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<br />of similar extremes and would maintain diversity. Perhaps preference
<br />for mates with a novel phenotype is beneficial in desert spring popula-
<br />tions that often (and temporarily) occur in reduced numbers. Under
<br />those circumstances, the mating of the extreme phenotypes would pro-
<br />duce offspring with extensive heterozygosity and thus reduce the
<br />possible chance elimination of beneficial genes. Nevertheless,
<br />individuals that maximize heterozygosity could also minimize morpho-
<br />logic diversity (= our August 1978 observations). It seems likely,
<br />however, that the vast majority (or al]_) of the genetic material
<br />now present in both Leon Creek populations is C. bovinus.
<br />A large number of individuals generously donated time and
<br />effort in a hostile environment in order to reduce the genic contamina-
<br />tion of the endemic C. bovinus. Many of them also paid their own
<br />travel expenses. A partial list includes: A.A. Echelle, A.F. Echelle,
<br />Tyson Echelle, Steve Lethinen, Doyle Mosier, and E. David Wiseman,
<br />Baylor University; Stephen E. Kennedy, Texas Land Commission; Neil E.
<br />Carter, Dwane Kippes, D.J. Morris, Floyd D. Potter,'and Danny Swepston,
<br />Texas Parks and Wildlife; Jack Davis and Gary L. Powell, Texas Water
<br />Board; R..D. "Suttkus, Tulane University;; Jerry F. Bentley, Buddy Jensen,
<br />and James E. Johnson, U.S. Department of Interior; Robert R. Miller,
<br />University of Michigan; Robert Bodenhamer, Gene Calley, S. Michael
<br />Dean, Robert J. and Deborah C. Edwards, Gary P. and Linda Garrett,
<br />Michael S. Gunter, Ronald Ilg, Thomas Lucier, Edie and David S. Marsh,
<br />Elisabeth Milstead, Kenneth W. Thompson, John G., J. C., D. G., and
<br />M. S. Williams, University of Texas. I am especially indebted to the
<br />M. R. Gonzalez family of Fort Stockton for their permission to carry out
<br />this program on their property. Their interest is an example of how
<br />land owners can assist the survival of desert fishes.
<br />Literature Cited
<br />Baird, S.F., and C. Girard. 1853. Descriptions of new species of
<br />fishes collected by Mr. John H. Clark, on the U.S. and Mexican
<br />Boundary Survey, under Lt. Col. Jas. D. Graham. Proc. Acad. Nat.
<br />Sci., Philadelphia 6:387-390.
<br />Brune, Gunnar. 1975. Major and historical springs of Texas. Texas
<br />Water Development Board Report 189: ix + 95 pp.
<br />Echelle, Anthony A., and Alice F. Echelle. 1978. The Pecos River
<br />pupfish, Cyprinodon pecosensis n. sp. (Cyprinodontidae), with
<br />comments on its evolutionary origin. Copeia 1978:569-582.
<br />Echelle, Anthony A., and Robert Rush Miller. 1974. Rediscovery and
<br />redescription of the Leon Springs pupfish, Cyprinodon bovinus,
<br />from Pecos County, Texas. Southwest. Nat. 19:179-190.
<br />Emory, W. H. 1857. Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary
<br />Survey, made under the direction of the Secretary of the
<br />Interior. Vol. 1, xvi + 258 pp., 1 map.
<br />Girard, C. 1859. Ichthyology of the boundary. In: United
<br />States and Mexican Boundary Survey, under the order of Lieut.
<br />Col. W. H. Emory. Vol 2 (2): 85 pp., 41 pls.
<br />Graham, J. D. 1852. Lieutenant Colonel J. D. Graham's report
<br />addressed to Colonel J. J. Abert, Chief of the Corps of
<br />Topographic Engineers. Ex. Doc. 121, Report of the Secretary
<br />of War: 1-250.
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