This past week, our team traveled along the Pecos River in New Mexico and Texas to survey springs inhabited by members of the Gambusia nobilis species complex. The trip included visits to multiple spring systems to monitor populations, collect ecological data, and support ongoing conservation planning.
We also returned to Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge to monitor Gambusia echelleorum and conduct environmental DNA surveys. These efforts are helping us track population status and gather the information needed to guide future conservation translocations. This work is particularly important as the invasive Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) continues to expand in parts of the region, increasing potential threats to native spring-endemic fishes.
Many thanks to our partners at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for their collaboration and support in the field.