(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CHUB, HUMPBACK
Species Id ESIS256004
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - CHUB, HUMPBACK
OTHER COMMON NAMES - CHUB and HUMPBACK
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Fish
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - OSTEICHTHYES,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - CYPRINIFORMES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - CYPRINIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - GILA,
SPECIES AND SSP - CYPHA,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - GILA CYPHA
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Humpback Chub
Gila cypha Miller, 1946
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Fish
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Osteichthyes
ORDER: Cypriniformes FAMILY: Cyprinidae
The humpback chub is a morphologically unusual and striking fish.
Larger adults have a pronounced nuehal hump that arises ventral to the
gills and extends posteriorly to the origin of the dorsal fin. This
hump, combined with a small concave head, small eyes, subterminal
mouth, and a body that abruptly tapers to a deeply-forked caudal fin
(01). The humpback seldom exceeds 400 mm. It has a dark, olivaceous
back and silvery sides.
The humpback chub was described by R.R. Miller in 1946 (02),
based upon a holotype specimen collected in the Grand Canyon, and from
another whole specimen, and a head from another location. Suttkus and
Clemmer (03) indicated that, in the past, this species might have been
confused with the bonytail chub (Gila elegans). A detailed
description of this species may be found in: (02,03,04,05,06).
General characteristics include: Prominent anteriodorsal nuchal hump
with lateral grooves; flattened head with ventral, almost horizontal
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CHUB, HUMPBACK
Species Id ESIS256004
Date 13 MAR 96
mouth, and small eyes; dorsal rays 8-10 (typically 9), and anal rays
9-11 (typically 10); a caudal peduncle intermediate in depth between
G. elegans and G. robusta; and a loss of squamation on the nuchal hump
and elsewhere (01).
The identification of larva through small juveniles is, at
present, not possible, however, researchers are investigating methods
to separate the Gila species (07).
Many specimens of this species are available at museums located
at the University of Michigan, Tulane University, Arizona State, and
the USFWS Laboratory at Fort Collins, CO.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CHUB, HUMPBACK
Species Id ESIS256004
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
Game (Consumptive Recreational)
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The humpback chub (Gila cypha) 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 States of
Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.
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.
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.
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
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CHUB, HUMPBACK
Species Id ESIS256004
Date 13 MAR 96
responsible for management/recovery on Bureau of Land
Management lands.
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.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: Arizona
DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Arizona Game and Fish Department
STATUTE: Arizona Revised Statutes 17-201, 211, 214 and 231,
Arizona Game and Fish Commission, Sec 17-23(B)7,
Arizona Rules and Regulations, Sec 12-4-319 and 17-306
STATE: Colorado
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Colorado Division of Wildlife
STATE STATUTES: Colorado Revised Statutes 1973, as amended,
33-1-102, 33-6-101, 33-8-103(4), 33-8-106(3) and
107, 33-40-102, Code of Colorado Regulations
406-8 No 1002a, Dec 1982
2 Code of Colorado 406-8 No 1002a
STATE: Utah
DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Utah Department of Natural Resources
STATUTE: Utah Code Annotated 23-13-2, 23-20-1, 23-13-5, 23-13-13
and 23-13-14
STATE: Wyoming
DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
STATUTE: Wyoming Statutes Annotated 23-1-101 and 23-1-103
Wyoming Game and Fish Law, Sec 23.1-1
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
This species is listed in the OAS Western Hemisphere Convention
Annex (1967) and the IUCN Red Data Book for Pices (1977).
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
Status - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CHUB, HUMPBACK
Species Id ESIS256004
Date 13 MAR 96
The humpback chub has no known negative economic value and had
some historical importance concerning recreational fishing.
67/03/11:32 FR 04001/ - Listing as Endangered
75/05/16:40 FR 21499/21500 - Proposed determination of Crit. Hab.
79/05/21:44 FR 29566/29576 - Five year status review
80/11/17:45 FR 75771/ - Permit application for capture
83/05/02:48 FR 19789/19790 - Permit application; San Diego Zoo et al.
