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Oncorhynchus gilae

(Miller, 1950)

Gila Trout

G2Imperiled Found in 76 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G2ImperiledGlobal Rank
EndangeredIUCN
LTESA Status
HighThreat Impact
Gila trout (Oncorhynchus gilae). Photo by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Public Domain (U.S. Government Work), via ECOS.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, https://www.usa.gov/government-works
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.100824
Element CodeAFCHA02101
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNEndangered
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderSalmoniformes
FamilySalmonidae
GenusOncorhynchus
USESALT
Synonyms
Oncorhynchus gilae gilae(Miller, 1950)
Concept Reference
Behnke, R. J. 1992. Native trout of western North America. American Fisheries Society Monograph 6. xx + 275 pp.
Taxonomic Comments
Behnke (1992) recognized Oncorhynchus apache as a subspecies of O. gilae, which was adopted by Nelson et al. (2004). It was recognized as a species by Page and Burr (2011) and Page et al. (2013).

O. gilae hybridizes with rainbow trout (e.g., in Gila National Forest in Black Canyon, Langstroth, Lipsey, upper Mogollon, White, and Sycamore Canyon creeks; see Sublette et al. 1990). Chitty, Sycamore, Lipsey, and W. F. Mogollon creek populations are rainbow trout, apparently with introgressed gilae genes (Loudenslager et al. 1986). Formerly included in the genus Salmo.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Excel v3.1x
Review Date2018-11-28
Change Date2018-11-28
Edition Date2018-11-28
Edition AuthorsMabee, T. Partially revised by G. Hammerson (2003); Schuhmann, A. (2018)
Threat ImpactHigh
Range Extent100-250 square km (about 40-100 square miles)
Number of Occurrences6 - 20
Rank Reasons
Small range in New Mexico and Arizona; threats include interactions with introduced trout and habitat destruction/degradation (recently associated with severe wildfire); significant management has occurred.
Range Extent Comments
Precise historic range is not definitely known, however, Gila Trout was known to occur in high elevation streams of the Gila River Basin in New Mexico, San Francisco River drainage in New Mexico and Arizona, and Gila River tributaries in Arizona. Presently occurs in the San Francisco, Verde, Gila, and Agua Fria River drainages in New Mexico and Arizona - occupying less than 20% of its former range.
Occurrences Comments
Prior to 1989, five wild populations were restored, and six to seven additional populations were established within the historic range (USFWS 1987, Propst et al. 1992). Currently, there are 12 extant populations in New Mexico and Arizona comprised of both relict, reestablished, and replicate populations. There were 14 populations considered extant by 2003, 17 by 2012, but that number decreased to 12 following catastrophic wildfires in New Mexico in 2012 and 2013 (Western Native Trout Status Report 2016; USFWS 2003; Moffat 2017). The population is now considered to exist at pre-fire conditions - 17 populations (Moffat 2017).
Threat Impact Comments
Declined mainly due to hybridization and competitive/predatory interactions with introduced trout species (rainbow, cutthroat, brown) and habitat degradation through overgrazing, fires, lumbering, and mining (Sublette et al. 1990). Recent catastrophic wildfires have extirpated populations and pose a serious threat, however, populations repatriated through stocking and stream restoration activities have are increasing.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Clear, cold mountain streams in arid regions; streams largely intermittent (not flowing in summer and fall) (Behnke 1979). Clear runs in mountain streams that typically are narrow and shallow; may be confined to pools during prolonged drought (Sublette et al. 1990). Usually congregates in deeper pools and in shallow water only where there is protective debris or plant beds (Matthews and Moseley 1990).

Ecology

See Turner (1989) for information on seasonal and annual population chnages in headwater streams in New Mexico.

