 1905 and 1968. As a result an
extensive and shallow delta formed at the mouth of the Truckee River
in the 1930's and has been a barrier to migrating adults in most years
since then (08). A secondary impediment to cui-ui spawning migrations
in the past was the physical barrier of dams to passage by migrating
cui-ui. Numana Dam (19 km upstream from Pyramid Lake) was
reconstructed and a fish ladder installed in the late 1970's; it is no
longer a barrier to upstream cui-ui migration. Derby Dam remains the
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CUI-UI
Species Id ESIS251024
Date 14 MAR 96
only barrier to passage by cui-ui to their historical spawning range.
Marble Bluff Dam and Pyramid Lake Fishway were constructed in 1976 to
enable migrating fish to bypass the delta (08) and they become
funtional for cui-ui passage in 1978 (11). Additionally, portions of
water stored in an upstream reservoir are reserved to augment water
flows required for cui-ui spawning. Recent high river discharge years
(1982-1986) have increased the water level of Pyramid Lake nearly 10 m
(12) and migrating cui-ui now can ascend the Truckee River directly
to Marble Bluff Dam rather than use the Pyramid Lake Fishway.
Nevertheless, only a small percentage of adults from the pre-spawning
aggregate in Pyramid Lake ascend Truckee River and the number of
cui-ui presently passed at Marble Bluff Dam do not appear adequate to
recover the species (11). Major attention to facility improvements or
construction of a new facility have been recommended (11). Salinity
increase of Pyramid Lake as a result of declining lake level has
resulted in early 1980's salinity levels (5.0-5.5 g/L) being at or
above the optimum for cui-ui (10). High water temperatures have also
been suggested as a factor contributing to observed low survival of
cui-ui eggs in the lower Truckee River (28).
Extensive predation by Lahontan redsides (Richardonius egregius)
on cui-ui eggs in Truckee River occurs during diurnal spawning. Diet
and habitat use by cui-ui in Pyramid Lake suggest they may interact
with Tahoe suckers (Catostomus tahoensis) and tui chubs (Gila bicolor)
although competition has not been demonstrated.
Factors perceived as future threats to this species include
upstream passage of migrating adults over Marble Bluff Dam, adequate
Truckee River flows for migrating adults and larvae, proper river
water temperatures for incubating embryos and out-migrating larvae,
stream bank and channel erosion, increases in Pyramid Lake salinity
and Truckee River water quality and nutrient loading to Pyramid Lake
(10,11,13).
The two previous channelization projects administered by the
Corps of Engineers on the lower Truckee River, resulted in widening of
the channel and the loss of protective cover, leaving many areas
exposed to direct sunlight and solar heating (18).
Where livestock have unlimited access, all of the readily
available forage has been removed, leaving the barren ground subject
to unlimited erosion during high runoff. Here again, no undergrowth
or protective canopy is developing, only the few old willows and
cottonwoods have survived, and these periodically topple over into the
river when undercut by high runoff, causing mass erosion. Thousands
of cottonwood seedlings covered the ground in early summer, but by
fall, very few could be found. It is obvious that livestock grazing
is having a very detrimental effect on new growth, and has prevented
the re-establishment of needed protective bank cover in many areas
(18).
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983. Cui-ui Recovery Plan. First
Revision. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Portland, OR. 25 pp.
The primary objective in the cui-ui recovery plan is to restore
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CUI-UI
Species Id ESIS251024
Date 14 MAR 96
and maintain an optimal, self-sustaining population in the Truckee
River-Pyramid Lake system. Attainment of an optimal, self-sustaining
population in sufficient, secure habitat may allow declassifying to
threatened status and perhaps delisting the species. The recovery
activities necessary to achieve the primary objective are:
1) Determine biology of the cui-ui (life history and
population dynamics);
2) Determine habitat requirements, i.e., migration stimuli,
spawning habitat, water quality, water chemistry, and lake
habitat;
3) Rehabilitate the Truckee River and Pyramid Lake habitat by
determining limiting factors, determining how to accomplish
tasks, and mitigating detrimental water management actions;
4) Stabilize the lower Truckee River in a natural course to
reduce bank erosion and river's velocity by eliminating
shoreline and bank vegetation removal;
5) Restore river canopy by maintaining the shoreline and bank
naturally without using channelization which leads to
erosion;
6) Identify and manage self-sustaining populations (develop
and implement management plans which include determining
river flow regimes, monitoring species composition,
censusing, and augmenting through hatchery production);
7) Operate hatchery for fish release at preselected sites;
8) Install fish screens and ladders to aid in fish movement;
9) Control illegal dredge and fill in the lower Truckee River
under Sec. 404 of the Clean Water Act;
10) Enforce water quality standards to protect cui-ui habitat;
11) Secure and maintain the flow regime required to maintain
cui-ui habitat;
12) Improve and maintain fishery facilities to help in fish
movement to spawning sites;
13) Protect cui-ui populations by providing interagency
cooperation and enforcing laws and regulations against
recreational consumption and take;
14) Regulate water temperature through habitat revegetation
which will ensure proper shading from solar heating;
15) maintaining and controlling water salinity; and
16) Implement public information and education program.
