9668

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9668
• Author: Crowl, T. A. and e. al.
• Title: Bonytail Draft 1998 Annual Report, February 2000.
• USFW Year: 2000.
• USFW - Doc Type: Logan, UT.
• Copyright Material: NO

PREFACE
This report was written for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in coordination with
Utah State University. This report contains partial results from an ongoing study
investigating bon ytail (Gila elegans) basic ecology. The overall objective of the study is
to manage genetic integrity to augment or restore bonytail populations and develop a
basin wide bonytail restoration plan. Specifically, we are collecting information
pertaining to the planned bonytail reintroduction into the Upper Colorado River Basin.
A reintroduction plan has been written (Lentsch et al. 1995), partially on the basis of the
results reported in this document. The plan addresses stocking needs, facility
requirements, and essential studies for successful reintroduction. The objectives for the
bonytail study (in their entirety) are listed below:
1. Determine the potential role of nonnative species, particularly red shiners,
as competitors with special emphasis on the size-specific nature of these
interactions (Chapter 1).
2. Determine the size-specific vulnerability of bonytails to predators,
especially smallmouth bass, channel catfish and green sunfish (Chapter
2).
3. Determine temperature-mediated growth rates to be used in a growth-
predation vulnerability model (Chapters 3 and 4).
4. Determine the size-specific feeding behavior and preferences of bonytail
in pond versus flowing-water environments.
Lentsch, L.D.N. Converse, P.D. Thompson, T.A. Crowl, and A. Toline. 1995. Bonytail
reintroduction plan for the upper Colorado River Basin. Utah Div. Of Wildl. Res.,
CO River Fish Program, Salt Lake City, Utah. 46pp
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