(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CATFISH, YAQUI
Species Id ESIS252013
Date 14 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - CATFISH, YAQUI
OTHER COMMON NAMES - CATFISH and YAQUI
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Fish
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - OSTEICHTHYES,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - SILURIFORMES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - ICTALURIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - ICTALURUS,
SPECIES AND SSP - PRICEI,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - ICTALURUS PRICEI
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CATFISH, YAQUI
Species Id ESIS252013
Date 14 MAR 96
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Yaqui Catfish
Ictalurus pricei (Rutter, 1896)
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Fish
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Osteichthyes
ORDER: Siluriformes FAMILY: Ictaluridae
Very little is known about the taxonomic status of this species.
J. Humphries and R.R. Miller (01) are now synthesizing data on the
Mexican ictalurids.
The Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei) is a moderately large (to
50 cm TL), fork-tailed species characterized in part by the presence
of "villia-like" rugosities on the skin (01). Minckley (01)
points-out that this condition is found in catfish from headwater
regions of streams but not in channel catfish.
Coloration dark gray to black dorsally, white to grayish beneath;
far darker over-all than either the channel or blue catfishes.
Barbels jet-black except on chin, where gray to whitened. Body
usually profusely speckled (03).
This species was first described by Rutter (1896) as Villarius
pricei. A possible synonym according to Miller (04) may be Ictalurus
meeki from the Rio Yaqui.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CATFISH, YAQUI
Species Id ESIS252013
Date 14 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
T: Federal Threatened
Game (Consumptive Recreational)
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei) has been designated a
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
States of Arizona, USA, and Chihuahua and Sonora, Mexico..
Critical Habitat has been designated in aquatic habitats of San
Bernardino NWR in the S 1/2 Sec. 11; Sec. 14; S 1/2 and NE 1/4 Sec.
15 T245, R30E in Cochise County, AZ (50 CFR 17.95(e)).
Special rules concerning "take" for educational, scientific, or
conservation purposes in accordance with applicable Arizona State
laws and regulations for this species can be found in 50 CFR 17.44(h).
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.
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 CATFISH, YAQUI
Species Id ESIS252013
Date 14 MAR 96
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: Arizona
DESIGNATED STATUS: "Game Fish", Group 1, species is extirpated
from the state.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Arizona Department of Game and Fish
STATE STATUTE: AZ Rev. Stat. 17-102 and 17-101 A 21; and
AZ Admin. Rules and Regs. 12-4-210 (permits).
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
This species has value as part of the cultural value of Arizona's
natural heritage of biotic diversity, and it also served in a minor
way, as a recreational outlet for the fisherman.
82/12/30:47 FR 58454/58460 - Notice of Review (vertebrates).
83/07/15:48 FR 32527/32534 - Proposed rule.
84/08/31:49 FR 34490/34497 - Listed as Endangered.
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
INLAND AQUATIC
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The Yaqui catfish ranges from an elevation of about 2100 m
downward in relatively small creeks and rivers to the Rio Yaqui
mainstream and backwater habitats on the delta of that river.
This species exhibits broad ecological tolerance (01). Hendrickson
et al. (02) indicates that no fish of this species were captured from
artificial reservoirs although the species occurred in substantial
numbers above and below the reservoirs. "The species was most common
in larger river areas of medium to slow currents over sand/rock
bottoms. In small streams at higher elevations, however, it lived in
quiet, clear pools with abundant macrophytes, over gravel/sand
substrate. The absence of the species from collections in the upper
Papigochic system in recent years...may indicate a reduction in its
range..."
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species CATFISH, YAQUI
Species Id ESIS252013
Date 14 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
OMNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Detritus
General Carrion
General Fish
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species CATFISH, YAQUI
Species Id ESIS252013
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 Inland Wetland: vegetated stream banks
G
G Aquatic Features: Pool areas
G Aquatic Features: Springs [flowing]
G Terrestrial Features: Downed logs
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CATFISH, YAQUI
Species Id ESIS252013
Date 14 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
The stomach contents of four individuals revealed the remains of
other fishes and detrital/carrion materials (01).
