(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
                             Species GAMBUSIA, BIG BEND
                                Species Id ESIS252004
                                   Date 14 MAR 96



TAXONOMY

NAME - GAMBUSIA, BIG BEND OTHER COMMON NAMES - GAMBUSIA and BIG BEND ELEMENT CODE - CATEGORY - Fish PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA, CLASS AND SUBCLASS - OSTEICHTHYES, ORDER AND SUBORDER - ATHERINIFORMES, FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - POECILIIDAE, GENUS AND SUBGENUS - GAMBUSIA, SPECIES AND SSP - GAIGEI, SCIENTIFIC NAME - GAMBUSIA GAIGEI AUTHORITY - TAXONOMY REFERENCES - COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY - Big Bend Gambusia Gambusia gaigei Hubbs, 1929 KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Fish PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Osteichthyes ORDER: Atheriniformes FAMILY: Poeciliidae The Big Bend gambusia is a relatively plain, yellowish Poeciliid up to 30 mm long, whose faint lateral stripe is the most pronounced dark mark on the body. There is also a suborbital bar and a faint, dark chin bar. The gonopodium has a pronounced elbow, with only one or two segments. The species was described in 1929 by Hubbs (01). The type specimens are in the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Most other specimens are in the Texas Natural History Collection. Photographic illustrations of the Big Bend gambusia may be found in (02) and a drawing in (15). The species was considered as a senior synonym of two Mexican species (Gambusia hurtadoi Hubbs and Springer, 1957; and G. alvarezi; Hubbs and Springer, 1957) (03). This opinion was not accepted by many authors (04,05,06,07,08,09,15). All authors agree that it is closely related to G. senilis. It was placed in the G. nobilis species group Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy Species GAMBUSIA, BIG BEND Species Id ESIS252004 Date 14 MAR 96 by Hubbs and Springer (01,03) but that species group was divided, and G. gaigei placed in the G. senilis species group by Rivas (04). Subsequent authors have not recognized the G. senilis group as distinct from the G. nobilis group (04,05) and place the Big Bend gambusia in the G. nobilis group. Taxonomy - 2
                                  (DRAFT) - Status
                             Species GAMBUSIA, BIG BEND
                                Species Id ESIS252004
                                   Date 14 MAR 96



STATUS

Coded Status E: Federal Endangered COMMENTS ON STATUS - U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS: The Big Bend gambusia (Gambusia gaigei) has been designated an Endangered 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 Texas. 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 (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. NPS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this species with applicable State and Federal laws on public lands under their control. Also responsible for conservation (Nat. Park System Organic Act - 16 U.S.C. 1, 2-3)/management/recovery on National Park Service lands. Taking, possessing, or disturbing of Federally listed species is prohibited on NPS lands (36 CFR 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3). 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. Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status Species GAMBUSIA, BIG BEND Species Id ESIS252004 Date 14 MAR 96 STATE STATUSES AND LAWS: STATE: Texas DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department STATE STATUTE: 31 Texas Administrative Code Sec. 57.133 (127.30.003) July 1977 INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS: The Big Bend gambusia is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red Data Book, Vol. 4, 1977; and is also listed by the Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere, 1970. ECONOMIC STATUSES: This species has value to naturalists and has a value as a component of Texas' natural heritage of biotic diversity. 67/03/11:32 FR 04001/ - Listing as Endangered 79/05/21:44 FR 29565/29577 - Five year review 85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year review Status - 2
     

HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - AQUATIC INLAND AQUATIC LAND USE - Shrub and Brush Rangeland Streams and Canals Reservoirs NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC Riverine, upper perennial AB1 Lacustrine, littoral AB1 Palustrine EM1 COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS - The species can coexist with Gambusia affinis only in warm (30 degrees C plus) stenothermal flowing waters. Any alteration of temperature or flow regimes will result in the elimination of the Big Bend gambusia. The Big Bend gambusia is known only from spring habitats of Texas in the vicinity of Boquillas Crossing and Rio Grande Village in Big Bend National Park (08). Spring 1 and Spring 4 are important for sustaining Gambusia gaigei in the Rio Grande Village area of Big Bend National Park. These springs (about 270 meters apart) have been developed, altering their natural flows. Chemical water analyses show them to have been almost identical during the past 24 years and strongly suggest that both springs have a common source. Springs 1 and 4 are intermediate thermal springs, part of a cluster of six known thermal springs concentrated in this area of the Big Bend of the Rio Grande. Temperatures of the spring cluster are in the 30-50 degrees C range with the warmest temperatures in Hot Springs and temperatures in Springs 1 and 4 near 34 degrees C. The points of issue of Springs 1 and 4 are located along the contact of the upthrow side of the Santa Elena Limestone of Cretaceous Age (13). Thermal water issuing from both springs is of ancient origin with the principal recharge zone located in higher elevations of the Sierra del Carmen (13). The fault system, formed in Mesozoic times during development of the Sierra del Carmen, serves both as a means for collecting and recharging the groundwater system as well as an avenue by which groundwaters are discharged in a spring line. In addition to the concentrated flows of Springs 1 and 4, diffused seepage occurs in the vicinity (08). The natural habitat occupied by G. gaigei was clear, shallow water fed by warm springs. Although the Big Bend gambusia will exist in other habitats, the rapid replacement by mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) in eurythermal water suggests that the Big Bend gambusia is best adapted to warm-spring areas. Other members of the Gambusia nobilis species group in U.S. waters also are abundant in springs, especially in those areas inhabited by mosquitofish downstream. The species does best in dense aquatic vegetation (Chara is the form in the refugium) (07). Flooding based on flow regulation of the Presa Luis L. Leon in Mexico (reservoir) could impact the species by allowing competitiors and predators access to the species and habitat (08). Areas immediately surrounding the habitats are used for recreational Habitat Associations - 1 purposes (campgrounds) within the Big Bend National Park. Little is known concerning the population biology and dynamics of the Big Bend gambusia (Gambusia gaigei). Limiting factors are considered to be the maintenance of stenothermal flowing spring water (11). The surrounding rangeland is classified as Texas savanna. Habitat Associations - 2
                                (DRAFT) - Food Habits
                             Species GAMBUSIA, BIG BEND
                                Species Id ESIS252004
                                   Date 14 MAR 96



FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL - CARNIVORE LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART General Zooplankton General Arthropods General Worms Food Habits - 1
                         (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
                             Species GAMBUSIA, BIG BEND
                                Species Id ESIS252004
                                   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: Springs [flowing] Environment Associations - 1
                               (DRAFT) - Life History
                             Species GAMBUSIA, BIG BEND
                                Species Id ESIS252004
                                   Date 14 MAR 96



