Desert dace
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| Eremichthys acros Hubbs and Miller, 1948 |
The desert dace Eremichthys acros is a rare cyprinid fish known only from the warm springs and creeks of Soldier Meadow in western Humboldt County, Nevada, USA. It is notable not only for its restricted range, but for the ability to live in waters as warm as 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit). It is the sole member of its genus Eremichthys.
A small species, not known over 7.7 cm in length, it is olive green above and silvery below, with vaguely mottled sides that flash with yellow reflections. There is some blackish spotting and a deep green streak along and above the lateral line. Dorsal and anal fins are usually 8-rayed.
It feeds on small invertebrates, mainly insects, and eats some algae.
The desert dace has classified as vulnerable since 1996, due to the combination of limited distribution and adaptation to its unusual habitat. Threats include the introduction of goldfish and largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides into a reservoir connected to the springs, as well as the popularity of the warm springs for bathing.
[edit] References
- Gimenez Dixon (1996). Eremichthys acros. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 10 May 2006. Listed as Vulnerable (VU D2 v2.3)
- Eremichthys acros (TSN 163540). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 18 April 2006.
- William F. Sigler and John W. Sigler, Fishes of the Great Basin (Reno: University of Nevada Press, 1987), pp. 159-160
- "Eremichthys acros". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. March 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
- USGS page on status of desert dace, with pictures
- Fish & Wildlife Service species profile
- UNR page on the desert dace