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
No information on home range/territory.
PERIODICITY:
No information on periodicity.
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
No information on migration patterns.
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
No information on cover/shelter requirements.
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
No information on reproductive site requirements.
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
There is little information on the reproductive biology of the
Yaqui catfish. Males from the Rio Sirupa, Chihuahua developed
swollen heads in breeding condition and females had ripe ova in
mid-June 1978.
PARENTAL CARE:
No information on parental care.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
No information on population biology.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
Associated species include most large-river fishes of the Rio
Yaqui system especially the Yaqui sucker, and roundtail chub in the
channels of larger streams. Smaller fishes taken with the Yaqui
catfish in large, mainstream habitats included the young of the Yaqui
sucker and roundtail chub as well as the beautiful shiner, while
Mexican stoneroller, longfin dace, and others lived along the stream
margins (02).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
No information on other life history descriptors.
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CATFISH, YAQUI
Species Id ESIS252013
Date 14 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Developing/maintaining stream structures
Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow
Beneficial Developing/maintaining/protecting wetlands
Beneficial Controlling water levels
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Pesticide Use
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Herbicide Use
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Creating Artificial Habitat/Nesting Structure
Beneficial Reforestation
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Exotic Vertebrates
Adverse Surface Mines
Existing Surface Mines
Adverse Siltation
Existing Siltation
Adverse Water Temperature Alteration
Existing Water Temperature Alteration
Adverse Water Level Fluctuation
Existing Water Level Fluctuation
Adverse Irrigating
Existing Irrigating
Adverse Reservoirs
Existing Reservoirs
Adverse Migration barriers
Existing Migration barriers
Adverse Dredging
Existing Dredging
Adverse Competition
Existing Competition
Adverse Erosion
Existing Erosion
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse
Existing
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
This species was introduced into the upper Santa Cruz River
basin, Arizona in the late 1800's but was extirpated by the
1950's (02). As for reasons for this species extirpation from the
Santa Cruz River, suitable habitat conditions (i.e. water flow,
temperatures, dissolved oxygen, cover, etc.) have been altered in a
way that was detrimental to this species survival within this
drainage. As for the populations within Mexico, "major modifications
in the Rio Yaqui basin in Mexico consisted of three mainstream
reservoirs, principally for irrigation storage and secondarilly for
hydroelectric power, that regulate discharges and have had local
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CATFISH, YAQUI
Species Id ESIS252013
Date 14 MAR 96
impacts on the system. Development of pumping and other facilities
for irrigation and munning water supplies are associated with these
installations. Highlands have been heaviliy overgrazed and subject
to extensive logging in times past. Sawmill operations polluted
upland streams, as did outwash of silt from slopes denuded by timber
removal and spoil from local minning" (these actions have caused:
channal modifications detrimental to the Yaqui fishes [i.e. passage
barriers, water diversion drawdown, water level fluctuations, water
temperature alterations, and siltation]) (01). Much of these effected
areas are under improvement at this time, and will aid in preservation
of this habitat area. As for the expanding irrigated agriculture,
this still remains a prim factor in survival of the Rio Yaqui fishes
(01).
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Yaqui Fishes Recovery Plan.
Technical Review Draft. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque,
NM. v + 43 pp.
The recovery of the Yaqui catfish is dependent upon the
successful implementation of the master plan for the San Bernadino
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Delisting is recommended when four
stable populations have been established there. Since the Yaqui
catfish does not presently exist within the U.S., it is necessary
to obtain stocks of these fish from Mexico, where they are still
available. The first step is to contact appropriate Mexican
Government officials to request permits to obtain Yaqui catfish.