LIFE HISTORY

FOOD HABITS: Little is known about the food habits of the Big Bend gambusia (Gambusia gaigei) (07). Presumably, as in other Poeciliids, insect larvae and other invertebrates (zooplankton and worms) account for most of the dietary intake of this species (07). HOME RANGE/TERRITORY: No information is known concerning territoriality but males are presumed to be quasi-territorial (07). PERIODICITY: Unknown (07). MIGRATION PATTERNS: No migrations are known for the Big Bend gambusia (Gambusia gaigei) (07). COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS: The natural habitat occupied by G. gaigei was clear, shallow water fed by warm springs (08). The species does best in dense aquatic vegetation (Chara is the form in the refugium) (07). REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS: Viviparous, no site requirements are known (07). REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS: Little is known, but, brood numbers are dependent. Females reproduce in June and August. Females of the closely related Gambusia hurtadoi and G. alvarezi reproduce in January. This species is presumed to be reproductive for 12 months. Fecundity is high in June (up to 50 yg in small females) and low in August and January (up to 30 yg in large females) (14). It is probable that, once inseminated, females can store sperm for long periods, e.g., several months, and that interbrood intervals in individual females is on the order of 1-2 months. These are general features of reproduction in Gambusia species. Factors limiting reproduction are unknown, but photoperiod, temperature, and food availability all affect fecundity and interbrood intervals in poeciliids (08). PARENTAL CARE: No parental care is known (07). POPULATION BIOLOGY: Little is known concerning the population biology and dynamics of the Big Bend gambusia (Gambusia gaigei). Limiting factors are considered to be the maintenance of stenothermal flowing spring water (11). SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS: Big Bend gambusia have been found associated with at least five Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History Species GAMBUSIA, BIG BEND Species Id ESIS252004 Date 14 MAR 96 other fish species within their native range. These included, at Spring 4, two minnows (Notropis braytoni and N. lutrensis), another poeciliid (mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis), an ictalurid (presumably Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus) and a centrarchid (green sunfish, Lepomis cyanellus). The channel catfish and green sunfish are potential predators and were reported to have been purposefully stocked into the overflow pool of Spring 4; perhaps the other species accidentally were placed into the pool along with these game species (02,10). These predators were removed and their impacts reportedly were minimal. The two potentially competitive minnows also were eliminated, but the mosquitofish survived and apparently is a serious competitive threat to Big Bend gambusia (08). At least 18 other fish species inhabit the Rio Grande adjacent to the habitats of the Big Bend gambusia (16) but are not syntopic with the Big Bend gambusia. They could move into the campground area in the event of a large- magnitude flood. Other species found with Big Bend gambusia include aquatic invertebrates that may be prey items for G. gaigei, crayfish, a variety of potential avian predators, and various plants including bulrushes, cattails, saltcedars, and cottonwoods, which provide cover and/or shade to the habitat (08). The Big Bend gambusia (Gambusia gaigei) is unable to coexist with Gambusia affinis in eurythermal waters, cool stenothermal waters, or lentic warm stenothermal waters (03,08,11); however, G. gaigei can coexist with Gambusia affinis only in warm (30 degrees C plus) stenothermal flowing waters. OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS: All documented natural occurrences of Big Bend gambusia are from spring outflows. The two springs of natural occurrence differ substantially in outflow temperature. Spring 4 has an outlet temperature of 32-35.5 degrees C (13) and Boquillas Spring had a temperature of about 23 degrees C on March 6, 1982. However, the fish inhabiting Spring 4 did not live in the springhead itself, but downstream where the temperature was influenced by ambient air temperatures. Recorded water temperatures (summers of 1954-56) from the Spring 4 outflow ditch, densely inhabited by Big Bend gambusia, were cooler and near ambient. Recorded temperatures from the refugium also fluctuate widely dependent upon air temperature and location (08). Life History - 2
                           (DRAFT) - Management Practices
                             Species GAMBUSIA, BIG BEND
                                Species Id ESIS252004
                                   Date 14 MAR 96



MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas Beneficial Reforestation Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals Beneficial Controlling/Removing Exotic Vertebrates Adverse Existing Adverse Low Gene Pool Existing Low Gene Pool Adverse Predation Existing Predation Adverse Recreational development Existing Recreational development Adverse Siltation Existing Siltation Adverse Water Temperature Alteration Existing Water Temperature Alteration Adverse Flooding Existing Flooding Adverse Groundwater drawdown Existing Groundwater drawdown Adverse Reservoirs Existing Reservoirs Adverse Dredging Existing Dredging Adverse Competition Existing Competition Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - The type locality (Boquillas Spring) population was extinct by 1954 as the spring was dry (03,08). The Spring 4 population (Graham Ranch Warm Spring) declined drasticlly between June 1954 and April 1956 (10). The construction of a children's fishing pool for the proposed Rio Grande Village Campground had drastically altered the springs flow regimes (11) and fish from the Rio Grande, presumably including Gambusia affinis were introduced into the Spring 4 system (10). Twenty-five G. gaigei were removed by seine and transferred to live tanks prior to the Spring 4 system being treated with Rotenone (in October 1956) in a futile effort to eradicate Gambusia affinis (08,10). Three individuals eventually survived and constituted the entire stock available for recovery actions. These individuals and offspring flourished in the first refugium until Gambusia affinis inadvertantly gained access to the refugium by 1960 (10). Another refugium based on Spring 1 water was constructed and the population again flourished (10). Green Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices Species GAMBUSIA, BIG BEND Species Id ESIS252004 Date 14 MAR 96 sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) were found in that refugium and eliminated (12) in 1968. A mass mortality occurred during unusually cold weather in December 1975 (13) and this difficulty was resolved by establishing a flow through system so that Spring 1 temperatures (30 degrees C plus) would exist around the inflow (12). The overflow ditch subsequently supported a small population at most times (08). In 1984 following the recommendations of the Recovery Plan (08), fish were released into the Spring 4 outflow and a sparse population was located in stenothermal spring water, in a once dry marsh, 50 meters southwest of Spring 4 (11). It is considered that Gambusia gaigei cannot coexist with Gambusia affinis (08); the existence of a population coexisting in stenothermal flowing spring water (11) suggests that the Big Bend gambusia can coexist with congenera in warm stenothermal spring water (13). The primary threats are potential declining spring flow through groundwater drawdown or diversion for additonal park development, changes of outflow temperature, and excessive abundance of Gambusia affinis. Surface runoff and flooding of the Rio Grande River are also threats. Periods of unusually high precipitation could result in surface runoff causing silt deposition and/or erosion in the refugium or spring runs. Flooding or broad surface runoff could provide an avenue for invasion of G. affinis or other undesirable species. The flooding threat is based on the regulation of flow from Presa Luis L. Leon into the Rio Conchos, Mexico (08). APPROVED PLAN: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Big Bend Gambusia Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 43 pp. The goal of the Recovery Plan is to assure the survival of the Big Bend gambusia (Gambusia gaigei) through improvement of its status. It is important to understand the biology and ecology of the species so that in the event of a decline, causative factors can be identified and remedied as quickly as possible. The plan stresses the importance of understanding: 1) Competition with mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis). 2) Gambusia gaigei's food preferences and the biology of their prey. 3) This species' reproductive variables. 4) The effects of predation. 5) Mortality rates by age groups. 6) Diseases and parasites of the Big Bend gambusia. 7) This species' habitat requirements. The plan calls for monitoring the Big Bend gambusia population and its habitat, and provides specific management recommendations for Springs 1 and 4. It recommends that: 1) Spring 4 be restocked with G. gaigei from a captive propagation program. Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices Species GAMBUSIA, BIG BEND Species Id ESIS252004 Date 14 MAR 96 2) That campground impacts be minimized through limiting human access, habitat rehabilitation, and controlling development. 3) That G. affinis (a introduced exotic) be eradicated from the campground area. 4) The campground should be irrigated from wells rather than directly from the Rio Grande River so as to eliminate irrigation as a potential vehicle for immigration of more mosquitofish (G. affinis). 5) A captive population should be maintained at Dexter NFH for further reintroductions, research, and to provide a reserve gene pool in the event of a catastrophy. The Big Bend gambusia should be provided the full protection mandated by Federal and Texas laws. Finally, public awareness of the uniqueness to this species should be increased through the preparation of pamphlets, interpretive programs, and news releases. Management Practices - 3
                                   (DRAFT) - References
                                Species GAMBUSIA, BIG BEND
                                  Species Id ESIS252004
                                      Date 14 MAR 96



     

