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Gila purpurea

(Girard, 1856)

Yaqui Chub

G1Critically Imperiled Found in 2 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G1Critically ImperiledGlobal Rank
VulnerableIUCN
High - mediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.101820
Element CodeAFCJB13140
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNVulnerable
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderCypriniformes
FamilyLeuciscidae
GenusGila
Concept Reference
Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea, and W.B. Scott. 1991. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 20. 183 pp.
Taxonomic Comments
Gila purpurea formerly included G. eremica; the latter was described as a distinct species by DeMarais (1991).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2012-02-10
Change Date1996-09-25
Edition Date2012-02-10
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G.
Threat ImpactHigh - medium
Range Extent250-1000 square km (about 100-400 square miles)
Number of Occurrences6 - 20
Rank Reasons
Very small range in southeastern Arizona and adjacent Mexico; vulnerable to habitat dewatering and introductions of exotic fishes; status has improved with habitat acquisition, management, and reintroduction, but the very small area of occupancy makes this species susceptible to localized events that could result in major declines.
Range Extent Comments
Historically the Yaqui chub occurred in the Rio Yaqui drainage in Cochise County, extreme southeastern Arizona, USA, and in a short perennial reach of the Rio San Bernardino (=Black Draw) just south of the USA-Mexico border in Sonora, Mexico (Minckley and Marsh 2009). Current distribution in Mexico is limited to a less than 3.0 kilometer perennial reach of Rio San Bernardino (Minckley and Marsh 2009). The species was nearly extirpated in the United States, persisting only in one artesian well in San Bernardino Creek drainage (McNatt 1974). It was introduced and established in a flood tributary of Whitewater Draw, Leslie Creek, Swisshelm Mountains, Arizona, in 1969 (Minckley 1973). Records from Morse Canyon, northern Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, are not supported by specimens (Willcox Playa basin; McNatt 1974). In the United States, populations are limited primarily to several sites in the San Bernardino-Leslie Creek National Wildlife Refuge (Black Draw, various ponds, Leslie Creek), House Pond on the Slaughter Ranch Historic Site, and West Turkey Creek (Sulphur Springs Valley = basin of pluvial Lake Cochise), Cochise County, Arizona (Minckley and Marsh 2009).

Populations from the drainages of the Rio Sonora, Rio Matape, and portions of the Rio Yaqui in Sonora, Mexico, formerly were included in G. purpurea; they were described as a new species (Gila eremica) by DeMarais (1991).
Occurrences Comments
This species is represented by several distinct occurrences (subpopulations).
Threat Impact Comments
Historically, habitat modifications (diversion of headwaters, construction of impoundments, excessive pumping of underground aquifers) and introduction of exotic fishes caused declines and near extinction (USFWS 1994). Populations in Black Draw and Leslie Creek in southeastern Arizona were hard hit by severe drought and stream drying in the late 1980s (USFWS 1990).

Current threats include habitat dewatering (aquifer pumping, water diversion, drought), predation by non-native fishes, and overgrazing and subsequent erosion (Arizona Game and Fish Department 2001). Asian tapeworm (Bothriocephalus acheilognathi), a parasite known to be pathogenic or able to impair growth in cyprinid fishes, is established at the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge; most Yaqui chubs on the refuge are infected with the tapeworm (Kline et al. 2007).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Habitat includes deep pools in creeks, springheads, scoured areas of cienegas, and other stream-associated quiet waters (USFWS 1994); this fish seeks shade, often near undercut banks or debris; it is often associated with higher aquatic plants (Lee et al. 1980). Similarly, in artificial ponds, adults tend to occupy the lower part of the water column and seek shade (USFWS 1994). Young occupy near-shore zones, often near the lower ends of riffles (USFWS 1994). Spawning occurs probably in deep pools where there is aquatic vegetation (Matthews and Moseley 1990).

Ecology

Large populations develop quickly from a few adults.

