|
Federal Status:
|
Endangered |
|
Date Listed:
|
32 FR 4001; March 11, 1967. |
|
Description:
|
Known to reach 180 - 220 mm total length.
Has iridescent gold sides, blending to a darker shade
of copper. Spots are small and profuse and confined to
an area above lateral line extending onto the head, dorsal
and caudal fins. Whitish to yellowish tipped fins, salmon-pink
band, and yellow "cutthroat" mark. |
|
Population:
|
Entire |
|
Range:
|
U.S.A. (AZ, NM). Endemic to the Mogollon
Plateau of NM and AZ. Native populations are confined
to 5 streams in NM. In Gila Natl Forest: Iron, McKenna,
& Spruce Creeks in Gila Wilderness along with Main & South
Diamond Creeks in Aldo Leopold Wilderness. |
|
Habitat:
|
Inhabit clear runs in small mountain headwater
streams that are typically narrow and shallow. Also inhabit
pools with sufficient depth and cover to provide resting
and hiding places during flood and drought periods. The
critical thermal maxima for Gila Trout is 28.25 - 25.57
degrees Celsius. Use(d) beaver ponds with downed debris
for reproductive habitat and nest/nursery locations. |
|
Life Cycle:
|
Spawning season in these streams begins
in early April and continued until late May to mid June
(depending on water temperatures). Fecundity: ranges from
96 - 196 eggs. The maximum fecundity can be up to 686
eggs! Young emerge at 15 to 20 mm after an incubation
of 8 to 10 weeks. |
|
Forage:
|
Aquatic invertebrates. Opportunistic feeders
that utilize larval and adult unsects and small fishes. |
|
Threats:
|
Hybridization with non-native salmonoids,
heavy fishing pressure, and changes in stream conditions.
Livestock grazing, elimination of Beaver in riverine ecosystems,
and fire supression. |
|
Notes:
|
Family: Salmonidae. SWCBD submitted petition
for extensive watershed based critical habitat. Petition
rejected by USFWS. |