Reproduction

Spawns apparently in spring and summer in New Mexico (March-June when water temperature is 8 C or greater). Egg production is considered low (usually a few hundred or fewer). Fry emerge in 45-60 days at 20-25 TL (Lee et al. 1980), or in 8-10 weeks at 15-20 mm TL (Sublette et al. 1990). Females sexually mature at 3-5 years, depending on conditions; males mature usually 1-2 years sooner than do females in the same stream (Sublette et al. 1990). Maximum lifespan is 5-9 years in different streams.
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN1
ProvinceRankNative
New MexicoS1Yes
ArizonaS1Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
5 - Biological resource useRestricted (11-30%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineInsignificant/negligible or past
5.4 - Fishing & harvesting aquatic resourcesNegligible (<1%)Negligible or <1% pop. declineInsignificant/negligible or past
7 - Natural system modificationsLarge (31-70%)Extreme or 71-100% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
7.1 - Fire & fire suppressionLarge (31-70%)Extreme or 71-100% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesRestricted (11-30%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseasesRestricted (11-30%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
11 - Climate change & severe weatherUnknownUnknownHigh (continuing)
11.2 - DroughtsUnknownUnknownHigh (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (76)
Arizona (41)
AreaForestAcres
Arnold MesaPrescott National Forest12,286
Arnold MesaTonto National Forest249
Ash CreekPrescott National Forest7,663
Barbershop CanyonCoconino National Forest1,311
Black CanyonPrescott National Forest10,683
Black CrossTonto National Forest5,966
Black River CanyonApache-Sitgreaves National Forests11,817
Blind Indian CreekPrescott National Forest26,847
Campbell BlueApache-Sitgreaves National Forests7,003
CenterfireApache-Sitgreaves National Forests13,130
Cherry CreekTonto National Forest11,371
ChiricahuaCoronado National Forest76,876
Cimarron HillsCoconino National Forest5,303
East Clear CreekCoconino National Forest1,613
FritschePrescott National Forest14,190
GoldfieldTonto National Forest15,257
Grief HillPrescott National Forest12,535
Hell HoleApache-Sitgreaves National Forests15,512
HellsgateTonto National Forest6,171
HellsgateTonto National Forest6,171
Horse MesaTonto National Forest9,146
Hot AirApache-Sitgreaves National Forests31,712
Lime CreekTonto National Forest42,568
Lower San FranciscoApache-Sitgreaves National Forests59,310
Lower San FranciscoApache-Sitgreaves National Forests59,310
MazatzalTonto National Forest16,942
Mitchell PeakApache-Sitgreaves National Forests35,398
MuldoonPrescott National Forest5,821
NolanApache-Sitgreaves National Forests6,780
Painted BluffsApache-Sitgreaves National Forests43,118
PinalenoCoronado National Forest130,920
PinalenoCoronado National Forest130,920
Pine Mountain Wilderness ContiguousTonto National Forest6,518
Pine Mountain Wilderness ContiguousPrescott National Forest3,129
PipestemApache-Sitgreaves National Forests34,598
SalomeTonto National Forest2,932
Salt HouseApache-Sitgreaves National Forests21,848
Santa TeresaCoronado National Forest8,929
Sierra Ancha Wilderness ContiguousTonto National Forest7,787
SunsetApache-Sitgreaves National Forests28,948
Walker MountainCoconino National Forest6,382
New Mexico (35)
AreaForestAcres
Apache Kid ContiguousCibola National Forest67,542
Apache MountainGila National Forest17,506
Aspen MountainGila National Forest23,784
Aspen MountainGila National Forest23,784
Brushy MountainGila National Forest7,199
Brushy SpringsGila National Forest5,735
Canyon CreekGila National Forest9,824
Contiguous To Black & Aldo Leopold WildernessGila National Forest111,883
Contiguous To Black & Aldo Leopold WildernessGila National Forest111,883
Contiguous To Blue Range WildernessGila National Forest1,980
Contiguous To Blue Range WildernessGila National Forest1,980
Contiguous To Gila Wilderness & Primitive AreaGila National Forest79,049
Contiguous To Gila Wilderness & Primitive AreaGila National Forest79,049
Devils CreekGila National Forest89,916
Devils CreekGila National Forest89,916
Dry CreekGila National Forest26,719
Eagle PeakGila National Forest34,016
Elk MountainGila National Forest6,550
