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<br />
<br />THREATENED & ENDANGERED FISHES
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<br />283
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<br />
<br />become secure in the wild. Other species, such as
<br />the native southwestern trouts (Salmo apache and
<br />S. gilae), have been artificially cultured, but such
<br />an approach may not be defensible for the former.
<br />The Gila trout is being restored entirely by trans-
<br />ferral of fish from wild-to-wild habitat. The Gila
<br />topminnow is readily propagated at Dexter NFH
<br />for re-introduction, but has been grown in an
<br />artificial pOJld near Superior, Arizona. Recent
<br />widespread introductions of topminnow have come
<br />I
<br />from these two source~ but also from the wild. In
<br />short, species must be considered individually as
<br />to the feasibility, validity, and viability of hatchery
<br />propagation.
<br />Perhaps the \ mo~t jmportant aspect of propa-
<br />gating rare species, yet least considered, is ge-
<br />netics. Basic genetic variation within a species,
<br />and among populations of that species, the type
<br />of mating that occurs (monogamous or polygy-
<br />nous) in that species, and the number of gametes
<br />or offspring it produces, generally have not been
<br />adequately considered to date. The recent excel-
<br />lent publication, "Genetics and Conservation" by
<br />Schonewald-Cox et al (1983), is recommended as
<br />required reading for researchers and managers
<br />working with the propagation and recovery of en-
<br />dangered fishes. Because something appears to
<br />work artificially (e.g., easy rearing of Gila top-
<br />minnow or cui-ui) does not mean that it may not
<br />fail down the road, naturally or genetically.
<br />Finally, the role that hatcheries can play in
<br />recovery of rare fishes is only as good as the
<br />availability of suitable habitats in the wild for
<br />re-introductions. Recently, the mechanism for
<br />establishing "experimental populations" and con-
<br />servational management of ecosystems (e.g., Col-
<br />orado River fishes, Rio Grande fishes, and San
<br />Marcos River Recovery teams) have been a boon
<br />to the recovery of endangered species. If habitats
<br />(ecosystems) are conserved, species conservation
<br />more readily falls in line (Rinne 1984).
<br />Great strides have been made in recovery of
<br />native fishes in the southwestern United States
<br />,
<br />but much is to be learned. There has been, and
<br />is, much activity; however, such activity mayor
<br />may not always translate into progress. Realistic-
<br />ally, we have just opened the door on the role
<br />that artificial propagation can play in the man-
<br />agement and recovery of rare fishes. Now that
<br />the door is opened, the key will be to proceed
<br />slowly and systematically; as steps are taken,
<br />careful documentation must be made of each step,
<br />thereby". permitting more rapid progression by
<br />
<br />
<br />others on their way to another step, and the next
<br />experiment.
<br />
<br />Acknowledgements
<br />
<br />Minnie Stevens (hatchery manager at Sterling
<br />Springs) is responsible for the vast majority of
<br />what is known-about Apache trout in hatcheries.
<br />Her patience, perseveranclt., and defense of an
<br />unique salmonid have been an inspiration to many.
<br />Roger Hamman and Theophilus Inslee have pi-
<br />oneered the culture work on imperiled cyprinids
<br />and catostomids, except cui-ui. Thanks are due to
<br />B. Houten, E. Thomas, and G. Ross for their
<br />efforts on the cui-ui.
<br />
<br />Literature Cited
<br />Behnke, R. J. 1979. Monograph of the native trouts of
<br />the genus Salmo of western North America. USDA
<br />For. Serv., Lakewood, Colo.
<br />Galat, D. L., E. L. Lider, S. Vigg, and S. R. Robertson,
<br />1981. Limnology of a large, deep, North American
<br />terminal lake, Pyramid Lake, Nevada. Hydrobio-
<br />logica, 82:281-317.
<br />Hamman, R. L. 1981a. Hybridization of three species
<br />of chubs in a hatchery. Progr. Fish-Cult., 43(3):
<br />140-41.
<br />Hamman, R. L. 1981b. Spawning and culture of Col-
<br />orado squawfish in raceways. Progr. Fish-Cult.,
<br />43(4):173-77.
<br />Hamman, R. L. 1982. Induced spawning and culture of
<br />bony tail chub. Prog. Fish-Cult., 44(4):201-203.
<br />Hamman, R. L. 1986. Induced spawning of hatchery-
<br />reared Colorado squawfish. Prog. Fish-Cult.,
<br />48(1):72-74.
<br />Hamman, R. L. 1985. Induced spawning of hatchery-
<br />reared razo~ba(;k sucker. Prog. Fish-Cult., 47(3):
<br />187-189.
<br />Hamman, R. L. 1985. Induced spawning of hatchery-
<br />reared bonytai\. Prog. Fish-Cult., 47(4):239-241.
<br />Inslee, T. O. 1982. Spawning and hatching of the ra-
<br />zorback sucker (Xyrauchen lexanw). Proc. Ann.
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<br />Johnson, J. E. 1979. The Endangered Species Act-
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<br />Johnson. J. E., and J. N. Rinne. 1982. The Endangered.
<br />Species Act and Southwest fishes. Fisheries, 7(4):
<br />1-8. l. ,. ""
<br />Johnson, V. K. 1958. Fisheries management report-Pyr-
<br />amid Lake. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Proj-
<br />ect FAF-4-R. Nev. Oep. Wild\., Reno.
<br />Koch, O. L. 1972. Life history information on the Cui-
<br />ui lakesucker (Chasmistes cujw Cope 1883) en-
<br />demic to Pyramid Lake, Washoe County, Nevada.
<br />PhO. dissertation, 343 p. Univ. Nev., Reno.
<br />Koch, D. L. 1973. Reproductive characteristics of the
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