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Article: Desert fish: life on the edge.(Nevada's Amargosa pupfish)
- Article from:
- Endangered Species Update
- Article date:
- November 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Fairbanks Springs, a small oasis in the Nevada desert, resembles a large hot tub from the bottom of which someone forgot to scrub the algae. Fortunately, algae thrive in this spring pool, for they are integral to the life cycle of the Ash Meadows Amargosa pupfish (Cyprinodon nevadensis mionectes).
The subspecies name "mionectes" is derived from the Greek, meaning "one having less." In this case, it refers to a reduced number of scales and fin-rays. Besides laying their eggs in the algae, these 1.3-inch (3.4-centimeter) long pupfish feed on algae (and the occasional insect or snail in the algae). With its inviting sapphire- colored bottom and warm temperature, ...