Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 12: 143155, 2002.

2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands.

143

An annotated distributional checklist of the freshwater fish from Baja

California Sur, Mexico
Gorgonio Ruiz-Campos1 , Jose Luis Castro-Aguirre2 , Salvador Contreras-Balderas3 , Mara de
Lourdes Lozano-Vilano4, Adrian F. Gonzalez-Acosta2 & Sergio Sanchez-Gonzales5
1 Facultad de

Ciencias, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Apdo. Postal 1653, Ensenada, Baja California,
22800, Mexico (E-mail: gruiz@uabc.mx); 2 Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politecnico
Nacional, Apdo. Postal 592, La Paz, B.C.S., 23001, Mexico; 3 Bioconservacion, A.C. Apdo. Postal 504, San
Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon, 66450, Mexico; 4 Laboratorio de Ictiologa, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas,
Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon. Apdo. Postal 425, San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon, 66450, Mexico;
5 Escuela de Biologa, Universidad Aut
onoma de Sinaloa, Cd. Universitaria, Culiacan, Sinaloa, 80010, Mexico
Accepted 7 October 2001

Contents
Abstract
Resumen
Introduction
Study area
Materials and methods
Species account
Native fish species recently collected
Native fish species not recently collected
Exotic fish species
Discussion
Summary
Acknowledgements
References
Appendix

page 143
144
144
144
145
145

152
153
153
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154

Key words: Baja California Sur, distribution, freshwater fish, Mxico, oases

Abstract
An annotated distributional checklist of the freshwater fish recorded historically and recently in Baja California
Sur, Mxico, is provided. This checklist is supported with 4,857 specimens collected at freshwater localities
during the period of May 1991 to April 2002, and complemented with a review of specimens in museums and in
the literature. The native ichthyofauna is represented by 19 species belonging to 16 genera and 12 families, with
only two cases of endemism (Fundulus lima and Gobiesox juniperoserrai). The first occurrence of Centropomus
viridis in freshwater environments of Baja California peninsula is reported here. The families Eleotridae and
Mugilidae are the most diverse with 3 species each. Zoogeographically, most of the species are of tropical affinity
(panamanian 63%, tropical amphiamerican 16% and circumtropical 5%) and of marine ecological derivation
(sporadic 53%, complementary 26%, vicarious 16% and diadromous 5%). Six species are exotic in this region,
of which Cyprinus carpio, Xiphophorus helleri and Tilapia cf. zilli are of recent introduction. The current status
of the endemic killifish (Fundulus lima) is determined as endangered due to competition with Tilapia cf. zilli and
other exotic fish.

144
Resumen
Se presenta una lista distribucional anotada de las especies cticas historica y recientemente reportadas en los
ambientes dulceacucolas de Baja California Sur, Mexico. Esta lista anotada esta sustentada con 4,857 ejemplares
recolectados en localidades con ambientes dulceacucolas durante el perodo de Mayo 1991 a Abril 2002, complementada con una revision de ejemplares en museos y en la literatura. La ictiofauna nativa esta representada por 19
especies pertenecientes a 16 generos y 12 familias, con dos casos de endemismo (Fundulus lima y Gobiesox juniperoserrai). Se presenta el primer registro dulceacucola de Centropomus viridis en la pennsula de Baja California.
Las familias Eleotridae y Mugilidae son las mas diversas, con 3 especies cada una. Zoogeograficamente, la mayora
de las especies son de afinidad tropical (Panamicas 63%, Anfiamericanas Tropicales 16% y Circumtropicales 5%)
y de derivacion ecologica marina (esporadicas 53%, complementarias 26%, vicarias 16% y diadromas 5%). Seis
especies son exoticas en esta region, de las cuales Cyprinus carpio, Xiphophorus helleri y Tilapia cf. zilli son de
reciente introduccion. El estatus actual de conservacion de la sardinilla peninsular (Fundulus lima) es determinado
como en peligro de extincion, debido a competencia con Tilapia cf. zilli y otros peces exoticos.

Introduction
In spite of the few epicontinental currents that
drain the arid lands of Baja California Sur (BCS),
Mxico, there exist perennial water bodies known
as oases that represent biogeographic relicts of
subtropical mesophilic ecosystems (Axelrod, 1948,
1979; Grismer and McGuire, 1993). These oases
are inhabited by fish with different evolutionary and
biogeographical history, like those differentiated in
situ as the endemic killifish (Fundulus lima) (Follett,
1960) and the endemic freshwater clingfish (Gobiesox
juniperoserrai) (Espinosa Prez and Castro-Aguirre,
1996) and those belonging to euryhaline-marine
species (Miller, 1966) that colonized the oases through
stream connections (Castro-Aguirre, 1978; CastroAguirre et al., 1999).
Ecogeographically, there are no primary or
secondary freshwater fish in BCS (Follett, 1960), and
several reasons have been proposed to explain this: (1)
hydrological discontinuity among streams of southern
California and Baja California peninsula during the
lowering of sea level in the Pleistocene; (2) long
standing aridity has prevented the coastwise dispersal
of fish by way of estuaries; (3) abrupt escarpment of a
large part of the eastern coast limited the formation of
lagoons and complicated dispersal; and (4) the Gulf of
California serves as a barrier to the entry of freshwater
fish from Middle America.
Follett (1960) reported 21 native fish species in
the continental waters of BCS, most of them from
the mouth and lower part of the Muleg and San
Jos del Cabo rivers. Subsequently, Ruiz-Campos and
Contreras-Balderas (1987) increased this number to

28 (25 native and 3 exotic), adding the first records

of Harengula thrissina, Hypsopsetta guttulata and
Achirus mazatlanus in the freshwater environments of
BCS.
During the last decade, many new freshwater
localities in BCS were sampled and ecologically
characterized, thereby increasing the knowledge of its
ichthyofauna. The present study provides an annotated
distributional checklist of the fish species that have
been historically and currently recorded in the freshwaters of BCS.

