GILA TROUT Salmo gilae (Miller , 1950) 



Order: SALMONIFORMES Family: SALMONIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : Extremely fine , profuse spotting on dorsal and 

 anal fins; large adipose fin; body deep golden yellow. 



Present distribution : Restricted to Diamond, McKenna and Spruce Creeks in the 

 Black Range Primitive Area of the headwaters of the Gila River, Gila National Forest, 

 New Mexico . 



Former distribution : Widespread in all suitable upper tributaries of the Gila and 

 San Francisco Rivers in New Mexico. 



Status : Precarious condition . 



Estimated numbers : 4, 300 in Diamond Creek . 



Fecundity : 200 to 600 eggs per adult female. 



Reasons for decline : Modification of habitat resulting from forest removal and the 

 introduction of exotic trout competitors . 



Protective measures already taken : Streams are closed to fishing and to the introduction 

 of exotics; stream improvement devices were rebuilt; studies have been implemented. 



Measures proposed : Introduction in a barren stream further north where water flows 

 are more stable; propagation and restocking in reclaimed streams near present habitat. 



Number in captivity : None . 



Culture potential in captivity : No data . 



Remarks: Data submitted by Dr. Robert R. Miller, University of Michigan, and 

 Dr. Robert E. Vincent, Colorado State University. 



References : 



Miller, R. R. 1950. Notes on the cutthroat and rainbow trouts with the 

 description of a new species from the Gila River, New Mexico, Occ . 

 Pap . Mus . Zool . Univ . Mich . , No . 529 , 42 p . 



Regan, D. M. 1964. Ecology of the Gila trout, Salmo gilae , in Main Diamond 

 Creek, New Mexico. Thesis, M.S. Colorado State University, 57 p. 



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