Limnological Analysis of Devils Hole and Point of Rocks Refugium, Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge, Nye County, Nevada
Acharya K, Stone M, Schulman C. 2009. Limnological Analysis of Devils Hole and Point of Rocks Refugium, Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge, Nye County, Nevada. Cooperative Agreement No: H8R07060001. Desert Research Institute. Desert Research Institute, Reno, Navada
The Devils Hole pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis) was one of the first listed species under the Federal Endangered Species Act. The species has been living on the edge of extinction for the past several decades. The Devils Hole pupfish is an important legacy of the Southwest because it is unique to its location. The pupfish have provided clues to the development of the planet over the several million years according to Prof. Emeritus James Deacon (UNLV). Dr. Deacon argues that The Devils Hole pupfish has been an important part of the study into evolutionary biology and has provided valuable insight regarding the pathways followed by early ancestors over millions of years. The fish has ancestral relatives from as far away as the Middle East and Africa. Therefore saving this remarkable creature have vast implications. The objective of this project was to collect short term (1 year) and targeted data on limnological parameters on the upper shelf of the Devils Hole – where Devils Hole pupfish generally feed and spawn. This data was then compared with previously collected data within the hole and nearby refuge (Point of Rocks). This provides data needed to form a stronger foundation than presently exists regarding Devils Hole and ecosystem pressures on the pupfish. Based on the data, future phases of long term research to perpetuate the existence of the species have been recommended.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Acharya, Kumud; Stone, Mark; Schulman, Candi
- Date of Issue
- 2009-08
- Publisher
- Desert Research Institute
- Units
- DEVA
- Keywords
- abiotic, Aquatic Communities, Aquifer, biotic, Endangered Species, limnological parameters, Pupfish