Project ID: CO882

Title: Distribution, Habitat, and Life History of Brassy Minnor (Hybognathus hankinsoni) in Eastern Colorado Streams

Focus Categories: Conservation, Hydrology

Keywords: Conservation, Ecohydrology, Plains fish ecology

Start Date: 03/01/2001

End Date: 02/28/2002

Federal Funds: $9,310

Non-Federal Matching Funds: $20,025

Congressional District: 4th

Principal Investigator:
Kurt D. Fausch
Professor, Colorado State University

Abstract

The brassy minnow is a widely distributed fish species (Colorado to New York) that nevertheless has declined drastically in range and abundance in eastern Colorado plains streams during the last 20 years. It was among six native fishes added to the Colorado list of state threatened and endangered species in May, 1998. Little is known about its original distribution and almost nothing is known of its ecology. The purpose of this project is to clarify its historical distribution and determine critical habitat requirements to help water resource and natural resource managers to manage aquatic habitat to increase its range and prevent further declines. The project has focused on two main objectives: to clarify the original distribution of brassy minnow by retrieving and identifying all museum specimens from Colorado and adjacent counties in other states, and develop a key to separate brassy minnow from its close relative, the plains minnow; and conduct field research to determine critical habitats needed for survival, growth, and reproduction, and relate these to changes in flow and other environmental factors.

Progress/Completion Report PDF