Study area
The evident aridity that distinguishes the peninsular
region of BCS, combined with the orography, low
permeability and steep slopes of its hills and mountains, have resulted in surface flows of intermittent
type (Daz and Troyo, 1997). These surface flows
are produced by springs that create permanent ponds
known as oases.
The Sierra La Giganta, which extends along almost
two-thirds of the state of BCS, is split into two unequal
sections. The first section corresponds to the Pacific
drainage and is composed of permeable alluvial
deposits that prevent the formation of important
surface currents, with an extremely dry part between
the parallels 24 (Arroyo Seco) and 23 15 (Arroyo
San Jacinto) (Tamayo, 1962). The second section
is narrow and its surface waters drain intermittently
toward the Gulf of California (INEGI, 1996).
The riparian vegetation associated with the study
area oases is represented by palms (Washingtonia

145
robusta and Phoenix dactylifera), reeds (Phragmites
communis), cattails (Typha domingensis), and mule fat
(Baccharis salicifolia). In the periphery of this vegetation exist arboreal forms such as lomboy (Jatropha
cinerea), ironwood (Olneya tesota), acacia (Acacia
brandegeana), palo verde (Cercidium floridum) and
palo Eba (Pithecellobium undulatum) (Arriaga et al.,
1997).

Materials and methods

Fish samplings in the streams and oases of BCS were
carried out between May 1991 and April 2002 (Figure
1; Appendix 1). In each locality, fish were collected
using different fishing gear (minnow seine, hand net,
casting net, minnow trap and gill nets with different
mesh sizes). Simultaneously, physicochemical variables such as temperature ( C), conductivity (mS/cm),
dissolved oxygen (mg/l), pH, salinity (
), and total
dissolved solids (g/l) were measured (Table 1) with a
Hydrolab scout 2 multiprobe (Hydrolab Co. Austin,
Texas).
Collected fish were fixed in a 10% formalin solution (buffered with sodium borate) for subsequent
preservation in 50% isopropanol in the laboratory. The
specimens were deposited in the fish collections of
the Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autnoma de
Baja California (UABC) at Ensenada, Baja California,
and Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas
(CICIMAR-CI), Instituto Politcnico Nacional at La
Paz, BCS.
Each taxon is provided with the following information: previous records, those from freshwater bodies
of the study area that are referred to in publications
or in museum records prior to May 1991; recent
records, corresponding to the fish samplings carried
out between May 1991 and April 2002; and comments,
including relevant ecological and taxonomic information.
Previous collection records were documented from
the following ichthyological collections: Universidad Autnoma de Baja California (UABC); Universidad Autnoma de Nuevo Len (UANL); Instituto
de Biologa, Universidad Nacional Autnoma de
Mxico (IBUNAM); California Academy of Sciences
(CAS); Museum of Zoology of the University of
Michigan (UMMZ); National Museum of Natural
History (USNM); and Musum National d Histoire
Naturelle (MNHN). The number of specimens in

square brackets follows the catalog number of each

species.
Taxonomic arrangement of the species follows
Eschmeyers (1998) classification. Common names of
the species were based on Robins et al. (1991) and
Allen and Robertson (1994). Ecological classification
of the species according to their salinity tolerances is
based in Myers (1938, 1951).

Species account
The present annotated distributional checklist is based
on 25 species (19 native and 6 exotic), 21 genera, and
15 families that have been historically and recently
recorded in the freshwaters of BCS. A total of 4,857
voucher specimens, belonging to twelve species,
support the recent records. This checklist does not
include those species collected in the mouths and
lower parts of streams where estuarine or marine
conditions prevail (e.g., Muleg, San Luciano and
Grande, Table 1) or that lack salinity data in situ
(records of this type are found in Follett, 1960 and
Ruiz-Campos and Contreras-Balderas, 1987). The
ecological and biogeographical classification of the
native fish species recorded in freshwater of BCS is
presented in Table 2.
Native fish species recently collected
The following six species have recently been collected
in the freshwaters of BCS:
Family Fundulidae
Fundulus lima Vaillant, 1894.
Baja killifish.
Previous records: San Ignacio oasis [type locality]
(MNHN-1892-0287 to MNHN-1892-0293; USNM00076409 [8]; CAS-123816 [1], 124564 [5], 167323
[1], 52605 [11], 56581 [1]; UANL-2527 [42]); Arroyo
San Javier 1 mi north Mission of San Javier (CAS52594 [11], UANL-2571 [80]); a creek ca. Carmel
between Canipol and Comond (CAS-124565 [2]);
Arroyo Comond (CAS-124563 [2]); a lagoon 22 mi
NE Comond (CAS-21225 [1]); Arroyo La Pursima,
13 mi E of La Pursima town (CAS-114909 [137]);
5 mi above La Pursima (Follett, 1960: 217); La
Pursima canyon, 23 mi N Comond (Follett, op.
cit.); and Arroyo La Pursima at San Isidro (UMMZ159267).

146

Figure 1. Localities of fish sampling in the oases and streams of Baja California Sur, Mexico, during the May of 1991-April of 2002 period.
Numbers indicate those localities described in Appendix 1.

Recent records: Arroyo [oasis] San Ignacio between

dam and spring (UABC-071 [59], 156 [27], 186 [1],
718 [6], 719 [1]), 879 [390], 880 [110], 881 [23],
884 [139], 886 [50]), and at Poza Larga (UABC-1309
[13], 1312 [21], 1313 [7]), 1327 [29]); Arroyo La
Pursima at Carambuche [= Cuba] (UABC-758 [12],
829 [3]), Presa Carambuche (UABC-1326 [18]) and
La Pursima (UABC-1001 [1]); Arroyo Bebelamas at
San Lucas [= Poza Honda] (UABC-745 [5]); Arroyo
San Luis at Mission of San Luis Gonzaga (UABC740 [5]) and Rancho Las Cuedas (UABC-743 [21],
1325 [2]); Arroyo San Pedro at San Pedro de La Presa
(UABC-796 [5], 1324 [1], CICIMAR-CI 1956 [19],
2019 [5], 2023 [5]), San Basilio (UABC-779 [1]),
Rancho Merecuaco (UABC-789 [1]) and Pozo del
Irit [= Encinas] (UABC-797[6], CICIMAR-CI 2005