85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year status review
Status - 3 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
INLAND AQUATIC
LAND USE -
Transportation, communications, and Util
Cropland and Pasture
Orchards, Groves, Vineyards, Nurseries,
Shrub and Brush Rangeland
Mixed Rangeland
Streams and Canals
Reservoirs
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Riverine, upper perennial UB1
Riverine, upper perennial RB2
Riverine, upper perennial RB1
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The habitats occupied by humpback chub subpopulations are
disjunct, but very similar in appearance. This fish prefers deep,
swift canyon habitat with boulder substrate (11). In the Little
Colorado River, the fish is also found associated with travertine dams
(08). Very little is known about its absolute microhabitat
requirements, primarily because of the difficulty in sampling and
observing the fish in its native habitat. Many authors have provided
habitat data at the point of collection for humpbacks (01,08,11) but
the relationship between these data and specific needs are unknown.
Terrestrial habitats/areas within the range of the humpback chub
that may impact the riverine habitat include: transportation/utility/
communication corridors and facilities, shrub/brush and pinyon/juniper
rangelands. Agricultural activities basin wide include wheat, corn,
beans (vegetables), pasture, and fruit (peaches and apples, especially
in the Grand Junction, CO area).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species CHUB, HUMPBACK
Species Id ESIS256004
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
OMNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Phytoplankton
General Diatoms
General Algae
General Zooplankton
General Arthropods
General Crustaceans
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species CHUB, HUMPBACK
Species Id ESIS256004
Date 13 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
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CHUB, HUMPBACK
Species Id ESIS256004
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
Stomach contents of adult humpbacks taken from the lower Colorado
River Basin primarily contained Chironomids and Simuliids (08).
Humpbacks taken below Glen Canyon Dam are reported (05) to have fed on
planktonic crustaceans originating from the lake. Other workers (01)
report that humpbacks consume bottom material including diatoms and
small invertebrates.
The food items taken by larva and juveniles are unknown, since
no reliable method for separating these stages from other Gila species
has been developed. Preferred food items for the species are unknown.
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Tagging and recapture data generally indicate the humpback
remains in the same canyons for long periods of time (11). The extent
of its probable territoriality is unknown.
PERIODICITY:
No information is available on this subject.
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
The humpback chub is generally considered nonmigratory. But,
some movement has been noted between the Little Colorado River and the
mainstream Colorado River (08), and fish residing in the Colorado
mainstream may be spawned only in the Little Colorado River. Some
local movements have been observed in the Black Rocks area of the
Colorado River (11) but these apparently are not extensive.
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
This riverine species is found in canyon habitats, associated
with deep, fast water and boulder substrates and in water depths
averaging 15 meters in the Black Rocks and Westwater Canyon areas
(11). In the Little Colorado River, the species is found in
association with large travertine dams (0.1 to 2 meters high) (08).
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
The humpback chub reproduces in riverine canyons where they
reside all year. The microhabitats selected by the species are
unknown.
Spawning in the Little Colorado River occurs from May to July
(03,08) at water temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees Celsius. In the
Black Rocks area of the Colorado River, spawning occurred from May
thru June, 1980 and 1981 at water temperatures ranging from 11.5 to
16.5 degrees Celsius, and river flows of 85 to 510 cubic meters per
second. Spawning occurred at 1.8 to 3.8 meters in depth and
velocities of 0.15 to 0.3 meters per second, over boulder, sand, and
possibly gravel substrates (11).
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
Adult humpbacks reach sexual maturity at about 250 to 300 mm in
size (08). No other information is known about their reproduction.
