The Kendall Warm Springs dace (Rhinichthys osculus thermalis) is a speckled minnow subspecies of the speckled dace endemic to the Kendall Warm Springs in Wyoming; the only fish to inhabit the temperate freshwaters. Adults often only reach 2 inches in length.[1] The fish was originally designated as a subspecies due to its distinct morphological features from other Rhinichthys osculus, which arose from its isolation in the Kendall Warm Springs within which lies its only habitat.[2] The springs can be located in Western Wyoming within the Bridger-Teton National Forest at an elevation of 7,800 feet.[3]
| Kendall Warm Springs dace | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Genus: | Rhinichthys |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | R. o. thermalis
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| Trinomial name | |
| Rhinichthys osculus thermalis (Hubbs and Kuhne, 1937)
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Endangerment and conservation
editThe primary threats to the fish were once overfishing, pollution, and habitat degradation. As well, the springs were used for bathing and laundry, and the detergents seemed to negatively impact fish populations,[4] but in 1975 this was prohibited along with the use of them as bait fish in efforts to begin conserving the species. In the 1960s the Forest Service also constructed fencing around the perimeter of the springs spanning nearly 160 miles in efforts to keep the nearby livestock from contributing to habitat degradation in the springs.[5] Today the species could see issues in a lower water table, invasive species, illegal fishing/capturing, and various causes of further habitat degradation, but the Forest Service continues to monitor the population and is actively protecting the habitat.
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ Kaya, C. M., Brussard, P. F., Cameron, D. G., & Vyse, E. R. (1992). Biochemical Genetics and Thermal Tolerances of Kendall Warm Springs Dace (Rhinichthys osculus thermalis) and Green River Speckled Dace (R. o. yarrowi). Copeia, 1992(2), 528–535. https://doi.org/10.2307/1446213
- ^ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1970. Appendix D - United States List of Endangered Native Fish and Wildlife
- ^ Gryska, A. D., and W. A. Hubert. 1997. Observations on the reproduction, sources of mortality and diet of the Kendall Warm Springs dace. Great Basin Naturalist 57: 338-342.
- ^ Gryska, A. D. 1996. Development of population monitoring protocals [sic?]: description of several life history aspects of Kendall Warm Springs dace (Rhinichthys osculus thermalis). M.S. Thesis, University of Wyoming.
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