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| Rare and Wonderful Species Found on the Preserve |
Desert Pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius).
The desert pupfish is the only fish endemic to the Salton Sink. There are two subspecies in the United
States: a Colorado River form (C. m. macularius and a Quitobaquito form C. m. eremus. The desert
pupfish is a small (<76 mm), laterally compressed “killifish.” This minnow-like fish occurs naturally in the
Salton Sea, its tributaries and shoreline pools, and irrigation drains emptying into the Sea. Although there
are the two main tributaries, pupfish can be found on occasion in other washes, such as Hot Mineral Spa
wash south of Bombay Beach. Habitat loss and alteration of water flows, as well as the introduction of non-
native animals (tilapia, mosquitofish and mollies) and other fishes, snails and crayfish) and vegetation (salt
cedar/tamarisk is a threat in some areas), are the major reasons for the decline of desert pupfish. Pupfish
prefer shallow, clear water, with either rooted or unattached aquatic plants, restricted surface flow, and
sand-silt substrates. They can live in extreme environmental conditions, including extremes of salinity and
temperature and oxygen. Thus, they are found mostly in habitats too extreme for other competing fishes.
In less harsh environments where a greater diversity of fishes are found, pupfish occupy water shallower
than that inhabited by adults of most other species. In addition, smaller fish tend to be found in shallower
water than larger fish.
The pupfish was listed as a California endangered species in 1980, and Federally endangered in 1986.
This population of the desert pupfish was established in the 1990s from the Salt Creek population as a
refugia. Refugia have been created in several locations as "holding" tanks for the genetic material found
in the drains along the Salton Sea.
The desert pupfish is the only fish endemic to the Salton Sink. There are two subspecies in the United
States: a Colorado River form (C. m. macularius and a Quitobaquito form C. m. eremus. The desert
pupfish is a small (<76 mm), laterally compressed “killifish.” This minnow-like fish occurs naturally in the
Salton Sea, its tributaries and shoreline pools, and irrigation drains emptying into the Sea. Although there
are the two main tributaries, pupfish can be found on occasion in other washes, such as Hot Mineral Spa
wash south of Bombay Beach. Habitat loss and alteration of water flows, as well as the introduction of non-
native animals (tilapia, mosquitofish and mollies) and other fishes, snails and crayfish) and vegetation (salt
cedar/tamarisk is a threat in some areas), are the major reasons for the decline of desert pupfish. Pupfish
prefer shallow, clear water, with either rooted or unattached aquatic plants, restricted surface flow, and
sand-silt substrates. They can live in extreme environmental conditions, including extremes of salinity and
temperature and oxygen. Thus, they are found mostly in habitats too extreme for other competing fishes.
In less harsh environments where a greater diversity of fishes are found, pupfish occupy water shallower
than that inhabited by adults of most other species. In addition, smaller fish tend to be found in shallower
water than larger fish.
The pupfish was listed as a California endangered species in 1980, and Federally endangered in 1986.
This population of the desert pupfish was established in the 1990s from the Salt Creek population as a
refugia. Refugia have been created in several locations as "holding" tanks for the genetic material found
in the drains along the Salton Sea.
They get their name, of course, from
elongate scales on the toes of their hind feet
that look like fringes. These fringes act like
miniature snowshoes, giving the lizards extra
traction to speed away from predators on the
loose sand surface. The lizards also have
fringes on their ears to keep sand away from
their eardrums (they could have just as easily
been called fringe-eared lizards). The
lizards' head is perfectly shaped to allow
them to dive head first into the soft sand,
actually "swimming" below the sand surface
rest. This behavior allows the lizards to
disappear in to the dune, leaving no trace
behind and effectively evading all predators.
Once below the sand, the lizards' noses are
equipped with a structure that allows the
lizards to continue to breathe air, without
bringing sand into their lungs. Taken
together, these adaptations provide the
fringe-toed lizards with everything they need
to live on dunes.
elongate scales on the toes of their hind feet
that look like fringes. These fringes act like
miniature snowshoes, giving the lizards extra
traction to speed away from predators on the
loose sand surface. The lizards also have
fringes on their ears to keep sand away from
their eardrums (they could have just as easily
been called fringe-eared lizards). The
lizards' head is perfectly shaped to allow
them to dive head first into the soft sand,
actually "swimming" below the sand surface
rest. This behavior allows the lizards to
disappear in to the dune, leaving no trace
behind and effectively evading all predators.
Once below the sand, the lizards' noses are
equipped with a structure that allows the
lizards to continue to breathe air, without
bringing sand into their lungs. Taken
together, these adaptations provide the
fringe-toed lizards with everything they need
to live on dunes.
The Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard was listed as threatened by the federal government and
endangered by the state of California in 1980. Where once there was 100 square miles of dunes in the
Coachella Valley, about four square miles have been protected. The preserve protects the last remnants
of one of the most interesting and beautiful habitats this valley has to offer.
endangered by the state of California in 1980. Where once there was 100 square miles of dunes in the
Coachella Valley, about four square miles have been protected. The preserve protects the last remnants
of one of the most interesting and beautiful habitats this valley has to offer.
Coachella Valley Milkvetch
(Astragalus lentiginosis
var. coachellae)
Also called "locoweed", these
unobtrusive flowers are found in
sandy margins in and around
dunes. This species is generally a
winter annual that blooms from
February to May, producing pink to
deep magenta-colored flowers. In
contrast to other locoweeds, it has
strongly inflated, two-chambered,
seed pods. These pods, when
dried, fall to the ground and are
blown along the dunes.