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CHUB, HUMPBACK
Species Id ESIS256004
Date 13 MAR 96
PARENTAL CARE:
No information is available for this species on this subject,
however, parental care is improbable.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
No information is available on this subject for this species.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
Since no significant relationship has been reported (08) between
the mean catch of humpbacks and other species, it is probable that the
relative abundance of the humpback is not affected by a symbiotic
relationship with another species. Predation by channel catfish has
been reported (08). Also, hybridization with other Gila species have
been reported from the wild (04,05) and the laboratory (12).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
No additional information is available on this subject, at this
time, for the humpback chub.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CHUB, HUMPBACK
Species Id ESIS256004
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Regulating Water Temperature
Beneficial Developing/maintaining stream structures
Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow
Beneficial
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Beneficial Creating Artificial Habitat/Nesting Structure
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Exotic Vertebrates
Adverse Incidental Capturing/Killing
Existing Incidental Capturing/Killing
Adverse Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Existing Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Adverse Low Gene Pool
Existing Low Gene Pool
Adverse Hybridization
Existing Hybridization
Adverse Parasites
Existing Parasites
Adverse Predation
Existing Predation
Adverse Siltation
Existing Siltation
Adverse Water Temperature Alteration
Existing Water Temperature Alteration
Adverse Water Level Stabilization
Existing Water Level Stabilization
Adverse Irrigating
Existing Irrigating
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 Colorado River has been changed by the construction of over
20 mainstream dams beginning with Hoover Dam in 1935, water quality
has changed from muddy and turbulent to clear and cold. Alteration of
the flow and temperature regime of the Colorado River by development
projects (i.e., dams, irrigation, dewatering and channelization
projects) is cited as the primary reason for the decline of the
humpback chub and for its precarious position today (01,05,08). Some
researchers have indicated that its altered habitat may be breaking
down reproductive isolating mechanisms between it and its cogeners
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CHUB, HUMPBACK
Species Id ESIS256004
Date 13 MAR 96
(04,05,11).
Predation by channel catfish has been reported (08). Also,
hybridization with other Gila species have been reported from the wild
(04,05) and the laboratory (12). The proliferation of introduced
species (10) and resultant competition and predation may have
contributed to the decline of the species (09). Pollution
(pesticides), eutrophication, and other factors such as parasitism
(a parasitic crustacean-Lernaea), changes in the food base and fishing
pressure may have attributed to the species' decline (01). The
fragmentation of the Colorado River system by dams has served to
isolate subpopulations of the humpback chub thus reducing gene flow
and the ability of subpopulations to adapt to changing conditions
(01).
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Revised Humpback Chub
Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver, CO. 70 pp.
The goal of the humpback chub Recovery Plan is to restore and
maintain a minimum of five self-sustaining humpback chub populations
in the Colorado River system and to establish two refugia. Objectives
to accomplish this goal include protecting/monitoring, and managing
existing populations and habitats; hatchery propagation and
reintroduction of humpback chub; development of management plans for
the Colorado River system to maintain or create optimum habitat
conditions (i.e., maintain optimum temperature regimes, water flow and
the creation of habitat characteristics necessary for the species
proliferation); identify specifics of threats and protecting
populations from the threats (i.e., exotic species, competition,
hybridization, predation and parasitism); taxonomic and population
characteristic studies; analysis of habitat requirements; and an
information and education program involving brochures, newsletters,
films, and workshops.
Recovery activities currently ongoing include research into life
history and habitat characteristics, and hatchery propagation at
Dexter Hatchery.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species CHUB, HUMPBACK
Species Id ESIS256004
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Revised Humpback Chub
Recovery Plan. Colorado River Fishes Recovery Team and Region 6,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Denver, CO. 70 pp.
02 Miller, R.R. 1946. Gila cypha, a remarkable new species of
Cyprinid fish from the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, Arizona.
Journ. of the Washington Acad. of Sci. 36:409-413.
03 Suttkus, R.D. and G.O. Clemmer. 1977. The humpback chub, Gila
cypha, in the Grand Canyon area of the Colorado River. Occasional
Papers, Tulane Univ. Mus. of Nat. Hist. 1:1-30. New Orleans, LA.
04 Holden, P.B. and C.B. Stalnaker. 1970. Systematic studies of the
cyprinid genus Gila, in the upper Colorado River Basin. Copeia
1970:409-420.
05 Minckley, W.L. 1973. The fishes of Arizona. Arizona Game and
Fish Comm. Phoenix, AZ. 292 pp.
06 Smith, G.R., R.R. Miller, and W.D. Sable. 1979. Species
relationships among fishes of the genus Gila in the upper Colorado
River drainage. P. 613-623 In: Linn, R.M. (ed). Proceedings of
the first conference on scientific research in the National Parks.
