8165

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8165
• Author: Czapla, T. E.
• Title: Genetics Management Plan ‎(Revised)‎.
• USFW Year: 1999.
• USFW - Doc Type: Denver, Colorado.
• Copyright Material: NO

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II. INTRODUCTION
Four endemic fishes in the Upper Colorado River Basin (razorback sucker, Xyrauchen texanus; bonytail, Gila
elegans; humpback chub, Gila cypha; and Colorado pikeminnow, Ptychocheilus Lucius) aze listed as
"endangered" under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. These species declined in numbers
from various biological and environmental changes in the upper basin including changes in the historic
streamflow regime, altered habitats, changes in water temperature, water diversions (i.e., water depletions),
barriers to fish passage, and increased predation or competition from nonnative fishes (U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service 1987a, 1987b, 1990a, 1990b, 1991). "

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service coordinated an effort to develop a Recovery Implementation Program
(Progr~un) for recovery of these endangered fishes while allowing water development to continue in the Upper
Colorado River Basin (Figure 1) that would meet the needs of society. Participants in the Program include the
States of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;
Western Area Power Administration; water development interests; and environmental organizations. The
Program consists of five elements that are directed toward the recovery of the endangered fishes in the upper
basin. One Program element includes the propagation and stocking of captive-reared fish. The evolution of
this Program is described by Wydoski and Hamill (1991). Effective genetics management is an integral
component in the propagation and stocking ofcaptive-reared endangered fish and exerts significant influence
on decisions regarding instream management of existing wild stocks.
A. Program Philosophy. Mission. and Goals for Genetics Management. The Program philosophy, mission,
and goats aze to maintain the genetic integrity of wild endangered fish stocks in the upper basin and to
maintain genetic diversity in captive broodstocks that is similaz to the stock used as founders (Box 1;
Echelle 1991; Meffe 1986). The recovery of these endangered fishes will be accomplished through all
program elements; however, those dealing with genetic preservation and conservation through
propagation aze described here. In regazds to propagation, two principle avenues are realized: natural
and artificial (or captive).
Box 1. Philosophy, mission and goals of the Recovery Implementation Program for genetics
management of endangered fishes in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
PHII.OSOPI3Y AND MISSION
To maintain the genetic integrity of wild and captive-reared endangered fishes in the Upper
Colorado River Basin and to prevent irreversible losses of genetic diversity that may result from
management interventions or lack of action.
GENETICS MANAGEMENT GOALS
1. To prevent immediate extinction of any endangered Colorado River fish stocks.
2. To conserve genetic diversity of wild endangered fish stocks through recovery efforts that will
reestablish viable wild stocks by removing or significantly reducing factors that caused
population declines.
3. To maintain genetic diversity in captive-reazed endangered fish broodstock that is similaz to
that of the wild stock used as founders.
4. To produce genetically diverse fish for augmentation efforts.
B. Program Documents Related to Genetics. Genetic conservation of endangered fishes in the upper basin
will be accomplished in phases that aze described in separate Program documents.
1. Genetics Management Guidelines. The conceptual framework of genetics management and
rationale for maintaining genetic diversity of endangered fish stocks in the upper basin aze
described in "Genetics Management Guidelines" (Williamson and Wydoski 1994). The guideline
document (1) discusses genetic risks associated with captive propagation (Box 4 in Williamson