Cyprinodon nevadensis

Cyprinodon nevadensis is a species of pupfish in the genus Cyprinodon.[2] The species is also known as the Amargosa pupfish,[2] but that name may also refer to one subspecies, Cyprinodon nevadensis amargosae.[3] All six subspecies are or were endemic to very isolated locations in the Mojave Desert of California and Nevada.

Cyprinodon nevadensis
California
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cyprinodontiformes
Family:	Cyprinodontidae
Genus:	Cyprinodon
Species:	C. nevadensis
Binomial name
Cyprinodon nevadensis (C. H. Eigenmann & R. S. Eigenmann, 1889)
Subspecies
C. n. amargosae C. n. calidae C. n. mionectes C. n. nevadensis C. n. pectoralis C. n. shoshone

Subspecies

• Cyprinodon nevadensis amargosae, the Amargosa River pupfish or Amargosa Pupfish, was originally endemic to two sections of the lower Amargosa River. In 1940, a population was introduced at River Springs in Mono County, California.[3]

Likely subspp. amargosae: taken May 2014 in Amargosa River Canyon, downstream from Tecopa Triangle and upstream from waterfalls above confluence with Willow Creek. The second fish from the left in the photograph is male, as indicated by the blue coloration, shown here particularly in his dorsal stripe

• Cyprinodon nevadensis calidae, the Tecopa pupfish, was declared extinct in 1981, and was the first taxon to be removed from the endangered species list by virtue of extinction.[4]
• Cyprinodon nevadensis mionectes, the Ash Meadows pupfish or Ash Meadows Amargosa pupfish, is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. It is limited to Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada.[5]
• Cyprinodon nevadensis nevadensis, the Saratoga Springs pupfish, was originally limited to Saratoga Springs in Death Valley National Park. A population was introduced at Lake Tuendae in Zzyzx, California, but it may not have survived there.[3]
• Cyprinodon nevadensis pectoralis, the Warm Springs pupfish, is also listed as endangered under the ESA. It is restricted to six springs near Devils Hole in Nevada.[6]
• Cyprinodon nevadensis shoshone, the Shoshone pupfish, is listed as a Species of Concern by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.[7] The fish is limited to Shoshone Spring, near the town of Shoshone, California, and possibly parts of the Amargosa River.[3]

The book Relicts of a Beautiful Sea, written by Christopher Norment is an elegant and readable exploration of the history of, and present challenges, faced by this group of fish taxa.

National Park Service interpretive signage at Salt Creek, Death Valley National Park.

References

1. NatureServe (2013). "Cyprinodon nevadensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T62210A15362971. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T62210A15362971.en.
2. "Cyprinodon nevadensis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
3. Moyle, Peter B.; Yoshiyame, Ronald M.; Williams, Jack E.; Wirkamanayake, Eric D. (June 1995). "Fish Species of Special Concern in California" (PDF). California Department of Fish and Game. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
4. Levitt, Alan (18 November 1981). "TECOPA PUPFISH DECLARED EXTINCT--REMOVED FROM ENDANGERED LIST" (PDF). United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
5. "Ash Meadows Amargosa pupfish". USFWS. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
6. "Warm Springs pupfish". USFWS. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
7. "Species Profile for Shoshone pupfish (Cyprinodon nevadensis shoshone)". USFWS. Retrieved 29 April 2011.