Meeting Abstract
Captive populations are critical to the recovery and maintenance of biodiversity of many species. These populations can also provide opportunities for research that bridge gaps between academics and agencies. The Ash Meadows Fish Conservation Facility (AMFCF) houses a refuge population of the endangered Devils Hole pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis) in a 100,000-gallon refuge tank designed to mimic the extreme desert habitat and ecosystem of Devils Hole. One challenge in previous captive populations is exact matching of environmental parameters, which is thought to have altered morphology and behavior of C. diabolis in captivity. The habitat at the AMFCF represents a change in approach to captive environment design, providing increased control and monitoring of biotic and abiotic variables and allowing us to examine the relationships between these variables and fish morphology, behavior and ecology. Herein, we present findings of studies comparing morphology, reproduction and ecology between the captive and wild populations. Specifically, we evaluate larval and early life stage growth rates, reproductive outputs, and report a novel predator-prey relationship that may be mediated by temperature. Taken together, our studies support the integration of research and management as conservation actions often require an understanding of organismal form and function to be successful.