[32]); and Arroyo Las Pocitas at Rancho El Caracol

(UABC-798 [9], CICIMAR-CI 2025 [86]).
Comments: This vicarious killifish was recorded in
oases with salinities between 0.1 and 1.5 ppt (Table
1). The known southernmost distribution range of F.
lima is extended here about 213 km to the locality of
El Caracol (2432 N, 11101 W). Current monitoring
(19912002) through its historic range has revealed
low relative abundance (05%) of this endemic killifish as compared to exotic species, mainly Tilapia cf.
zilli and Poecilia reticulata (Ruiz-Campos, 2000: 20).
At the type locality, F. lima competes in spring habitat
with T. cf. zilli and other exotics as Xiphophorus
helleri and Poecilia reticulata. In the oasis of San
Javier, F. lima was the only fish species detected on
19 May 1977 (UANL-2571); however, recent evalua-

147
Table 1. Average values of physicochemical parameters registered in the inland waters of Baja California Sur, Mexico, during the
period of 19932002. Measurements made with Hydrolab scout 2
Salini.
(ppt)

pH

Cond.
(mS/cm)

TDS
(g/l)

Temp.
(C)

Oxyg.
(mg/l)

Time

Locality

Date
d/m/y

Arroyo San Luciano (mouth), Santa Rosala

Oasis of Rancho San Joaqun, San Ignacio
Oasis of Rancho El Sauzal, San Ignacio
Oasis of Rancho Zacaras, San Ignacio
Oasis of San Ignacio (spring)
Oasis of San Ignacio (spring)
Oasis of San Ignacio (spring)
Oasis of San Ignacio at Poza Larga
Oasis of Boca de Magdalena, San Jose de Magdalena
Oasis of San Jose de Comondu
Oasis of San Miguel de Comondu
Ro Mulege 2.1 a 3.0 km above the mouth
Ro Mulege 1.1 a 2.0 km above the mouth
Ro Mulege 0.1 a 1.0 km above the mouth
Oasis of San Javier (spring), San Javier
Oasis of La Pursima at Carambuche (= Cuba)
Oasis of La Pursima at Carambuche (= Cuba)
Presa Carambuche at Carambuche
Oasis of La Pursima at La Pursima
Presa Higuajil (Arroyo San Luis)
Arroyo Bebelamas at San Lucas (Poza Honda)
Arroyo Bebelamas at Rancho El Frijolito
Arroyo San Luis at Mision San Luis Gonzaga
Arroyo San Luis at Rancho Las Cuedas
Arroyo San Luis at Rancho Las Cuedas
Arroyo San Pedro ca. San Basilio
Arroyo San Pedro at Pozo del Iritu
Arroyo San Pedro at Rancho Merecuaco
Arroyo San Pedro at San Pedro de La Presa
Arroyo Las Pocitas en Pocitas del Vado
Bocana Arroyo Grande ca. Todos Santos
Oasis of San Jose del Cabo (Ojo de Agua)
Arroyo La Tinaja (El Aguajito) ca. Miraflores
Arroyo Boca de La Sierra, Santiago

35.9
0.4
0.5
0.4
0.6
0.7
0.1
0.2
0.8
0.3
1.2
37.2
37.1
43.6
0.4
0.7
1.0
0.1
1.5
0.4
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.4
<0.1
0.5
0.6
0.7
<0.1
0.2
34.4
0.5
0.5
0.3

7.36
7.21
7.61
7.43
7.55
7.36
6.60
7.78
7.44
8.86
8.45
7.90
8.11
8.22
7.54
9.07
9.05
9.00
8.90
9.91
9.57
9.63
9.31
10.04
8.17
8.42
8.49
8.21
8.37
7.66
8.60
8.11
8.39
8.57

53.70
0.69
0.62
0.73
1.11
1.39
1.21
0.34
1.55
0.67
2.15
56.50
55.80
64.80
0.75
1.39
1.96
0.94
2.83
0.83
1.07
1.06
0.95
0.70
0.73
0.92
1.23
1.22
0.72
0.32
52.00
0.89
0.95
0.52

34.60
0.44
0.97
0.47
0.72
0.89
0.78
0.21
0.97
0.43
1.38
nm
nm
nm
0.48
0.89
1.25
0.61
1.84
0.53
0.68
0.68
0.61
0.45
0.46
0.59
0.79
0.79
0.46
0.20
33.40
0.58
0.61
0.32

34.4
28.0
20.4
26.8
27.9
28.3
29.1
20.9
33.9
16.9
15.1
28.7
28.5
29.3
34.4
21.5
31.6
26.8
20.9
22.3
22.4
22.6
22.0
20.3
20.8
27.8
24.7
24.3
27.1
21.5
25.9
29.8
27.9
26.7

nm
6.88
3.61
4.63
5.88
6.40
3.20
4.40
nm
10.20
5.72
3.99
6.15
6.15
nm
10.01
7.16
4.41
10.34
9.98
8.87
8.87
8.36
9.27
4.47
9.81
7.27
8.91
5.21
5.34
7.11
7.54
10.37
nm

13:15
15:42
17:20
8:38
15:35
16:35
16:57
13:05
16:52
10:42
10:45
10:05
11:29
13:08
16:46
15:40
13:28
17:50
18:00
18:42
18:14
18:14
14:05
16:12
8:40
17:00
11:38
13:30
16:15
9:47
12:30
11:45
17:30
14:30

7-VII-1999
15-III-1993
15-III-1993
16-III-1993
14-III-1993
21-V-1993
14-IV-2002
15-IV-2002
9-VII-1999
15-III-1998
15-III-1998
14-X-1995
14-X-1995
14-X-1995
11-VII-1999
15-III-1998
28-VI-1998
16-IV-2002
15-III-1998
15-IV-1998
16-IV-1998
15-IV-1998
16-IV-1998
16-IV-1998
18-IV-2002
15-V-1998
16-V-1998
16-V-1998
19-IV-2002
21-IV-2002
27-III-1998
28-III-1998
28-III-1998
10-IV-1998

nm = not measured

tions in this locality (27 June 1998 and 11 July 1999)

suggest the virtual extirpation of this killifish here
because of competitive exclusion by T. cf. zilli. Based
on a recent monitoring (1421 April 2002) the least
decimated population of F. lima was found in the
locality of Poza Larga (Arroyo San Ignacio). This
endemic killifish is categorized as a threatened species
(Ruiz-Campos, 2000: 20; SEMARNAT, 2002: 40).
Family Centropomidae
Centropomus viridis (Lockington, 1877).
White snook.
Previous records: None.
Recent records: Arroyo La Pursima near the town of
La Pursima, ca. 28 km upstream from the mouth, 26
September 1998 (UABC-997 [1]).