In good years, hundreds of
individual plants have been seen in
a given population, but more often
reports are of less than 20 plants.
Extensive dune systems that
supported the milkvetch once
occurred from the Cabazon area to
Thousand Palms, and at the base
of the Santa Rosa Mountains.
(Astragalus lentiginosis
var. coachellae)
Also called "locoweed", these
unobtrusive flowers are found in
sandy margins in and around
dunes. This species is generally a
winter annual that blooms from
February to May, producing pink to
deep magenta-colored flowers. In
contrast to other locoweeds, it has
strongly inflated, two-chambered,
seed pods. These pods, when
dried, fall to the ground and are
blown along the dunes.
In good years, hundreds of
individual plants have been seen in
a given population, but more often
reports are of less than 20 plants.
Extensive dune systems that
supported the milkvetch once
occurred from the Cabazon area to
Thousand Palms, and at the base
of the Santa Rosa Mountains.
Giant Palm Boring Beetle (Dinapate wrightii)
The Palm Boring Beetle is a California fan palm specialist. It
is giant, being the largest bostrichid beetle in the world ...
nearly 1.5 - 2 inches! A botonist by the name of W. G.
Wright discovered the beetle in 1896. It is named Dinapate
wrightii (Horn), the Giant Palm Borer. The discovery of this
beetle caused a great deal of excitement among the
entomologists and museum curators of the world, and its
founder kept the location of the oasis wherein it was found a
secret. Specimens of this unique insect are reported to have
brought huge sums of money, as collectors were determined
to own one.
The dime-sized holes seen in the trunks of palms are exit
holes of the adult beetle. The larvae spend about five - ten
years chewing tunnels within the trunks of desert fan palms.
Flickers use the sound of the chewing larvae to locate the
tasty morsel. The larva then pupate within the trunk and
chew their way out. They exit going backwards to avoid
getting stuck. Emerging in June, males and females mate and
then die within a few weeks. These beetles can kill a palm,
but they only inhabit older, sick or stressed trees. Giant
palm-boring beetles keep the palm population healthy and
the presence of these beetles is actually a sign of a healthy
oasis.
The Palm Boring Beetle is a California fan palm specialist. It
is giant, being the largest bostrichid beetle in the world ...
nearly 1.5 - 2 inches! A botonist by the name of W. G.
Wright discovered the beetle in 1896. It is named Dinapate
wrightii (Horn), the Giant Palm Borer. The discovery of this
beetle caused a great deal of excitement among the
entomologists and museum curators of the world, and its
founder kept the location of the oasis wherein it was found a
secret. Specimens of this unique insect are reported to have
brought huge sums of money, as collectors were determined
to own one.
The dime-sized holes seen in the trunks of palms are exit
holes of the adult beetle. The larvae spend about five - ten
years chewing tunnels within the trunks of desert fan palms.
Flickers use the sound of the chewing larvae to locate the
tasty morsel. The larva then pupate within the trunk and
chew their way out. They exit going backwards to avoid
getting stuck. Emerging in June, males and females mate and
then die within a few weeks. These beetles can kill a palm,
but they only inhabit older, sick or stressed trees. Giant
palm-boring beetles keep the palm population healthy and
the presence of these beetles is actually a sign of a healthy
oasis.
These beetles can kill a palm, but they only inhabit older, sick or stressed trees. Giant palm-boring beetles
keep the palm population healthy and the presence of these beetles is actually a sign of a healthy oasis.
keep the palm population healthy and the presence of these beetles is actually a sign of a healthy oasis.
California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera)
The palm encountered in the oases within the Coachella Valley Preserve is the California fan palm, or
Washingtonia filifera. It is the only palm native to this area. There is another palm used widely in the
southern California area, the Mexican fan palm, or Washingtonia robusta. It is a native of Baja California.
The Washingtonia filifera has a very thick trunk and grows slowly to about 45 feet (14 m) Washingtonia
robusta has a thin trunk, but grows faster and can be twice as tall. Both species have large, palmate
leaves with spiny petioles clustered at the top of the trunk. (a petiole is the stalk that connects the leaf to
the stem). Dead leaves hang vertically and form what is called a skirt around the trunk. Inflorescences,
or fruit stalks, extend beyond the leaves and bear masses of tiny white to cream colored flowers. During
the fall months, large clusters of small hard fruit hang from the tree. The palms may live 150 to 200
years.
The palm encountered in the oases within the Coachella Valley Preserve is the California fan palm, or
Washingtonia filifera. It is the only palm native to this area. There is another palm used widely in the
southern California area, the Mexican fan palm, or Washingtonia robusta. It is a native of Baja California.
The Washingtonia filifera has a very thick trunk and grows slowly to about 45 feet (14 m) Washingtonia
robusta has a thin trunk, but grows faster and can be twice as tall. Both species have large, palmate
leaves with spiny petioles clustered at the top of the trunk. (a petiole is the stalk that connects the leaf to
the stem). Dead leaves hang vertically and form what is called a skirt around the trunk. Inflorescences,
or fruit stalks, extend beyond the leaves and bear masses of tiny white to cream colored flowers. During
the fall months, large clusters of small hard fruit hang from the tree. The palms may live 150 to 200
years.
