 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 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 (such as tilapia, mosquitofish, 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. As part of the Recovery Plan, pupfish Refugia have been created in several locations as
"holding" tanks for the genetic strains of the fish 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 (such as tilapia, mosquitofish, 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. As part of the Recovery Plan, pupfish Refugia have been created in several locations as
"holding" tanks for the genetic strains of the fish found in the drains along the Salton Sea.
the toes of their hind feet that look like
fringes. These fringes act like miniature
sandshoes, giving the lizards extra traction
to speed away from predators on the loose
sand surface. The lizards also have fringes
They get their name from elongate scales on
on their ears to keep sand away from their
eardrums. The lizards' head is perfectly
shaped to allow them to dive head first into
the soft sand, actually "swimming" below the
sand surface. 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.
fringes. These fringes act like miniature
sandshoes, giving the lizards extra traction
to speed away from predators on the loose
sand surface. The lizards also have fringes
They get their name from elongate scales on
on their ears to keep sand away from their
eardrums. The lizards' head is perfectly
shaped to allow them to dive head first into
the soft sand, actually "swimming" below the
sand surface. 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.
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
spring 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
spring 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 several years
chewing tunnels within the trunks of desert fan palms.
(Flickers and other insectivores 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, laying eggs in the crown of the tree
and then die within a few weeks. These beetles can kill a
palm but usually only if the tree is sick or stressed. 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 several years
chewing tunnels within the trunks of desert fan palms.
(Flickers and other insectivores 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, laying eggs in the crown of the tree
and then die within a few weeks. These beetles can kill a
palm but usually only if the tree is sick or stressed. Giant
palm-boring beetles 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, which is a native of Baja
California.
The California fan palm has a very thick trunk and grows slowly to about 45 feet (14 m) the Mexican fan
palm 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
flower 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, which is a native of Baja
California.
The California fan palm has a very thick trunk and grows slowly to about 45 feet (14 m) the Mexican fan
palm 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
flower 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.
| Photos courtesy of Sharon Keeney California Department of Fish and Game. (c) 2009 |
| Male pupfish in bright blue breeding color. |
| Female pupfish with subtle markings and dull coloration. |