Comments: Although this marine species is known to

occur in estuaries of Mexican Pacific region (Rivas,
1986: 598; Castro-Aguirre et al., 1999: 253), no freshwater records had been previously reported for the
peninsula of Baja California.
Familia Mugilidae
Agonostomus monticola (Bancroft, 1836).
Mountain mullet.
Previous records: Arroyo Santa Cruz (Sierra de Las
Cacachilas), southeast of La Paz (Vaillant, 1894: 73);
Boca de la Sierra at Santiago (Castro-Aguirre et al.,
1999: 187); and Arroyo San Jos del Cabo (Rutter,
1896: 263).
Recent records: Sierra de La Laguna (UANL-14737

148
Table 2. Ecological origin and biogeographical affinity of the native freshwater fish fauna from Baja California Sur,
Mexico

Taxa
Harengula thrissina
Gobiesox juniperoserrai
Fundulus lima
Pseudophallus starksii
Centropomus nigrescens
Centropomus viridis
Lutjanus argentiventris
Lutjanus novemfasciatus
Mugil cephalus
Mugil curema
Agonostomus monticola
Dormitator latifrons
Eleotris picta
Gobiomorus maculatus
Awaous tajasica
Ctenogobius sagittula
Citharichthys gilberti
Hypsopsetta guttulata
Achirus mazatlanus
Total N = 19
Percent (%)

Ecological origin
VI
DI
CO

SP

Biogeographical affinity
EN
SD
PA

X
X
IX
IX

CT

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

3
16

TA

1
5

5
26

10
53

X
X
X
X
2
11

1
5

12
63

1
5

3
16

Abbreviations: VI = Vicarious, DI = Diadromous, CO = Complementary, SP = Sporadic, EN = Endemic, SD = San

Diegan, PA = Panamanian, CT = Circumtropical, and TA = Tropical Amphiamerican.

[1]; UABC-1278 [1]); streams of Las Pocitas and San

Pedro de La Presa (F. Reynoso-Mendoza, unpublished
data); and Arroyo San Pedro at Pozo del Irit (UABC824 [2]).
Comments: The discovery of two juvenile mountain mullets (2931 mm total length) at Arroyo San
Pedro, suggests the presence of a breeding population. This stream may remain intermittent and without
connection with the sea for long periods of time
(Castro-Aguirre et al., 1999: 188).

(UABC-998 [1]); Arroyo San Pedro at Pozo del Irit

(UABC-785 [9]) and Rancho Merecuaco (UABC791 [1]); and Arroyo Las Pocitas at Pozas del Vado
(UABC-1328 [1]).
Comments: Specimens of Pacific fat sleeper collected
in Arroyo La Pursima constitute the northernmost
freshwater records of this taxon in the Pacific drainage.

Family Eleotridae
Dormitator latifrons (Richardson, 1844).
Pacific fat sleeper.

Previous records: Arroyo San Jos del Cabo (Rutter,

1896: 264; Osburn and Nichols, 1916:175; UANL2534 [27]).
Recent records: Arroyo San Jos del Cabo (UABC753 [5]); Arroyo San Pedro at Pozo del Irit (UABC786 [2]) and Rancho Merecuaco (UABC-790 [1]); and
Arroyo Las Pocitas at Pozas del Vado (Espinosa Prez
and Castro-Aguirre, 1996: 125; G. Ruiz-Campos,
pers. obs.).
Comments: Pacific sleepers were collected at several
oases of the Arroyo San Pedro basin (Sierra de La

Previous records: Ro Muleg [upper part of the town]

(Follett, 1960: 224; UANL-2521 [40]); Arroyo San
Jos del Cabo (Rutter, 1896: 265; Osburn and Nichols,
1916: 175; Wales, 1932: 168); and Arroyo Las Pocitas
at Pozas del Vado (CICIMAR-CI 832 [1], 833 [2]).
Recent records: Ro Muleg below the dam (UABC064 [4]); Arroyo La Pursima at La Pursima

Gobiomorus maculatus (Gnther, 1859).

Pacific sleeper.

149
Giganta), within a salinity range of 0.5 to 0.7 ppt
(Table 1). These specimens constitute the northernmost records of the taxon in the Pacific drainage of the
Baja California peninsula (Castro-Aguirre et al., 1999:
412).
Family Gobiidae
Awaous tajasica (Lichtenstein, 1822).
River goby.
Previous records: Arroyo San Jos del Cabo (see
records in Follett, 1960: 225); Arroyo La Pursima
(Evermann, 1908: 29); Boca de la Sierra in Santiago
[a creek near Miraflores] (De Buen, 1942: 53); and
Arroyo Las Pocitas at Pozas del Vado (CICIMARCI 848 [2]).
Recent records: Arroyo [Ojo de Agua] San Jos del
Cabo (UABC-755 [9]); Arroyo Las Pocitas at Pozas
del Vado (G. Ruiz-Campos, pers. obs.) and Rancho El
Cantil (UABC-1323 [40]); and Arroyo San Venancio
(F. Reynoso-Mendoza, unpublished data).
Comments: This polymorphic species with tropical
amphiamerican distribution is also referred to as A.
banana (Watson, 1996: 3). Forty specimens of river
goby were captured in Arroyo Las Pocitas at Rancho
El Cantil on 21 April 2002 at salinity of 0.2 ppt. The
nomenclature used here agrees with Jordan and Evermann (18961900: 2236) and Robins et al. (1991: 63).
Recent records of this taxon in the continental waters
of the Baja California peninsula have demonstrated
its northern dispersal to the Arroyo San Fernando
near the boundaries with San Diegan Faunal District
(Ruiz-Campos et al., 1999: 131).
Native fish species not recently collected
The following 13 taxa have historically been collected
in the freshwaters of BCS, but there are no recent
records in this type of environment.
Family Clupeidae
Harengula thrissina (Jordan and Gilbert, 1882).
Flatiron herring.
This clupeid fish was first reported in freshwater
at Ojo de Agua, Ro Muleg, on 25 April 1977
(UANL-2515 [20], Ruiz-Campos and ContrerasBalderas, 1987: 106).
Family Gobiesocidae
Gobiesox juniperoserrai Espinosa Prez and
Castro-Aguirre, 1996.
Baja freshwater clingfish.