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species CUI-UI
Species Id ESIS251024
Date 14 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 LaRivers, I. 1962. Fishes and fisheries of Nevada. State Fish
and Game Comm., Carson City, NV.
02 Snyder, D.E. 1983. Identification of catastomid larvae in Pyramid
Lake and the Truckee River, Nevada. Transactions of the Amer.
Fish. Soc. 112:33-348.
03 Cope, E.D. 1883. On the fishes of the recent and Pliocene lakes
of the western part of the Great Basin and of the Idaho Pliocene
lake. Proceedings Philadelphia Acad. Nat. Sci. 1883:134-166.
04 Fowler, H.W. 1913. Notes on catostomid fishes. Proceedings
Philadelphia Acad. Nat. Sci. 65:45-60.
05 Cope, E.D. 1879. The fishes of Klamath Lake, Oregon. Amer. Nat.
13:784-785.
06 Miller, R.R., and G.R. Smith. 1981. Distribution and evolution of
Chasmistes (Pisces: Catostomidae) in western North America.
Occasional Papers of the Mus. of Zool., Univ. of Mich. 696:1-46.
07 Snyder, J.O. 1917. The fishes of the Lahontan system of Nevada
and northeastern California. U.S. Bur. of Fish. Bull.
35(1915-1916):31-86.
08 Scoppettone, G.G., M. Coleman, G.A. Wedemeyer. 1986. Life history
and status of the endangered cui-ui of Pyramid Lake, Nevada. Fish
and Wildl. Res. 1. U.S. Fish and Wildl.Serv., Wash., D.C.
09 Galat, D.L., E.L. Lider, S. Vigg, S.R. Robertso. 1981. Limnology
of a large, deep, North American terminal lake, Pyramid Lake,
Nevada, USA. Hydrobiologia 82:281-317.
10 Sigler, W.F., S. Vigg, M. Bres. 1985. Life history of the cui-ui,
Chasmistes cujus Cope, in Pyramid Lake,Nevada: A review. The
Great Basin Nat. 45:571-603.
11 Coleman, M.E. 1986. Evaluation of spawning runs at the Marble
Bluff Fish Facility Nixon, Nevada 1978 to 1985. U.S. Fish and
Wildl. Serv., Rept. FR1/FAO-86-11. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv.,
Reno, NV.
12 U.S. Geological Survey. 1980-1986. Water resources data, Nevada.
Water data rept. NM-80-1 through NV-86-1. Water Resour. Div., U.S.
Geological Survey, Carson City, NV.
13 Galat, D.L. 1983. Study concepts paper. Sewage effluent in the
lower Truckee River Pyramid Lake: toxicity to fish and
biostimulation to aquatic plants. Colo. Coop. Fishery Unit. Colo.
State Univ., Ft. Collins.
14 Scoppettone, G.G., G.A. Wedemeyer, M. Coleman, H. Burge. 1983.
Reproduction by the endangered cui-ui in the lower Truckee River.
Transactions of the Amer. Fisheries Soc. 112:788-793.
15 Vigg, S. 1980. Seasonal benthic distribution of adult fish in
Pyramid Lake, Nevada. Calif. Fish and Game 66:49-58.
16 Galat, D.L. 1986. Organic carbon flux to a large salt lake:
Pyramid Lake, Nevada, USA. Internationale Revue der Gesamten
Hydrobiologie 71:621-654.
17 Carlson, L. Pers. comm. Resour. Dept., Pyramid Lake Fisheries.
18 Koch, D.L. 1972. Life history information on the cui-ui
lakesucker (Chasmistes cujus, Cope 1883) endemic to Pyramid Lake,
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species CUI-UI
Species Id ESIS251024
Date 14 MAR 96
Washoe County, Nevada. Ph.D. diss. Univ. of NV, Reno. 343 pp.
19 Koch, D.L. 1982. Temperature tolerance evaluation of various life
phases of the cui-ui. Rept. to Pyramid Lake Indian Tribal Enter.
Koch and Assoc. Reno, NV.
20 Koch, D.L. 1981. Temperature tolerance evaluations of cui-ui
(Chasmistes cujus) fertilized eggs and larvae to swim-up stage.
