GREENBACK CUTTHROAT TROUT Salmo clarki stomias (Cope, 1871) 



Order: SALMONIFORMES Family: SALMONIDAE 



Significance : Original native cutthroat trout in Eastern Slope streams in the South Platte 

 River, Colorado. 



Distinguishing characteristics : A small trout, rarely exceeding a pound in weight, general 

 color, green, dark to almost black dorsally, spots large and sparse, fin reddish, prominent 

 red throat; vertebrae 59-61; scales 180-215 in lateral series, 40-50 above lateral line; 

 pyloric caeca 30-40., 



Present distribution : Blackhollow Creek, Cache la Poudre River drainage and possibly 

 a few isolated streams in Boulder and Larimer Counties, Colorado. 



Former distribution : Arkansas and Platte drainages, Colorado and Wyoming. 



Status : In peril . 



Estimated numbers : Only 10 pure specimens known, September 1968. 



Fecundity : No data, probably similar to other cutthroats. 



Reasons for decline : Deterioration of habitat due to man's activities, competition from 

 stocked trout, hybridization. 



Protective measures already taken : Reclamation and restocking of certain waters in 

 Rocky Mountain National Park . 



Measures proposed : Stocking in reclaimed suitable waters, barrier dams to isolate 

 populations, angling restrictions on certain streams, including Blackhollow Creek. 



Number in captivity : None . 



Culture potential in captivity : Poor. Eggs can be taken from wild fish. 



Remarks : Data submitted by the Colorado Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, by 

 Dr. Robert E. Vincent, and Dr. Robert J. Behnke, Colorado Cooperative Fishery Unit, 

 Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife . 



References : 



Dieffenbach, W. H. 1964. Taxonomy and selected life history of cutthroat trout 

 in the South Platte River Drainage, Colorado. Thesis, M.S., Colorado 

 State University, 45 p. 



. 1966 . Taxonomy of the cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki Richardson) 



of the South Platte Drainage, Colorado. Copeia, No. 3, p. 414-424. 



Jordan, D. S. 1891. Report of explorations in Colorado and Utah during the 

 summer of 1889, with an account of the fishes found in each of the river 

 basins examined. Bull. U.S. Fish Comm . , Vol. 9, p. 1-40. 



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