| The endangered Mohave tui chub (Siphateles bicolor mohavensis ) historically inhabited the Mojave River system in the Mojave Desert of California. Although these fish were eliminated from the Mojave River, via introduced species and habitat degradation, the species survived in an isolated natural spring. This population was used to stock recovery populations, of which three persist to date. This research documents current population size, structure, and trends of the Lake Tuendae population. Lake Tuendae has experienced a perennial plankton bloom beginning in 2003, following a dredging project, and an unauthorized introduction of mosquito fish. In addition, fish are infected with the introduced Asian tapeworm (Bothriocephalus acheilognathi ). In April and October of 2004 and October 2005 mark and recapture surveys of Mohave tui chub were conducted at Lake Tuendae. The population size was estimated using the Schnabel method to be 2,241 (95% C.I.: 2,090-2,416) in April 2004, 3,708 (95% C.I.: 3,539-3,894) in October 2004, and 3,354 (95% CI: 3,213-3,509) in October 2005. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
