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31, <br />ENDANGERED AND THREATENED FISHES OF THE WEST. <br />James E. Deacon, University of Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada. <br />The endangered and threatened fish fauna of the United States <br />exhibits problems resulting primarily from habitat modification <br />by man. The evolutionary history of the fauna has left it especially <br />sensitive to biotic interactions. In addition, many formslare of <br />such restricted distribution that the entire taxon can be destroyed <br />by very minor perturbations. The effects of habitat modification on <br />woundfin and roundtail chub in the Virgin River of Utah, Arizona and <br />Nevada are discussed. Parasitism by Lernea on White River springfish <br />is shown to coincide with population decline in some, but not all, <br />cases. Population declines of Pahrump killifish are related to biotic <br />interactions with both goldfish and mosquitofish. Population sizes of <br />Devils Hole pupfish are shown to be quite responsive to small changes <br />in habitat availability. <br />Fishes of the west are affedted by the same general kinds of <br />ecological problems that are causing extinctions throughout the <br />world. The interplay of economics with perceived value in society <br />has led us into the numerous ecological problems facing us today. <br />There is some evidence to suggest that society is making some <br />preliminary effort to slow the rate of extermination. Perhaps this is <br />happening because the conclusions of ecologists, philosophers and <br />theologians regarding the relationship of man and environment are <br />to some extent being translated into legislation as well as into <br />conventional wisdom.