Brigham Young University personnel
conduct Least Chub research at Fish Springs NWR
By Jill Ayala
Least chub(lotichthyes
phlegethontis) were once
widely distributed in the Bonneville Basin in a variety of habitats. They
now exist in only nine isolated spring pools in the west desert region of Utah.
Consequently, least chub are candidates for the federal list of endangered
species, but conservation agreements by the state of Utah have forestalled this action pending future review of recovery status.
Currently, one of
the major threats to remaining populations of least chub is the introduction of
mosquito fish (Gambusia
affinis). In Utah and
elsewhere they have been widely introduced for mosquito control. Once
introduced, mosquito fish can rarely be eliminated from a site. We can
only attempt to control their harmful impact.
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Brigham Young University professors Dr. Russel Rade
and Dr. Mark Belk
(red hat) have
designed studies to understand how least chub populations decline with mosquito
fish.
Many of their studies have taken place at Walter Spring at Fish
Springs
NWR.
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| In 2002, graduate students Mike Mills and Jill Ayala researched mosquito fish predation of least chub and least chub habitat
selection in the presence and absence of mosquito fish. Scientific findings
will increase the chances of survival of this unique species endemic to Utah’s
Bonneville Basin. |
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| Water temperature, water depth and dissolved oxygen is
recorded prior to pulling Fish Traps. |
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| After recording all data, fish traps are
pulled and dumped into a bucket. |
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| Samples from each trap are counted and
documented. |
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| Walter Spring research
site |
Fish populations are sampled from multiple
sites every 4 hours day and night. |