A minimum of 200 individuals (400 is more desirable) would
then be captured and transported to Dexter National Fish Hatchery,
New Mexico. After obtaining fish from Mexico, other recommended
actions include:
1. maintaining the stock of Yaqui catfish at Dexter NFH, where it
probably can be successfully cultured because of its similarity with
channel catfish,
2. development of cultural techniques for Yaqui catfish,
3. maintain the genetic integrity of hatchery reared Yaqui catfish,
4. provide a refugium for Yaqui catfish at Dexter NFH,
5. reintroduction of Yaqui catfish into suitable habitat on San
Bernardino NWR (actions that may be required to create or maintain
suitable habitat are: control or removal of exotic vertebrates,
habitat revegetation/land rehabilitation, creation of artificial
habitat or nesting areas, control of agricultural practices that may
affect the habitat, restriction of use of pesticides and herbicides
within the habitat area, maintaining the water table and flow rate,
wetland management, stream bank or channel modification, and to
limit human impact by limiting their access,
6. monitoring of reintroductions,
7. enforcement of all Federal laws protecting the species, and
8. development of public support through an information and education
program through:
a. development of an interpretive program at San Bernardino
NWR,
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CATFISH, YAQUI
Species Id ESIS252013
Date 14 MAR 96
b. preparation of an information pamphlet,
c. production of a video for schools and public TV stations,
and
d. news releases to the media.
The plan also calls for studies on this and other native fish
species, Yaqui chub, Yaqui topminnow, and the Beautiful shiner
(the other listed fishes present or destined for reintroduction at
San Bernardino NWR), including:
1. basic studies on the biology and ecology of the species,
2. species habitat utilization,
3. competition and predation among listed species and other
historically present species that are slated for reintroduction at
San Bernardino NWR (roundtail chub, Mexican stoneroller, longfin
dace, and Yaqui sucker).
Ongoing recovery efforts: Management of the San Bernardino NWR.
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species CATFISH, YAQUI
Species Id ESIS252013
Date 14 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Anon. [n.d.] Draft Recovery Plan for the Yaqui chub, beautiful
shiner, Yaqui catfish, Sonoran (Yaqui) topminnow. Unpubl. info.
on file with the U.S.D.I., Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of
Endangered Species, 1000 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA.
02 Hendrickson, D., W.L. Minckley, R.R. Miller, D.J. Siebert, and
P.H. Minckley. 1981. Fishes of the Rio Yaqui basin, Mexico and
United States. Journ. Arizona-Nevada Acad. of Sci.
15(1980):66-106.
03 Minckley, W.L. 1973. Fishes of Arizona. AZ. Game and Fish Dept.
293 pp.
04 Miller, R.R. 1978. In: Trans. Symp. Biol. Res. Chihuahua Desert
Reg. Pp. 365-81.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Smith, M.L. and R.R. Miller. 1986. The evolution of the Rio
Grande basin as inferred from its fish fauna. pp. 457-486. In:
C.H. Hocutt and E.O. Wiley (eds.) Zoogeography of North
American Freshwater Fishes. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York,
N.Y.
02 Minckley, W.L. 1985. Native fishes and natural aquatic habitats
in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region II west of the
Continental Divide. Unpubl. rep. on file with the U.S. Fish
Wildl. Serv., Albuquerque, New Mexico.
03 Hendrickson, D. 1984. Distribution records of native exotic
fishes in Pacific drainages of northern Mexico. Journ.
Arizona-Nevada Acad. Sci. 18:33-38.
04 Miller, R.R. and C.H. Lowe. 1964. Pt. 2. Annotated check-list
of the fishes of Arizona. pp. 133-151. In: C.H. Lowe, (ed.) The
Vertebrates of Arizona. Univ. Ariz. Press, Tucson.
05 Minckley, W.L., D. Hendrickson, and C.E. Bond. 1986. Geography
of western North American freshwater fishes: description and
relationships to intra-continental tectonism. Pp. 519-613. IN:
C.H. Hocutt and E.O. Wiley, eds. Zoogeography of North American
Freshwater Fishes. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y.
06 Minckley, W.L. 1973. Fishes of Arizona. Arizona Game Fish Dept.
293 pp.
References - 1