The only known record of this freshwater clingfish

endemic to Baja California Sur is that of the type
locality (Pozas del Vado) at Arroyo Las Pocitas,
on 12 May 1986 (IBUNAM-P 7606 [1], 7607 [2])
(Espinosa Prez and Castro-Aguirre, 1996: 121). This
freshwater clingfish is categorized as endangered by
SEMARNAT (2002: 41). An evaluation of its current
status is needed by means of a more intensive exploration in its type locality and in other sites of the Las
Pocitas basin.
Family Syngnathidae
Pseudophallus starksii (Jordan and Culver, 1895).
Yellowbelly pipefish.
This vicarious pipefish was originally reported in
the freshwaters of BCS by Rutter (1896: 263)
as Siphostoma starksi on the basis of individuals
collected by Gustav Eisen at Arroyo San Jos del
Cabo.
Family Centropomidae
Centropomus nigrescens Gnther, 1864.
Black snook.
The record of this snook species by Follett (1960: 219)
was based on a personal communication; however, the
freshwater occurrence of this fish was confirmed by
Ruiz-Campos and Contreras-Balderas (1987: 108) on
the basis of a specimen collected in Ojo de Agua,
Ro Muleg on 25 April 1977 (UANL-2516).
Family Lutjanidae
Lutjanus argentiventris (Peters, 1869).
Yellow snapper.
Yellow snapper were first recorded in the freshwaters
of BCS at Ojo de Agua, Ro Muleg on 25 April
1977 (UANL-2518 [5]). Other inland records of this
species in the lower parts of Muleg and Jos del
Cabo rivers (Follett, 1960: 222; Ruiz-Campos and
Contreras-Balderas, 1987: 108) lack evidence on
prevailing salinity.
Lutjanus novemfasciatus Gill, 1862.
Dog snapper.
Presence of the dog snapper in the freshwaters
of BCS was first reported by Osburn and Nichols
(1916: 163) at Arroyo San Jos del Cabo. An additional record is that of Ojo de Agua, Ro Muleg
(UANL-2517 [9]) on 25 April 1977.

150
Family Mugilidae
Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758.
Striped mullet.

Family Pleuronectidae
Hypsopsetta guttulata (Girard, 1856).
Diamond turbot.

There are only two previous freshwater records of

striped mullet in BCS: Arroyo San Jos del Cabo
(Rutter, 1896: 264) and Arroyo La Pursima (De
Buen, 1942: 44). Most recent freshwater records
of this species in the peninsula have been from the
northwestern region (Ruiz-Campos et al., 2000: 72).

This turbot was first collected from freshwater in BCS

at Ojo de Agua of Ro Muleg (UANL-2525 [1]) on
25 April 1977 (Ruiz-Campos and Contreras-Balderas,
1987: 109). There are no subsequent freshwater
records in BCS.

Mugil curema
Valenciennes In Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836.
White mullet.
Two previous freshwater records are known at Arroyo
San Jos del Cabo (Rutter, 1896: 264; Osburn and
Nichols, 1916: 158).
Family Eleotridae
Eleotris picta Kner and Steindachner, 1863.
Spotted sleeper.
Previous freshwater records of this eleotrid in BCS
were documented by Follett (1960: 225) and later
by Ruiz-Campos and Contreras-Balderas (1987: 109).
Additional records are from Arroyo Las Pocitas
(Espinosa-Prez and Castro-Aguirre, 1996: 125) and
Arroyo San Pedro de la Presa (F. Reynoso-Mendoza,
unpublished data).
Family Gobiidae
Ctenogobius sagittula (Gnther, 1861).
Longtail goby.
This panamanian goby was originally referred to as
Gobionellus sp. (UANL-2522 [27]) from the locality
of Ojo de Agua, Ro Muleg (Ruiz-Campos and
Contreras-Balderas, 1987: 109), and recently identified as Ctenogobius sagittula. The northernmost
inland record of longtail goby in the peninsula of
Baja California is from lower Arroyo San Fernando,
just 39 km south of the mouth of Arroyo El Rosario
(Ruiz-Campos et al., 1999: 134).
Family Paralichthyidae
Citharichthys gilberti Jenkins and Evermann, 1889.
Bigmouth sanddab.
Only two previous freshwater records of this flatfish
are known from BCS: Arroyo San Jos del Cabo
(Osburn and Nichols, 1916: 180) and Ojo de Agua,
Ro Muleg (UANL-2524 [1]), on 25 April 1977 (cf.
Ruiz-Campos and Contreras-Balderas, 1987: 109).