U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Washington,
D.C.
07 Snyder, Darrell. 1985. Pers. comm. Technical Director, Larval
Fish Lab. Fort Collins, CO.
08 Kaeding, L.R. and M.A. Zimmerman. 1983. Life history and ecology
of the humpback chub in the Little Colorado and Colorado Rivers of
the Grand Canyon. Transactions of the American Fisheries Soc. 112:
577-594.
09 Behnke, R.J. and D.E. Benson. 1983. Endangered and Threatened
fishes of the upper Colorado River Basin. Colorado State Univ.,
Coop. Ext. Serv. Bull. 503A. Fort Collins, CO.
10 Tyus, H.M., B.D. Burdick, R.A. Valdez, C.M. Haynes, T.A. Lytle, and
C.R. Berry. 1982. Fishes of the upper Colorado River Basin:
distribution, abundance, and status. P. 12-70 In: Miller et al.
(eds) Fishes of the upper Colorado River system, present and
future. Western Division of the American Fisheries Society;
Bethesda, MD.
11 Valdez, R.A. and G.H. Clemmer. 1982. Life history and prospects
for recovery of the humpback and bonytail chub. P. 109-119. In:
Miller et al. (eds) Fishes of the upper Colorado River system,
present and future. Western Division of the American Fisheries
Society; Bethesda, MD.
12 Hamman, R.L. 1981. Hybridization of three species of chub in a
hatchery. Progressive Fish-Culturist 43(3):140-141
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Holden, P.B. and C.B. Stalnaker. 1975. Distribution and
abundance of mainstream fishes of the middle and upper Colorado
River basins, 1967-1973. Transactions of the American Fisheries
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species CHUB, HUMPBACK
Species Id ESIS256004
Date 13 MAR 96
Society, 104(2):217-231.
02 Miller, R.R. 1946. Gila cypha, a remarkable new species of
Cyprinid fish from the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, Arizona.
Journ. of the Washington Acad. of Sci. 36:409-413.
03 Suttkus, R.D. and G.O. Clemmer. 1977. The humpback chub, Gila
cypha, in the Grand Canyon area of the Colorado River. Occasional
Papers, Tulane Univ. Mus. of Nat. Hist. 1:1-30. New Orleans, LA.
04 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Humpback Chub Recovery
Plan. Colorado River Fishes Recovery Team and Region 6, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service; Denver, CO. 70 pp.
05 Miller, R.R. 1955. Fish remains from archeological sites in the
lower Colorado River Basin, Arizona. Michigan Acad. of Sci., Arts,
Letters, Papers. 40:125-136.
06 Tyus, H.M., B.D. Burdick, R.A. Valdez, C.M. Haynes, T.A. Lytle, and
C.R. Berry. 1982. Fishes of the upper Colorado River Basin:
distribution, abundance, and status. P. 12-70 In: Miller et al.
(eds) Fishes of the upper Colorado River system, present and
future. Western Division of the American Fisheries Society;
Bethesda, MD.
07 Minckley, W.L. 1973. The fishes of Arizona. Arizona Game and
Fish Comm. Phoenix, AZ. 292 pp.
08 Kaeding, L.R. and M.A. Zimmerman. 1983. Life history and ecology
of the humpback chub in the Little Colorado and Colorado Rivers of
the Grand Canyon. Transactions of the American Fisheries Soc. 112:
577-594.
09 Miller, R.R. 1964. Fishes of Dinosaur. Naturalist 15(2):24-29.
10 Valdez, R.A. and G.H. Clemmer. 1982. Life history and prospects
for recovery of the humpback and bonytail chub. P. 109-119. In:
Miller et al. (eds) Fishes of the upper Colorado River system,
present and future. Western Division of the American Fisheries
Society; Bethesda, MD.
11 Vanicek, C.D., R.H. Kramer, and D.R. Franklin. 1970. Distribution
of Green River fishes in Utah and Colorado following closure of
Flaming Gorge Dam. Southwestern Naturalist 14(3):297-315.
References - 2