Frisco BoxGila National Forest38,979
Gila BoxGila National Forest23,759
Hell HoleGila National Forest19,553
LargoGila National Forest12,731
Lower San FranciscoGila National Forest26,460
Lower San FranciscoGila National Forest26,460
Meadow CreekGila National Forest34,167
Mother HubbardGila National Forest5,895
NolanGila National Forest13,051
Poverty CreekGila National Forest8,770
Sawyers PeakGila National Forest59,743
Stone CanyonGila National Forest6,801
T BarGila National Forest6,823
Taylor CreekGila National Forest16,639
The HubGila National Forest7,498
Wagon TongueGila National Forest11,411
Wahoo MountainGila National Forest23,122
References (28)
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  2. Behnke, R. J. 1992. Native trout of western North America. American Fisheries Society Monograph 6. xx + 275 pp.
  3. Behnke, R. J., and M. Zarn. 1976. Biology and management of threatened and endangered western trouts. U.S. Forest Service General Technical Report RM-23.
  4. Dowling, T. E., and M. R. Childs. 1992. Impact of hybridization on a threatened trout of the southwestern United States. Conservation Biology 6:355-364.
  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. 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.
  7. Loudenslager, E. J., J. N. Rinne, G. A. E. Gall, and R. E. David. 1986. Biochemical genetic studies of native Arizona and New Mexico trout. Southwestern Naturalist 31:221-234.
  8. 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.
  9. Minckley, W. L. 1973. Fishes of Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. 293 pp.
  10. Moffat, K. 2017. Restoration of Gila trout. New Mexico Wildlife 60(1). New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Online. Available at: http://magazine.wildlife.state.nm.us/restoration-gila-trout/ (Accessed 2018).
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. Propst, D. L., J. A. Stefferud, and P. R. Turner. 1992. Conservation and status of Gila trout, <i>Oncorhynchus gilae</i>. Southwestern Naturalist 37:117-125.
  16. 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.
  17. Smith, G. R., and R. F. Stearley. 1989. The classification and scientific names of rainbow and cutthroat trouts. Fisheries (Bethesda) 14(1):4-10.
  18. Stearley, R. F. 1992. Historical ecology of Salmoninae, with special reference to <i>Oncorhynchus</i>. Pages 622-658 in R.L. Mayden, editor. Systematics, historical ecology, and North American freshwater fishes. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California. xxvi + 969 pp.
  19. Stoltz, J., and J. Schnell (eds.). 1991. Trout: The Wildlife Series. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 384 pp.
  20. Sublette, J. E., M. D Hatch, and M. Sublette. 1990. The fishes of New Mexico. University New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 393 pp.
  21. Turner, P.R. 1989. Annual and seasonal changes in populations of Gila trout in headwater streams. New Mexico Dept. Game and Fish. 93 pp.
  22. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1967. Native fish and wildlife: endangered species. Federal Register 32(48):4001.
  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). 2003. Gila Trout Recovery Plan (Third Revision). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  25. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2005. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassification of the Gila Trout (<i>Oncorhynchus gilae</i>) From Endangered to Threatened with Regulations. Online. Available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2005-05-11/pdf/05-9121.pdf#page=1. (Accessed 2018).
  26. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 6 October 1987. Proposed reclassification of the Gila trout (<i>Salmo gilae</i>) [sic] from endangered to threatened. Federal Register 52:37424-37427.
  27. Wares, J., D. Alo, and T. Turner. 2004. A genetic perspective on management and recovery of Federally Endangered trout (<i>Oncorhynchus gilae</i>) in the American Southwest. Canadian Journal of Fish and Aquatic Science 61:1890-1899.
  28. Western Native Trout Initiative (WNTI). 2016. Gila Trout status report - updated February 2016. Online. Available: http://www.westernnativetrout.org/media/trout/wnti-gila-trout-2016-status-report.pdf