7781

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7781
• Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Title: Recovery Plan for WOUNDFIN,
• USFW Year: 1979.
• Copyright Material: NO

A major effort in the understanding of this species has been the research
of Jeffrey Cross, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His master's thesis,
entitled Ecological Distribution of the Fishes of the Virgin River repre-
sents the first undertaking at scientifically investigating woundfin in
their present habitat. Others, such as Drs. James Deacon (Cross's major
professor) and W. L. Hinckley, have contributed substantially to our
knowledge of the species. Deacon and Hinckley's (1973) review of woundfin
information is the most recent undertaking from a broad historical to present
overview.
The State of Arizona has attempted re-introduction of woundfin into
the Paria River and Sycamore Creek on several occasions. To date none
of these attempts have succeeded.
The U. S. Bureau of Reclamation has funded a terrestrial vertebrate and
vegetational inventory in the LaVerkin Springs-Toquerville-Virgin River
area associated with their proposed desalting project. These data will
add to our overall biological knowledge of the Virgin River.
In 1977, the City of St. George, Utah contracted with Vaughn Hansen
Associates to investigate potential impacts of the proposed Warner
Valley Project on the Virgin River and woundfin. Information on food,
distribution, reproduction, relative abundance, and population structure
of woundfin was obtained.
The Recovery Team believes additional research must be initiated that
j will fill in gaps of knowledge relative to the woundfin as well as other
native Virgin River fishes. Recommended studies are given in Part II of
the Recovery Plan.
~ In April, 1976 the Recovery Team recommended the Virgin River from LaVerkin
Springs, Utah, to Lake Mead in Nevada as critical (=essential) habitat. The
Fish and Wildlife Service contacted appropriate agencies (see Page 59) and
forwarded the recommendation to Washington. On November 2,.1977, critical
habitat was proposed in the Federal Register (see Page 61). However,
this proposal was. not finalized, but instead was withdrawn, along with
all the rest of the proposed critical habitats, on March 6, 19.79, (see
Page 63).

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