Family Achiridae
Achirus mazatlanus (Steindachner, 1869).
Mazatlan sole.
The only previous freshwater record of this species in
BCS is at Ojo de Agua, Ro Muleg (UANL-2526
[1]) on 25 April 1977 (Ruiz-Campos and ContrerasBalderas, 1987: 109).
Exotic fish species
The following six exotic species have been historically and recently collected in the oases and streams
of BCS:
Family Cyprinidae
Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758.
Common carp.
Previous records: None.
Recent records: Oasis of San Ignacio at spring
(UABC-076 [1], UABC-721 [1]; Contreras-Balderas,
1999: 33) and Poza Larga (UABC-1300 [3]).
Comments: Common carp were introduced into the
oasis of San Ignacio in 1973 to promote rural pisciculture (Manuel Meza, pers. com.). However, because of
the poor quality of its meat and greater consumption of
commercial fish brought from the San Ignacio coastal
lagoon, little is consumed as food by local residents.
Family Poeciliidae
Gambusia affinis (Baird and Girard, 1853).
Western mosquitofish.
Previous records: Ojo de Agua de La Rosita at San
Antonio (UANL-2543 [44]); Ojo de Agua at San
Bartolo (UANL-2547 [383]); Arroyo La Tinaja [= El
Tnel Caduao] ca. Miraflores (UANL-2553 [49]);
and Presa Jurez at Todos Santos (UANL-2568 [75])
(Contreras-Balderas and Escalante-Cavazos, 1984:
113).
Recent records: Arroyo La Tinaja ca. Miraflores
(UABC-751 [88]); and Boca de la Sierra at the base

151
of San Bernardino canyon, northwest of Miraflores
(UABC-767 [291]).
Comments: Two distributional centers of this exotic
fish exist in the peninsula of Baja California, one in
the northwestern region (Ruiz-Campos et al., 2000:
77) and the other in the region of El Cabo, south of La
Paz. No records of this species are known from south
of Arroyo El Rosario to Arroyo Las Pocitas, north of
La Paz.
Poecilia reticulata Peters, 1859.
Guppy.
Previous records: Presa Jurez at Todos Santos
(UANL-2569 [303]) (Contreras-Balderas and Escalante-Cavazos, 1984: 114).
Recent records: Arroyo San Jos del Cabo (UABC754 [1]); Arroyo Las Pocitas [Pozas del Vado]
(Espinosa Prez and Castro-Aguirre, 1996; G. RuizCampos, pers. obs.); Arroyo San Pedro at San Basilio
(UABC-780 [39]), Pozo del Irit [= Encinas] (UABC784 [69]), Rancho Merecuaco (UABC-793 [50]),
Rancho Tres Pozas (G. Ruiz-Campos, obs. pers.)
and at San Pedro de La Presa (UABC-1317 [42],
1321 [31]); Arroyo El Caporal at Rancho El Caporal
(UABC-1307 [50]); Arroyo Bebelamas [Bramonas
basin] at Poza Honda [Rancho San Lucas] (UABC746 [37]), Poza de la Caguama [Rancho San Antonio
de la Montaa] (UABC-1311 [18]) and at Rancho
El Frijolito (UABC-749 [71]); Arroyo San Luis at
Mission of San Luis Gonzaga (UABC-752 [196], 757
[23]), Rancho Las Cuedas (UABC-1301 [62]) and
Higuajil reservoir (UABC-742 [2]); Arroyo San Javier
[dam of ] at Mission of San [Francisco] Javier (UABC822 [170], 823 [61], 912 [7]); Arroyo Comond
at San Miguel de Comond (UABC-765 [339]) and
San Jos de Comond (UABC-763 [149], 764 [162]);
Arroyo La Pursima at San Isidro (UABC-727 [5]), La
Pursima [dam and ford] (UABC-761 [48], 827 [1])
and Carambuche [Cuba] (UABC-760 [16], 828 [1]);
Ro Muleg [above dam] (UABC-146 [83], 907 [7]);
Arroyo Boca de Magdalena at San Jos de Magdalena
(UABC-737 [18], 908 [26]); Arroyo San Joaqun at
San Joaqun (UABC-733 [81]), El Sauzal (UABC-734
[11]) and San Zacaras (UABC-075 [36]); Oasis San
Ignacio at spring (UABC-080 [51], 936 [26], 1306
[58]) and Poza Larga (UABC-1314 [18]); and Arroyo
San Gregorio at Sierra de San Francisco (UABC-725
[138]).
Comments: This neotropical species is an exotic of
widespread distribution along the peninsula of Baja
California, from Arroyo Catavia, Baja California

(UABC-726 [45], 877 [75]) to Arroyo San Jos del

Cabo, BCS. It is syntopical with the endemic killifish
in many localities of oases.
Xiphophorus helleri Heckel, 1848.
Green swordtail.
Previous records: None.
Recent records: Arroyo San Pedro at San Basilio
(UABC-781 [60]) and San Pedro de La Presa (UABC1320 [67]); and Oasis San Ignacio at spring (UABC079 [36], 147 [5], 187 [6], 722 [1], 1305 [6]) and at
Poza Larga (UABC-1308 [5], 1315 [6], 1316 [11]).
Comments: This exotic swordtail is one of the main
competitors of the endemic killifish at Oasis San
Ignacio, particularly in spring habitats (J. AlanzGarca, unpublished data).
Xiphophorus maculatus (Gnther, 1866).
Southern platyfish.
Previous records: Ojo de Agua de La Rosita at
San Antonio (UANL-2544 [82]) and Presa Jurez at
Todos Santos (UANL-2570 [6]) (Contreras-Balderas
and Escalante-Cavazos, 1984: 114).
Recent records: Arroyo San Luis [dam] in Mission
of San Luis Gonzaga (UABC-768 [74]; ContrerasBalderas, 1999 [visual record]); Arroyo San Pedro
at San Basilio (UABC-782 [108]), Pozo del Irit
(UABC-787 [24]), Rancho Merecuaco (UABC-794
[19]) and Rancho Tres Pozas (G. Ruiz-Campos, pers.
obs.).
Comments: The current distribution of this non-native
species in BCS has been extended into the oases north
of La Paz.
Family Cichlidae
Tilapia cf. zilli.
Redbelly tilapia.
Previous records: None.
Recent records: Arroyo San Pedro at San Basilio
(UABC-783 [18]), Pozo del Irit (UABC-788 [13]),
Rancho Merecuaco (UABC-792 [4]), Rancho Tres
Pozas (UABC-795 [3]) and San Pedro de La Presa
(UABC-1322 [5], 1329 [1]); Arroyo San Luis at
Mission of San Luis Gonzaga (UABC-739 [13]),
and Rancho Las Cuedas (UABC-744 [3], 750 [5],
1303 [39]); Arroyo Bebelamas [Bramonas basin]
at Poza Honda [Rancho San Lucas] (UABC-747
[126]), Rancho El Frijolito (UABC-748 [1]), and
Poza de la Caguama [Rancho San Antonio de
la Montaa] (UABC-1310 [60]); Higuajil reservoir
(UABC-741 [18]); Arroyo San Javier at Mission of