Reproduction

Spawning occurs throughout the warmer months, with greater activity in spring; matures often within the first summer; high reproductive potential (USFWS 1994).
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN1
ProvinceRankNative
ArizonaS1Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
2 - Agriculture & aquacultureUnknownSerious - slightHigh (continuing)
2.3 - Livestock farming & ranchingUnknownSerious - slightHigh (continuing)
7 - Natural system modificationsPervasive - restrictedExtreme - moderateHigh (continuing)
7.2 - Dams & water management/usePervasive - restrictedExtreme - moderateHigh (continuing)
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesPervasive - largeSerious - slightHigh (continuing)
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseasesPervasive - largeSerious - slightHigh (continuing)
9 - PollutionUnknownSerious - slightHigh (continuing)
9.3 - Agricultural & forestry effluentsUnknownSerious - slightHigh (continuing)
11 - Climate change & severe weatherPervasive (71-100%)Extreme - moderateHigh (continuing)
11.2 - DroughtsPervasive (71-100%)Extreme - moderateHigh (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (2)
Arizona (1)
AreaForestAcres
ChiricahuaCoronado National Forest76,876
New Mexico (1)
AreaForestAcres
Peloncillo (NM)Coronado National Forest43,339
References (26)
  1. Arizona Game and Fish Department. 2001. <i>Gila purpurea</i>. Unpublished abstract compiled and edited by the Heritage Data Management System, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, AZ. 4 pp.
  2. DeMarais, B. D. 1991. <i>Gila eremica</i>, a new cyprinid fish from northwestern Sonora, Mexico. Copeia 1991:178-189.
  3. Hendrickson, D. A., and J. E. Brooks. 1991. Transplanting short-lived fishes in North American deserts: review, assessment, and recommendations. Pages 283-98 in W. L. Minckley and J. E. Deacon (editors). Battle Against Extinction: Native Fish Management in the American West. University of Arizona Press, Tucson, Arizona.
  4. Hendrickson, D., W. L. Minckley, R. R. Miller, D. J. Siebert, and P. H. Minckley. 1980. Fishes of the Rio Yaqui Basin, Mexico and the United States. Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science 15(3):65-106.
  5. Jelks, H. L., S. J. Walsh, N. M. Burkhead, S. Contreras-Balderas, E. Díaz-Pardo, D. A. Hendrickson, J. Lyons, N. E. Mandrak, F. McCormick, J. S. Nelson, S. P. Platania, B. A. Porter, C. B. Renaud, J. Jacobo Schmitter-Soto, E. B. Taylor, and M.L. Warren, Jr. 2008. Conservation status of imperiled North American freshwater and diadromous fishes. Fisheries 33(8):372-407.
  6. Kline, J., T. Archdeacon, A. C. Iles, and S. A. Bonar. 2007. Factors influencing distribution of introduced Asian tapeworm and effects on selected southwestern fishes (Yaqui topminnow and Yaqui chub). Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Fisheries Research Report 01-07.
  7. Lee, D. S., C. R. Gilbert, C. H. Hocutt, R. E. Jenkins, D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, Jr. 1980. Atlas of North American freshwater fishes. North Carolina State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, North Carolina. i-x + 854 pp.
  8. Marsh, Paul C. (Center for Environmental Studies, Arizona State University). 1997. Review and annotation of fish watershed distribution maps. Review requested by Ruth Mathews, TNC.
  9. Matthews, J.R. and C.J. Moseley (eds.). 1990. The Official World Wildlife Fund Guide to Endangered Species of North America. Volume 1. Plants, Mammals. xxiii + pp 1-560 + 33 pp. appendix + 6 pp. glossary + 16 pp. index. Volume 2. Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fishes, Mussels, Crustaceans, Snails, Insects, and Arachnids. xiii + pp. 561-1180. Beacham Publications, Inc., Washington, D.C.
  10. McNatt, R.M. 1974. Re-evaluation of the native fishes of the Rio Yaqui in the United States. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Western Association of Game and Fish Commissioners 54:273-279.
  11. Minckley, W. L. 1973. Fishes of Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. 293 pp.
  12. Minckley, W. L., and J. E. Deacon. 1991. Battle Against Extinction: Native Fish Management in the American West. University of Arizona Press, Tucson. xviii + 517 pp.
  13. Minckley, W. L., and P. C. Marsh. 2009. Inland fishes of the greater Southwest: chronicle of a vanishing biota. University of Arizona Press, Tucson, Arizona, 426 pp.
  14. Nelson, J. S., E. J. Crossman, H. Espinosa-Perez, L. T. Findley, C. R. Gilbert, R. N. Lea, and J. D. Williams. 2004. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 29, Bethesda, Maryland. 386 pp.
  15. Page, L. M., and B. M. Burr. 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes: North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. 432 pp.
  16. Page, L. M., and B. M. Burr. 2011. Peterson field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Second edition. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston. xix + 663 pp.
  17. Page, L. M., H. Espinosa-Pérez, L. T. Findley, C. R. Gilbert, R. N. Lea, N. E. Mandrak, R. L. Mayden, and J. S. Nelson. 2013. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Seventh edition. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 34, Bethesda, Maryland.
  18. Page, L. M., K. E. Bemis, T. E. Dowling, H.S. Espinosa-Pérez, L.T. Findley, C. R. Gilbert, K. E. Hartel, R. N. Lea, N. E. Mandrak, M. A. Neigbors, J. J. Schmitter-Soto, and H. J. Walker, Jr. 2023. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Eighth edition. American Fisheries Society (AFS), Special Publication 37, Bethesda, Maryland, 439 pp.
  19. Rinne, John N. (Rocky Mountain Research Station, USFS). 1997. Review and annotation of fish watershed distribution maps. Review requested by Ruth Mathews, TNC. May 1997.
  20. Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea, and W.B. Scott. 1991. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 20. 183 pp.
  21. State Natural Heritage Data Centers. 1996b. Aggregated element occurrence data from all U.S. state natural heritage programs, including the Tennessee Valley Authority, Navajo Nation and the District of Columbia: Export of freshwater fish and mussel records west of the Mississippi River in 1997. Science Division, The Nature Conservancy.
  22. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1984. Final rule to determine the Yaqui chub to be an endangered species with critical habitat, and to determine the beautiful shiner and Yaqui catfish to be threatened species with critical habitat. Federal Register 49(171):34490-34497.
  23. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1990. Endangered and threatened species recovery program: report to Congress. 406 pp.
  24. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1994. Yaqui fishes recovery plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico. iv + 48 pp.
  25. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1995. San Bernardino and Leslie Canyon national wildlife refuges. Comprehensive management plan, 1995-2015. Includes the environmental assessment under separate cover. Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  26. Williams, J.E, J.E. Johnson, D.A. Hendrickson, S. Contreras-Balderas, J.D. Williams, M. Navarro-Mendoza, D.E. McAllister, and J.E. Deacon. 1989b. Fishes of North America endangered, threatened or of special concern: 1989. Fisheries 14(6):2-20.