Rept. to Pyramid Lake Indian Tribal Enterprises. Koch and Assoc.
Reno, NV.
21 Chatto, D.A. 1979. Effects of salinity on hatching success of the
cui-ui. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 41:81-85.
22 Lockheed Ocean Science Labs. 1982. Investigation on the effect of
total dissolved solids on the principal components of the Pyramid
Lake food chain. Lockheed Ocean Sci. Labs., San Diego, CA.
23 Koch, D.L., E.L. Lider, S.R. Robertson. 1979. Toxic effect
evaluation of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate on cui-ui (Chasmistes
cujus). Bioresour. Center, Publ. No. 50011, Desert Res. Instit.
Univ. of Nev. System, Reno, NV.
24 Nevada Fish and Game Commission. 1958. Fisheries management
report: Pyramid Lake. Lakes Walker, Pyramid and Tahoe
investigations, Dingell-Johnson project FAF-4-R. Nev. Fish and
Game Comm., Carson City, NV.
25 Pyramid Lake Fisheries. 1986. Pyramid Lake fisheries fishery
restoration program. Annual Rept. for FY-86. Pyramid Lake Fish.,
Sutcliffe, NV.
26 Koch, D.L. 1986. Life history information on the cui-ui
lakesucker (Chasmistes cujus, Cope 1883) in Pyramid Lake, Nevada.
Biol. Soc. of Nev. Occasional Papers 40:1-12.
27 Koch, D.L. 1973. Reproductive characteristics of the cui-ui
lakesuker (Chasmistes cujus Cope) and its spawning behavior in
Pyramid Lake, Nevada. Transactions of the Amer. Fish. Soc.
102:145-149.
28 Scoppettone, G.G., M. Coleman, H. Burge, G. Wedemeyer. 1981.
Cui-ui life history: river phase. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., an
annual rept. Natl. Fish. Res. Cntr., Seattle, Wash., and Fish.
Assist. Office, Reno, NV.
29 Sonnevil, G.M. 1981. Evaluation of the cui-ui restoration
program: 1977-1980. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Fish. Assist.
Office, special rept., Endangered Species Program. U.S. Fish and
Wildl. Serv., Reno, NV.
30 Bres, M. 1978. The embryonic development of the cui-ui Chasmistes
cujus (Teleostei, Catostomidae). Master's thesis. Univ. of Nev.,
Reno.
31 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1978. Cui-ui Recovery Plan.
Cui-ui Recovery Team, Endangered Species Program, Region 1. U.S.
Fish and Wildl. Serv., Portland, OR.
32 Pyramid Lake Fisheries. 1985. Pyramid Lake fisheries fishery
restoration program. Annual rept. for FY-85. Pyramid Lake Fish.,
Sutcliffe, NV.
33 Sigler, W.F., W.T. Helm, P.A. Kucera, S. Vigg, G.W. Workman. 1983.
Life history of the Lahontan cutthroat, Salmo clarki henshawi, in
Pyramid Lake, Nevada. Great Basin Nat. 43:1-29.
34 Knopf, F.L., and J.L. Kennedy. 1980. Foraging sites of white
pelicans nesting at Pyramid Lake, Nevada. Western Birds
References - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species CUI-UI
Species Id ESIS251024
Date 14 MAR 96
11:175-180.
35 Knopf, F.L., and J.L. Kennedy. 1981. Differential predation by
two species of piscivorous birds. Wilson Bull. 93:554-556.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Sigler, W.F., S. Vigg, M. Bres. 1985. Life history of the
Chamistes cujus Cope, in Pyramid Lake, Nevada: a review. The
Great Basin Naturalist 45:571-603.
02 Scoppettone, G.G., M. Coleman, G.A. Wedemeyer. 1986. Life history
and status of the endangered cui-ui of Pyramid Lake, Nevada. Fish
and Wildl. Res. 1. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Wash., D.C.
03 Scoppettone, G.G., G.A. Wedemeyer, M. Coleman, H. Burge. 1983.
Reproduction by the endangered cui-ui in the lower Truckee River.
Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 112:788-793.
04 LaRivers, I. 1962. Fishes and fisheries of Nevada. State Fish
and Game Commission, Carson City, NV.
05 Kock, D.L. 1972. Life history information on the cui-ui
lakesucker (Chasmistes cujus, Cope 1883) endemic to Pyramid Lake,
Washoe County, Nevada. Ph.D. diss. Univ. of NV, Reno. 343 pp.
06 Snyder, J.O. 1917. The fishes of the Lahontan system of Nevada
and northeastern California. Bull. U.S. Bur. of Fisheries
35(1915-1916):31-86.
References - 3