152
San [Francisco] Javier (UABC-819 [3], 820 [73], 821
[22], 911[13]); Arroyo Comond at San Miguel de
Comond (UABC-766 [1]); Arroyo La Pursima at
San Isidro (UABC-728 [2]), La Pursima [between
dam and ford] (UABC-762 [90], 825 [34]), Carambuche [town] (UABC-759 [38], 826 [8], 1299 [2]), and
Presa Carambuche (UABC-1302 [15]); Arroyo San
Martn at Rancho La Vinorama [Sierra de Guadalupe]
(UABC-738 [1]); Arroyo Boca de Magdalena at San
Jos de Magdalena (9 July 1999, G. Ruiz-Campos,
pers. obs.); Arroyo Cadej at Cadej (F. ReynosoMendoza, unpublished data); and Oasis San Ignacio
at spring (UABC-942 [10], 1304 [30]).
Comments: Based on Barretts (1983) criterion, the
form registered here belongs to Tilapia cf. zilli. This
African cichlid is the most widely stocked fish in the
freshwater bodies of BCS, and its presence here is
relatively recent (Ruiz-Campos, 2000: 20). Currently,
redbelly tilapia are considered the main competitor of
the endemic killifish and the principal agent involved
in the population reduction of this killifish throughout
great part of its current range, including the type
locality.

Discussion
The native fish inhabiting the freshwater environments of BCS are representatives of euryhaline marine
species (Follett, 1960; Miller, 1966; Castro-Aguirre
et al., 1999) that have colonized or penetrated
these environments through fluvial dispersal. Marine
invaders (Miller, 1966) of this type are locally exemplified by the eleotrids Dormitator latifrons, Eleotris
picta and Gobiomorus maculatus as well as the river
goby (Awaous tajasica), all of them establishing
complementary populations in the oases and streams
due to the absence of primary and secondary freshwater fish (Myers, 1938; 1951; Follett, 1960). This
same ecogeographical pattern of dominance by peripheral species is also found in recently emerged
lands, such as occur in Central America (Miller,
1966), the Caribbean islands (Myers, 1938, 1951) and
the peninsula of Yucatn, Mxico (Schmitter-Soto,
1999), where geographical and ecological barriers
have precluded dispersion of the primary or secondary
freshwater fish from Middle America.
Biogeographically, the oases and streams of BCS
are dominated by species with tropical affinity (80%),
with two cases of endemism: the Baja killifish and the
Baja freshwater clingfish. Based on an allozyme study,

Camarena-Rosales et al. (2001) suggested an origin of

the endemic killifish from the coastal marine killifish
(F. parvipinnis brevis), a southern subspecies confined
to Baha Magdalena, BCS (Osburn and Nichols,
1916). This hypothesis argues that individuals of
the coastal killifish dispersed through streams in the
peninsula during the late Pleistocene, and remained
confined in relict habitats (oases) when climatic conditions changed radically from wet to dry during the
Holocene (Camarena-Rosales et al., 2001).
The endemic freshwater clingfish, a species
closely related to G. mexicanus, which is known
from the central Mexican Pacific drainage between
Ro Cuitzmala (Jalisco) and Isthmus of Tehuantepec
(Oaxaca), had a probable origin in the Miocene, when
the peninsula was split from Mesoamerica by tectonic
events (Espinosa Prez and Castro-Aguirre, 1996). Its
distribution and current conservation status need to be
evaluated in the type locality and in other sites of Las
Pocitas basin.
On the other hand, many of the freshwater fish
records referred to in Follett (1960) for BCS were
based on old collections at the mouth and lower
part of Muleg and San Jos del Cabo rivers (cf.
Rutter, 1896; Osburn and Nichols, 1916). Although
the following records were supposedly made in freshwater conditions (cf. Follett, 1960; Ruiz-Campos and
Contreras-Balderas, 1987), all of them lack a record of
salinity in situ: Pomadasys bayanus, Eucinostomus
argenteus [= E. dovii], E. gracilis, Eugerres axillaris, Diapterus peruvianus and Gerres cinereus. It is
important to emphasize that the influence of high tides
on the lower Ro Muleg may be detected as far as 3
km above the mouth (Table 1).
The current conservation status of the endemic
killifish is determined as Endangered, because its
population abundance has been reduced in a large part
of its range due to competition with the exotic cichlid
the redbelly tilapia (Ruiz-Campos, 2000). The oases
are very fragile ecosystems, influenced by anthropogenic disturbances such as occur on islands and
relict terrestrial habitats where the presence of exotic
species has promoted the loss of native fauna in
recent ecological time. Therefore, translocation of
individuals of the endemic killifish, to pristine oases
within its range, is fundamental to promoting conservation of this endemic taxon on the peninsula of Baja
California.

153
Summary
1. The native freshwater ichthyofauna from Baja
California Sur, Mxico, is represented by 19
species belonging to 16 genera and 12 families,
with two cases of autochthonous endemism: the
Baja killifish and the Baja freshwater clingfish.
2. Ecologically, most of the native fish species in
the freshwaters of BCS are of marine derivation
(53% sporadic and 26% complementary), a pattern
also observed in recently emerged lands (e.g., the
peninsula of Yucatn, Central America and the
Antilles).
3. Six exotic fish species are recorded in freshwater
of BCS, of which the redbelly tilapia and the guppy
are the most widespread and abundant species.
4. Programs of eradication of exotic fish in the oases
are needed in order to enhance the survival of
the endangered endemic killifish and other native
species.