References

***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE ***** 01 Hubbs, C.L. 1929. Studies of the fishes of the order Cyprinodontes VIII. Gambusia gaigei, a new species from the Rio Grande. Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Mich. 198:1-11. 02 Hubbs, C.L. and V.G. Springer. 1957. A revision of Gambusia nobilis species group, with descriptions of three new species, and notes on their variation, ecology, and evolution. TX J. Sci. 9:279-372. 03 Rosen, D.E. and R.M. Bailey. 1963. The Poeciliid fishes (Cyprinodontiformes), their structure, zoogeography, and systematics. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 126:1-176. 04 Rivas, L.R. 1963. Subgenera and species groups in the Poeciliid fish genus Gambusia Poey. Copeia 1963:331-347. 05 Peden, A.E. 1973. Variation in anal spot expression of gambusine females and its effect on male courtship. Copeia 1973:250-263. 06 Alvarez del Villar, J. 1970. Peces Mexicanos (claves). Serie investigacion pesquera, estudia No. 1 166 pp. 07 Miller, R.R. 1978. Composition and derivation of the native fish fauna of the Chihuahuan Desert Region. In: Trans. of the Sym. on the Biol. Res. of the Chihuahuan Desert Region, U.S.-Mexico. Pp. 365-381. In: R.H. Wauer and D.H. Riskind eds. NPS, GPO, Washington, DC. 08 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Big Bend Gambusia (Gambusia gaigei Hubbs, 1929) Recovery Plan. USFWS, Albuquerque, NM. 32 pp. 09 Deacon, J.E., G. Kobetich, J.D. Williams, S. Contreras et al. 1979. Endangered fishes of North America: Endangered, threatened or of special concern. Fisheries 4(2):30-44. 10 Hubbs, C.L. and H.J. Broderick. 1963. Current abundance of Gambusia gaigei, an Endangered fish species. Southwest Nat. 8:46-48. 11 Hubbs, C.L., G. Hoddenbach and C.M. Fleming. 1986. An enigmatic population of Gambusia gaigei. Southwestern Nat. 12 Hubbs, C.L., J.E. Johnson, and R.H. Wauer. 1977. Habitat Management Plan for Big Bend Gambusia, Big Bend National Park, TX. NPS. 13 Moore, G. 1980. Aquifer test of geothermal Spring 4, Rio Grande Village, Big Bend National Park. NPS, Water Resource Rept. No. 80-8. Southwest Regional Office, Santa Fe, NM 87501. 14 Hubbs, C. and D.T. Mosier. 1986. Fecundity of Gambusia gaigei, an Endangered species. Copeia. 15 Guillory, V. 1980. Gambusia gaigei Hubbs Big Bend gambusia, Page 540. In: Atlas of North American freshwater fishes. NC Bio. Sur. Publ. 1980-12. 16 Hubbs, C.L., R. Miller, J. Edwards, K.W. Thompson, E. Marsh, P. Garrett, G.L. Powell, D.J. Morris, and W. Zerr. 1977. Fishes inhabiting the Rio Grande, Texas-Mexico, between El Paso and the Pecos confluence. Pp. 91-97. In: Importance, Preservation and Management of Riparian Habitat. A symposium. USDA Forest Service, General Tech. Rept. RM-43. R. Roy Johnson and Dale Jones eds. References - 1 (DRAFT) - References Species GAMBUSIA, BIG BEND Species Id ESIS252004 Date 14 MAR 96 ***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY ***** 01 Hubbs, C.L. 1929. Studies of the fishes of the order Cyprinodontes VIII. Gambusia gaigei, a new species from the Rio Grande. Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Mich. 198:1-11. 02 Hubbs, C.L. 1940. Fishes from the Big Bend region of Texas. Trans. TX Acad. Sci. 23:3-12. 03 Hubbs, C.L. and V.G. Springer. 1957. A revision of Gambusia nobilis species group, with descriptions of three new species, and notes on their variation, ecology, and evolution. TX J. Sci. 9:279-372. 04 Hubbs, C.L. and H.J. Broderick. 1963. Current abundance of Gambusia gaigei, an Endangered fish species. Southwest Nat. 8:46-48. 05 Hubbs, C.L., J.E. Johnson and R.H. Wauer. 1977. Habitat Management Plan for Big Bend Gambusia, Big Bend National Park, TX. NPS. 06 Hubbs, C.L. and J.G. Williams. 1979. A review of circumstances affecting the abundance of Gambusia gaigei, and Endangered fish endemic to Big Bend National Park. Pp. 631-635. In: Proceeding First Conf. on Sci. Res. in the National Parks, Vol. 1. Robert Linn (ed). 07 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Big Bend Gambusia (Gambusia gaigei Hubbs, 1929) Recovery Plan. USFWS, Albuquerque, NM. 32 pp. 08 Hubbs, C.L., G. Hoddenbach and C.M. Fleming. 1986. An enigmatic population of Gambusia gaigei. Southwestern Nat. 09 Hubbs, C.L. 1959. High incidence of vertebral deformities in two natural populations of fishes inhabiting warm springs. Ecology 40:154-155. 10 Guillory, V. 1980. Gambusia gaigei Hubbs Big Bend gambusia, P. 540. In: Atlas of North American freshwater fishes. NC Bio. Sur. Publ. 1980-12. References - 2