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sea SAN mAN RIVER SPECIMEN CURATION AND LARVAL FISH IDENTIFICATION 1997 WORK PLAN AND BUDGET Division of Fishes Museum of Southwestern Biology Department of Biology University of New Mexico Background: Personnel from the Division of Fishes, Museum of Southwestern Biology (MSB), at the University of New Mexico are responsible for two inter-related programs on the San Juan River. The Fish Division is the repository for specimens collected and retained by researchers. Fish taken under these programs are initially sorted by the principal investigator, held until they have submitted their yearly- progress report, and then received by MSB personneL The collection is accessioned, specimens transferred from formalin to alcohol, identifications verified, individuals enumerated, length ranges recorded (largest and smallest specimen in a collection), collection data verified and transferred to wet labels, and incorporated into a database. Changes in species identifications are noted and returned to the principal investigator along with the entire dataset (listing of collection locality, collectors, date, original field number, species, number of specimens, length ranges, and museum catalog number). In addition to performing duties associated with collections curation, we are also responsible for complete processing (sorting, identifying, counting, curating, and reporting) of selected San Juan River collections (larval drift, some secondary canal and miscellaneous collections made by various San Juan River researchers [lower San Juan River collections; U.S.B.R.-Lashmett; National Park Service]). In 1996 we processed almost 100,000 larval and juvenile fishes collected by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and University of New Mexico. No previously unidentified Colorado squawfish were found in the collections from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. We expect to receive the 1996 low-velocity habitat samples from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in December 1996 and will process them by the end of summer 1997. As in the past, any significant deviations in the species identifications of those samples will be noted and forwarded to the principal investigators. Funds are not required for integration as any work for that project can be accomplished under our existing contract. Objectives: 1. Provide a permanent repository for San Juan River fish collections, field notes, and associated data 2. Verify species identifications 3. Assist principal investigators with collection sorting and identifications 4. Sort, identify, enumerate, and report on larval fish drift collections 28