Acknowledgements
Numerous persons collaborated in the different
sampling stages that support the present contribution.
We thank J.M. Torres-Ayala, F. J. Viramontes, O.
Gonzlez de Len, J. Alanz-Garca, L. QuintanaBarrios, A. Gerardo-Avendao, F. Reynoso-Mendoza,
W. R. Ziga- Castillo, V.M. Salceda-Sacanelles,
C. Mrquez-Becerra, G.E. Medina-Basulto, F.J.
Valverde- Esparza, A.R. Tovar-Gerardo, J.P. Rebman,
J. Delgadillo-Rodrguez, F. Camarena-Rosales, G.
Ruiz-Cota, B.J. Ortz-Barrn, A. Gonzlez-Peralta,
I.E. Nevius, Q. Talamantes, and A. Antuna-Mendiola.
Also, Jos and Gustavo De La Cruz-Agero for
providing collecting equipment and material. G. De
La Cruz-Agero by his valuable help in preparation
of the maps. Edwin (Phil) Pister and one anonymous
reviewer made useful comments on the manuscript.
Kathryn Leavey provided editorial assistance.

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Appendix
Localities of fish sampling in the inland waters of Baja
California Sur, Mexico (period of May 1991 to April 2002).
1. Arroyo San Cristbal at San Cristbal, Highway Mex.
19. 22 58 40.5 N, 110 02 31.4 W. [no fish recorded].
2. Arroyo [Ojo de Agua] de San Jos del Cabo.
23 03 32.0 N, 109 41 28.8 W.

3. Arroyo La Tinaja (El Aguajito) ca. Miraflores.

23 21 59.4 N, 109 45 19.2 W.
4. Arroyo Boca de La Sierra at the base of San Bernardino
canyon, ca. Miraflores. 23 23 10.6 N, 109 49 11.7 W.
5. Arroyo San Jorge at Santa Rita. 23 28 19.9 N,
109 48 30.7 W. [no fish recorded].
6. Arroyo Grande ca. Bufadora at Todos Santos [a lagoon
inundated by tides]. 23 23 28.6 N, 110 12 40.4 W.
7. Arroyo Las Pocitas at Pozas del Vado. 24 24 10.5 N,
111 06 12.9 W.
8. Arroyo Las Pocitas at Rancho El Caracol. 24 32 N,
111 01 W.
9. Arroyo San Pedro at Pozo del Irit [= Rancho Encinas].
24 46 55.0 N, 111 09 02.4 W.
10. Arroyo San Pedro at Rancho Merecuaco. 24 48 25.2 N,
111 09 03.6 W.
11. Arroyo San Pedro at Rancho Tres Pozas, between
El Carracito and El Ciruelo. 24 48 58.1 N,
111 07 33.0 W.
12. Arroyo San Pedro at San Basilio, before the confluence
with Arroyo La Presa. 24 50 13.1 N, 111 04 37.4 W.
13. Arroyo San Pedro at San Pedro de La Presa.
24 50 43.2 N, 110 59 32.3 W.
14. Arroyo San Luis at Rancho Las Cuedas. 24 53 59.4 N,
111 14 58.7 W.
15. Arroyo San Luis at Misin de San Luis Gonzaga.
24 54 34.8 N, 111 17 21.5 W.
16. Arroyo Bebelamas at Rancho El Frijolito [= El Frijol].
24 57 29.0 N, 111 19 06.0 W.
17. Arroyo Bebelamas at Rancho San Lucas (Poza Honda).
24 57 44.6 N, 111 20 17.9 W.
18. Arroyo San Luis at Presa Higuajil. 24 58 22.7 N,
111 23 37.2 W.
19. Arroyo San Javier (dam and spring) at Misin de San
[Francisco] Javier. 25 52 07.0 N, 111 32 49.0 W.
20. Arroyo La Tasajera between Canipol and Ua de
Gato, Loreto. 26 20 46.1 N, 111 47 12.5 W. [dry
streambed].
21. Arroyo Comond at San Miguel de Comond.
26 01 57.6 N, 111 49 58.3 W.
22. Arroyo Comond at San Jos de Comond.
26 03 32.4 N, 111 49 29.3 W.
23. Arroyo La Pursima at the ford of the La Pursima-San
Juanico road. 26 09 32.2 N, 112 07 42.2 W.
24. Arroyo La Pursima at La Pursima. 26 10 58.7 N,
112 05 18.5 W.
25. Arroyo La Pursima at Carambuche [= Cuba].
26 12 58.6 N, 112 01 12.9 W.
26. Arroyo San Martn at Rancho La Vinorama, between
El Tule and San Martn ranches. 26 38 14 N,
112 17 27 W.
27. Ro Muleg between dam and mouth. 26 53 - 54 N,
111 57 58 W.
28. Arroyo Boca de Magdalena at San Jos de Magdalena.
27 04 08.7 N, 112 12 07.9 W.

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29. Oasis San Ignacio (between dam and spring) at San
Ignacio. 27 18 N, 112 53 W.
30. Arroyo San Joaqun at San Zacaras. 27 08 N,
112 54 W.
31. Arroyo San Joaqun at El Sauzal. 27 10 N, 112 52 W.
32. Arroyo San Joaqun at San Joaqun. 27 11 N,
112 51 W.
33. Arroyo San Gregorio at Rancho San Gregorio, Sierra San
Francisco. 27 40 35.5 N, 113 01 02.8 W.
34. Arroyo San Luciano ca. 200 m above the mouth.
27 19 06.0 N, 112 14 36.7 W.

Additional localities (not shown in Figure 1): Arroyo

Las Pocitas at Rancho El Cantil, 24 35 29.4 N,
110 59 32.9 W. Arroyo El Caporal (tributary of the
Arroyo San Pedro) at Rancho El Caporal, 24 49 47.5 N,
111 13 09.5 W. Arroyo Bebelamas at Poza de la Caguama
[Rancho San Antonio de la Montaa], 24 57 33.8 N,
111 19 21.1 W. Arroyo La Pursima at Presa Carambuche,
26 14 19.8 N, 112 00 03.6 W. Arroyo [oasis] San Ignacio
at Poza Larga, 27 16 26.1 N, 112 54 46.5 W.