Evaluation of the role of refugia in conservation efforts for the Devils Hole pupfish, Cyprinodon diabolis Wales

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Abstract
The Hoover Dam Refugium was built to help insure the survival of the Devils Hole pupfish during an especially critical period. It served that purpose well. The Amargosa Pupfish Station added an additional, nearly identical artificial habitat to use in conservation and management of the Devils Hole pupfish. Contemporary concerns of conservation biology suggest that: 1) Genetic diversity or homogeneity of refugium populations should, when possible, be established by biochemical and morphological techniques; 2) protection of the natural habitat has been effected, and population levels have returned essentially to normal, therefore, management intervention in the natural population is not now appropriate; 3) refugium populations represent a unique opportunity to develop information useful in conservation and management of small populations of endangered fishes, if legal restrictions to such investigations can be accommodated; and 4) refugia, dependent on human activities for construction and maintenance, are less reliable than natural habitats.

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