WSP00625

• File Number: 8240.200.10.B
• Description: UCRBRIP Annual Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/12/1995
• Author: UCRBRIP
• Title: 1994 Annual Reports Package Part 1
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

COLORADO RIVER RECOVERY PROGRAM
FY 94 ANNUAL PROJECT REPORT

RECOVERY PROGRAM
PROJECT NUMBER: 26

I. Project Title: Gila Taxonomy: Allozymes & Morphology

II. Principal Investigator:

Wayne C, Starnes
Smithsonian Institution
NHB WG-12
Washington, D.C. 20560
[phone]; -1896 (FAX); e-mail [e-mail]

III. Project Summary: The project was designed and conducted to clarify the
taxonomic status and distribution of Gila fish species throughout the
Colorado River basin and several Mexican basins. Non-lethal tissue
sampling methods were developed. The project provides baseline
information for future genetic monitoring of endangered fish
populations in the Colorado River system. This study compares
morphological data and genetic analyses using protein electrophoresis
that were obtained from over 1,200 specimens from 61 popoulations.
Additional correlated studies of non-recombinant genetic data using
mtDNA were planned in a separate scope of work for FY 94 (see Project
#27) but was not treated under a separate scope for FY 95, Morphology
and allozyme portions of the project are in the final report
preparation stage with first draft scheduled for early January, 1995,
and final revision by late February, 1995.

IV. Study Schedule: FY B9-FY 95

V. Relationship to RIPRAP:

General Recovery Program Support Action Plan tasks:

IV,A.3: Conduct genetic stock identification studies (includes Gila
taxonomy studies) and confirm presumptive genetic stocks based on all
available information.

IV.A.3.b: Bony tail and humpback chubs.

IV.A,3,b.(I): Morphological and allozyme analyses.

VI, Accomplishment of FY 94 Tasks and Deliverables, Discussion of Initial
Findings and Shortcomings:

Task 1. Project Manager coordinated with morphological research
contractor at Arizona State University to complete acquisition and
analyses of images acquired from this project, Data from various
measurements of these images have been analyzed by multivariate methods
to characterize intra- and inter-population variation. That variation
is being compared with genetic information obtained from protein
electrophoresis and the results synthesized in the final report under
preparation.

Task 2. Bony tails were not sampled from Phoenix refugium because they
were deemed an unnecessary addition to the 23 specimens of lake Mohave
origin.