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1 <br />' damselflies (Ischnura sp.), diving beetles (Dytiscus <br />sp.), water striders (Gerris sp.), backswimmers <br />' (Notonecta sp.), water boatmen (Corixa sp.) and <br />mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis). The abundant <br />dragonflies (Libellula sp.) feed on mosquito larvae and <br />' adults. Although predator numbers are high in the <br />Preserve, small isolated pockets of mosquito habitat <br />are inaccessible to larvae predators. These <br />microhabitats are wide spread and abundant in the <br />' Preserve, often occurring within the large stands of <br />bulrush. Predators found within the Preserve that feed <br />on adult mosquitoes include several species of birds, <br />' particularly swifts, swallows, and nighthawks. Several <br />species of bats are also known to forage within the <br />Preserve. <br />' There is no clear understanding of how the Preserve <br />mosquito habitat contributes to mosquito numbers found <br />outside of the Preserve. Mosquito habitat exists <br />' throughout Moab Valley including irrigated agricultural <br />fields and in residential areas, where any standing <br />water is potential mosquito habitat. The Moab Mosquito <br />' Abatement District is working with TNC to include the <br />Preserve in a new mosquito management plan for the Moab <br />area. <br />' Conclusion: Mosquito control is a key public issue in <br /> managing the Preserve for razorback sucker recovery. <br />' 2. Fish <br /> Abundant non-native fish are present in the Preserve <br /> wetlands. Carp (Cyprinus carpio) constitute the largest <br />' portion of fish in terms of biomass. Mosquito fish <br /> populations were very low after the flood waters receded in <br /> <br />' June, but numbers exploded by the end of summer. Large <br />numbers of mosquito fish survived the winter of 193-194. <br /> Seining in the south ponds in up to 18 inches of water <br /> revealed the presence of green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), <br /> fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas), and red shiners <br />' (Notropis lutrensis). <br />' Conclusion: Non-native fishes are believed to be a major <br />limiting factor to razorback sucker larvae survival. Non- <br />native fish populations will be difficult to control within <br />the Preserve. A more thorough characterization of the <br />resident fish community will provide critical information <br />needed for future management decisions. <br /> <br /> <br />22 <br />